Degradation of Water Resources by Agricultural Pesticides and Nutrients, Weruweru, Tanzania

Abstract

Agrochemicals nutrients and residues of pesticides in surface water and sediments samples of Weruweru sub-catchment were investigated to determine their concentrations and quality of water for human consumption. Plant nutrients NO , NO , NH and PO concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.96 mg/L were 323 4 - - -3 detected in surface water samples. Pesticides residues cyanazine, -chlordane, endosulfan sulphate, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, lindane and cypermethrin concentrations ranging from below detection limit to 45.7 µg/l and below detection limit to 157 µg/kg dw were detected in surface water samples and sediments samples, respectively. In most sites, nutrients and pesticides residues concentrations were below the maximum limits as per WHO and national limits for drinking water. The agrochemical contaminants were considered to originate from agricultural runoff and weathered agricultural soils. All parameters were measured by standard methods.