Ghana Environmental Protection Agency Research Articles

Treatment of greywater using a non-aerated combined horizontal and vertical flow constructed wetland

ABSTRACT Human, animal, and plant health is universally paramount, yet the release of poorly treated wastewater into the environment poses a significant risk to all life forms. Hence the need to employ wastewater treatment technologies to curb these health risks. Due to the need to adopt sustainable wastewater treatment technologies, this study investigated the use of a non-aerated hybrid horizontal and vertical flow constructed wetland for the removal of heavy metals and microorganisms from greywater. This was done at six different hydraulic retention times. Results showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in heavy metal (manganese, zinc, cadmium, magnesium, chromium, and iron) concentrations, with some showing compliance to Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency and the United Kingdom National Environment Regulation recommended discharge limits. Heavy metal concentrations in effluent samples ranged from as low as 0.00 ± 0.15–0.23 ± 0.06 mg/L. Furthermore, there were significant reductions in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi (p < 0.05), which also showed compliance to Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency effluent discharge standards. The effluents from the system at HRT 3 days showed high removal efficiency ranges of 82–90% of bacteria. It is recommended that hybrid constructed wetlands should be incorporated in the treatment of greywater.

Assessment of Noise Levels and Perceptions of Its Health Impact at Kejetia Market in Ghana.

Noise pollution in developing countries such as Nigeria and Ghana is causing adverse effects on citizens, including hearing impairment, sleep disturbances, adverse social behavior, and cardiovascular diseases. This study assessed noise levels at the Kejetia Market in Ghana and the perceptions of health impact. A sound level meter (JD-801A) was used to measure the noise levels at the various points in the market. Results showed that noise exposure levels were not within Ghana Environmental Protection Agency standards 2008, with sources including loud music, advertisements, human congestion, and vehicles. Respondents perceived noise pollution sources as annoyance, mental stress, sleep disturbances, lack of concentration, hearing, and cardiovascular effects. The study suggests that stakeholders and authorities should educate the public on the health effects of noise pollution.

Recycled clay bricks and palm kernel shell as constructed wetland substrate for wastewater treatment: An engineered closed circuit circular economy approach

Wastewater treatment using green technologies contributes significantly to a circular economy. Constructed wetlands (CW) using green substrates or recycled materials are low-cost cleaner technologies that further contribute to a closed circuit. This study assessed the performance of two recycled materials, Waste Clay Brick (WCB) and Palm Kernel Shells (PKS), as suitable substrates in a CW for wastewater treatment. Five (5) horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF CW), designed and fabricated using galvanized steel, were set up for the treatment of domestic wastewater (sewage). The wetland cells were packed with small (WCBS, PKSS) or large (WCBL or PKSL) particle size substrates with one cell using sand as control. The CW operated under two hydraulic loading rates (HLR), 50l/d (HLR-1) and 80l/d (HLR-2). Overall, the effluent quality of HLR-1 was relatively better than HLR-2. pH and turbidity of effluent were satisfactory and within the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for discharge of wastewater into surface water bodies. For both hydraulic loading rates, the highest removal efficiencies of BOD5 (73.97%), COD (71.89%), TSS (90.82%), TP (71.13%), TN (49.41%) were recorded for WCB. Coliform removal was highest in the Palm Kernel Shell (98.6%), followed by the control (97.39%). Wastewater treatment efficiency decreased with increasing wastewater loading rates for all parameters in Waste Clay Brick and BOD5 and TP in Palm Kernel Shell. WCB demonstrated superior treatment potential compared to PKS for all parameters except coliform removal.

Cyanide contamination assessment via target survey and physicochemical and bacteriological characterization: a case study of Akrofrom-Techiman cassava processing area in Ghana.

