Browsing by Author "Biney, C."
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Item A baseline study of spatial variability of bacteria (total coliform, E. coli, and Enterococcus spp.) as biomarkers of pollution in ten tropical Atlantic beaches: concern for environmental and public health(Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2021) Akita, L.G.; Laudien, J.; Biney, C.; Akrong, M.O.Coastal water quality in urban cities is increasingly impacted by human activities such as agricultural runoff, sewage discharges, and poor sanitation. However, environmental factors controlling bacteria abundance remain poorly understood. The study employed multiple indicators to assess ten beach water qualities in Ghana during minor wet seasons. Environmental parameters (e.g. temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids) were measured in situ using the Horiba multiple parameter probe. Surface water samples were collected to measure total suspended solids, nutrients, and chlorophyll-a via standard methods and bacteria determination through membrane filtration. Environmental parameters measured showed no significant variation for the sample period. However, bacteria loads differ significantly (p = 0.024) among the beaches and influenced significantly by nitrate (55.3%, p = 0.02) and total dissolved solids (17.1%, p = 0.017). The baseline study detected an increased amount of total coliforms and faecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.) in beach waters along the coast of Ghana, suggesting faecal contamination, which can pose health risks. The mean ± standard deviations of bacteria loads in beach water are total coliforms (4.06 × 103 ± 4.16 × 103 CFU/100 mL), E. coli (7.06 × 102 ± 1.72 × 103 CFU/100 mL), and Enterococcus spp. (6.15 × 102 ± 1.75 × 103 CFU/100 mL). Evidence of pollution calls for public awareness to prevent ecological and health-related risks and policy reforms to control coastal water pollution. Future research should focus on identifying the sources of contamination in the tropical Atlantic region.Item Water Quality of the Kpong Headpond(University of Ghana, 2001) Anku, E. A.; Gordon, C.; Biney, C.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Institute for Environment and Sanitation StudiesThe Kpong Headpond was formed in 1982 when the Lower Volta River was dammed at Akuse. The main uses of the water in the Headpond are for hydroelectric power generation, domestic and industrial use and for irrigation. Several activities however, tend to put this body of water at risk of pollution. These include poor waste disposal, poor farming practices and extensive human and animal contact with the water. An eightmonth field study was undertaken to monitor the water quality of the Kpong Headpond and the impact of the surrounding lakeside communities on the water quality. The study involved physicochemical and bacteriological analysis as well as macroinvertebrate analysis and social surveys. The study identified two potential point sources of pollution to the Kpong Headpond. These are the Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL) effluent discharge and the Akosombo Sewage Treatment Plant (ASTP) effluent discharge. The general water quality in terms of physicochemistry was satisfactory. With the exception of one site (which received ATL effluent), the parameters measured at all the other sites fluctuated within the limits expected in similar freshwater bodies. ATL effluent had a drastic impact on the water quality at the site of discharge, which include low oxygen levels, high nutrient concentrations, high alkalinity, high conductivity and high turbidity values. The ASTP outfall was also identified to be a major source of nutrients and coliform bacteria to the Headpond. All the sites were contaminated with feacal coliform, an indication of the probable presence of pathogens. The social survey of the lakeside communities revealed that most of the settlements lacked basic sanitation facilities like toilets and appropriate refuse disposal sites