Browsing by Author "Anornu, G.K."
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Characterization and appraisal of facets influencing geochemistry of groundwater in the Kulpawn sub-basin of the White Volta Basin, Ghana(Environmental Geology, 2009-09) Kortatsi, B.K.; Anku, Y.S.A.; Anornu, G.K.Groundwater composition in the Kulpawn basin is largely controlled by aluminosilicates dissolution and cation exchange resulting in mainly Ca-Mg-HCO3 and NaHCO3 water types. Principal component analysis, Piper graphical classification, and stable isotope (18O and 2H) of groundwater and surface-water samples were used to delineate geochemical processes and groundwater facies. The groundwater is mildly acid to neutral and low in conductivity. Chemical constituents except HCO3- and SiO2 have low concentration. No cation shows clear majority, however, the order of relative abundance is Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+. HCO3- is the predominant anion and the order of abundance is HCO3- > NO3- > SO42- > Cl-. SiO2 concentration is high compared with the major cations. Dissolution of plagioclase, pyroxene and biotite and cation exchange are responsible for groundwater composition. Isotopic data suggest integrative, smooth and rapid recharge from meteoric origin. The groundwater quality is generally good for domestic usage; however, 18 and 47% of boreholes respectively have NO3- and F- levels outside WHO recommended limits suggesting potential physiological problems in some localities. The groundwater has low sodium absorption ratio and low to moderate salinity hazard but significant magnesium hazard partially limiting its use for irrigation. © Springer-Verlag 2008.Item Nitrate contamination of groundwater in the Lower Volta River Basin of Ghana: Sources and related human health risks(Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2020-01-22) Ganyaglo, S.Y.; Egbi, C.D.; Anornu, G.K.; Appiah-Adjei, E.K.; Li, S-L.; Dampare, S.B.A significant population within the Lower Volta River Basin of Ghana relies solely on untreated groundwater (GW) and surface water (SW) for various purposes. However, negative practices associated with increasing human activities pose threats to particularly GW quality in the basin. Using NO3 − as a proxy, this study mainly focused on the status of GW contamination, origins of NO3 − and potential human health risks through integrated hydrochemistry, correlation analysis, isotopes (15N, δ18O), Bayesian and USEPA human health risk models. Slightly acidic to alkaline GW and SW environments were observed. Electrical conductivity (EC) values above 1000 μS/cm were recorded in 45% of the GW with a maximum of 19370 μS/cm. NO3 − in GW ranged from 0.12 to 733 mg/L with average 59.6 mg/L and positively correlated with K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, Na+ and EC. In SW, a maximum of 5.3 mg/L of NO3 − was observed. Largely, 75% of the GW exceeded local background NO3 − value of 2.1 mg/L, while 35% were above the WHO recommended value of 50 mg/L. Bivariate and correlation relationships elucidated human contributions to sources of NO3 −, Cl−, SO4 2− and K+ to GW in the basin. From NO3 −/Cl− ratio, 43% of the GW and 21% of SW were affected by effluents and agrochemicals. Values for δ15N–NO3 - and δ18O–NO3 - ranged from +4.2‰to +27.5‰and +4.5‰to +19.9‰for GW, and from +3.8‰ to +14.0‰and +10.7‰to +25.2‰for SW. Manure, septic effluents and mineralized fertilizers are sources of NO3 − contamination of water in the basin. The Bayesian model apportioned 80% of GW NO3 − contamination to sewage/manure. Hazard index indicated 70%, 50% and 48% medium to high-risk levels for infants, children and adults respectively, with 79% high-risk of SW NO2 − contamination to infants. Immediate measures for GW and SW quality protection are recommended.Item Quality and health risk assessment of shallow groundwater aquifers within the Atankwidi basin of Ghana(Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2019-03) Anim-Gyampo, M.; Anornu, G.K.; Appiah-Adjei, E.K.; Agodzo, S.K.This study has appraised groundwater suitability for drinking and irrigation, and its potential health risk to humans within the Atankwidi basin of Ghana. Twenty-six boreholes were sampled and their physicochemical and heavy metal constituents determined to evaluate the groundwater potability from water quality index computations. Chlorinity, salinity, permeability indices, sodium adsorption ratio, residual bicarbonate and magnesium hardness were also computed to assess the suitability of the groundwater for irrigation. More so, the hazard quotient, hazard index and cancer risk of analyzed heavy metals were estimated to assess their potential carcinogenic risk to human health. The results showed that four and nine samples had concentrations of As, Zn and Pb exceeding respective WHO recommended limits of 0.001 mg/L, 0.006 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L. Fluoride levels in four samples exceeded the maximum WHO limit of 1.5 mg/L whilst two samples were below the minimum limit of 0.5 mg/L. Water quality indices revealed that about 80% of groundwaters were potable. Compared to adults, children were more than twice vulnerable to potential carcinogenic effects over a life-time through dermal and ingestion exposures. The groundwater was generally found to be suitable for irrigation, especially for moderate salt-tolerant crops such as maize, millet, sorghum, pepper, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. To minimize potential exposure to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks, there should be awareness creation to stop the use of agro-chemicals for farming be avoided. © 2019