Browsing by Author "Nunoo, S."
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Item Assessment of natural radioactivity and radon exhalation rate associated with rock properties used for construction in greater Accra region, Ghana(Springer, 2021) Otoo, F.; Darko, E.O.; Garavaglia, M.; Adukpo, O.K.; Amoako, J.K.; Tandoh, J.B.; Inkoom, S.; Nunoo, S.; Adu, S.Natural radioactivity, radon exhalation and rock properties have been studied using gamma spectrometry, CR-39 detectors and weighing methods. Statistical tool was used to study the relationship between the activity concentration and properties associated with the rocks. The purpose is to determine the rocks with good properties and lower radioactivity levels in order to reduce radiological efect when used as building materials. Gneiss recorded good properties while quartzite was found to contain poor and lower value of radiological parameters as compared to granite and sandstone. Radon-222 was found to correlate well with the properties than radionuclides of radium-226, thorium-232 and potassium-40.Item The geology and geochemistry of the Rhyacian Josephine gold deposit, Northwest Ghana(Applied Earth Science, 2023) Atanga, F.; Amponsah, P.O.; Nunoo, S.; et al.his paper focuses on the geology and geochemistry of the Rhyacian Josephine gold deposit in northwestern Ghana, where gold is primarily hosted in quartzites, with other lithologies observed, including granitoids, mafic intrusions, and gneisses. Four deformational events, DJO0, DJO1, DJO2, and DJO3, are observed. DJO0 is synonymous with the primary preserved sedimentary crossbedding in the quarzitic rocks. Gold mineralization within the deposit is mainly associated with the DJO1 NNW-trending dextral and steeply dipping sinusoidal shear zone. Gold occurs primarily as free gold and invisible gold within the lattices of the disseminated arsenopyrite along the shear foliation planes of the host rock. The ore body geometry is 15–40 m wide and strikes 800 m in the NNW direction. Silicification, sericitization, chloritization, and sulphidation are the main alteration assemblages associated with the gold mineralization zones within the Josephine deposit. Pathfinder elements for gold are stibnite, tellurium, sulphur, copper, silver, and LeadItem Impact of artisanal small-scale (gold and diamond) mining activities on the Offin, Oda and Pra rivers in Southern Ghana, West Africa: A scientific response to public concern(Heliyon, 2022) Nunoo, S.; Manu, J.; Owusu-Akyaw, F.K.B.; Nyame, F.K.The surface water systems of Ghana serve as a major source of drinking water, besides other multi-purpose benefit of hydro-electrical power generation and transportation. Thus, the dependence and benefits from such resources are of national interest. For instance, the Pra river of the South-Western surface water system of Ghana was a major consideration for a projected 5 billion m3 water demand in the year 2020 and “African Water Vision 2025”. In recent times, the colour state of the Pra river and similar surface water bodies of the Offin and Oda rivers has attracted intense public discussion. The prime issue relates to incessant illegal artisanal gold/diamond mining on or along these rivers. In order to assess the state of these rivers, water samples were taken, and analysed at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory (CSIR, Accra-Ghana) to investigate their physicochemical quality. The research objective was to assess the extent of their water pollution by measuring physico-chemical parameters of turbidity, colour, pH and content of selected metals. A total of 18 preserved bottled samples [(5 from Offin river and 2 boreholes), 5 from Oda river and 5 from Pra river and 1 borehole)] were analysed, and results compared with portable water standards as defined by the WHO and CSIR (GS-175-1) of Ghana. Results on turbidity, colour, mercury and iron from the river and water samples generally exceed WHO or GS 175-1 limit. The Pra river recorded the most alarming result; range for turbidity (2,010 to 2,745 NTU), colour (3,000 to 4,500 Hz), total suspended solutes (2,240 to 2,570 mg/L) and total dissolved solutes (97.80–99.60 mg/ L, excluding 319.00 to 25,440 mg/L). The Oda river shows lowest parameter values among the three rivers, as the areas have been dormant from illegal gold mining for 5 years. Current data suggests polluted river bodies and boreholes, and that none of these water resources meets the portable water consumption criteria unless treated prior to usage. As the current state of the water bodies may incur higher cost of water treatment or purification, an integrated water governance under Ghana's Ministry of Water Resource, Work and Housing, and the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency are recommended for the management of these valuable water resources.Item The search for plausible economic mineral deposits in the central parts of Tanzania; insight from stream sediment geochemistry, multivariate statistics and geostatistics(Heliyon, 2023) Nunoo, S.; Mvile, B.N.; Abu, M.; Kelimenze, D.Exploration success relies heavily on the data obtained, but, significantly on the type of analytical methods deployed and the interpretation reached. A poorly analyzed data may obscure the true reflectivity of the data, and thus, compromised the decision made. A combined data processing approach of descriptive statistics, enrichment-depletion data normalization, geospatial elemental distribution, and stacked overlayed comparison of elements have been used in this study. The prime purpose was to demonstrate potential elemental anomalies, and predict areas of higher degree of confidence for subsequent exploration and mineral resource evaluation. One-hundred and sixty-six stream sediment samples from the Dodoma Region of the Tanzania Craton have been examined; to reveal potential elements or mineral commodity that warrant further explo ration. Forty-three elements of target were examined, as this craton is globally known for its rich earth mineral commodity. Our result indicates an enrichment of transition metals (TMs) (Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Mn and Zn), High Field Strength Elements (Y, Th, U, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta and Pb), Large Ion Lithophile Elements (Ba and Rb) and Rare-Earth Elements (La and Ce), Platinum Group Element (Pd and Pt) and other metals (Au, As, Bi, W, Mo and Li). Obtained results point to a likely poly-metallic sources and processes; as the underlain geology is marked largely by pegmatite and migmatites, and moderate proportion of fine clastic sedi mentary rocks, and minor volcanic rocks mostly to the northern domain. Theoretically, the Large Ion Lithophile Elements (LILEs), Rare-Earth Elements (REEs) and Platinum Group Elements (PGEs) are associated with felsic rocks or variable stages of plutonic granitization. Although, the TMs are often associated with mafic-ultramafic rocks, the linkage of such metals with organic-rich shales been reported elsewhere. These rocks may equally contribute to the occurrence of other metals as stated in this paper. Its intriguing to note a strong positive correlation of Li with TMs, possibility of Li control by mafic minerals in pegmatite bodies. This work proposes a polymetallic enrichment controlled by the area geology. To suggest an alluvial mining potential of the above elements in the area, resource evaluation is a requirement. The geospatial maps reveal areas worth focusing for subsequent exploration. The adopted geostatistical methods and other approach utilized in this research are effective, indicative of handling bulk exploration data for decision and subsequent exploration.