Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications

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    Using Hydrochemical And Isotopic Tracers to Assess the Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Groundwater Quality in Bongo And Kassena Nankana West Districts in Upper East Region of Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2019-07) Zainab, D.
    The population within Bongo and Kassena Nankana West Districts, in the Upper East Region of Ghana is estimated to be about 84,545 and 70,667, respectively. An estimate of about 80% of the population depends on groundwater for domestic and agricultural purposes. However, groundwater resources in the Districts is at risk due to anthropogenic activities such as rapid increase in irrigation activities and animals rearing, open defecation and uncontrolled disposal of animal droppings, improper land use, waste disposal, and illegal mining activities. “This study was carried out to use hydrochemical and isotopic tracers to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on groundwater quality in the study areas. The study employed hydrochemistry and isotopic techniques to assess the chemical quality of groundwater in the study areas. A total of sixty-four (64) boreholes were sampled from the study areas for the study. The samples were analysed in-situ for pH, conductivity and salinity using a HACH potable meter; and bicarbonate using a titrimetry. Analytical methods employed for the determination of major and minor ions were (Na+ and K+) complexometric titration (Ca2+) and (F-, Cl-, NO3 -, PO4 3-, and SO4 2-). Atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the determination of Mg2+ and heavy metals (Fe, Mn and As). Stable isotope of 2H and 18O composition of the water samples were determined using Liquid-Water stable isotope analyser [Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (off axis ICOS) via Laser Absorption]. In general, majority of the ions are within the permissible limit for drinking purpose except few locations in the study areas. The Gibbs Diagram, the Piper Trilinear Diagram and the Hierarchical Cluster Analysis reveal different degrees of water-rock interaction or mineralization and are consequence of silicate weathering and silicate mineral dissolution, cation exchange and to a lesser extent University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh vi fertilizer application. Based on the Water Quality Index (WQI) classification, the majority of the samples fall under excellent to good water category and suitable for drinking water purposes, except for groundwater in few areas which showed deteriorating water quality. The stable isotopes composition implies, there has been fractionated before recharge”. Since, the values deviate towards the positive valves.
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    Health and Safety Assessment of Waste-Pickers at the Kpone Landfill Site
    (University of Ghana, 2019-10) Nuviadenu, A.M.
    Ambient sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were measured mea sured from seven (7) locations at the Kpone landfill site in the Kpone Municipality of Greater Accra Region. Average 24-hour concentrations ranged 47 µg/m3 – 185 µg/m3 and 52µg/m3 – 164 µg/m3 were recorded for NO2 and SO2 respectively. All the measured concentrations were above the WHO guideline limits. Eight (8) heavy metals (Pb, Hg, V, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd) were detected and quantified in the soil and dust sampled from ten (10) locations within the study area using x-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF). Cu, Zn and Pb recorded the highest concentrations that were all above their respective New Dutch List permissible limits. The concentrations, at some sampling locations, were as high as: Cu (334 mg/kg), Zn (36585 mg/kg) and Pb (4808 mg/kg) which recorded high contami nation factors as well. Contamination factors computed using elemental concentrations, as well as the degree of contamination computed for each sampling location revealed locations 4, 5, 6 and 7 as highly contaminated. Health hazard index for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk with respect to three exposure pathways (dermal, in gestion and inhalation) projected locations 4, 5, 6 and 7 as locations with high health risks for waste pickers who ply their trade around these areas. Waste pickers’awareness of health and safety risks was assessed as well. All of them seem to be aware of the physical hazard while 23% are aware of the health risks associated with their working conditions.
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    Assessment of Factors Affecting Indoor Radon -222 Concentration in Dome and its Environs - Greater Accra Region of Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2018-07) Kpordzro, R.
