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ABSTRACT The functioning of the ecosystem can be greatly altered when aquatic organisms are stressed by pollutants such as pesticides. This study investigated the levels of Pesticide residues in water, sediment and biota in Ikpoba River, southern Nigeria. Samples were collected for water, sediment, and biota (Culex sp and Commelina erecta) for a period of two months from two stations at Iyoha, the downstream portion of Ikpoba River. A total of 17 pesticides were analyzed for, using the analytical method of gas chromatography (GC) equipped with electron capture detector (ECD). The mean concentrations of total pesticides ranged from ND-0.0366 µg/l; ND0.0496 µg/kg; ND-0.0022 µg/kg and ND-0.0082 µg/kg in water, sediment, Culex sp and Commelina erecta respectively. Aldrin was the predominant pesticide as it was present in all the matrices (having percentage concentrations of 97%; 18%; 4% and 8% in water, sediment, Culex sp and Commelina erecta respectively. The results of the analysis indicated that the mean values of the pesticide residues in sediment were higher than values recorded for water, Culex sp and Commelina erecta. Conclusively, results also showed bioaccumulation patterns of pesticide residues from sediment and biomagnification in the trophic level due the feeding relationship between macroinvertebrates and aquatic macrophytes. The mean concentrations for all the determined pesticide residues were within permissible limits as stipulated by the European Union.