Improper discharge of cassava mill effluent (CME) has attracted much attention in major cassava-producing areas due to cyanide contamination. This study conducted a target survey on inhabitants and processors of the Akrofrom-Techiman cassava processing area in Ghana that aimed to assess their knowledge and perception of cyanide contamination from the CME discharge. The study further examined the effect of CME on the soil and groundwater at the processing area using physicochemical and bacteriological characterizations. Results revealed that inhabitants and processors exhibited high illiteracy on the impact of CME on cyanide contamination in the processing area. The study also indicated a wide characteristics of the soil at the processing site: pH (4.89-8.77), electrical conductivity (EC) (1063.00-1939.00 μS/cm), total dissolved solids (TDS) (523.90-963.50mg/L), soil moisture (11.90-31.70%), free cyanide (0.02-0.33mg/kg), and total cyanide (0.40-2.70mg/kg). Results also showed that the physicochemical values of the CME were all above the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permissible limits and were unsafe for discharging into the environment. The range of physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of the two boreholes revealed the following: pH (7.85-8.74), TDS (165.77-192.37mg/L), EC (320.87-396.20 μS/cm), free cyanide (0.13-0.16mg/L), total cyanide (1.29-2.15mg/L), and bacteriological parameter (220-622cfu/mL). The two hand-dug wells also recorded pH (8.54-9.56), TDS (140.77-156.10mg/L), EC (288.53-340.67), biological oxygen demand (BOD) (21.51-1.61mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (13.5-16.5mg/L), free cyanide (0.10-0.11mg/L), bacteriological parameter (241-302cfu/mL), and total cyanide (0.79-0.86mg/L). The study concluded that the discharge of CME at the processing site contributes significantly to cyanide contamination of the soil and groundwater at the processing area.

Assessment of health impacts of noise pollution in the Tarkwa Mining Community of Ghana using noise mapping techniques

BackgroundNoise pollution is increasing across the world due to the increase in human activities in the urban areas. The main causes of noise pollution are man-made and environmental noise. However, long exposure to noise pollution could lead to dire health consequences like cardiovascular diseases, hearing impairment, sleep disturbances, and adverse social behavior etc., which is rarely documented in the study area. ObjectiveCommunities in the developing countries such as Ghana have little knowledge of effects of noise pollution on human health, which is demonstrated by their attitude towards this menace. This study assessed the health impacts of noise pollution and its spatial distribution in the Tarkwa Mining Community (TMC) of Ghana. MethodsTo achieve the study objective, questionnaires were administered; as well as collation of health data from major health centers in the study area. Noise levels were measured and noise map produced using geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Overlay maps of some diseases were done using overlay techniques in GIS. The noise exposure and corresponding noise doses for churches, working sites and social centers were also calculated using the respective formulae. ResultsThe noise levels were found to be high above the prescribed Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, with traffic noise levels ranging from 65.00 dBA to 98 dBA, while that of churches ranged from 73.10 dBA to 107.00 dBA and that of working sites from 74.4 dBA to 115.2 dBA. The calculated noise exposure and corresponding noise dose for churches ranged from 75.1 dBA to 104.6 dBA (i.e., 10%‒8 000%), while that for workers’ sites were from 75.8 dBA to 115 dBA (i.e., 12%‒90 000%). Statistical regression and correlation analyses were done for diseases such as hypertension, ear problems and sleep disturbances. ConclusionThe study has therefore revealed that the noise levels in the study area are very high and corresponding health impacts are prominent. Stakeholders and authorities should devise mitigating measures to combat this rising menace. The results revealed a strong positive correlation between noise and corresponding health impacts. Despite the positive correlation there are other causes and effects to the mentioned diseases.

