The impact of agricultural runoff on the quality of two streams at Akumadan and Tono

Introduction Non-point source agricultural pollution is regarded as the greatest threat to the quality of surface waters in rural areas. One of the most important routes leading to non-point source agricultural pollution of surface waters in rural areas is runoff. Runoff from agricultural fields introduces pesticides, soil, organic matter, manure and fertilizer into small streams, increasing the volume of stream discharge and changing water quality (Neumann and Dudgeon, 2002). The impacts of such runoff are well documented (Cooper, 1993; Castillo et al., 1997; DeLorenzo et al., 2001). Intensive vegetable farm areas of Akumadan and Tono, Ghana (Figure 4.1) provide an opportunity to study the effect of agriculture runoff on current-use pesticides levels of small streams in the tropics.