Abstract
A study was carried out on the Kpeshi lagoon to evaluate the relative contributions of some heavy metals (Na, k, Ca, K, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Al, Pb) on the current state of the Kpeshi lagoon. The lagoon water was sampled along with some fish samples. Water pH, electrical conductivity and total dissolved salts were measured in situ whilst Na and K were measured using flame emission spectrometry. Heavy metals (iron, manganese, nickel, aluminium, chromium, lead and cadmium) in both water and fish samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. Measured pH values ranged between 6.60 and 7.87, a mean conductivity and total dissolved salts of 87.31 ± 19.14 μS/cm and 38.4 ± 8.43 mg/L, respectively. Nutrient and organic matter were among the frequent source of pollution in the lagoon with mean sulphate, phosphate and nitrate concentrations of 190 ± 108.84, 1.62 ± 0.49 and 0.89 ± 0.26 mg/L, respectively. Iron and aluminium in the lagoon water measured the highest concentration of 13.2 ± 3.47 and 13.6 ± 4.29 mg/L, respectively. Fish samples however revealed very high concentrations of calcium and potassium measuring 15,709 ± 75.35 and 5,949.49 ± 87.30 mg/kg, respectively. Sodium and aluminium also revealed relatively high concentrations: 3,775.70 ± 24.80 and 708.47 ± 4.95 mg/kg, respectively. Notably, sites closer to settlement community (Teshie Township, e.g. S1, S2, S3 and S4) and the hospitality industries (i.e. dotted hotels, e.g. S7) appeared to be relatively more contaminated.
Highlights
Water is one of our most critical resources but, around the world and along with other natural resources, it is under threat
According to Biney (1990), this is typical of shallow coastal waters in Ghana, where ambient temperatures remain within a narrow range of 25–35 °C
The high conductivity values measured at Sites 2, 4 and 6 could be attributed to high ionic exchange as a result of the human activities in the area such as the fishing and salt mining, as well as sand and stone winning in the catchment
Summary
Water is one of our most critical resources but, around the world and along with other natural resources, it is under threat. Comprising about 70 % of the earth’s surface, it is undoubtedly the most precious natural resource that exists on the planet. Most nations recognize this fact, water bodies still remain the most polluted. Living organisms both in water and those dependent on the very existence of this natural resource (including humans’) are dying due to environmental pollution (Sherman and Sherman 1989). The Kpeshi lagoon located in the Greater Accra region of Ghana is one of the coastal lagoons which provide a source of livelihood for the fishing community within the Teshie Township. The lagoon and its aquatic resources have over the years suffered serious environmental degradation as a result of rapid urbanization with little regard to environmental planning
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