The hydrochemistry of groundwater in rural communities within the Tema District, Ghana

Abstract

A detailed study has been carried out on groundwater in rural communities in the Tema District of the Greater Accra region of Ghana to establish the hydrochemistry and identify the various sources of contaminants as well assess the physical and chemical quality of the groundwater to ascertain their wholesomeness and the health impacts of the groundwater on the communities. The groundwater was found to vary considerably in terms of chemical and physical properties. Generally, the water was mildly acidic (pH 4.3-7.4), brackish to fresh, and undersaturated with respect to gypsum and halite. The majority of groundwater clustered toward Ca-Mg-SO4 and Na-Cl facies. About 70% of boreholes sampled have elevated levels of NO3 --N, Cl-, and SO4 2- emanating from anthropogenic activities. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.