Abstract
The effects of small-scale gold mining activities on heavy metal levels in groundwater were determined for the Lower Pra Basin of Ghana. Sixty five boreholes in 45 communities were analysed between January 2012 and April 2012 for the dry season and June and October 2012 for the wet season. The test for significance and the use of cluster analysis, a multivariate approach, clearly delineate Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg as possible anthropogenic contributors, whilst As, Se and Pb could be both anthropogenic and natural geochemical process contributors of metal level concentrations in the groundwater. The analysis shows generally low pH values in the basin with more than 95% of dry season and almost all wet season values being acidic or slightly acidic. Approximately 35% of boreholes in the wet season recorded values for cadmium above WHO guideline value of 3.0 µg/l with almost all dry season values falling below 3.0 µg/l except for two boreholes. Generally, high values were recorded for iron, manganese, lead, Al and Hg. In general, lead, copper, cadmium and manganese showed higher wet season values than dry season suggesting anthropogenic influence.
Highlights
Water is essential for the existence of man and all forms of life
Even though Ghana is well endowed with water resources, its availability is decreasing owing to climate variability and change, rapid population growth, increase in environmental degradation, pollution of rivers and draining of wetlands
In gold and base metal mining areas, sulphide oxidation resulting from chemical and biogeochemical processes leads to the production of low pH groundwater that encourages the dissolution of trace metals into the groundwater system in very high concentrations
Summary
Water is essential for the existence of man and all forms of life. This valued resource is increasingly being threatened as human populations increase and demand more water of high quality for domestic purposes and economic activities (Ackah et al 2011). The preference of groundwater to surface water as a source of drinking water was based on the fact that groundwater excluded from the atmosphere would be less susceptible to pollution. The groundwater, becomes dangerous for human consumption (Kortatsi 2006)
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