    The objective of this study was to evaluate the contributions of the main factors of indoor radon concentration. This was achieved by measuring indoor and soil gas radon in three localities (Dome Afghanistan, Achimota Mile7 and Achimota ABC) in and around Ga East. 60 houses were selected in the three localities for the indoor measurements. Five sites were located in each of the localities for soil radon measurement at 75 cm depth. LR-115-type II plastic track detectors were used for the measurement in two different seasons – dry and wet. The indoor radon concentration measurement was carried out for three months in each season and the soil measurement was also carried out in a 14-day cycle for four cycles. The LR- 115-type II plastic track detectors were collected, etched at 60 0C and counted using the image j software and v-600 perfection scanner. The track densities obtained were converted into radon concentrations. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) publication 115 model was used to estimate the annual absorb dose and effective dose to the lungs. Significant seasonal variations were observed in the radon concentrations of the dwellings studied. Indoor radon concentrations for the rainy season showed relatively high values than that of the dry season. This was expected as the sliding windows used for the dwellings are not opened during the rainy season. This might have resulted in the accumulation of radon gas in the rooms. Regular opening of windows and other means of providing air exchanges in the rooms during the dry season could have also accounted for the low levels of indoor radon concentration. The mean indoor radon concentration in the rainy season for Dome Afghanistan, Achimota Mile7 and Achimota ABC were determined to be 165 Bq/m3, 115 Bq/m3 and 119 Bq/m3 respectively. The corresponding dry seasons were 71 Bq/m3, 73 Bq/m3 and 66 Bq/m3 respectively for the three localities. The annual effective dose (AED) in the dwellings for Afghanistan ranges from 4.8 mSv/y to 20.2 mSv/y and that of Achimota Mile7 and Achimota ABC ranged from 3.23 to 13.9 mSv/y and 3.5 to 10.74 mSv/y respectively. According to ICRP Publication 115 (2010) statement on radon, the upper value for radon reference level of 300 Bq/m3 corresponds to an AED of 17 mSv/y. Thus the three localities are generally found to fall within the ICRP (2010) limit; however, dwelling AF H17 of Dome Afghanistan recorded indoor radon concentration of 334.10 Bq/m-3 with a corresponding AED of 20.2 mSv/y. These are relatively higher than the ICRP limit. The soil radon measured in both seasons was higher than the corresponding indoor radon concentrations. The concentration ranges from 0.37 to 1.19 kBq/m3 and 1.43 to 4.23 kBq/m3 in the rainy and dry seasons respectively. The concrete floors and blocks of the dwellings seemed to have provided shielding and prevented high radon diffusion from the ground and outdoor into the dwellings. Works already done on the same building materials showed that the radon exhalation rate from these materials ranged from 17.5 to 42.6 Bq/m3. This suggested that the major possible contributing factor to indoor radon concentration in dwellings is lack of ventilation which leads to the build-up or accumulation of radon. A linear correlation analysis for the influence of soil radon concentration on indoor radon concentration in rainy and dry season, gave an Rsquared value of 0.0032 and 0.0021 respectively, indicating a weak negative correlation between soil radon concentration and indoor radon concentrations. This confirms that the indoor radon concentration is weakly linked to the soil radon, possibly as a result of the concrete floor and blocks which provided good shielding.
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    Optimisation and Surface Morphological Analysis Of Activated Carbon from Agricultural Waste Products
    (University Of Ghana, 2017-07) Nyogbe, E.K.
    Many conventional or agricultural by-products and wastes go unused in Ghana. These wastes find their way into our water bodies and also sometimes become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insect pest causing diseases leading to severe health problems. These wastes sometimes are used as fillers in pot-holes which inadvertently blocks drainages during rainfall thereby leading to flooding in flood prone areas. The precursors used in this study to produce activated carbon were palm kernel shell and coconut shell. The produced activated carbon was activated chemically using three different activating agents, acid (H3PO4), base (NaOH) and a salt (CaCl2). The maximum yield of activated carbon, 26.3 g (PKS) and 22.9 g (CS), using H3PO4 as an activating agent were obtained at 400 oC, 1 h carbonisation time and an impregnation ratio of 1.2. Similarly, maximum yield of activated carbon, 22.4 g (PKS) and 17.3 g (CS), using NaOH as an activating agent was also obtained at 500 oC, 2.5 h and impregnation ratio of 1.2. Using CaCl2 as activating agent, the maximum yield of activated carbon were 25.5 g (PKS) and 20.8 g (CS), these maximum values corresponded to 400 oC, 1 h carbonisation time and an impregnation ratio of 1.2. The H3PO4 activated carbons were fairly better in the areas of ash content (7.17 %), moisture content (1.94 %), bulk density (0.65 g/cm3), pore volume (0.94 ml/g), iodine adsorption (743.02 mg/g) and porosity (0.49). On the other hand, the NaOH activated carbon was also advantageous in terms of carbon content (57.78 %). CaCl2 activated carbons, were also commendable in terms of volatile matter (30.46 %) and electrical conductivity (2130 μS/cm). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique was employed to observe the surface physical morphology of the coconut shell and palm kernel shell activated carbons. Prior to chemical activation the surface morphology of the raw coconut shell compared to the palm kernel shell at a magnification of ×5000 did not show porous surface, while the external surfaces of the chemically activated carbon were rich with cavities.
