Determination of selected heavy metals contamination in water from downstream of the Volta Lake at Manya Krobo district in eastern region of Ghana

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Date
2015
Authors
Dartey, Emmanuel
Tiimub, B.M
Avornyotse C. K.
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Publisher
International Research Journal of Public and Environmental Health
Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the contamination of seven heavy metals namely (Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Hg and Fe) in dam water used for irrigation and fishery in five communities (Atimpoku, Akuse, Small London, Kpong and Akosombo (control) ) located along downstream of the Volta Lake and its health impacts on the inhabitants of Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region in Ghana. This dam is a major source of drinking water for Akuse province population. A total of 100 water samples were collected from five different sites along the dam. The samples were analyzed for heavy metals using microwave-assisted acid digestion (Milestone ETOS 900) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Varian AA 240FS). The maximum and minimum concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Hg in the water were (0.453 – 0.0.224), (0.012 – 0.002), (0.004 – 0.003), (0.009 - 0.001), (0.101 – 0.053), (0.006 – 0.003) and (0.001) mg/L respectively. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in heavy metal concentration between the various sites and the control. The mean concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr and Hg were found to be within the WHO, Water Pollution Control Legislation (WPCL), Criterion of Irrigation Water (CIW) and US EPA permissible limits while Pb and Fe levels recorded were slightly higher
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Citation
Tiimub, B. M., Dartey, E., & Avornyotse, C. K. (2015). Determination of selected heavy metals contamination in water from downstream of the Volta Lake at Manya Krobo district in eastern region of Ghana. International Research Journal of Public and Environmental Health.