R. JAYASHREE AND R. RIZAM
Abstract
The presence of chlorpyrifos in water and soil creates serious threats to humansââ¬â¢ health due to major environmental concerns in terms of surface water, ground water and soil contamination. The study was taken in the Ottanchathiram in Dindigul district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Ottanchathiram is a region in the southwest of Tamil Nadu. Five intensive vegetable growing villages namely Thasaraipatti, Veeralapatti, Ambilikai, Arasappapillaipatti and Vadakadu, were selected for chlorpyriphos residue analysis. Soil and water samples were collected from 0th day of spraying and residues in soil samples are continuously monitored at 15 days interval up to 120 days in Cauliflower, Brinjal, Bhindi and Chilli growing fields. Chlorpyriphos concentration ranged from 0.1 to 1.65 mg/kg in all the villages studied from 0th day to 120 th days after application. The maximum concentration (1.65 mg/kg) of chlorpyriphos was observed in Cauliflower field of Ambilikai village and minimum (1.1 mg/kg) in Veeralapatti village. The concentration was reduced to 0.9mg/kg at 120th days after application in Ambilikai village. The reduction in concentration was observed at 120th days after application. The concentrations of chlorpyriphos in water samples ranged from 0.01 mg/l to 0.08mg/l. Most of the water samples collected at 45th day recorded 0.01-0.03 mg/l. The concentration was reduced to 0.01 mg/l at 75th day and then not detected in all the villages from 90 to 120th days after application.