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    Studies of Iron Removal in Drinking Water Using Limestone as Adsorbent
    (University of Ghana, 2017-07) Thandiwe, P.
    The study assessed the suitability of two limestone samples (EKLD01 and EKLR02) for use as adsorbent to remove excess iron in drinking water through geochemical and mineralogical characterization using an ion beam linear accelerator and petrographic thin sectioning respectively. The radiological safety (activity concentration) of the limestone was evaluated through measurement of the Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) using a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) -ray Semi-conductor Detector. In addition, the study monitored the iron adsorption efficiency (sorption capacity and percentage adsorption) of limestone with respect to Sample Size, Adsorbent Dose, Residence Time and pH. Agreement between the adsorption isotherms obtained from this study and model adsorption isotherms proposed by Langmuir (1916) and Freundlich (1909) assessed. The iron removal technique was developed using limestone grain sizes (500-1000 μm, 1000-2000 μm and 2000-6350 μm) through Batch Adsorption experiments using Iron standard solutions, followed by Column Adsorption experiments using iron rich/contaminated ground water from the Ashongman Estates, in the Ga East Municipal of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The geochemical and mineral characterization indicated that Sample EKLR02 was the most suitable limestone sample for the development of technique based on its relative high calcium content (56.14%). Radiologically, both limestone samples were safe as their calculated mean annual effective dose (0.2 mSv/yr for both samples) did not exceed the UNSCEAR (2000) recommended value of 0.4 mSv/yr. In the Batch experiment, the extent of iron adsorption with respect to time, pH, and dosage of limestone (20-100 g in 200 mL of iron standard solution) were studied. Maximum adsorption was attained at pH 12, limestone dosage of 100g/200 mL, time of 60 minutes, and particle size of 500-1000 μm. Consequently, these were adopted and used for the Column experiments. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh vi In the Column experiments, optimal conditions obtained during the Batch experiments were adapted and used to analyze fourteen (14) water samples from boreholes and hand-dug wells from the Ashongman Estates. The measured iron concentrations of the sampled water from Ashongman Estates ranged from 0.20 to 4.66 mg/L prior to the Column experiment. At the end of the Column experiment, the measured iron concentrations ranged from 0.19 to 0.28 mg/L [below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of 0.3 mg/L]. There was linear agreement (RL =1) between the adsorption data obtained from the study with Langmuir’s Model Adsorption Isotherm (1916) at iron concentrations of 1 mg/L and above (in the ground water samples). The adsorption data obtained from the study did not correlate well (R2 = 0.0138) with the Freundlich model adsorption isotherm (1909); and the Freundlich constant, Kf , was found to be negative -5.2367 instead of a positive value.
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    Application of Integrated Geophysical Methods to Investigate Contaminants at a Landfill Site, Accra,Ghana.
    (2018-07) Andam, E.O.