Artisanal tannery wastewater: quantity and characteristics

Tannery wastewater is one of the most toxic waste generated in industries. In spite of this, there still remains a paucity of information on characteristics of wastewater generated from artisanal tanneries. This study, therefore, assessed the water consumption, wastewater generation rates, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of wastewater produced from each process unit of an artisanal tannery in Ghana. The study revealed that the total amount of water use in the tannery ranged between 1171 and 2120L/day whilst the total volume of wastewater generated was within 820 and 1324L/day. Physicochemical characteristics of the different wastewater types generated at the tannery including chemical oxygen demand (13600–24333.30 mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (1445.64–2803 mg/L), ammonia (3.20–21.38 mg/L), colour (950.35–53900.10PtCo), electrical conductivity (8170 - 10080 μS/cm), turbidity (450.24–1805NTU), suspended (1033.50–3216.40 mg/L) and dissolved (26166.50–4996.65 mg/L) solids exceeded the guidelines set by the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency. There were also high levels of chlorides, sodium, sulphates and calcium ions. The most dominant anion and cation in the wastewater were chlorides (715–20490.60 mg/L) and sodium ions (258–14056.45 mg/L) respectively. Heavy metals identified in the wastewater included zinc, aluminium, iron and chromium ions with the most dominant one being aluminium ions (0.58–78.18 mg/L). Whilst the E-coli was below detectable limit, the count of total coliforms ranged between 0 and 4.5 × 104CFU/100mL. Five helminth egg species (Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Enterobius vermicularis) were identified with their numbers surpassing the safe limit set by the World Health Organisation for irrigation purposes. These results indicated that the indiscriminate discharge of the untreated wastewater on the bare soil as it is practised at the tannery has the potential to adversely affect public and environmental health. Appropriate treatment schemes are therefore, required to treat the wastewater to safe limits prior to discharge.

Stabilization of heavy metals in soil and leachate at Dompoase landfill site in Ghana

The levels of heavy metals pollution in water and soil around landfill sites are increasing due to the indiscriminate dumping of domestic and industrial wastes at these sites. This research was conducted to study the characterisation and stabilisation of heavy metals in soils and leachate at the Dompoase landfill site, Kumasi-Ghana. Nine surface composite soil samples (< 40 cm deep) were collected at Dompoase landfill site from the middle (hotspot) of the landfill site through a 15 m radius away from the landfill cell where there were no dumping activities. Untreated leachate sample was also collected from a dugout around the landfill cell at a 4 m distance. This untreated leachate sample is estimated to be over 10 years and has a pH of 7.5. Physicochemical properties (i.e., electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, moisture and clay contents) and heavy metals (i.e., Cu, Cd, Fe, Ni and Zn) analyses were conducted on the collected samples. The results showed that the mean concentrations of all the heavy metals in soil studied were all above the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WHO guidelines with the exception of Ni. All the psychochemical parameters were also within the EPA guidelines. Concentrations of Ni and Cd in the leachate sample were low and could not be detected. Cu and Zn recorded concentrations below the EPA and WHO guidelines while Fe recorded concentrations above the EPA and WHO limits. The contamination factor revealed that Cu (CF = 0.00) can be classified as exhibiting low contamination with Fe (CF = 1.50), Cd (CF = 1.80) and Zn (CF = 2.35) showing moderate contaminations. Low-grade CaO in varying quantities was utilised as stabilising agent to stabilise the heavy metals within various samples for a 21-day period. The physicochemical properties were monitored within the 21-day period during the heavy metal stabilisation. The results showed a percentage reduction in concentrations of metals within the period. The work shows that low-grade CaO can effectively be used in the remediation of contaminated sites as a result of anthropogenic activities.

Assessing potential health effect of lead and mercury and the impact of illegal mining activities in the Bonsa river, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Ghana

