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Determination of threshold values and heavy metal pollution assessment of soils in an industrial area in Ghana

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Abstract

Industrial activities have the potential to pollute soils with a wide variety of heavy metals (HMs). In Ghana, however, assessment of HM pollution of soils in industrial areas remains limited. Accordingly, HM soil pollution in one of the industrial areas in Accra, Ghana was assessed. Soil samples were taken and analysed for HMs, including Fe, Zr, Zn, Ti, Sr, Rb, Mn, Pb, Cu, and Co, using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). HM geochemical threshold values (GTVs) were determined to establish soil HM pollution levels and identify areas needing remediation. Furthermore, risk assessments were conducted to evaluate the potential ecological and human health risks associated with these metals. The mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ti, Mn, Co, Cu, and Pb in the soils were: 27133.83, 147.72, 16.30, 95.95, 307.11, 4663.66, 289.85, 418.54, 44.97, and 112.88 mg/kg, respectively. Generally, the concentrations of HMs decreased with depth, although some lower layers exhibited elevated HM levels. Soil pollution levels were categorized as low for Fe, Rb, Zr, Ti, Mn, Co, and Cu; moderate for Sr and Zn; and considerable for Pb. Notably, the northwestern part of the study area displayed a considerable to very high degree of HM contamination. While HMs in the soils posed low ecological risk, the human health risk assessment indicated potential health effects from Co, particularly in children. The presence of HMs in the soils was noted to originate from both natural geological phenomena and human activities, including industrial operations, agricultural practices, landfill activities, and vehicular emissions.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The researchers are grateful for the assistance provided by the CSIR-WRI and wish to acknowledge the valuable contributions of its technicians.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Groundwater and Geoscience Division, CSIR-Water Research Institute, P.O. Box M32, Accra, Ghana

    Franklin Obiri-Nyarko, Sandra Vincentia Asare, Obed Fiifi Fynn, Collins Okrah & Samuel Kwadwo Debrah

  2. Environmental Chemistry and Sanitation Engineering Division, CSIR-Water Research Institute, P.O. Box M32, Accra, Ghana

    Jude Ofei Quansah & Anthony Yaw Karikari

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Conceptualization: Franklin Obiri-Nyarko; Methodology: Franklin Obiri-Nyarko, Jude Ofei Quansah, Sandra Vincentia Asare, Samuel Kwadwo Debrah; Formal analysis: Anthony Yaw Karikari, Franklin Obiri-Nyarko, Jude Ofei Quansah, Samuel Kwadwo Debrah, Collins Okrah; Investigation: Jude Ofei Quansah, Sandra Vincentia Asare, Samuel Kwadwo Debrah, Obed Fiifi Fynn; Resources: Anthony Yaw Karikari, Franklin Obiri-Nyarko, Collins Okrah; Writing—original draft preparation: Franklin Obiri-Nyarko; Writing—review and editing: Franklin Obiri-Nyarko, Anthony Yaw Karikari, Obed Fiifi Fynn, Collins Okrah. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Franklin Obiri-Nyarko.

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Obiri-Nyarko, F., Quansah, J.O., Asare, S.V. et al. Determination of threshold values and heavy metal pollution assessment of soils in an industrial area in Ghana. Environ Monit Assess 196, 546 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12660-9

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