Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies
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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 sitesItem Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Some Marketed Solid Waste Composts in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2002-12) Hogarh, J. N.; Carboo, D.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Institute for Environment and Sanitation StudiesThe study assessed the chemical and biological characteristics of composts made from municipal solid waste in Accra and agricultural waste in Kade in Ghana. In Accra, compost samples were taken at residential level (Household composting), decentralised community level (Asiedu- Keteke composting facility) and at large-scale metropolis level (Teshie composting plant). The compost samples from Kade were produced at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Station. Composting operations at Teshie and Asiedu-Keteke were from mixed feed stock of organic material, newspapers, bottles, plastics, etc. and represented composting of un-segregated solid waste. The Household compost was produced from kitchen waste, whilst the Kade compost was produced from agricultural wastes (a mixture of cocoa pod husk, poultry droppings and saw dust). The Household and Kade composts were, thus, from purely organic sources. Public interest in composting in general was also assessed by way of questionnaires. The results indicated that the nutrient value, mainly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the Accra composts, which were from municipal solid waste (MSW) were low compared to the compost from Kade, which was from agricultural waste. The differences in nutrient value reflected differences in feed-stocks for the composting. The composts from the mixed waste stream (Teshie and Asiedu-Keteke) did contain higher concentrations of heavy metals such as * lead and cadmium compared to the composts from pure organic sources (Household and Kade). However, the concentrations of the heavy metals found in the mixed waste composts, were not of levels that would pose significant health risk. The Asiedu-Keteke composts were found not to be matured and thus, may have restrictions for its use, particularly, for crop cultivation. All the other composts studied were found to be matured. The social survey indicated that respondents were less familiar with MSW derived composts in comparison to their knowledge on animal manure or yard waste composts. However, there was a potential for a positive public response to solid waste composting.Item Evaluation of Agricultural and Agro- industrial Residues for Composting for Agricultural Use in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2005-05) Adamtey, N.; Ofosu-Budu, K.G.; Danso, S.K.A.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Institute for Environment and Sanitation StudiesGhana produces several hundred million tons of agricultural and agro industrial residues annually. In the Kwaebibirem District in the Eastern Region of Ghana the processing of fruits of the major tree crops such as oil palm and cocoa together with the large cultivation of rice and maize generate high amounts of agricultural and agro industrial residues. Oil palm residues comprising empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm oil mill effluent (POME), mesocarp fibre (MF) and palm kernel cake (PKC) are significant among the agricultural and agro industrial residues, because of the quantities generated and their impact on the environment. The management of these residues is often a major problem for many oil producing countries. The purpose of this study was to characterize and quantify the major residues of oil palm processing, determine their impact on the environment, their potential uses in agriculture and to recommend appropriate management methods. To achieve these objectives surveys were conducted through interviews and administration of questionnaires translated in the local languages. Samples of POME were taken from both large and small scale palm oil processing mills and characterised. Different combinations of the oil palm residues (EFB, MF, PKC and POME) were composted with and without cocoa pod husks (CH) or poultry waste (PW) to increase the K and P values of the compost. Rock phosphate (RP) was also used because composting was found to increase its solubility and to increase P content of compost where poultry waste was not available. Monitoring of the biochemical changes during composting was also carried out to ascertain the best indicator of maturity for such compost mixtures. The parameters monitored during composting included: pH, temperature, carbon dioxide evolution, C/N, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen concentration and seed germination index. The resultant compost treatments were tested over eight months in a field experiment (2003-2004) at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Station. The effects of the compost treatments on the growth and nutrient uptake of two different oil palm varieties (OPRI and