Abstract
Residues of organochlorine pesticides were determined in soils and drinking water sources in cocoa growing areas in Ghana. Soil samples analysed showed the presence of four organochlorine pesticide residues namely lindane (0.005–0.05 mg/kg), beta-HCH (<0.01–0.05 mg/kg), dieldrin (0.005–0.02 mg/kg), and p,p′-DDT (0.005–0.04 mg/kg), with dieldrin occurring most frequently. Similarly, organochlorine pesticide residues detected in the water samples were lindane (0.01–0.03 µg/l), alpha-endosulfan (0.01–0.03 µg/l), endosulfan-sulphate (0.01–0.04 µg/l), dieldrin (0.01–0.03 µg/l) and p,p′-DDT (0.01–0.04 µg/l), with heptachlor occurring most frequently. The concentrations of the detected organochlorine residues in the soil samples were below their respective US maximum residues limits (MRLs) for agricultural soils, except for lindane recorded at Kwakuanya (S4) and beta-HCH recorded at Krakrom (S3) and Kwakuanya (S4). Similarly, the organochlorine pesticide residues recorded in the water samples were below and within their respective WHO MRLs for drinking water except for alpha-endosulfan at Diabaa (S2) and Kwakuanya (S4) at distance 0–15 m and Kwakuanya (S4) at distance 16–30 m, endosulfan-sulfate at Nkrankwanta (S1) and Diabaa (S2) at distance 0–15 m and heptachlor at Krakrom (S3) at distance 16–30 m which were above their WHO MRLs. The presence of the banned organochlorine pesticide residues in soil and water samples from the study area indicates that these chemicals are still being used, illegally, on some cocoa farms. Routine monitoring of pesticide residues in the study area is necessary for the prevention, control and reduction of environmental pollution to minimize health risks.
Highlights
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao), which is used mainly in the production of chocolate, is an important agricultural export commodity in Ghana (Ntiamoah and Afrane 2008)
The results from this study show that residues of organochlorine pesticide are present in soil and water samples within and around cocoa farms in the Dormaa West District of Ghana
The occurrence of organochlorine pesticide residues in the samples may be attributed to the illegal use of the pesticides by farmers in the study area or due to their historic use, since organochlorine pesticides are prohibited from agricultural use in Ghana
Summary
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao), which is used mainly in the production of chocolate, is an important agricultural export commodity in Ghana (Ntiamoah and Afrane 2008). The country is currently ranked second in the world, after her western neighbour Cote d’Ivoire in cocoa production (Anang et al 2013). Cocoa serves as the major source of revenue for the provision of socioeconomic infrastructure in the country. The industry employs about 60 % of the national agricultural labour force and contributes about 70–100 % of their annual household incomes Insect pests and diseases pose a major challenge to the production of the crop resulting in adverse consequences on the country’s economy. In an attempt to reduce the incidence of insect pests and diseases, a large number of pesticides including organochlorines are usually applied on farms
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