Pollution

Locally produced foreign varieties of Magnifera indica (Keith and Kent varieties) were sampled and purchased from farms and markets within the Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo districts and analyzed for pesticide residues by gas chromatography equipped with an Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). In all, 80 samples were extracted and analyzed for mainly organochlorine residues (?-HCH, ?-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, ?-chlordane, endosulfan s, p, p’-DDE etc.) and synthetic pyrethroid residues (allethrin, bifenthrin, fenpropathrin, permethrin, cyfluthrin etc.). Analysis indicates that about 88% of the mangoes sampled from the farms and markets contained one or more of these pesticide residues. The data also revealed that about 6.2% of the samples analyzed contained organochlorine pesticide residues of ?-HCH (0.013mg/kg and 0.038mg/kg); ?-HCH [0.014mg/k]; methoxychlor [0.027mg/kg] above maximum residue limits. Synthetic pyrethroid residues of cyfluthrin [0.078mg/kg] and fenvalerate [0.025mg/kg] were also found above their respective maximum residue limits. However, 78.2% of detected pesticide residues were below the Maximum Residue Limits. Nonetheless, the continuous consumption of these fruits with even the modest pesticide levels can result in accumulation that could result in deadly chronic effects.

The level of natural radioactivity in soils of some selected towns around Lake Bosumtwi of Ashanti region of Ghana have been determined. Thirteen Samples from different locations close to the catchment area of the lake were collected for determination of NORM activity concentrations using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometer. Activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 2.9 ± 0.14 Bq/kg to 168.2 ± 0.6 Bq/kg with an average of 31.2±0.3 Bq/kg, 0.4 ± 0.1 Bq/kg to 108.4 ± 9 Bq/kg with an average of 11.9 Bq/kg and 20.4 ± 3 Bq/kg to 340.8 ± 12 Bq/kg with an average of 134.8± Bq/kg, respectively. The results obtained were also in good agreement with studies from other countries in the region and therefore can be used to enhance present radioactivity database. The calculated external hazard values ranged from 0.02 Bq/kg to 0.56 Bq/kg with the mean of 0.15 (less than unity) showed no risk of external hazard to the inhabitants and Tourist visiting the catchment.

The concentrations of copper and zinc in Sarotherodonmelenotheronfrom the Fosu Lagoonwere measured to assess the extent of contamination with these metals. The lagoon is a closed lagoon situated within the Cape Coast Municipality of Ghana. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry was employed to estimate the mean concentrations of copper and zinc within a three (3) month period from 16th September, 2005 to 2nd December, 2005. The concentration of copper was found to be in the range of 10.647mg kg-1 to 26.146mg kg-1 and that of zinc ranged from 4.138mg kg-1 to 96.236mg kg-1.The mean concentrations of copper and zinc were 19.665 mg kg-1 and 38.615mg kg-1 respectively. The mean concentration for copper was within the acceptable limit for human consumption whilst that for zincexceeded the FAO’s acceptable limit of 30mg kg-1. The hazard index for Copper exceeded 1. There is therefore, a very high probability of severe adverse health effect on the consumption of this fish species harvested from the Fosu Lagoon especially for children of 0 – 1 year. It was moreover, observed that no correlation existed between the values obtained for copper and zinc. This is a sharp contrast to literature.

A site earmarked for radioactive waste disposal facility was subjected to geophysical assessment and characterization. The principal aim was to ascertain the ‘competence’ or otherwise of the site and to determine whether or not the geological setting is stable enough to contain the waste. The investigation employed two geophysical techniques; electrical resistivity and seismic refraction surveys. The resistivity profiling survey have shown some zones of low resistivities at specific stations on all four survey lines which implies discontinuities in the rock formation suggesting the presence of geological contact. The seismic surveys have also revealed weak zones at same and close to the stations of the resistivity surveys. These weak zones suspected to be as a result of faults or fractures have been mapped. With the aid of the resistivity sounding data and that of the seismic refraction, the site was thus characterized as a four layer formation with geological contacts at certain points.

