Analysis of Organochlorine Residues in River Benue at Makurdi using Gas Chromatography coupled with Electron Capture Detector

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) concentrations along the Benue River at NASME and at Benue Brewery were studied during both wet and dry seasons. A total of 12 water samples were collected and determinations were made. Gas chromatography/electron capture detector was used for OCPs analysis. In these analyses, aldrin, α- BHC, β-BHC, δ-BHC, chlorothalonil, dieldrin, endosulphan I, endosulphan II, endrin, endosulphan sulphate, heptachlor B, heptachlor epoxide, lambda cyhalothrin, lindane, permethrin, P’P-DDT, P,P’ DDD were widely distributed at the various locations. α- BHC has the least average concentration of 0.00643 ppm while permethrin has the highest average concentration (2.2506 ppm).The results portrayed by these research suggests some intolerable levels of pesticides concentrations at some locations.

Keywords: Electron capture detector, Gas Chromatography, Liquid-liquid extraction, Nigeria, Organochlorine, River Benue