Chlorpyrifos and Dimethoate in Water and Sediments of Agricultural Drainage Ditches in Northern Sinaloa, Mexico

In northern Sinaloa state, Mexico, little is known on organophosphate pesticide transport and fate in agricultural drainage systems. Spatial and temporal variation of chlorpyrifos and dimethoate was assessed in two agricultural drainage ditches (Buenaventura and Burrion) and risk for aquatic life was estimated. Analysis was made by high performance liquid chromatography and risk estimates were determined following international reference frameworks. In water, the highest chlorpyrifos concentration in the Buenaventura ditch was 5.49 mu g L-1, and 3.43 mu g L-1 in the Burrion ditch. Dimethoate was quantified only once in both ditches (0.44 mu g L-1 and 0.49 mu g L-1). In sediment, chlorpyrifos was quantified only in the Burrion ditch (242 mu g kg(-1)). Chlorpyrifos concentrations surpassed water and sediment quality criteria, representing a hazard for environmental and human health, as both ditches discharge into the Gulf of California and are used for capture of commercial species such as the grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and cauque prawn (Macrobrachium americanum).