Many transformation products (TPs) from various pesticides have been identified. Few pesticide TPs have been studied in soil, indicating a pressing need for greater research in this area. Pesticides and their TPs are retained by soils to varying degrees depending on soil and pesticide interactions.
Pesticides were found in over 90% of water and fish samples from all streams. Pesticides were identified in 99 percent of urban streams and in all major rivers with agricultural and urban land use effects. The USGS reported that pesticide concentrations in urban streams often exceeded aquatic life protection requirements (U.S. Geological Survey, 1999).
Pesticides are ubiquitous pollutants in urban soil, air, water, and non-target creatures. Once there, they can harm non-target plants, fish, birds, and other species, as well as vital soil bacteria and insects. Toxic to fish, chlorpyrifos has caused fish kills in waterways near treated farms or structures. Aside from acute toxicity, several herbicides have sublethal effects on fish, reducing their chances of survival and endangering the population. Pesticide poisoning of dolphins has been reported globally.
A fertiliser, pesticide, industrial and domestic wastewater damage the Ganges river basin. Pesticides endanger not only fish but also other marine and freshwater animals. DDT and PCB exposure has been demonstrated to harm reproductive and immune functioning in confined and wild aquatic mammals. Herbicide contamination of water could have disastrous impacts on aquatic creatures, as herbicides are designed to harm vegetation. It can also kill birds by ruining their habitat.
Avitrol, a typical pigeon bait, can be eaten by non-target grain-eating birds. 2,4-D lowered the success of chicken egg hatching and caused feminisation or sterility in pheasant chicks. The use of OCs in tropical areas may expose both resident and migratory birds. OC pesticides and PCBs discovered in avian livers and eggs. OCs have been found in humans and wildlife from India (Senthilkumar et al., 2000). South India is home to the flying fox, short-nosed fruit bat, and Indian pipistrelle bat.