Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Assessing levels of selected heavy metals with other pollutants in soil and water resources in Nandom District in the semi-arid northwestern Ghana

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study assessed heavy metal contaminations of soils in cultivated fields (or farms) and water samples from rivers, boreholes, and dug-out wells in Nandom District in semi-arid northwestern Ghana. Other parameters of water from the three sources were also measured and then compared to the permissible limits in the literature. The results showed that soils in farms across the study communities significantly (P ≤ 0.05) had higher levels of chromium (Cr = 0.456 ± 0.132 mgkg−1), iron (Fe = 214.8 ± 1.52 mgkg−1), lead (Pb = 0.854 ± 0.03 mgkg−1), nickel (Ni = 2.813 ± 0.4 mgkg−1), and arsenic (As = 1.753 ± 0.42 mgkg−1) when compared to permissible limits set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) for food crops. Water from the study sites significantly (P ≤ 0.0001) had lower levels of heavy metals than the permissible limits set by FAO for irrigation of growing crops. Thus, the water sources appear to be safe for irrigation in the study area. Nonetheless, these sources of water in Nandom District had significantly higher levels of total suspended solids, turbidity, and coliforms that were above the maximum limits indicated in the guidelines of WHO and the Government of Ghana for drinking water. Therefore, treatments of water for drinking are required to minimize any potential threats to public health.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article.

References

  • Abdul-Kadri, Y., & Amoah, S. (2013). Bushfires in the Nandom District of the Upper West Region of Ghana: Perpetual threat to food crop production. Journal. Environment. and Earth. Science, 3, 10–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adu, D. T., Kuwornu, J. K., Anim-Somuah, H., & Sasaki, N. (2018). Application of livelihood vulnerability in assessing smallholder maize-farming households’ vulnerability to climate change in Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Kasetsart Journal. Social Science, 39(1), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjss.2017.06.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, M., Matsumoto, M., Ozaki, A., Van Thinh, N., & Kurosawa, K. (2019). Heavy metal contamination of irrigation water, soil, and vegetables and the difference between dry and wet seasons near a multi-industry zone in Bangladesh. Water, 11(583), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11030583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Khashman, O. A., Alnawafleh, H. M., Jrai, A. M. A., & Al-Muhtaseb, A. H. (2017). Monitoring and assessing of spring water quality in southwestern Basin of Jordan. Open Journal of Modern. Hydrology, 7, 331–349. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmh.2017.74019

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Antwi, K. E., Boakye-Danquah, J., Barima, A., Ko, S., Mensah, R., Boafo, A. Y., & Apronti, T. P. (2015). Community vulnerability assessment index for flood prone savannah agro-ecological zone : A case study of Wa West District, Ghana. Weather and Climate Extreme, 10, 56–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA-AWWA-WEF,. (2001). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (22nd ed.). American Public Health Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asante, F., Arimiyaw, G. L., & S,. (2021). Climate change and variability awareness and livelihood adaptive strategies among smallholder farmers in semi-arid northern Ghana. Environmental Development, 39(2), 100629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2021.100629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azumah, S. B., Adzawla, W., Donkoh, S. A., & Anani, Y. (2021). Effects of climate change adaptation on households’ livelihood vulnerability in South Tongu and Zabzugu districts of Ghana. Climate and Development, 13(3), 256–267. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2020.1757398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balkhair, K. S., & Aqeel, M. (2016). Field accumulation risks of heavy metals in soil and vegetable crop irrigated with sewage water in western region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal Biological Sciences, 23(1), S32–S44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.09.023

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borowski, K., & Schmaling, A. (1996). An integrated microwave digestion system for the modern laboratory. Milestone Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brevik, E. C. (2013). Potential impact of climate change on soil properties and processes and corresponding influence on food security. Agriculture, 3, 398–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campos, P., & De la Rosa, J. M. (2020). Assessing the effects of biochar on the immobilization of trace elements and plant development in a naturally contaminated soil. Sustainability, 12(15), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, F., Yang, Y., Mi, J., Liu, R., Hou, H., & Zhang, S. (2019). Effects of vegetation pattern and spontaneous succession on remediation of potential toxic metal-polluted soil in mine dumps. Sustainability, 11(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Pinto, A., Demirag, U., Haruna, A., Koo, J., & Asamoah, M. (2012). Climate change, agriculture, and foodcrop production in Ghana. International Food Policy Research, 3, 1–6. Retrieved date 1 Sept 2021, from, https://ebrary.ifpri.org/utils/getfile/collection/p15738coll2/id/127134/filename/127345.pdf

