Urbanization and pollution of surface water resources in the two largest cities in Ghana
Urbanization and pollution of surface water resources in the two largest cities in Ghana
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2013
Authors
Monney, Isaac
Boakye, Robert
Buamah, Richard
Anyemedu, Frederick Oppong Kyekyeku
Odai, Samuel Nii
Awuah, Esi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Science publication
Abstract
Pollution of freshwater resources draining urban centres in the developing world poses a threat to human health
and environmental sustainability. This, apart from inadequate infrastructure, is primarily propelled by explosive urban pop ulations. The study seeks to determine the level of pollution and sources of pollution in selected surface water resources in
Accra and Kumasi. Water samples from specific locations of the Aboabo river in Kumasi and the upper reaches of the Korle
Lagoon in Accra were collected and analysed for their physico-chemical and microbial quality during the study period. The
results from the study pointed out that the upper reaches of the Lagoon is rendered anaerobic during the dry season and with
appreciably low DO even during the wet season. Drastic depreciation in DO levels in the Aboabo river as it flows through
highly populated areas (Aboabo, Moshie Zongo and Anloga) were depicted through the study. Elevated BOD (upper reaches
of the Korle Lagoon: 27.7 - 200mg/L; Aboabo river: 38.25mg/L - 260mg/L) and E. coli (upper reaches of the Korle Lagoon:
5.0x106
- 2.8x109
CFU/100mL; Aboabo river: 4.0x106
CFU/100mL - 1.3x108
CFU/100mL) levels were also recorded in
both waterbodies generally attributed to disposal of organic wastes and faecal matter into them. An integrated approach that
takes cognizance of both technical and socio-economic factors behind this phenomenon is proposed by the study.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Monney, I., Boakye, R., Buamah, R., Anyemedu, F. O. K., Odai, S. N., & Awuah, E. (2013). Urbanization and pollution of surface water resources in the two largest cities in Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 1(6), 279.