Abstract
The concentrations of eight trace elements, Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg) and arsenic(As) in sediment and water were assessed in four artisanal and small-scale mining(ASM) localities in the Amansie West District (6°282 N 1°532 W) of Ghana along two river courses from May 2011 to July 2011. Triplicate water and sediment samples were randomly taken at five different points at each of the localities and the elements determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS ). Using the Geoaccumulation Index( Igeo) assessment, the sediments were found to be polluted to different degrees with Cu (Uncontaminated to moderately contaminated/Moderately contaminated), Hg (Uncontaminated to moderately contaminated/Moderately contaminated) and As (Moderately contaminated/Moderately to strongly contaminated). The Enrichment Factor (EF) indicated human influence - artisanal mining activities on the sediment concentration of Cd and Pb for all the localities and only some of the localities for the rest of the trace elements. The elements are major sediment pollutants ( EF > 2) in one or more of the localities. The I geo and EF gave diverse status of the sediment qualities of the localities. Cd, Pb, Hg and As water concentrations in the four artisanal mining localities were all found to be above the WHO maximum acceptable of levels for drinking water. Inhabitants in the mining localities face the risk of getting various diseases by drinking the waters contaminated with the trace elements.
Highlights
The contribution of mining to the economy of many countries is enormous
Cadmium (Cd) concentration in the sediments was found to be below the maximum acceptable level (0.60 mg kg-1) in river sediments (WHO, 2004) (Table 2) at Tetrem (0.35 mg kg-1) and Adobewora (0.57 mg kg-1) while at Gyeninso (0.76 mg kg-1) and Esaase (0.63 mg kg-1) the concentrations were above the maximum
Assessing the extent of Cd accumulation in the sediments using the Geo accumulation Index (Igeo) indicated that the four areas of study were practically uncontaminated with Cd (Table 3)
Summary
The contribution of mining to the economy of many countries is enormous. The mining industry contributes much to exports and acts as one of the major sources of employment for mankind. The mining industry is made up of both the large-scale mining and the artisanal and small-scale mining(ASM) sectors. At the global level the International Labour Organization (ILO) has reported that around 13 million people work directly in small mines throughout the world, most of them in developing countries (IFC, 2012). Aside the economic benefits of largescale mining and artisanal and small-scale mining, the sectors are perhaps better known for their high environmental costs. Environmental issues such as deforestation, destruction of farming potentials, problems with land reclamation and water contamination resulting from mining have become headache to man
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