    In the study electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), time-domain induced polarization (TDIP) and seismic refraction tomography (SRT) techniques were applied at an active unengineered municipal solid waste landfill site located at Pantang in the Ga East Municipality, Accra, Ghana. The environmental and public health hazards related with municipal solid waste disposal are rampant in developing countries like Ghana. The most common waste disposal system in Ghana is the open disposal of waste generated from industries, residents and commercial areas to un-engineered landfill sites. The consequences on the quality of livelihood and health risks as a result of this practice demand a comprehensive method to investigate and evaluate the impact of landfill sites on the environment. This study was aimed at mapping the conductive contaminant plume and level of contaminants migration within the subsurface, and also to determine the depth to bedrock of the landfill site. A total of five (5) survey lines were selected in conducting the electrical resistivity tomography and induced polarization methods. The dipole-dipole array was employed in investigating the extent of potential contaminant plumes beneath the subsurface. The analysis generated from the models revealed that the zones with possible leachate pollution have thicknesses ranging from 1 m to 4 m and a maximum depth of 15 m below the surface. In a complimentary effort, seismic refraction survey was conducted on two survey lines, to define shallow bedrock topography and the depth to bedrock of the landfill site. The seismic survey demonstrated that highly variable non-uniform subsurface conditions exist at the landfill site. The result proposes that, the Pantang landfill site has seismic velocities distribution ranging from; 72 ms-1 to 900 ms-1, which is interpreted as the overburden material, 1000 ms-1 to 6000 ms-1 for slightly weathered zone and velocities greater than 6000 ms-1 for competent rock material. The seismic refraction tomography helped to characterize geologic features within the waste dump and to assess the possible pathways for contaminant plumes. The outcome established by this research suggests for an evaluation of the waste management system policies in Ghana emphasizing on alleviation of the influence of municipal solid waste on the ecosystem.
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    Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among Prisoners In Ghana
    (2017-07) Adzam, D.A.
    The present study investigated anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation among prisoners in Ghana. Specific aims and objectives for this research were to (a) find the levels of psychopathological symptoms among male and female prisoners; (b) examine the differences in psychological symptoms among prisoners based on age, educational level, duration of sentence, type of crime, and religious affiliation; (c) find the relationship between coping strategies and suicidal ideation among prisoners; (d) find the extent to which coping strategies used by prisoners would moderate the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation; (e) find the relationship between coping mechanisms and depression; (f) examine the various causes of anxiety and depression among the prison population; and (g) evaluate how the conditions in the prison affect their psychological well-being. Using 170 research participants from the Nsawam Prisons in Ghana, the depression anxiety stress scale, cope inventory, modified scale for suicidal ideation, and an interview guide were administered in a sequential transformative mixed methods design. 150 participants were used for the quantitative study and four independent focus groups of 20 participants were used to qualitatively investigate the causes of depression and anxiety among prisoners as well as how the prison environment affects the psychological wellbeing of prisoners. This qualitative aspect was achieved through open-ended questions pertaining to anxiety, depression and psychological wellbeing among prisoners. Fundamental findings from this study include the fact that, high levels of depression, anxiety, stress and suicidal ideation exists among prisoners in Ghana. Of the male and female inmates, females experience greater proportions of psychopathologies than males. Besides, the coping mechanisms used by prisoners does not help them deal effectively with their psychopathological issues. Remarkably, the causes of these psychopathological issues among prisoners are partly due to internal conditions in the prisons such as relationship with inmates and officers, inadequate resources such as water, food, and health-care facilities, and external conditions such as relationships lost or left behind such as family, friends, and property. Findings supports most literature reviewed and the transactional model of stress as well as three-step theory. It is thus recommended that immediate psychological services be provided for prisoners to make their reformative exercise complete.
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    Antecedents of Occupational Health, Safety Behaviour and Safety Performance: A Case Study of Selected Rice Farmers in Ghana
    (2017-07) Asamani, L.