  • Derrick, B., Toher, D., & White, P. (2016). Why Welch test is type I error robust. The Quantitative Methods for Psychology, 12(1), 30–38. https://doi.org/10.20982/tqmp.12.1.p030

  • Emurotu, J. E., & Onianwa, P. C. (2017). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in soil and selected food crops cultivated in Kogi State, north central Nigeria. Environmental Systems Research, 6(21), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-017-0098-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Estefan, G., Sommer, R., & Ryan, J. (2013). Methods of soil, plant and water analysis: A manual for the West Asia and North African Regions, 3rd Edition, 1–244. International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), Beirut, Lebanon. Retrieved date 2 Aug 2021, from, https://repo.mel.cgiar.org/handle/20.500.11766/7512

  • Etwire, P. M., Al-Hassan, R. M., Kuwornu, J. K. M., & Osei-Owusu, Y. (2013). Application of livelihood vulnerability index in assessing vulnerability to climate change and variability in Northern Ghana. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 3, 157–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonge, B. A., Larissa, M. T., Egbe, A. M., Afanga, A. Y., Fru, G. N., & Ngole-Jeme, M. (2021). Assessment of heavy metal exposure risk associated with consumption of cabbage and carrot grown in tropical savannah region. Sustainable Environment, 7(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2021.1909860

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gotelli, N. J., & Ellison, A. M. (2013). A primer of ecological statistics (2nd ed.). Sinauer Associates, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haroon, B., Ping, A., Pervez, A., & Faridullah, I. M. (2019). Characterization of heavy metal in soils as affected by long-term irrigation with industrial wastewater. Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination, 9(1), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.2166/wrd.2018.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heve, W. K., Olesen, J. E., Chirinda, N., & Adiku, S. G. K. (2016). Targeted management of organic resources for sustainably increasing soil organic carbon: Observations and perspectives for resource use and climate adaptations in northern Ghana. Acta Agriculture Scandinavica, Section B - Soil & Plant Science, 66(2), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.1080/09064710.2015.1081396

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kiani, B., Hashemi Amin, F., Bagheri, N., Bergquist, R., Mohammadi, A. A., Yousefi, M., Faraji, H., Roshandel, G., Beirami, S., Rahimzadeh, H., & Hoseini, B. (2021). Association between heavy metals and colon cancer: An ecological study based on geographical information systems in north-eastern Iran. BMC Cancer, 21(1), 414. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-08148-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kinuthia, G. K., Ngure, V., Beti, D., Lugalia, R., Wangila, A., & Kamau, L. (2020). Levels of heavy metals in wastewater and soil samples from open drainage channels in Nairobi, Kenya: Community health implication. Scientific Reports, 10(8434), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65359-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, P., Soo, S., Zhang, M., Fai, Y., & Kim, K. (2019). Heavy metals in food crops: Health risks, fate, mechanisms, and management. Environment International, 125, 365–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.067

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, T. E., Alare, R. S., Salifu, A. R. Z., & Thompson-Hall, M. (2020). Dealing with climate change in semi-arid Ghana: Understanding intersectional perceptions and adaptation strategies of women farmers. GeoJournal, 85, 439–452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-019-09974-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lenart, A., & Wolny-Koładka, K. (2013). The effect of heavy metal concentration and soil pH on the abundance of selected microbial groups within Arcelor Mittal Poland steelworks in Cracow. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination. and Toxicology, 90(1), 85–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-012-0869-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lente, I., Keraita, B., Drechsel, P., Ofosu-Anim, J., & Brimah, K. A. (2012). Risk assessment of heavy metal contamination on vegetables grown in long-term wastewater irrigated urban farming sites in Accra, Ghana. Water Quality Exposure Health, 4, 179–186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-012-0077-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MoFA. (2010). The study on Upper West integrated agricultural development in the Republic of Ghana. Part I Main Report. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Accra, Ghana. Pp. 109. Retrieved date 7 Jul 2021, from, https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12001384_01.pdf

  • MWRWH. (2015). National drinking water quality management framework for Ghana. Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing of Government of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. Pp. 148. Retrived date 22 Aug 2021, from, https://www.gwcl.com.gh/national_drinking_water_quality__management_framework.pdf

  • Ndamani, F., & Watanabe, T. (2015). Determinants of farmers’ adaptation to climate change: A micro level analysis in Ghana. Scientia Agricola, 73(3), 201–208. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-9016-2015-0163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nuralykyzy, B., Wang, P., Deng, X., An, S., & Huang, Y. (2021). Heavy metal contents and assessment of soil contamination in different land-use types in the Qaidam Basin. Sustainability, 12020, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nzihou, A., & Sharrock, P. (2010). Role of phosphate in the remediation and reuse of heavy metal polluted wastes and sites. Waste and Biomass Valorization, Springer, 1 (1), 163–174. Retrieved date 1 Sept 2021, from, https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01634023/document