La Me seedlings) were evaluated at the pre-nursery and the nursery stages using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments were Flanamite (imported organic fertilizer, T5), 15:15:15NPK (T11) and nine different compost treatments: T1(EFB+POME), T2 (EFB +POME+MF), T3 (EFB + PKC +Water), T4 (EFB+PKC+CH+ POME), T6(EFB + PKC + CH + PW + Water), T7 (EFB+PKC+CH+PW+POME), T8 (EFB+EFB+PKC+CH+RP+POME) , T9 (EFB+PKC+POME) and TI0 (EFB+ Water) The findings by the author showed that about 33,025 metric tonnes of EFB and 73,229 m3 of POME were generated in the Kwaebibirem District. The pH values of MF and PKC ranged between 4.5 and 6.0 while that of the fresh POME and EFB were 4.6 and 9.0. Nitrogen content of the POME ranged between 1.30-1.80%. PKC showed highest phosphorus content (0.7%) while MF recorded the least (0.20%). Potassium content was highest in EFB (2.10%) and lowest in POME (0.06%). Whereas the large scale oil palm processing mills treated their POME through anaerobic digestion, the small and medium scale oil palm processing Mills did not. The untreated POME which is usually discharged into the environment had low pH (below 5), high Electrical Conductivity (31,300 /μS/cm,), high Total Dissolved Solids, TDS (181,200mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand, COD(133,760mg/l ), Biological Oxygen Demand, BOD (44,566mg/l) and oil content (560,250mg/l) higher than critical values supplied in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA of Ghana) for waste water quality standard guidelines for discharges into water bodies, and the Malaysian Standards for oil mill effluent for watercourse discharge. The POME was partly found to account for the high BOD (14.40mg/l), COD (166.70mg/l and low dissolved oxygen (0.93-1.23mg/l) of water bodies near the small scale oil palm processing Mills. The composting mixtures matured after 138 days of composting. Correlation of maturity parameters with germination index showed that alkaline pH, CO2 evolution, temperature and nitrates were found to correlate best with percent tomato seed germination test in determining the maturity of compost from agricultural and agro-industrial residues. The mixture of POME, PKC, cocoa pod husks, poultry waste or phosphate rock as composted material significantly improved the nutrient content of the compost .Percent nitrogen (N) ranged between 2% in T10 to about 5% in T3. Highest phosphorus (P) was recorded in T8 (4.4%) and potassium (K) in T4 (3.97%). Oil palm seedlings (OPRI and La Me) grown in compost treatments recorded higher number of leaves, leaf width, leaf length, seedling height, bole diameter, root volume and total dry matter yield than seedlings grown on inorganic fertilizer(T11) or imported organic fertilizer (T5 Flanamite). Uptake values of NPK by La Me seedlings were higher (920mg/plant,166 mg/plant, 740 mg/plant respectively) than by OPRI seedlings (836.76 mg/plant, 95.83 mg/plant, 489.97 mg/plant respectively ) in the same compost treatments. The correlations between dry matter yield (DMY) and nutrient uptake in both OPRI and La Me seedlings were strong and positive (r = 0.9 and 0.96 respectively). Surveys conducted with questionnaires and interviews on the perception and willingness of the managers of the mills and potential compost users (200 respondents) revealed that 92 to 96% of the respondents perceived compost as good and were ready to compost and use the compost for agricultural purposes. It is recommended therefore that composting could be considered as an effective method of managing agricultural and agro-industrial waste and in particular for the oil palm industry, it should be given utmost priority.Item Environmental Impact of Small-Scale Salt Mining on Socio-Economic Activities in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem District in the Central Region(University of Ghana, 2004-06) Anipam, A.D.; Nyame, F.K.; Ofoli-Danson, P.K.; Aseidu, A.B.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Institute for Environment and Sanitation StudiesThe study involved analysis of water samples from wells, salt pans and lagoons as well as soil samples in the proximity of areas in communities where small-scale salt mining activities is undertaken in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District. In addition, a social survey and detailed observation o f anthropogenic activities were also made to determine the effects o f small-scale salt mining on the environment, and how these environmental impacts affect socio-economic activities in the study area. Results obtained from analysis of water taken from the wells gave values ranging from 4.1 to 8.3 (mean=6.7), 1730|.iS/cm to 9900|j.S/cm (mean=4628|rS/cm), I.4NTU to 4.7NTU (mean=4.7NTU), 895mg/l to 3790mg/l (mean=1904mg/l) for pH. conductivity, turbidity and TDS. respectively. Salinity. Ca. Mg and Cu. had values ranging between 0.8mg/l and 6.0mg/l (mean=2.6mg/l), 80mg/l and 400mg/l (216mg/l). 146mg/l and 534mg/l (mean=224mg/l) and 0.1 mg/1 and 7.5mg/l (2.3mg/l) respectively. Faecal coliform contents recorded also ranged between 40cfu/100ml and 300cfu/100ml (134cfu/f00ml). All these were far above the EPA (Ghana) acceptable limits. The results obtained from analysis of the lagoons and the salt pans were also higher than the EPA acceptable limit, though those recorded for the wet season were lower than those recorded in the dry season. A combination o f the above has rendered water from wells in the study area unfit for domestic use. Salinity content and total hardness of the water are at such levels that the water is very difficult to use for drinking, washing and other domestic purposes. As a result, water for domestic use and other commercial activities is bought at an extra cost to the residents in some of the communities in the study area. Results obtained from analysis of water taken from the wells gave values ranging from 4.1 to 8.3 (mean=6.7), 1730|.iS/cm to 9900|j.S/cm (mean=4628|rS/cm), I.4NTU to 4.7NTU (mean=4.7NTU), 895mg/l to 3790mg/l (mean=1904mg/l) for pH. conductivity, turbidity and TDS. respectively. Salinity. Ca. Mg and Cu. had values ranging between 0.8mg/l and 6.0mg/l (mean=2.6mg/l), 80mg/l and 400mg/l (216mg/l). 146mg/l and 534mg/l (mean=224mg/l) and 0.1 mg/1 and 7.5mg/l (2.3mg/l) respectively. Faecal coliform contents recorded also ranged between 40cfu/100ml and 300cfu/100ml (134cfu/f00ml). All these were far above the EPA (Ghana) acceptable limits. The results obtained from analysis of the lagoons and the salt pans were also higher than the EPA acceptable limit, though those recorded for the wet season were lower than those recorded in the dry season. A combination o f the above has rendered water from wells in the study area unfit for domestic use. Salinity content and total hardness of the water are at such levels that the water is very difficult to use for drinking, washing and other domestic purposes. As a result, water for domestic use and other commercial activities is bought at an extra cost to the residents in some of the communities in the study area.Results obtained from analysis of water taken from the wells gave values ranging from 4.1 to 8.3 (mean=6.7), 1730|.iS/cm to 9900|j.S/cm (mean=4628|rS/cm), I.4NTU to 4.7NTU (mean=4.7NTU), 895mg/l to 3790mg/l (mean=1904mg/l) for pH. conductivity, turbidity and TDS. respectively. Salinity. Ca. Mg and Cu. had values ranging between 0.8mg/l and 6.0mg/l (mean=2.6mg/l), 80mg/l and 400mg/l (216mg/l). 146mg/l and 534mg/l (mean=224mg/l) and 0.1 mg/1 and 7.5mg/l (2.3mg/l) respectively. Faecal coliform contents recorded also ranged between 40cfu/100ml and 300cfu/100ml (134cfu/f00ml). All these were far above the EPA (Ghana) acceptable limits. The results obtained from analysis of the lagoons and the salt pans were also higher than the EPA acceptable limit, though those recorded for the wet season were lower than those recorded in the dry season. A combination o f the above has rendered water from wells in the study area unfit for domestic use. Salinity content and total hardness of the water are at such levels that the water is very difficult to use for drinking, washing and other domestic purposes. As a result, water for domestic use and other commercial activities is bought at an extra cost to the residents in some of the communities in the study area. The nutrient contents o f the soil in the study area were not far below the Booker Tropical Soil Manual acceptable range for most crops. The organic contents of the soil are, however, very low with values ranging between 0.2% and 2.0% and 0.3% and 3.4% recorded. Recorded conductivity values were between 80mS/cm and 5430mS/cm. Values recorded for nitrogen and potassium were between 0.01% and 0.1 % and 10.5 and 66.5mg/kg, respectively. This is an indication that soils in the study area are not fertile probably due to the activities o f small-scale salt mining in the study area. Gardening at the immediate outskirts o f the communities, which was a previous pastime of most inhabitants, has reduced. Those who are involved in full time farming are also moving further inland to farm. The social survey and the observations made indicated that large tracts o f mangrove forest along the banks o f the lagoons have been cleared to make way for the construction o f salt pans. The mangroves served as source o f fuel for domestic use in some o f the communities as well serve as firewood for fish smoking and boiling of brine in the production o f salt. Again, areas occupied by the mangroves served as hunting grounds for fish, crabs and migratory birds which are either consumed or sold for money. Destruction o f mangroves has led to a reduction in the above mentioned activities. Despite the apparently negative impacts that small-scale salt mining may be having on the environment, many inhabitants in the study area, especially women still want salt mining activities to be undertaken of the benefits derived by way o f employment and income. Construction o f salt pans in the coastal scrub and grassland vegetation belt, and the replanting o f mangrove trees in abandoned salt pans, should be encouraged to reduce the impact o f small-scale salt mining on the environment.