Access to quality water remains critical for protecting communities against waterborne diseases worldwide. Potable and quality water penetration to most rural communities is minimal such that over 2.2 billion people worldwide are negatively affected. Activities such as illegal mining, domestic use of water in river bodies, discharge of untreated household and industrial waste into water bodies, and agricultural pollution among others result in pollution of water bodies thus impacting water quality. This study sought to ascertain and measure the actual environmental impact of illegal mining activities in the Bonsa river in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, Ghana. The river was partitioned into upstream, midstream, and downstream locations, and water samples were collected and subjected to physicochemical and heavy metal pollution analysis. The physicochemical characteristics in the Bonsa river revealed mean turbidity values of 155.75 NTU downstream, 135.0 NTU midstream, and 207.0 NTU upstream which exceeds the required international benchmark of the World Health Organization (WHO) for potable water. The heavy metal analysis of lead and mercury also showed values considerably higher than those permissible by the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the WHO indicating significant contamination levels. The study concludes that based on the physicochemical and heavy metal analysis, the Bonsa river is not safe for consumption at all locations and recommends water purification measures before use. The authors recommend the need for preventing related socioeconomic and public health implications through public education initiating plans towards the containment of water pollution.

Characterisation of Wastewater and Treatment Efficiency of Biogas Plants: Effluent Discharge Quality

Aims: To characterise wastewater, assess effluent quality and treatment efficiency of 3 existing biogas plants in 3 distinct institutions in Ghana and to provide relevant data necessary to policy makers to inform decision and influence policy.&#x0D; Study Design: Laboratory analyses were conducted on wastewater samples from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Mfantsipim Senior High School (Mfantsipim) and Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons (Ankaful), between January and April 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: In all, 192 wastewater samples were collected from UCC, Mfantsipim and Ankaful for analyses. Physical, chemical and biological parameters were analysed on raw wastewater and on the effluent. Quality parameters were determined using the protocol outlined in the Standard Methods.&#x0D; Results: The results showed significant differences between effluent quality from UCC, Mfantsipim and Ankaful with most of the quality parameters falling within the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. However, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), total coliforms (T. coli), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella spp. (salmonella) exceeded the guideline values. The ratio between BOD5/COD was 0.5 and 0.3 for UCC and Ankaful respectively, indicating high biodegradability while Mfantsipim recorded 0.06, indicating low biodegradability. The parameters which had high treatment efficiency for the biogas plants was UCC (TSS 72.22%, total volatile solids (TVS) 78.41%, BOD5 64.22%, COD 63.56%, PO4 61.29%, T. coli 1.9 log reduction, E. coli less than 1 log reduction, salmonella 1.5 log reduction and vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) 1 log reduction) followed by Mfantsipim (BOD5 70.45%, COD 83.84%, NO3 79.17%, T. coli 1.6 log reduction, E. coli 5 log reduction, salmonella 1.8 log reduction and V. cholerae complete removal), while Ankaful was (TDS 57.7%, TSS 68.17%, TVS 56.33%, BOD5 82.4%, COD 81.13%, T. coli less than 1 log reduction, E. coli less than 1 log reduction, salmonella less than 1 log reduction and V. cholerae 0.96 log reduction). The rest of the parameters exhibited negative and/or low values. The performance analysis of the three biogas plants showed that UCC performs a little better than Ankaful and far better than Mfantsipim in term of treatment efficiency.&#x0D; Conclusion: The performance analysis indicated that the biogas plants were under-performing which could be attributed to poor maintenance, design deficiencies, poor environmental conditions and voluminous in-put loads. These factors impact the treatment efficiency resulting in relatively poor effluent quality which could put the health of the public at great risk.&#x0D; It is therefore recommended that authorities and policy makers formulate appropriate regulations aimed at addressing the potential impact of poor effluent quality discharged into the environment.