  • Okaka, F. O., & Odhiambo, B. (2018). Relationship between flooding and outbreak of infectious diseases in Kenya: A review of the literature. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2018(5452938), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5452938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okebalama, C. B. (2014). Impact of targeted nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer micro-dosing on maize and cowpea yields under two cropping systems. PhD Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

  • Parker, N., Schneeghurt, M., Anh-Hue, T. T., & Lister, P. (2021). Microbiology. OpenStax, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA. Retrived date 1 Sept 2021, from, https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology

  • R Core Team. (2021). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. Retrieved date 23 Aug 2021, from, https://www.R-project.org/

  • Rao, N., Singh, C., Solomon, D., Camfield, L., Sidiki, R., Angula, M., Poonacha, P., Sidibé, A., & Lawson, E. T. (2020). Managing risk, changing aspirations and household dynamics: Implications for wellbeing and adaptation in semi-arid Africa and India. World Development, 125, 104667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhebergen, T., Fairhurst, T., Zingore, S., Fisher, M., Oberthür, T., & Whitbread, A. (2016). Climate, soil and land-use based land suitability evaluation for oil palm production in Ghana. European Journal of Agronomy, 81, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2016.08.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi-bao, C., Meng, W., Shan-shan, L., Zhong-qiu, Z., & Wen-di, E. (2018). Overview on current criteria for heavy metals and its hint for the revision of soil environmental quality standards in China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 17(4), 765–774. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(17)61892-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S., Parihar, P., Singh, R., Singh, V. P., & Prasad, S. M. (2016). Heavy metal tolerance in plants: Role of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and ionomics. Frontiers in Plant Science, 6(1143), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.01143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tesfahunegn, G. B., Ayuk, E. T., & Adiku, S. G. K. (2021). Farmers’ perception on soil erosion in Ghana: Implication for developing sustainable soil management strategy. PLoS ONE, 16(3), e0242444. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242444

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Yu, D., Wang, Y., Du, X., Li, G., & Li, B. (2021). Source analysis of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soil irrigated with sewage in Wuqing, Tianjin. Scientific Reports, 11(17816), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96367-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO. (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: Fourth edition incorporating the first addendum. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. ISBN 978–92–4–154995–0. Pp. 631. Retrieved date 22 Aug 2021, from, https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/254637/9789241549950-eng.pdf

  • Wuana, R. A., & Okieimen, F. E. (2011). Heavy metals in contaminated soils: A review of sources, chemistry, risks and best available strategies for remediation. International Scholarly Research Network - ISRN Ecology, 2011(402647), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.5402/2011/402647

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was partially supported by Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR). The authors thank the traditional and opinion leaders, smallholder farmers, and the Nandom District Assembly Officers for their support during data collection.

Funding

The fieldwork of the present research received partial financial support from the Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) as part of the University of Ghana’s PhD Grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Private Mail Bag, Somanya, Ghana

    Ishmael Lente, William K. Heve, Maxwell Y. Owusu-Twum & Richard Amfo-Otu

  2. Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Christopher Gordon, Pabi Opoku & Daniel Nukpezah

Authors
  1. Ishmael Lente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. William K. Heve
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maxwell Y. Owusu-Twum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christopher Gordon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Pabi Opoku
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Daniel Nukpezah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Richard Amfo-Otu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

IL conceived, designed the research, collected, analyzed, and interpreted the data; WKH analyzed, interpreted the data, discussed findings, reviewed the manuscript, carefully edited it, and made valuable inputs; CG was the principal PhD supervisor of the first author: therefore, he reviewed the manuscript and made valuable inputs; DN and PO were PhD co-supervisors of the first author: therefore, they reviewed the manuscript and made valuable inputs; RA-O and MYO-T reviewed and edited the manuscript with valuable inputs.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ishmael Lente.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript. In addition, the ethical issues, including plagiarism, informed consent, misconduct, data fabrication and/or falsification, double publication and/or submission, and redundancy have been completely observed by the authors.

Life science reporting

No life science threat was practiced in this research.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lente, I., Heve, W.K., Owusu-Twum, M.Y. et al. Assessing levels of selected heavy metals with other pollutants in soil and water resources in Nandom District in the semi-arid northwestern Ghana. Environ Monit Assess 194, 919 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10619-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10619-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation