The effects of the use of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides in agriculture and households on water and sediment pollution in the Cikeruh River, Indonesia

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of organochlorine pesticides has been banned because of their persistent nature. In response to this ban, the agricultural sector replaces organochlorine pesticides with organophosphate pesticides that are more easily degraded but are generally more toxic. Cikeruh River is part of the Upper Citarum Watershed. This research was aimed to determine the effects of using organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides in the water and sediment of the Cikeruh River. The water and sediment samples were taken from ten points along the river and then analyzed using a gas chromatography method to determine the pesticide concentration. The results of organochlorine pesticides were not detected in all water samples, while in the sediment were found 4-point samples, namely lindane and endrine. Organophosphate pesticides detected in all water samples were diazinon, chlorpyrifos, malathion, fenitrothion, parathion, methidathion and profenofos. Meanwhile, organophosphate pesticides detected in sediment samples were diazinon, chlorpyrifos, malathion, fenitrothion, parathion, methidathion and profenofos. The highest organochlorine was found in the sediments (7.376 ppb), and the highest organophosphate was found in the water (223.61 ppb).