Quantification and Characterization of Artisanal Tannery Wastewater

Tannery wastewater is one of the most toxic waste generated in industries. In spite of this, there still remains a paucity of information on characteristics of wastewater generated from artisanal tanneries. This study, therefore, assessed the water consumption, wastewater generation rates, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of wastewater produced from each process unit of an artisanal tannery in Ghana. The study revealed that the water use in the tannery ranges between 1171 and 2120L/day and the amount of wastewater generated ranges between 820 and 1324L/day. Physicochemical parameters including chemical oxygen demand (13600 -24333.30mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (1445.64 – 2803mg/L), ammonia (3.20 - 21.38mg/L), colour (950.35 - 53900.10PtCo), turbidity (450.24-1805NTU), suspended (1033.50 - 3216.40mg/L) and dissolved (26166.50 - 4996.65mg/L) solids exceeded the guidelines set by the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency. There were also high levels of chlorides, sodium, sulphates and calcium ions. The most dominant anion and cation in the wastewater were chlorides (715 - 20490.60mg/L) and sodium ions (258 - 14056.45mg/L) respectively. Heavy metals identified in the wastewater included zinc, aluminium, iron and chromium ions with the most dominant one being aluminium ions (0.58 - 78.18mg/L). Whilst the E-coli was below detectable limit, the count of total coliforms ranged between 0 and 4.5x104CFU/100mL. Five helminth egg species (Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Enterobius vermicularis) were identified with their numbers surpassing the safe limit set by the World Health Organisation for irrigation purposes. These results indicated that the indiscriminate discharge of the untreated wastewater on the bare soil as it is practised at the tannery is highly detrimental to both environmental and public health and appropriate treatment schemes are required to treat the wastewater to safe limits prior to discharge.

Assessing the potential health impact of selected heavy metals that pollute lake amponsah in Bibiani, Western North region, Ghana

Gold mining contributes significantly to social, economic, and infrastructural development in Ghana. Apart from these benefits, mining activities have negative impacts on the environment as well as the health of fringe communities who depend on the environmental resources for survival. However, despite the increase in small scale mining in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal, the extent to which these activities have impacted on the quality of the Amponsah lake is largely unknown. This study, therefore, assessed whether or not the activities of small- scale miners have impacted the quality of the Amponsah lake as well as the health of the people living in the fringe communities who depend on it for survival. The study used qualitative and quantitative data obtained from the laboratory analysis of water samples as well as the thoughts and opinions of occupants of the fringe communities to achieve the objectives of the study. Findings showed that aside total suspended solids, all the physical parameters assessed were below the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency standards. The mean recorded values for pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids were 7.20, 29 °C, 4.80 mg/cm, 383.00 µS/cm, 185 ml/l and 132.40 mg/l respectively. Also, mean concentrations of 0.0053 mg/l, 0.3110 mg/l, 0.0372, and 0.0440 mg/l were recorded for Hg, As, Cd, and Zn respectively with the concentration of zinc only falling below the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency standards. Further, human activities such as small-scale mining, discharge of waste from nearby communities as well as leachate from a dumping site, are the major contributing factors causing pollution in the lake. Mercury source in Lake Amponsah could be through activities of small- scale miners operating around the lake over the years. The unusually high concentration of As could be likely due to the geology of Bibiani. In conclusion, the physicochemical characteristics of the Lake Amponsah have been compromised pointing to a polluted status except for Zn and total suspended solids.

Evaluation of selected activated carbon filters and sand media for nutrient and pathogen removal from an anaerobic baffled reactor effluent system

The performance of biochar media filters derived from cocoa pod husk (CC) and coconut shell (CN) was assessed in comparison with sand media (SS), under a range of hydraulic loading rates (HLR) (0.105-0.210 m3/m2.d) during a 9 weeks study period. The results at the end of week 7 under a HLR of 0.105m³/m².d, showed CC had the best removal efficiency with respect to the nutrients (TKN (95.56%), NH₃-N (99.68%), Total-P (89.33%) and pathogens (E. coli non-detected), meeting the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GH EPA) guideline values with the exception of Total-P (2.15 mg/L). CN failed to meet the GH EPA limits for Total-P (6.6mg/L), NH₃-N (8.6mg/L) and E.coli (30 cfu/100ml). SS failed to meet any of the GH EPA guideline with respect to nutrient and pathogen. The performance of SS, CC and CN were all observed to deteriorate in week 8 when the HLR was increased to 0.120 m3/m2/d (doubled). However, the GH EPA limit with respect to Total-P was met by CC (1.93mg/L). With a reduction in HLR to 0.1575 m3/m2/d in week 9 the performance of SS, CC and CN were observed to improve as compared to week 8 and week 7 in some cases. The removal of Total-P (1.27mg/L) by CC in week 9, was observed to be the best during the entire study period. A constant pathogen removal efficacy (non-detected) was observed for CC irrespective of the HLR used. CN showed a decline of removal performance in Total-P, TKN and NH₃-N during the HLR variation phase. CC proved to be the best performed filter meeting the GH EPA guideline values with respect to nutrients and pathogen.

