Effects of Pesticides and Fertilizers on Groundwater Quality Using Geophysics and Physicochemical Analysis in Oko-Efo, Lagos State University, Ojo (LASU)

Abstract

Modern agriculture uses pesticides and fertilizers to improve agricultural production, andincrease yield, thereby ensuring food access and reducing the ongoing danger of plant-pathogen infections. However, indiscriminate use of pesticides and fertilizers harms theenvironment and human health, resulting in soil loss and nutritional imbalances. This studyinvestigated the potential effects of pesticides and fertilizer on groundwater in Oko-Efo, LASU. An electrical resistivity survey using Three (3) Horizontal profiling and Twelve(12)Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) points was done and physiochemical analysis tostudygroundwater pollution due to pesticides and fertilizers used by farmers. The results suggest possible geoelectric layers in the study location: Topsoil, Clayey sand, Sand and  Saturatedsand. The topsoil composed of conglomerate with resistivity ranging from323 – 666 Ωmuptothe depth of 5 m which is  suspected to be polluted. Water samples were collectedat anaverage depth of 3 m, and the physiochemical analysis further justified the  presenceofcontamination as dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were aboveWHO standards. It is therefore  recommended that the use of pesticides and fertilizersareregulated to prevent groundwater