Global J. Environ. Sci. Manage. 7(2): 273-286, Spring 2021 Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management (GJESM) Homepage: https://www.gjesm.net/ ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER Residual organochlorine pesticide contaminants profile in fish and sediment from a dam N.J. Mensah1, S. Antwi-Akomeah2,*, E.J.D. Belford3, G.E. Sebiawu4, R. Aabeyir5 1Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Wa Technical University Wa, Ghana 2Forensic Science Laboratory, Ghana Police Service, Accra, Ghana 3Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana 4Department of Dispensing Technology, Wa Technical University, Wa, Ghana 5Department of Environment and Resource Studies, Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, S.D. Dombo University of Business and Development Studies, Ghana ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The vulnerability of the Sankana dam to organochlorine Article History: pesticide contamination is a major cause for concern. Indigenes rely on the dam for drinking Received 18 July 2020 water and irrigation of their farmlands as well as for fish and other aquatic delicacies. Virtually Reviewed 15 August 2020 there exists no study on the residual levels of organochlorine or other pesticide contaminants Revised 11 September 2020 in the dam despite its susceptibility to pesticide contamination. In the present study, the Accepted 13 October 2020 levels of organochlorine residues in fish and sediments from the Sankana dam were assessed. METHODS: Pesticide residue extraction was achieved using acetonitrile containing 1% (v/v) acetic acid in the presence of sodium acetate, sodium citrate and magnesium sulphate Keywords: followed by purification over activated florisil and sodium sulphate. Identification and Fish quantification of residue extracts was done using a gas chromatograph conjugated with mass Ghana spectrometer. Organochlorine Residues FINDINGS: In all, varying levels of 13 organochlorine residues were detected, 11 of which Pesticide toxicity were found in fish and 12 in sediment. Average mean levels of organochlorine residues found Sankana Dam in fish ranged from 0.001 - 0.277 mg/kg. Residual levels of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, Sediment delta-hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, endosulfan-A and dichlorodi- phenyldichloroethane in fish were relatively higher than their respective levels in sediment. Organochlorine residues found in sediment also ranged from 0.001 - 0.091 mg/kg. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, methoxychlor, heptachlor, gamma- chlordane and endosulfan-B residual levels in sediment were higher than the corresponding levels in fish. CONCLUSION: The study provides a baseline for continuous/regular monitoring of organochlorine contaminants in the Sankana dam and other waterbodies upstream and downstream. Where organochlorine residues exceeded their recommended permissible thresholds typically suggests possible recent/continuous use of such pesticides within the catchment area. There is therefore the need for appropriate measures and/or need to strengthen existing policies that bans the importation, sale and use of organochlorine pesticides via strict enforcement. DOI: 10.22034/gjesm.2021.02.09 ©2021 GJESM. All rights reserved. NUMBER OF REFERENCES NUMBER OF FIGURES NUMBER OF TABLES 42 5 3 *Corresponding Author: Email: [email protected] Phone: +2332 4261 0353 Fax: +2332 4261 0353 Note: Discussion period for this manuscript open until July 1, 2021 on GJESM website at the “Show Article. N.J. Mensah et al. INTRODUCTION OCPs till date remain the preferred choice of most The world over, agriculture remains a major Ghanaian farmers owing to their relatively low cost economic growth determinant contributing and effectiveness against a wide range of pests(Ntow et al., et al., significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth 2006; Racke 1997; Sivakumar, 2015). rate (Johnston, 1970; Enu, 2014). Citing Ghana Notwithstanding the fact that the use of OCPs is as a case study, there exists a direct correlation prohibited in Ghana, they nonetheless find their way between agricultural and GDP growth rates (Enu, onto most Ghanaian farms (Ntow et al., 2006; Akoto 2014). According to the World Bank Group Economic et al., 2016) particularly in the hinterlands suggestive Update, over 20% of Ghana’s GDP is attributable to of the illegal production, usage and trading in these agriculture and is the major source of raw materials chemicals (Darko and Acquaah, 2007). The health for Ghana’s industry- supporting nearly 67% of non- threats posed by pesticide residues to humans and oil manufacturing. Agriculture is a major employer other life forms within the environment have ignited of nearly half of Ghana’s