Downward mobility of lindane and endosulfan in soils of indo-gangatic plains of Uttar Pradesh, India

The downward movement and distribution pattern of lindane and endosulfan in different agricultural soils of Uttar Pradesh, India consisting diverse nature of physico-chemical properties were estimated. The pH of soil ranged from 6.6 to 9.8 indicated that neutral to alkaline in reaction belonging to major textural group viz. sandy loam as well as sandy clay loam and loamy sand. The study showed the maximum retention of lindane and α & β isomers of endosulfan were noticed maximum in different textural group of soils up to 10cm soil column. The recovered amount of lindane fortified soils of Uttar Pradesh were 88.63, 79.02, 84.42, 81.77, 80.16 and 84.79 percent whereas, 89.73, 90.18, 94.39, 87.11, 89.33 and 90.68 of a - isomer and 90.80, 91.33, 92.17, 89.70, 90.27 and 92.12 of b- isomers of endosulfan in Varanasi, Basti, Chandauli, Azamgarh, Mirzapur & Banda soils respectively. The percentage of lindane and a and b isomers of endosulfan effluents received varied from 19.4 to 11.33 and 11.5 to 9.3 and 10.4 to 7.78 percentage. It was also noted that the soil parameters mainly organic matter and high clay content of the tested soil significantly restrict the lower movement of pesticides in soils. The adsorption and limited leaching of pesticides particularly in soil with high organic matter content is indicative of potential of the chemical to undergo limited leaching through soil profile hence reducing the risk of ground water contamination.