Assessment of agrochemical residues in wastewater from selected horticultural farms in Arusha, Tanzania
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Date
2015-09-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Arusha region in Tanzania has been involved for quite some time on commercial horticulture.
The use of agrochemicals results to increased crop productivity and consequently offers
farmers major economic returns. However, the use of agrochemicals and the adjacency of
horticultural farms to streams and rivers have the potential to contribute to water pollution if
control measures are not effective. We analysed the physical and chemical parameters of
wastewater discharged from selected horticultural farms in Arusha and detected nitrates
(NO3-), phosphates (PO43-), sulphates (SO42-) and permethrins insecticide in the effluents
discharged into the environment. The mean concentration levels ranged from (4.5 ppm -
64.08 ppm) for NO3-, (3.22 ppm - 47.64 ppm) for PO43-, (91.42 ppm - 139 ppm) for SO42- and
permethrin was 0.63 ppm. Of all the farms monitored, eighty percent (80%) had high levels
of PO43-, sixty percent (60 %) had high levels of NO3- and twenty percent (20 %) had high
levels of permethrin above the allowable limits for discharge into receiving water resources.
It may be concluded that the continued agrochemical use may lead to contamination of
adjacent water resources which may in the long run cause adverse health effects to the
downstream water users. Continual monitoring of agrochemical residues is recommended to
inform and ensure compliance with the stipulated standards and regulations for wastewater
discharg
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Keywords
Pesticides, fertilizers, water resources, pollution, horticulture