Browsing by Author "Amuah, E.E.Y."

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Are used face masks handled as infectious waste? Novel pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic
(Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances, 2021) Amuah, E.E.Y.; Agyemang, E.P.; Dankwa, P.; et al.
The extensive use of face masks has raised concerns about environmental pollution through improper disposal of used face masks after the emergence of COVID-19. The increasing use of PPEs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in several environmental hazards, creating a new environmental barrier for solid waste management and worsening plastic pollution. This study aimed at assessing the occurrence and distribution of face masks in a metropolitan area (Adum-Kumasi), municipal area (Ejisu), community (Abenase) and an institution (KNUST) in Ghana. The study showed that a total of 535 face masks were numbered along a stretch of 1,720 m with a density ranging from 0.04 m to 0.42 m. No significant relationship (P = 0.602) was established between the observation distances and the number of waste face masks numbered. The study also showed that for a 1% increase in the number of face masks on working days, there would be a 0.775% increase in non-working days. A review of literature showed that the disposal of used face masks results in the release of micro- and nano-plastics. Pb, Cu, Sb, Zn, Mn, Ti, Fe and Ca into environmental media. Plastic pollution may be a concern to ecosystems due to its persistence in the environment, lack of environmental awareness, sensitization and education, and poor waste management systems. To ensure the sustainable management of waste face masks, significant efforts are needed. These may include proper disposal, redesigning and producing masks from biodegradable materials. incorporating waste face masks into construction materials and recycling PPE by pyrolyzing are suggested options for the effective management of face masks.
Compositional characteristics of mineralised and unmineralised gneisses and schist around the Abansuoso area, southwestern Ghana
(Applied Earth Science, 2023) Kazapoe, R.W.; Okunlola, O.; Arhin, E.; Olisa, O.; Kwayisi, D.; Dzikunoo, E.A.; Amuah, E.E.Y.
Gold-bearing granitoid deposits have recently been discovered in the Birimian of Ghana but their mode of formation and ore genesis remain enigmatic. This study presents petrographic, and geochemical characteristics of mineralised and unmineralised (gold grade >0.05 and <0.05 g/t respectively) granitoids (now gneisses) and schists (metasedimentary) to evaluate their petrogenesis/provenance, and relationship to gold mineralisation in the Abansuoso area. The unmineralised rocks comprise biotite- and hornblende-biotite gneisses, sericite-quartz, carbonate-sericite, and biotite-quartz schist. The mineralised varieties are biotite-, muscovite gneiss, iron-carbonate-sericite, carbonate-sericite-quartz, chlorite carbonate, and biotite-carbonate schist. The mineralised and unmineralised gneisses are both metaluminous and peraluminous. Both mineralised and unmineraised gneiss and schist show Nb-Ta trough, depleted LILE and enriched HFSE although widespread overall trace element concentrations for the mineralised rocks on UCC-normalised multi-element diagram, suggestive of their formation in an arc setting. This suggests coeval granitic plutonism and sedimentation with subduction-accretion during the Eburnean orogeny, hence, mineralisation may be orogenic-type.