Pesticides pollution and risk assessment of river Ganga: A review

Pesticides consumption along with its impact on different matrices of the environment has increased over past. Monitoring and risk assessment is important to know the exact scenario of pesticide toxicity of aquatic environment. The article compiles the number of studies on different stretches of river Ganga over past years. Risk quotient (RQ) method was used for the determination of potential risk of reported pesticides. Based on general (RQm) and worst-case (RQex) DDT and aldrin in the middle stretch of river Ganga show high risk. Regular monitoring along with compartmental studies is important to assess the pesticide pollution load and persistence in the river. Because hundreds of formulations are being used in the basin for agricultural purposes, detailed analysis and bio-magnification of all the pesticides should be appreciated.