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Metal distribution and fractionation in surface sediments of coastal Tema Harbour (Ghana) and its ecological implications

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Abstract

This study investigated the distribution and fractionation of metals (Mn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Sn) in surface sediments of Tema Harbour (Greater Accra, Ghana) as well as its ecological implications. Significant differences in sediment concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, As and Sn were observed across the Tema Harbour. Geochemical indices indicate that Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, As and Sn in the Tema Harbour sediments derived mainly from anthropogenic sources, while Mn, Ni and Cr were mainly of lithogenic origin. Metal fractionation revealed a predominance of Al, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, As and Sn in the residual phase. In contrast, Cd and Hg were mainly present in the exchangeable phase, while Zn was mainly associated with the reducible phase. Based on the metal fractionation in the Tema Harbour sediments, the potential risks of metal bioavailability were high for Cd and Hg, low–medium for Mn, Ni, Zn, As and Sn and low for Pb, Cr and Cu. A screening-level ecotoxicological assessment revealed high potential toxicity of Hg and moderate potential toxicities of Pb, Cu, Zn, As and Cd in the Tema Harbour sediments. The potential influence of the buffer intensity, silt–clay, total organic carbon and carbonate content on the metal distribution in the Tema Harbour sediments was also inferred from their correlations. Comparison with previous studies did not reveal a progressive increase in metal contamination at the Tema Harbour since the year 2000.

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Acknowledgements

This study was conducted under the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP-PhD 12/316) with financial support from the Office of Research, Innovation and Development of the University of Ghana (UGFD/7/2012-2013/004). The authors are grateful to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for their co-operation in the conduct of this study. We wish to thank Cynthia Terkpenor, Wendy Osei Frimpong and the laboratory staff of the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences (University of Ghana) for their technical support. We also acknowledge Mr. Bashara Ahmed (CERSGIS, University of Ghana) for generating the map of the study area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, PO Box 3015, 2601 DA, Delft, The Netherlands

    Benjamin O. Botwe, Leonardo Alfonso & Piet N. L. Lens

  2. Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 99, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Benjamin O. Botwe & Elvis Nyarko

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  1. Benjamin O. Botwe
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  2. Leonardo Alfonso
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  3. Elvis Nyarko
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  4. Piet N. L. Lens
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Correspondence to Benjamin O. Botwe.

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Botwe, B.O., Alfonso, L., Nyarko, E. et al. Metal distribution and fractionation in surface sediments of coastal Tema Harbour (Ghana) and its ecological implications. Environ Earth Sci 76, 514 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6847-7

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