An investigation on pesticide residue in soil and water with particular reference to Carbofuran in Wayanad District, Kerala

Abstract

Wayanad is a fertile highland of blessed greenery in Kerala state. It is noted for its healthy environment of less atmospheric pollution compared to other parts of the state. Most of the people in Wayanad depend on agriculture for their living. However, recently, in connection with the efforts of the banana-growing farmers to realize enhanced productivity, the unscientific and increased use of harmful pesticides is noted in the district. This trend, as expected, certainly resulted in the boosted production and profound profit, but according to recent surveys, this also resulted in the tragic increase in the number of cancer patients in the district. Among the pesticides used for the purpose, carbofuran, popularly known as Furudan in the market is the major one. A systematic study regarding the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of this dangerous pesticide residues remaining in the soil and leaching to water and the factors responsible for this has not been carried out so far. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to detect and estimate the amount of the carbofuran in the banana planted soil and water of Wayanad district. The locations for the collection of the soil samples were selected on the basis of two factors such as the extent of the use of the pesticide and the type of the soil; of varying physico chemical properties. The most polluted regions of Wayanad district such as Vengoor of Sulthan Bathery Panchayath, Varayal of Muttil Panchayathu and Periya, Thavinjal and Alattil of Mananthavady taluk are therefore selected for the present study. The use of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for the purpose was highlighted. Extraction and quantification of pesticide residues from the soil was carried out by using optimized cleaning procedures and concentration methods using HPLC. Most of the soil samples contained carbofuran in varying concentrations. The recovery of carbofuran from the soil varied from 11.7 to 43.76 mg/L. The amount of carbofuran retained