Organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide residues in the Ouémé River catchment in the Republic of Bénin.
The Ouémé River is one of the most important rivers in the Republic of Bénin. It is 510 km long and its catchment drains 75% of the country. In this study, organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide residues were measured in more than 35 sediment samples collected on nine locations along the Ouémé River from upstream to downstream. Except for one location, Tanéka-Koko, all areas were contaminated by more than 20 pesticides. Organochlorine pesticides identified in sediment samples included pp'-DDE, op'-DDD, pp'-DDD, op'-DDT, pp'-DDT, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, telodrin, isodrin, cis- and trans-heptachlorepoxide, hexachlorbutadiene, hexachlorobenzene and octachlorostyrene. The organophosphorous pesticide chlorpyrifos, used in a new formulation to protect cotton, was also identified. In some areas, the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in the sediment of the Ouémé River exceeded environmental quality standards and are reason for concern.
Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Cellulaire, FAST/UAC, BP 526, Cotonou, Bénin. yehouenoue@yahoo.fr
Elisabeth Yehouenou A
EY
Pazou
Michel
M
Boko
Cornelis A M
CA
van Gestel
Hyacinthe
H
Ahissou
Philippe
P
Lalèyè
Simon
S
Akpona
Bert
B
van Hattum
Kees
K
Swart
Nico M
NM
van Straalen
D001541:Benin; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical