Occurrence and Distribution of Multi-Class Pesticide Residues in Municipal Solid Waste Compost from Bengaluru, India
B. S. Kavitha
*
Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bengaluru-560056, Karnataka, India.
R. K. Somashekar
Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bengaluru-560056, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study embodies results on the occurrence and distribution of pesticide residues in MSW compost collected from six operational composting facilities in Bengaluru, India. Pesticide residues were analysed using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) employing a multi-residue screening approach targeting 185 pesticide residues. Among these, 172 were detected in at least one compost sample, indicating widespread occurrence of residues in MSW compost. Organo-Nitrogen residues (ONP) constituted the largest proportion, followed by Organo-phosphates (0PP), Organo-chlorines (OCP), and Synthetic Pyrethroids (SPP), reflecting diverse contamination sources. Frequency analysis showed that 21 pesticides were present in all compost samples, while others varied among composting units, suggesting differences in waste inputs and processing conditions. Concentration analysis revealed that 21 pesticides exceeded 1 mg kg⁻¹, with cypermethrin (17 mg kg⁻¹) and cyfluthrin isomers (13 mg kg⁻¹) among the most abundant. The persistence of these residues raises concerns about the safe agricultural application of MSW compost and emphasizes the importance of routine monitoring to ensure environmental safety and sustainable use.
Keywords: Agricultural application, frequency analysis, GC–MS/MS, MSW compost, multi-residue screening, pesticide residues