Browsing by Author "Gbeddy, G."
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Item Bioaccessibility and children health risk assessment of soil-laden heavy metals from school playground and public parks in Accra, Ghana(Springer Link, 2023) Kyene, M.O.; Gbeddy, G.; Mensah, T.; et al.Parks and playground soils constitute a critical matrix for children exposure to hazardous substances due to their high exposure rate. However, minimal investigation has been conducted in Ghana on the subject, thus the need for this research. One hundred and twenty (120) soil samples were collected between April 2015 and March 2016 and then analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The health risk posed to school children by the heavy metals laden in soil was assessed via oral bioaccessibility and hazard index. The oral bioaccessibility of the metals was estimated using the simple bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET) method. Iron (Fe) measured the highest range of total metal concentrations of 2785.0–15275.0 mg kg−1 followed by Pb of 2.1–284.0 mg kg−1. The oral bioaccessibility of the metals varied significantly with Pb and Cu exhibiting the highest mean values of 47.80% and 54.45%, respectively. The sequence for the mean bioaccessibility result does not correspond with the mean concentration of metals in the soil. The hazard index (HI) for most of the heavy metals indicated no potential non-carcinogenic health risk to children (HI < 1) except for Pb. The prolonged use of leaded fuel in Ghana prior to its outright ban on January 1 2004 and the persistence of Pb in soil media may account for its high risk. The deleterious health effects of Pb on children call for the adoption and implementation of appropriate environmental management of playgrounds so as to mitigate children’s exposure to soil-laden heavy metals.Item Efficient method development for atrazine determination in soil samples(E c o t o x i c o l o g y, 2013) Frimpong, S.K.; Gbeddy, G.; .Asamoah, C.O.; et al.Atrazine is a worldwide herbicide used to control pre- and post-emergence broadleaf and grassy weeds in major crops. Being both effective and inexpensive, it is well-suited to production systems with very narrow profit margins, asis often the case with maize. However, due to atrazineís ground water contamination potential and its association with birth defects and menstrual problems when consumed by humans at concentrations even below governmentstandards; environmental media monitoring for atrazine are inevitable. The objective of this study was to investigate a proposed ìsafe, cheap and relatively fastî analytical technique for the routine monitoring of atrazine in soil samples by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultra-violet detector and/or gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The method uses acetonitrile as the extracting solvent, and a self-packed activated silica gel for clean-up of extract. The proposed method exhibited good sensitivity and recovery, and allowed for rapid analysis. For soil analysis, a single chemist could prepare test solutions from 15 corresponding homogenized samples within 4 hours.Item Efficient method developmentfor atrazine determination in soilsamples(Environmental Science: An Indian Journal, 2013) Frimpong, S.K.; Gbeddy, G.; Asamoah, C.O.; et al.Atrazine is a worldwide herbicide used to control pre- and post-emergence broadleaf and grassy weeds in major crops. Being both effective and inexpensive, it is well-suited to production systems with very narrow profit margins, asis often the case with maize. However, due to atrazineís ground water contamination potential and its association with birth defects and menstrual problems when consumed by humans at concentrations even below governmentstandards; environmental media monitoring for atrazine are inevitable. The objective of this study was to investigate a proposed ìsafe, cheap and relatively fastî analytical technique for the routine monitoring of atrazine in soil samples by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultra-violet detector and/or gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The method uses acetonitrile as the extracting solvent, and a self-packed activated silica gel for clean-up of extract. The proposed method exhibited good sensitivity and recovery, and allowed for rapid analysis. For soil analysis, a single chemist could prepare test solutions from 15 corresponding homogenized samples within 4 hoursItem Geological interactions and radio‑chemical risks of primordial radionuclides 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th in soil and groundwater from potential radioactive waste disposal site in Ghana(Springer, 2021) Akortia, E.; Glover, E.T.; Nyarku, M.; Dawood, A.M.A.; Essel, P.; Sarfo, E.O.; Ameho, E.M.; Aberikae, E.A.; Gbeddy, G.This study assessed the infuence of geological depth and formation on activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in soil and groundwater, and radio-chemical health risks. Preference ranking organisation method for enrichment evaluation and geometrical analysis for interactive aid indicated signifcant correlation between 232Th and 40K, thus indicating potential similar primordial origin. Deepest depth rocks at 145 m and 148 m constituted of dark coloured silicifed schist exhibited minimal activity with potential hydro-geological interactions with groundwater. Age-dependent annual efective ingestion dose for 226Ra and 232Th are higher than the UNSCEAR reference dose, thus the groundwater is unsuitable for long-term consumption.Item Spatial distribution, accumulation and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil and groundwater of the Tano Basin, Ghana(Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2018-12) Doyi, I.; Essumang, D.; Gbeddy, G.; Dampare, S.; Kumassah, E.; Saka, D.Soil serves as a vast matrix for heavy metal accumulation and subsequent redistribution to critical aspects of the environment such as groundwater. Soil pollution study is essential for sustainable human health and ecosystem protection. This study provides vital insight into the fate, accumulation, interactions, and health risk posed by heavy metals in soil and groundwater by employing geochemical accumulation index (Igeo), risk assessment models and multivariate data analysis techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), preference ranking organisation method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE) and geometrical analysis for interactive aid (GAIA). The median Igeo estimates show moderate to strong Pb accumulation levels whilst all the other metals indicate uncontaminated to moderate levels. The PCA output point to anthropogenic origin of Pb and Cd in the Tano Basin and surrounding communities. PROMETHEE-GAIA results indicate that Pb, Cd, Zn and Fe accumulated in the soil matrix may potentially leach into the groundwater resources. The carcinogenic lifetime risks posed by Pb, Cd, and Ni metals to adults are within the tolerable acceptable risk and thus do not present an immediate danger in the study area. Due to the significant toxicity, bioaccumulation and biomagnification properties of Pb and Cd in the environment, areas associated with significant anthropogenic activities require regular monitoring and evaluation in order to ensure that these metals are consistently below the regulatory limits. This study has further elucidated the subject of heavy metal pollution and is therefore expected to enhance sustainable protection of the environment and human health.