    Health and safety at work is not only a sound economic policy, but also a fundamental human right that must be protected and ensured at all times. A number of studies in the formal sector have established that personal, organisational and work context factors, including safety behaviour and safety culture, have immense implications for employees’ health and safety. However, the informal sector, especially production agriculture, has been neglected in terms of occupational safety research in the social sciences. This study investigated antecedent of health and safety behaviour and safety performance of Ghanaian rice farmers. The study employed the exploratory sequential mixed methods design, comprising qualitative study (study one) and quantitative study (study two). The data for the study were collected from Kpong, Ashaiman and Okyereko rice irrigation schemes.The qualitative study explored occupational health and safety hazards and the major health and safety incidents that rice farmers in Ghana experienced. The qualitative data was obtained through ten (N = 10) semi-structured interviews with key informant. The theoretical thematic analysis was the analytical procedure for the qualitative data, using Braun and Clarke’s six-step approach. Results of the qualitative study showed that rice farmers in Ghana were exposed to a myriad of health and safety hazards and also experienced several incidents that resulted in health challenges, physical injuries and disabilities. These findings were used to develop a rice farm hazards exposure scale and to adapt the rate of incident reporting scale for the study two. Study two tested the extent to which religiosity, hazards exposure and safety culture predicted safety performance in a cross-sectional survey with 469 the rice farmers comprising 122 female and 347 males.The data were analyzed using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with the SmartPLS 3.6.2. It was concluded that religiosity is an important antecedent of both positive safety behaviour and safety University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh xv culture, while safety culture is an important predictor of safety behaviour and safety performance. Safety behaviour also partially mediated the effect of safety culture, but not the effect of religiosity on safety performance. Furthermore, both safety culture and safety behaviour were found to be significant moderating variables of the effect of hazards exposure on safety performance. The findings underscore the need to distinguish safety behaviour and safety performance in safety science research. Also, the hazards exposure scale and an integrative safety performance model developed in this study could be used and tested in future studies.The implications of the findings were discussed within certain theoretical frameworks. Recommendations were also made for safety management policy directions, organisational practitioners and directions for future research.
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    Analysis of Watermelon from Some Selected Farms In Greater Accra Region for Nutritional and Toxicological Elements
    (2017-07) Osei-Agyeman, A.S.
    Watermelon is largely made of water and sugar with some antioxidants such as lycopene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin. It also contains elements such as potassium, calcium, sodium, etc. for the well-being of the body. However contamination of watermelon can occur along the production line. Contaminants include pesticide residues and heavy metals such as Zinc, Manganese, and Nickel from the soil. This study investigated the levels of essential elements (e.g., Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni) and toxic elements (Cd, Pb, As) from selected farms and compared levels of elements in watermelon and soil. Watermelon samples were taken from selected farms in the Ada East District in the Greater Accra Region. Each fruit together with its seeds were homogenised, frozen, freeze dried, digested and analysed using the AAS for the determination of toxic and essential elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Mg, Ca, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, As and Cd). Soil was sampled from the selected farms and analysed as well. It was observed that watermelon samples analysed contained the selected essential elements with the exception of chromium and cobalt, which were below their detection limits. Nickel was detected in watermelon from all farms with the exception of farm C. The levels of nutritional elements found in watermelon samples were within WHO acceptable limits for food. Watermelon samples from farm C recorded levels of Pb and As above FAO/ WHO acceptable limits in food. All elements (toxic and essential) that were found in the watermelon samples also were present in the soil with the exception of As which was found in the soil but not the fruit. A positive correlation was observed between the concentration of elements (toxic and essential) in the soil and the watermelon samples.
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    Trend Evaluation Of Raw Water Quality From Kpong Dam (Volta River) Using Statiscal Analysis And Time Series Prediction Model
    (University of Ghana, 2018-07) Bakomnaah, B.
    This research evaluates raw water quality status from Kpong dam of the Volta River, Eastern part of Ghana, to assess its quality levels over a six-year period and predict future quality trend. The dataset identified twenty-six physicochemical constituents in each monthly sample analyzed. Hydrochemical analysis showed variation in contaminant levels for some constituents which ranged from low to considerable contamination (WHO, 2006). PO42-levels were relatively high. Results of WQI indicated general quality degradation with minimal variations across the years with respect to surface water quality rating criteria (WC,2003). The forecasted figures with the fitted ARIMA (3, 1, 1) model also suggest minimal degradation of the water quality in the light of the current prevailing conditions. It is therefore recommended that efforts be made to prevent further pollution of the Volta River.