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ABSTRACT
The levels of pesticide residues in water, sediment and macroinvertebrate samples from Ikpoba river, Southern Nigeria was investigated to evaluate the status of pollution of the downstream portion of the river. A total of seventeen pesticides were analysed using Gas Chromatograph (GC) and Electron Capture Detector (ECD). Samples were collected for two months from February to March. Aldrin was the predominant residue in water with mean concentrations of 0.0366 to 0.0358mg/L in stations 1 and 2 respectively. Diedrin had the highest concentrations in sediment with concentrations of 0.0496 and 0.0136mg/L in stations 1 and 2 respectively. Gamma BHC was the most predominant pesticide in Lestes sp and Gerris lacostris with mean concentrations of 0.00543 and 0.00015mg/L respectively with percentage concentrations of 47% and 20% in Lestes sp and Gerris lacostris respectively. Heptachlor however had the highest mean concentration of 0.0082mg/L in the Enallagma sp samples. Generally Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) had the highest concentrations of the pesticides detected in all the water, sediment and macroinvertebrate samples. Pesticides concentrations in water were however lower than the recommended European Union (EU) guideline value of 0.0001mg/L. Caution on the use of pesticides is therefore necessary to prevent further contamination of the river.
