Mahugija, John A.M.Kishimba, Michael A.2018-09-052018-09-052007Marco, J.A. M. and Kishimba,M.A., 2007. Contamination of surface waters by obsolete pesticides emanating from a point source in Coast Region, Tanzania. International Journal of BioChemiPhysics 16, Nos1 & 2, pp 17–26.1019-7648http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/4776This paper reports on the concentrations of organochlorine pesticide residues in water samples collected from 1 – 25 km away from a highly obsolete pesticides contaminated site at Vikuge farm in Coast region -Tanzania. GPC-cleaned extracts analyzed by GC-ECD and confirmed by GC-MS showed the presence of twelve compounds namely p,p’-DDT, o,p’-DDT, p,p’-DDE, o,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDD, o,p’-DDD, pentachloroanisole, a-HCH, b-HCH, g-HCH, aldrin and dieldrin. The concentrations of total DDT ranged from 819 – 1764 ng/l in pond water, below detection limit (bdl) – 1076 ng/l in river water, and bdl – 572 ng/l in drinking water. The concentrations of total HCHs were up to 23 ng/l in pond water, 1167 ng/l in river water, and 12 ng/l in drinking water. The highest concentrations for other compounds were 29.2 +/- 0.1 ng/l for pentachloroanisole, 8+/- 0.7 ng/l for aldrin and 6+/- 0.6 ng/l for dieldrin. There are strong positive correlations in the concentrations of most of the detected compounds suggesting a common source. Some concentrations were higher than the respective maximum residue limits and guidelines for aquatic ecosystems indicating potential risks and concerns for public health and the environment at large.enResearch Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCESJournal Article