Archives

The purpose of this study is to determine the level of contamination of lagoons Aghien and Potou by
pesticides in aim to their use for drinking water production. The extraction method with cartridge C-
18 followed by gas chromatography phase dosage coupled to a mass spectrometer allowed to
highlight lagoons Aghien and Potou waters pollution by pesticides. Four families of pesticides
constituted by triazines and metabolites, substituted ureas, carbamates and convulsivants were
detected in both lagoons in concentrations widely superior to WHO guide values.In the lagoon
Aghien, the respective averages of triazines and metabolites, substituted ureas, carbamates and
convulsivants are 36.53 μg/L, 121.61μg/L, 1.09μg/L and 15μg/L and in lagoon Potou, they are
95.75μg/L, 283.67μg/L, 11.5μg/L et 172.80μg/L.The average of the total molecules detected is
72.43μg/L and 163.43μg/L respectively in the lagoon Aghien and in the lagoon Potou. Leaching
waters of farmland bordering the lagoons, tributaries streams and wind are the main modes of
transport of pesticides. The unofficial circuits of pesticides supply and the failure to respect the
technical itineraries of products use contribute to aggravate pollution. Lagoons Aghien and Potou
are unsuited to drinking water production. In view of their use, good agricultural practices are to be
promoted in the region.
Keywords: pesticides, triazines, substituted ureas, carbamates, convulsants