Persistence and fate of some organophosphorus pesticides in sea sediments along east coast of India

Abstract

Stability and fate of pesticides, monocrotophos, phosphamidon and DDVP, were studied in sediment samples collected along the east coast of India pH, salinity and exchangeable cations present in sediments exhibited profound influence on stability and fate of these pesticides Rate of hydrolysis of these pesticides in freshwater, brackish water and sea-sediments followed the path of pseudo first order reaction The rate constants (K1) and the half life periods (T2) of these pesticides were determined in freshwater, brackishwater and sea-sediments with and without the presence of all exchangeable actions and anions The low stability of these pesticides in the sea-sediments indicates that the major elements, present in the sea-sediments as cations have reduced the toxic effects of these pesticides to the marine organisms