Influence of mining related activities on levels of mercury in water, sediment and fish from the Ankobra and Tano River basins in South Western Ghana

Asare-Donkor, Noah Kyame; Adimado, Anthony Apeke

doi:10.1186/s40068-016-0055-4

Cited by 28 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…This supports the possibility of atmospheric deposition due to the absence of industrial and mining operations within the catchment area. The lake's Hg level is lower than Hg levels of Ankobra (Asare‐Donkor & Adimado, 2016), Tano (Asare‐Donkor & Adimado, 2016), and Pra (Donkor et al, 2006). The low Hg level in Lake Bosomtwe relative to other major rivers and dams can be ascribed to the absence of artisanal mining operations that pollute most Ghana's rivers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Cancer and non‐cancer risks in humans exposed to trace elements in drinking water from a crater lake (Bosumtwi/Bosomtwe)

Amankwaa

Yin

Akyeampong

et al. 2021

Water Environment Research

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The total and dissolved lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, chromium, cobalt, and arsenic in 30 water samples collected from Bosomtwe Lake were analyzed. Arsenic bioavailability was also determined using the ARSOlux test system. Except for chromium, their mean values in the study results exceeded the WHO permissible limit for potability. Cancer and non‐cancer effects associated with exposure to dissolved and total metals by a child and an adult via oral and dermal routes were estimated. The hazard quotient (HQ) values obtained (except adult exposure to total arsenic of 1.71 × 1000) were less than unity. Between child and adult, the recorded hazard index (HI) was 0.82 and 1.75, respectively. The HI results indicate that the adult population is at risk for non‐cancer health effects. Arsenic was the element of concern, and it remained biologically available for uptake by target groups. For child and adult, respectively, arsenic contributed 96.39% and 97.29% to HI values. The risk values for cancer in a child and an adult with oral and dermal exposure to dissolved and total arsenic were lower than the USEPA range. Principal component and cluster analysis identified atmospheric deposition, geogenic, and unregulated application of agrochemicals as plausible sources of water pollution in Bosomtwe Lake. Practitioner points The hazard quotient (HQ) values obtained for adult exposure to total arsenic was 1.71 × 1000. Arsenic remained biologically available for uptake by target groups. The calculated health index (HI) indicated that the adult population is at risk for non‐cancer health effects. Arsenic contributed 96.39% and 97.29% to HI values for a child and an adult. Atmospheric deposition, geogenic, and unregulated application of agrochemicals were the plausible sources of water pollution in Bosomtwe Lake.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Cancer and non‐cancer risks in humans exposed to trace elements in drinking water from a crater lake (Bosumtwi/Bosomtwe)

Amankwaa

Yin

Akyeampong

et al. 2021

Water Environment Research

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“…The observation of low levels of total mercury in water sampled from fishponds may have something to do with the pH of the water, the presence of suspended solids in the ponds, as well as adsorption and precipitation processes. These factors have previously been shown to have the potential to remove metals such as mercury from solutions in the form of sulfides under anoxic conditions 42 . Also, inorganic mercury and methyl mercury (components of total mercury) have been reported to form complexes with naturally occurring dissolved organic carbon, thereby reducing the amount of mercury available in water 43 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Levels of mercury in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), water, and sediment in the Migori gold mining belt, Kenya, and the potential ramifications to human health