Water faces an endemic global shortage due to natural replenishment, melting of glaciers and receding in snowlines. This impact is visible as seventy rivers have stopped flowing into the sea; aquifers are depleting and the world’s thirst for water is likely to become one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century. Rapid pace of industrialization, concurrent growth of urbanization, and change of life style of ever expanding population have the potential to damage the environment and degrade the quality of water resources. Since there has been growing concern about pollution in Angul-Talcher area due to industrial, mining and other anthropogenic activities, Central Pollution Control Board and Ministry of Environment & Forests have identified this zone as one of the hot spots in respect of pollution hazards. The present study is an attempt to provide a qualitative and quantitative status indicating the suitability of water resources for drinking purpose. The study on seasonal variations of physico-chemical characteristics along with its water quality of surface water resources fluctuated from one season to other thus making the sources unfit for human consumption. Water Quality Index (WQI) values for surface water in different seasons has been calculated to classify the sources according to pollution level and suitability for drinking purposes.

This study is concerned about the relationship of water quality parameters and aquatic life standards in Munzur and Peri River, Turkey. The rivers were classified according to water quality standards and the parameters were revealed the natural living conditions of fish in subjected ecosystems. Water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, DO, BOD5, COD, total hardness ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, Total Nitrogen, medium-P, chloride, sulphate, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, turbidity, water flow rate and biological parameters such as E. Coli, F. Strp., T. Coli of Munzur and Peri River were detected once per 3 months during 2008-2009. In terms of physicochemical parameters of Munzur and Peri River, both rivers can be classified as 1st class inland water according to the classification properties. In conclusion we revealed that Munzur and Peri Rivers are in good condition for aquatic life which is unique in this area. The natural of the area should be protected and saved for future generations.

Faecal sludge treatment is necessary for waste water reuse. Among the natural biological treatment systems available, stabilization ponds have been used widely around the world with a considerable success. This research was conducted to assess the levels of faecal sludge solids concentration in waste stabilisation ponds, which consist of twin anaerobic pond, primary and secondary facultative pond and a single maturation pond at the Tamale Metropolis landfill site in Northern Ghana. The results revealed TSS concentration range of 4122.22 to 8760.37 mg/l, TDS range of 1970.20 to 9744.11 mg/l and TS range of 6092.4 to 18504.48 mg/l. Variation of faecal sludge solids concentration among different stabilisation ponds were statistically, highly significant by analysis of variances. However, variations of solids concentration within individual ponds were statistically insignificant. The anaerobic pond recorded the highest faecal sludge solid concentration relative to the other ponds as expected. The faecal sludge solids levels were observed to be higher than the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency recommended standard for the discharge of effluent into the environment. This may impede the faecal sludge treatment processes and make the entire system function below required safety levels.

In the present study, the lead phytoaccumulation and its effects on the growth and antioxidant status were determined in Trigonella foenum graceum. The phytotoxicity was studied in the germinating seeds under the exposure to increasing concentrations of lead acetate (25, 50, 100, 200 µM). Although there was a decrease in the germination percentage of the seeds to increasing concentrations, normal growth was observed after germination. The plant was capable of tolerating various concentrations of lead revealed by its vigorous growth after the 16th day of treatment. Pb caused significant reductions in the chlorophyll content, protein content and induced changes in the antioxidant enzymes .Pb decreased the activity of SOD and Catalase while the activity of GPx and LPO were induced significantly after Pb exposure. The plant expressed higher tolerance to Pb which is mainly attributed by its normal growth and physiology.

The contact process preferably used vanadium pentaoxide as catalyst to increase the rate of reaction of producing sulphuric acid. Sulfuric acid plants regularly require catalyst replacement in order to cope with process improvements. The spent catalyst considered as hazardous solid waste and cannot be discarded untreated owing to presence of high amount of vanadium and other associated metal. Because of significant environment implications of spent catalyst wastes it is imperative to recover valuable metals present in them. The recovery of precious materials or metals from waste will not only help in mitigating environment problem due to metal pollution but also improve the economy of the country. The purpose of this research work is to develop method to recover vanadium from spent V2O5 catalyst. The detailed study of extraction, separation and recovery of vanadium from leached spent catalyst solution of composition; V, 3.6% ; Al,2.1%; Fe, 1.3 Ti, 0.8 and less than 1 % of Cr and Pb is reported in this paper. Cyanex 272 (bis (2, 4, 4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid) has been explored for the recovery of vanadium from spent V2O5 catalyst. The effects of different parameters like, pH, solvent concentration, organic to aqueous ratio etc were optimised for the complete extraction and recovery of vanadium. The proposed procedure gives high purity vanadium with almost a quantitative yield (~99%) and of course free from closely associated metals. The extractants could be reused up to ten cycles with no significant change in the extraction capability.