Assessing the Presence of Soil Lead Contamination on the Premises of Air Liquide Ghana Limited in Tema, Ghana

A study was conducted to determine the extent of site contamination by Lead (Pb) present in the soil on the premises of Air Liquide Ghana Limited, and give the appropriate recommendation for decontamination, where necessary. Eighteen (18) soil samples were collected from the study area using an augur. The geographical coordinates and elevations of the samples were recorded with the GPS. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. In the absence of present standards from the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), both the Dutch List and the International List standard were used to evaluate the concentration levels of Pb in the soil. Results from the analysis revealed that the concentration of lead (Pb) initially exceeded the international threshold of the Dutch intervention value of 530 mg/kg in some sample areas. Nine locations of the sample areas where diesel was being stored, S2-Diese Tank and Smoking Area S5-Smoking Area recorded values of 636.4 mg/kg and 602 respectively which is above the recommended threshold. The control recorded below the threshold value of 530 mg/kg. The study also showed that Lead compounds attached to soil particles took a shorter time to break down to reduce the levels of concentration over time.

English

Ground water is the source of drinking water for many people around the world, especially in rural areas. A lot of parameters such as the concentrations of Arsenic, Copper, Zinc and other heavy metals in conjunction with other physico-chemical properties contribute to the suitability of water for drinking and for other purposes. This study was carried out in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District of the Western region of Ghana to assess the presence and the levels of selected heavy metals (As, Cu, Zn) pollution of boreholes from different villages in the study areas using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The result of the study revealed that, the mean concentrations of As, Cu and Zn in the analyzed samples were 0.00143, 0.0186 and 0.0329 mg/L, respectively. The analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in the Arsenic concentrations among the eight boreholes (F=4.078, P=0.033). However, the differences in the concentrations of Copper (F=1.592, P=0.264) and Zinc (F=0.741, P=0.647) from the eight boreholes were not significant. Concentrations of the selected heavy metals in analysed water samples were below the acceptable limits of World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA). The concentration of the selected heavy metals may be attributed to the activities of panners, improper disposal of sewage and solid materials containing toxic chemicals and the indiscriminate use of farming inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides which have impacted on the water quality of the selected boreholes in the study areas. Although the levels of the selected heavy metals in these water samples did not exceed WHO and GEPA permissible limits, it is necessary for residents in the study areas to be provided with potable water. Key words: Ground water, heavy metals, Arsenic, Copper, Zinc.

Assessment of Total Mercury in Hair, Urine and Fingernails of Small-Scale Gold Miners in the Amansie West District, Ghana.

