Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in Water and Sediment from Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the organochlorine pesticide residue level in representative sites in Rusinga Island of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Sediment and water samples from five sites along the shores of Rusinga Island in Lake Victoria were collected and analysed for selected organochlorine pesticides (OCP) using gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector and confirmed using GC/MS. The pesticides targeted were p,p'-DDT, γ- HCH, α- HCH, β-HCH, δ-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, endrin, endrin, aldehyde, endosulfan sulfate, methoxychlor and endosulfan. The samples were collected seasonally between the months of September 2012 to May 2013. The residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in water samples during dry season ranged between BDL to 9.84±1.20µg/L. The levels in wet season ranged between below detection limit (BDL) to 15.53±0.20 µg/L. Organochlorine pesticide detected in sediment during dry season ranged between BDL to 32.91 ± 3.84. Wet season the levels ranged between below detection limit (BDL) to 24.84±2.65 µg/Kg. The present result shows that organochlorines pesticides are still detected in our environment which can negatively affect our environment. This study provides baseline data on the levels of OCP residues in sediment and water from Lake Victoria. This will inform policy makers on the quality of water of Lake Victoria Basin as well as supplement the country's studies as an obligation for all parties to the Stockholm Convention on POPs.