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Statistical Evaluation of Environmental Contamination, Distribution and Source Assessment of Heavy Metals (Aluminum, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Mercury) in Some Lagoons and an Estuary Along the Coastal Belt of Ghana

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology volume 61, pages 389–400 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

An environmental pollution investigation was carried out to determine the concentrations of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) (heavy metals) in the surface water and river water bed sediments of lagoons and estuaries along the coastal belt of Ghana. The study assessed the environmental pollution situation and evaluated their sources and distribution of these metals. The total concentrations of Al, As, Cd, and Hg were determined by the neutron activation analysis technique. Water and sediment samples were collected from the Benya, Fosu, and Narkwa lagoons in the Central Region and from the Pra estuary in the western part of Ghana. Some indices, such as contamination factor, pollution-load index, contamination degree, and geoaccumulation index, were used to assess eco-environmental quality of the sampling sites. The analysis indicated that the Fosu lagoon was fairly polluted with Cd. The investigation indicated a highly localized distribution pattern closely associated with the two pollution sources (garbage/solid waste dumps and industrial activities) along the coastal belt. The resulting environmental deterioration required a concerted evaluative effort by all stakeholders.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express sincere appreciation to the staff of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission at Kwabenya-Accra for their kind assistance in the analysis of the samples. Sincere thanks also go to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, for their logistic support during the sampling trips. Finally, we thank the government of Ghana for financial assistance.

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Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Campus, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa

    C. K. Adokoh

  2. Chemistry Department, School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

    C. K. Adokoh & D. K. Essumang

  3. Department of Fisheries, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

    E. A. Obodai

  4. Department Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Alborg, Denmark

    D. K. Essumang

  5. Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Ghana (GAEC), Legon Accra, Ghana

    Y. Serfor-Armah & B. J. B. Nyarko

  6. University of Education Wineba, Winneba, Ghana

    A. Asabere-Ameyaw

Authors
  1. C. K. Adokoh
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  2. E. A. Obodai
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  3. D. K. Essumang
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  4. Y. Serfor-Armah
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  5. B. J. B. Nyarko
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  6. A. Asabere-Ameyaw
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. K. Adokoh.

Appendix

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Table 9  
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Adokoh, C.K., Obodai, E.A., Essumang, D.K. et al. Statistical Evaluation of Environmental Contamination, Distribution and Source Assessment of Heavy Metals (Aluminum, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Mercury) in Some Lagoons and an Estuary Along the Coastal Belt of Ghana. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 61, 389–400 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-011-9643-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-011-9643-5

Keywords

  • Methyl Mercury
  • Contamination Factor
  • Geoaccumulation Index
  • Coastal Belt
  • Cape Coast