Background.Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that can cause several adverse health effects based on its form (organic, inorganic or elemental), duration and pathway of exposure. Measurement of mercury present in human biological media is often used to assess human exposure to mercury at mining sites.Objectives.The aim of the present study was to measure the concentrations of total mercury in urine, hair, and fingernails of miners and inhabitants of Amansie West District, Ghana.Methods.Concentrations of total mercury were measured in sixty–eight miners and twelve non–miners in the study area using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry with an automatic mercury analyzer (HG 5000).Results.Total mercury in nails and hair of smelter miners was 3.32 ± 0.36 and 6.59 ± 0.01 μg/g, respectively. Total mercury concentrations in hair samples obtained from smelter miners were above the 1 μg/g guideline set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Moreover, the total mercury concentration in urine samples was 6.97 ± 0.06 μg/L, far below the >25 μg/L level considered to be a high level of mercury contamination. The total mercury accrued by the individuals was not dependent on age, but was positively associated with duration of stay.Conclusions.Based on the total mercury (THg) levels analyzed in the biological media, artisanal gold mining activities in Amansie West District are on the increase with a potential risk of developing chronic effects. However, the majority of the population, particularly those engaged in artisanal small–scale gold mining, are unmindful of the hazards posed by the use of mercury in mining operations. The results showed that THg in urine, hair, and fingernails more efficiently distinguished mercury exposure in people close to mining and Hg pollution sources than in people living far from the mining sites. Further education on cleaner artisanal gold mining processes could help to minimize the impact of mercury use and exposure on human health and the environment.Participant Consent.ObtainedEthics Approval.This study was approved by the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in Manso Nkwanta.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Analyzing the effect of Akoben programme on the environmental performance of mining in Ghana: A case study of a gold mining company

Abstract This study assessed the impact of Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Akoben programme, a rating and disclosure tool which seeks to promote better environmental performance in the mining and manufacturing industries in Ghana. Using a case study approach, the Akoben audit report card for a mining company was analyzed over a three-year period (2009–2011) based on 7-criteria – legal requirements, hazardous on-site waste management, toxic emissions management, environmental monitoring and reporting, best practice environmental management, complaint management, and corporate social responsibility. Key stakeholders' perceptions of the programme's suitability were solicited from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, EPA, and the mining company. Findings revealed that overall environmental performance over the three-year period under review was poor (2009 – 56.6%; 2010 – 65.6%; 2011 – 59.1%) with none of the years meeting the expected minimum limit, with the exception of legal requirements and corporate social responsibilities; the company failed in all other criteria. Specifically, both toxic and non-toxic waste emission discharges were major concerns as toxic parameters, such as for Arsenic, pH and Cyanide, were exceeded. Environmental monitoring and reporting was also a problem for the company. Stakeholders identified inadequate publicity, an absence of legal backing, and a lack of incentives for outstanding performances as the main weaknesses of the programme. Despite this, the stakeholders acknowledge the fact that the Akoben programme has improved the environmental performance of the mining companies because it puts their operations in check, although more can yet be achieved with regards environmental sustainability with this programme, if adequate measures including legal backing are put in place to ensure its continuity.

Performance Assessment of the Rehabilitated Mudor Sewage Treatment Plant at James Town Accra-Ghana

The Rehabilitated Mudor sewage treatment plant at James Town was monitored over a period of 4 months (October 2017 to January 2018). This study analyzed the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the raw sewage and the treated effluent from the plant. The result indicates that the total removal efficiencies were 98.8%, 91.2%, 62.8%, 28.6%, 81.7%, 43.6%, 82.5% and 99.6% for BOD, COD, TSS, Nitrate-Nitrogen, Phosphate-Phosphorus, Ammonia-nitrogen, Sulphate and faecal coliform respectively. More than 13 parameters needed to be met according to the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline were satisfactorily met whiles ammonia, total suspended solids and phosphate were slightly out of range. From the results obtained, the overall performance of the rehabilitated plant was satisfactory and has seen some improvement with respect to the former recorded performance of the plant. With monitoring operation parameters for waste water plants discharge guidelines becoming stringent over the past years, it could be said that management of the Mudor rehabilitated treatment plant is on the right cause with full scale operation of the plant barely less than a year. Increase in the process steps through rehabilitation resulted in several significant improvements in effluent quality parameters.

