Determination of dichlorvos pesticide residues in the groundwater of the environment surrounding Al‐Sin Lake using a high‐performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

AbstractThe unreasonable use of agrochemicals and various human activities in the environment of Al‐Sin Lake basin may cause pollution to water, especially with widely used organophosphate pesticides, which have an effect on the human nervous system. This research sought to determine concentrations of dichlorvos of the synthetic organophosphate pesticide in the waters of the environment surrounding Al‐Sin Lake in the Syrian coastal area. A questionnaire form was dispensed to the local residents in the region, to determine the status of the studied area. Ground and surface water samples were collected from several locations surrounding the Lake. The first site is surrounded by greenhouses and a citrus orchard. The second is the Surit spring. The third site includes greenhouses. The fourth site represents surface water (Lake Surit). The study lasted for seven consecutive months from December until June 2020–2021, samples were taken once a month. Various parameters (pH, EC, TDS, and PO4−3) were measured. Dichlorvos was extracted from the samples using solvents (hexane‐acetone) to be ready for analysis using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The results showed the presence of dichlorvos residues in the studied water samples, with average concentrations ranging between 0.2 and 1.3 µg.L−1, which were higher than the recommended value for individual pesticide in water (0.1 µg.L−1) as recommended by the European Union. Observations of dichlorvos concentration indicated some increase at lower pH. Consequently, contamination of ground and surface waters with dichlorvos was observed in the studied sites, because of its frequent use and its high solubility in water. This unregulated use of dichlorvos can pose a matter of public health concern.