Organophosphorus Insecticide Residues in the Aquatic Environment of a Rural Area

Multiple residues of organophosphorus insecticides were monitored in Ganga river water and ground water in a rural area near Farrukhabad in northern India for one year (1991–1992). Monocrotophos was detected in many samples of Ganga river water while malathion and monocrotophos were frequently detected in ground water samples. Quinalphos, methyl parathion and ethion were detected only in few samples of river water. The concentrations of organophosphates were much less than those reported earlier by other Indian workers. Most of the organophosphorus insecticides are possibly biodegraded quickly to nondetectable limits.