Sorption of Heavy Metals from Mine Wastewater by Activated Carbons Prepared from Coconut Husk

A study on sorption of heavy metal ions: Lead (Pb2+), Copper (Cu2+) and Cadmium (Cd2+) from mine wastewater by activated carbons prepared from coconut husk was conducted. The activated carbons were prepared by carbonisation of the husk at 900 ºC pyrolysis temperature, followed by steam activation of the pyrolysis derived char. Activation was also performed at 900 ºC for various durations at steam addition rate of 0.2 mol/h/g in a Gas Fired Static Bed Pyrolysis-Activation Reactor. The derived activated carbons were contacted with mine wastewater containing heavy metal ions to assess their heavy metal ions adsorption potential. The results show that the activated carbons efficiently adsorbed the heavy metal ions from solution, reducing concentrations of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ from 1.56 mg/L, 1.87 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L respectively to below Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) standards of 0.10 mg/L, 1.30 mg/L and 0.03 mg/L for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ respectively. The significances of this study are that, the conversion of the coconut husk to activated carbons provides a solution to environmental problems associated with dumping of the waste and also provides valuable products capable of reducing the effects of heavy metals in wastewater. Keywords: Coconut Husk, Activated Carbon, Heavy Metal, Adsorption

Exposure of small-scale gold miners in Prestea to mercury, Ghana, 2012

IntroductionSmall-scale gold miners in Ghana have been using mercury to amalgamate gold for many years. Mercury is toxic even at low concentration. We assessed occupational exposure of small-scale gold miners to mercury in Prestea, a gold mining town in Ghana. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in which we collected morning urine samples from 343 small-scale gold miners and tested for elemental mercury. Data on small-scale gold miner's socio-demographics, adverse health effects and occupational factors for mercury exposure were obtained and analyzed using SPSS Version 16 to determine frequency and percentage. Bivariate analysis was used to determine occupational factors associated with mercury exposure at 95% confidence level.ResultsThe mean age of the small-scale gold miners was 29.5 ±9.6 years, and 323(94.20%) were males. One hundred and sixty (46.65%) of the small-scale gold miners had urine mercury above the recommended exposure limit (<5.0ug/L). Complaints of numbness were significantly associated with mercury exposure among those who have previously worked at other small-scale gold mines (χ2=4.96, p=0.03). The use of personal protective equipment among the small-scale gold miners was low. Retorts, which are globally recommended for burning amalgam, were not found at mining sites.ConclusionA large proportion of small-scale gold miners in Prestea were having mercury exposure in excess of occupational exposure limits, and are at risk of experiencing adverse health related complications. Ghana Environmental Protection Agency should organize training for the miners.

Performance, Compliance and Reliability of Waste Stabilization Pond: Effluent Discharge Quality and Environmental Protection Agency Standards in Ghana

Measuring performance has been arguerably, one of the metric with many facets with different school of thoughts, as there exist different approaches of measuring it. Several of the existing approaches measure such metric by comparison with standards esherined in policy documents and as a result, takes less look to its compliance and reliability of values being matched to an established standards. This study seeks to integrate reliability and compliance into measuring of performance of Waste Stabilization Pond (WSP) and Treatment Plant (TP) as well as to generate the appropriate standard chart tables using the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved discharge values for physico-chemical and some biological parameters to account for these shortfalls on over reliance of EPA discharge standards. Probability distribution density function was applied on the lognormal distribution function to establish the relationship between the statistical coefficient of variation and the coefficient of reliability based on rth moment about the origin in the moment of generation function to generate the functions of the mean and standard deviation, properties of the standard Z normal distribution were used to establish the coefficient of reliability relationship depending on the coefficient of variation influenced by the standard of deviation. Discharge values of Physico-chemical Parameters measured from the WSP were found be performing acceptably based on the EPA standards, whereas only four of the TP were acceptable. Discharge Values of physico-chemical and biological parameters which are found to be accepted under comparison with EPA standards were found to have compliance levels below what is generally accepted for Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSP) designed compliance. Based on these shortcomings, reference charts were develop to serve as reference points in assessing the various characteristics of compliance and performance of WSPs in Ghana on (28) physico-chemical and biological parameters. These charts are intended to make it easier to assess the performance of WSPs and its corresponding reliability and compliance level to compensate for overreliance on EPA standards alone.