et al. 2019

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Understanding mercury levels in gold mining areas where Background locals consume fish is important in evaluating the risk to the population. This study determined the levels of total mercury (T-Hg) in Nile tilapia, water, and sediment in the Migori gold mining belt and the potential risk to human health.: Water, sediment, and fish were sampled from 10 sites in Rongo Methods and Nyatike and analyzed for T-Hg using cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Geo-accumulation index (IGeo) was used to evaluate sediment quality, and the estimated daily intake of fish per meal (EDIm), the target hazard quotient (THQ), and the maximum allowable fish consumption rate (CRmw) were calculated as health risk indices.: Sediment from 6 sites were moderately polluted with T-Hg, while 2 Results sites were strongly polluted. Water from all the sites had T-Hg levels higher than the FAO recommended level for surface water. About 78% (38/49) of all tissues sampled had T-Hg levels above the 0.5 µg/g limit for consumption by the general human population. About 31% (15/49) of muscle tissues had T-Hg levels above the 0.5 µg/g limit, while 88% (43/49) of brain, 69% (34/49) of liver, and 69% (34/49) of muscle tissues had T-Hg levels above the 0.2 µg/g limit for consumption by at-risk groups. There were positive correlations between T-Hg levels in brain, muscle and pond sediment, T-Hg levels in brain and water pH and temperature, and negative correlations between T-Hg levels in brain and levels in water, T-Hg levels in brain and weight of fish. EDIm and THQ ranged from 2.43-15.84 µg/g and 24.3-158.4 µg/g wet weight respectively while CRmw ranged from 1-4 fish.: Consumption of Nile tilapia from the studied area carries a Conclusions significant risk of Hg exposure in frequent fish-eaters, pregnant women, and developing children, but is safe for the general population. Keywords

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“…There are several communities with population of about 1,276,444 people with diverse anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, commercial, wood processing, auto mechanics, food processing and mining within the catchment [23]. In terms of relief and land cover, the area is characterized by both flat and peak surfaces with wet evergreen and moist-semi deciduous ecological zones [8,24]. The buffer zone of the river bank within the study area has been compromised through human activities leaving few shrubs, tree canopy cover and bare area in some cases [23].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The area is warm and moist with relative humidity ranging between 75-85% throughout the year. The annual evapotranspiration is about 1,500 mm with the annual runoffs being about 2,774 million m 3 [8,26].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Variations in Physicochemical and Nutrient Water Quality of River Tano in Ghana

Nyantakyi¹,

Fei‐Baffoe²,

Akoto³

2020

IJEC

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Increasing anthropogenic activities within the catchment of River Tano continues to threaten the river water quality but data is limited. Seasonal variations in some physicochemical and nutrients water quality parameters of River Tano were studied between November, 2016 and October, 2017 using electrometric and standard methods. The objective was to assess changes in physicochemical parameters and nutrient concentrations with the season and to generate useful information for water quality managers and policy makers to ameliorate the problem. The results showed significantly higher rainy season values for all the nutrients and the physicochemical parameters studied. The source of River Tano recorded pH levels lower than WHO minimum permissible level for both seasons but got corrected after 7.2 km from the source. The river was also challenged in terms of colour (61.0±4.6 NTU), total phosphorus content (0.376±0.3 mg/L), total suspended solids (69.7±24 mg/L), turbidity (96.2±21 mg/L) and electrical conductivity (252±33 µS/cm) since the levels of these parameters exceeded the permissible levels for WHO. Some physicochemical parameters and nutrients correlated strongly to indicate a possible common source to the water body. Cluster analysis extracted two clusters of the seasonal sampling sites for physicochemical parameters and three clusters for nutrients also confirming their respective possible common sources to the river. It is recommended that the buffer zone policy must be enforced to avert further deterioration of the river water quality. Industries must be compelled to treat their effluent before discharging into water bodies

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Influence of mining related activities on levels of mercury in water, sediment and fish from the Ankobra and Tano River basins in South Western Ghana

Cited by 28 publications

References 47 publications

Cancer and non‐cancer risks in humans exposed to trace elements in drinking water from a crater lake (Bosumtwi/Bosomtwe)

Cancer and non‐cancer risks in humans exposed to trace elements in drinking water from a crater lake (Bosumtwi/Bosomtwe)

Levels of mercury in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), water, and sediment in the Migori gold mining belt, Kenya, and the potential ramifications to human health

Seasonal Variations in Physicochemical and Nutrient Water Quality of River Tano in Ghana

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