Total mercury levels in nine species of freshwater fish from two hydroelectric reservoirs and a crater lake in Ghana

Agorku, Eric Selorm; Voegborlo, R. B.; Adimado, Anthony Apeke

doi:10.1007/s10661-008-0365-8

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(18 reference statements)

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“…All of the freshwater fish studied were sampled in areas with ASGM except for two studies [ 36 , 40 ], but only one study specifically sampled fish directly from streams or reservoirs within ASGM sites or next to ASGM communities [ 27 ]. In freshwater fish and shellfish, mercury concentrations ranged from <0.001 µg/g wet weight (w.w.) in Tilapia zilli , Tilapia multifasciata , Sarotherodon melanotheron , and Labeo coubie species [ 35 , 36 , 40 ] to 0.975 µg/g w.w. in Hepsetus odoe [ 41 ]. Three of the four lowest samples were from areas without mining activities.…”

Section: An Assessment Of the Ecological Health Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review

Rajaee

Obiri

Green

et al. 2015

IJERPH

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This paper is one of three synthesis documents produced via an integrated assessment (IA) that aims to increase understanding of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana. Given the complexities surrounding ASGM, an integrated assessment (IA) framework was utilized to analyze socio-economic, health, and environmental data, and co-develop evidence-based responses with stakeholders. This paper focuses on the causes, status, trends, and consequences of ecological issues related to ASGM activity in Ghana. It reviews dozens of studies and thousands of samples to document evidence of heavy metals contamination in ecological media across Ghana. Soil and water mercury concentrations were generally lower than guideline values, but sediment mercury concentrations surpassed guideline values in 64% of samples. Arsenic, cadmium, and lead exceeded guideline values in 67%, 17%, and 24% of water samples, respectively. Other water quality parameters near ASGM sites show impairment, with some samples exceeding guidelines for acidity, turbidity, and nitrates. Additional ASGM-related stressors on environmental quality and ecosystem services include deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, legacy contamination, and potential linkages to climate change. Though more research is needed to further elucidate the long-term impacts of ASGM on the environment, the plausible consequences of ecological damages should guide policies and actions to address the unique challenges posed by ASGM.

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Section: An Assessment Of the Ecological Health Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review

Rajaee

Obiri

Green

et al. 2015

IJERPH

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“…C. apogon, B. schwanenfeldii, and P. waandersii are also found to accumulate considerable Hg likely associated with their carnivorous diet. Numerous literatures have revealed elevated Hg in carnivorous fish, higher than that in omnivorous and herbivorous species [4,45,46]. [38].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Impoundment of a dam inevitably involves large area of inundation that fosters an environment with accelerated microbial decomposition. This, in turn, may trigger the transformation of inorganic Hg to organic mercury that can be bioaccumulated and biomagnified along the food chain [4]. Fishes affected by mercury accumulation have been found to take 20-30 years to restore to the background level after impoundment [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water, Sediment, and Fishes of a Large Tropical Hydroelectric Dam in Sarawak, Malaysia

Sim

Ling

Lee

et al. 2016

Journal of Chemistry

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Bakun Hydroelectric Dam in Sarawak is one of the world highest concrete rock filled dams. This paper reports the heavy metals concentrations in water, sediment, and fishes of Bakun Dam. Water and sediment samples were collected from 11 stations and 6 fish species were caught. The samples were digested with open acid digestion and the metals contents were analysed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and mercury analyser. The method was validated based on certified reference materials. A higher concentration of Fe and Mn was detected in downstream water with significant longitudinal variation. Cu, Zn, and Hg were present in trace amount. All elements analysed were consistently found in sediment with no risk of contamination. For fish,Hemibagrus planicepswas characterised by higher affinity for Hg accumulation. The concentrations detected in all fish species were within the permissible guideline of 0.5 mg/kg. The health risk assessment suggested thatBarbonymus schwanenfeldii,Puntioplites waandersii,Cyclocheilichthys apogon, andHemibagrus planicepswere characterised by hazard index > 1 implying possible adverse effects. The amount of fish recommended for adults and children was in the range of 500–775 g/week and 33–135 g/week, respectively.

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“…According to the FAO [44], fish accounts for as much as 60 percent of animal protein in the average Ghanaian diet, and 22.4 percent of household food expenditures. Studies in Ghana have shown a mean Hg concentration up to 0.187 µ g/g fish muscle tissue, depending on fish species and the location where the fish is caught [45,46]. These concentrations are well below the European Union recommendation for Hg in fish for human consumption (<0.5 mg/kg).…”

Section: Associations Between Biomarkers Of Seafood Consumption and Pfassmentioning

confidence: 87%

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Serum Samples of Selected Populations from Ghana

Dartey

Ellingsen

Berlinger

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The aims of this study were to assess serum concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in selected populations from Ghana, including workers engaged in the repair of electronic equipment (ERWs), and to elucidate PFAS concentrations in relation to blood mercury concentrations (B-Hg) as a biomarker of seafood consumption. In all, 219 participants were recruited into the study, of which 26 were women and 64 were ERWs. Overall, the PFAS concentrations were low. The most abundant components were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). Women had generally lower PFAS concentration than men. The ERWs had statistically significantly higher concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), which was associated with the concentration of tin in urine. This could indicate exposure during soldering. The concentration of B-Hg was associated with several of the PFASs such as PFOA, PFOS and perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS). Additionally, the concentrations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) were highly associated with the concentrations of B-Hg. It is noteworthy that the linear isomer of PFHxS was strongly associated with B-Hg while the branched isomers of PFHxS were not. In conclusion, the PFAS concentrations observed in the present study are low compared to other populations previously investigated, which also reflects a lower PFAS exposure within the Ghanaian cohorts. ERWs had significantly higher PFOA concentrations than the other participants. Several PFASs were associated with B-Hg, indicating that seafood consumption may be a source of PFAS exposure.

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Total mercury levels in nine species of freshwater fish from two hydroelectric reservoirs and a crater lake in Ghana

Cited by 5 publications

References 17 publications

Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review

Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Water, Sediment, and Fishes of a Large Tropical Hydroelectric Dam in Sarawak, Malaysia

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Serum Samples of Selected Populations from Ghana

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