labour force and a principal research interests into the subject matter the world livelihood source for the majority of individuals mostly over. In Ghana and Africa at large, several studies into found in the remote parts of Ghana (World Bank the subject matter have confirmed several pesticide Group, 2018). Agriculture in Ghana and many low residue contaminants to be present in water bodies, and middle-income countries extensively rely on the sediments, fish and other aquatic organisms as well use of chemical or biological agents or their mixtures- as food crops (Darko et al., 2008; Ntow et al., 2006; collectively called pesticides to control insects and Akoto et al., 2016; Fosu‑Mensah et al., 2016; Abagale pests known to pose threat to crop yield and quality et al., 2014; Essumang et al., 2009). For instance, the (Kaur et al., 2019). Thus, pesticide usage has become health risks posed by the consumption of fish from an integral part of present-day agriculture worldwide. the Tono Reservoir in the Kassena-Nankana District The world has in the past few decades witnessed a of the Upper East Region of Ghana was evaluated by surge in the use of various types of pesticides in huge Akoto et al. (2016) having assessed the residual levels quantities. As captured by Kaur et al. (2019), on the of organochlorine (OC) and organophosphorus (OP) average, an estimated 5.2 billion pounds of pesticides pesticides in fish, sediment and water samples from are used annually across the globe. Aside the critical the reservoir. Health risk assessment revealed aldrin role pesticides play in agriculture, they constitute a to have the potential to cause toxicity to systems in major class of toxic environmental contaminants persons consuming fish from the reservoir. Elsewhere worthy of concern as they pose a threat to non-target in the Tolon District of Ghana, Abagale et al. (2014) organisms such as humans and other living organisms also studied OCP levels in irrigation water from the (Yadav and Devi, 2017; Jeyakumar et al., 2014). Quite Golinga Dam. Recorded OCP residue levels here were a number of pesticides and their metabolites have all above the WHO maximum residue limit (MRL) for been cited to adversely impact the environment drinking water except mirex posing a serious health and cause reproduction and birth defects in hazard to humans, aquatic life as well as the irrigated humans (Edwards, 1993), as well as immune system crops. Fosu-Mensah et al. (2016) in a related study impairment, cancer and disruptions in the endocrine assessed OCP residue levels in soils and drinking system (WWF, 1999). The estimated death toll water sources in selected cocoa growing areas in worldwide due to pesticide toxicity is between 5000 - Ghana and detected residues of seven banned OCPs 20000 out of an estimated total of 500000 - 1000000 in the various matrices analysed, suggestive of the people who get exposed annually (Yadav et al., 2015; illegal use and trading in such pesticides. Prevalent in FAO/WHO, 2007). Close to 50% of those poisoned and Ghana are crop farms that are often sited along the 75% of those that die are agricultural sector workers banks of waterbodies (streams, lakes, rivers, dams) (Yadav and Devi, 2017). One class of pesticides that for easy access to water for irrigation. The practice have seen extensive usage on the global front are essentially has exposed most of such waterbodies organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)(Darko et al., 2008). to pesticide contamination through run-offs from In Ghana, OCPs have been used for over 4 decades these farms (Bocquene and Franco, 2005). Such is the (Ntow, 2001) and perhaps counting. Despite being case in Sankana, a small community within Nadowli- banned some 25 years ago (Darko et al., 2008), Kaleo District of the Upper West Region of Ghana 274 Global J. Environ. Sci. Manage., 7(2): 273-286, Spring 2021 noted for producing the bulk of crops such as cereals km away from the administrative capital, WA. Located and grains and vegetables in the District. Pivotal to within this village is the Sankana dam built in 1972 the sustenance of crop farming here is the Sankana (Kpieta et al., 2013) which happens to be the largest dam which is one of 84 dams within the Upper West of 4 dams in Sankana and the district at large (Peprah Region (Kpieta et al., 2013). The dam typically serves et al., 2015). Sankana is located at 10° 12’ 0” North, as a primary water source for irrigation and drinking 2° 35’ 0” West, surrounded by beautiful scenery of particularly during the dry season(Kpieta et al., 2013; igneous rocks. Sankana is boarded by communities Kpieta and Laari, 2014; Namara et. al., 2011). As may including Nadowli, Changu, Kaluri, Nyembale, Gyile, be the case elsewhere, the control of pest infestation Papu, Perintabo