Trace metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe and Cd) levels were determined in water and sediment from the Sakumo II and Muni lagoons and the Mamahuma and Gbagbla Ankonu feeder streams, which feed the Sakumo II lagoon over a 1-year period, and their occurrences compared. Some physical parameters (temperature, pH and electrical conductivity) were also investigated. The aim of the study was to establish the pollution status of the two lagoons, as well as investigate whether the feeder streams of the Sakumo II lagoon have any influence (in terms of trace metal pollution) on the Sakumo II lagoon. Results showed that upper mean values in water and sediment were Zn ( 0.160 ± 0.01 mg/l, 48.7 ± 0.93 mg/kg), Pb (0.057 ± 0.03 mg/l, 29.2 ± 3.2 mg/kg), Mn (0.798 ± 0.07 mg/l, 668.2 ± 6.3 mg/kg), Cu (0.158 ± 0.01 mg/l), Fe (1.32 ± 0.73 mg/l, 3075 ± 14.7 mg/kg), respectively, for Sakumo II lagoon. Cd levels in water and sediment ranged from 0.004 ± 0.001 to 0.009 ± 0.001 mg/l and < 0.002 to 0.88 ± 0.05 mg/kg respectively, in the Sakumo II lagoon. Compared to the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.005 mg/l, the Cd levels in water from the Sakumo II lagoon may be detrimental to the 'health' of the aquatic ecosystem and, consequently, consumers of fish products from the Sakumo II lagoon. Water and sediment in the Muni lagoon had trace metal concentrations with upper mean values as Cd (< 0.002 mg/l, 0.325 ± 0.01 mg/kg), Pb (0.033 ± 0.01 mg/l, 1.46 ± 0.18 mg/kg), Mn (0.434 ± 0.02 mg/l, 63.8 ± 1.50 mg/kg), Zn (0.077 ± 0.001 mg/l, 13.7 ± 0.18 mg/kg), Cu (0.013 ± 0.001 mg/l) and Fe (1.085 ± 0.26 mg/l, 3198.4 ± 3.51 mg/kg), respectively. Generally, trace metal levels detected in sediment from the Mamahuma ( Zn: 10.4 ± 4.10 mg/kg, Pb: 10.6 ± 1.84 mg/kg, Mn: 63.7 ± 4.5 mg/kg, Fe: 7487 ± 23.5 mg/kg, Cd: < 0.002), and from the Gbagbla Ankonu ( Zn: 155 ± 13.9 mg/kg, Pb: 37.4 ± 3.07 mg/kg, Mn: 298.2 ± 2.5 mg/kg, Fe: 3209 ± 50.5 mg/kg, Cd: 0.70 ± 0.05 mg/kg) feeder streams were relatively higher than those in the Sakumo II lagoon. Sediment from the feeder streams, therefore, provided a deeper insight into the long-term pollution state of the feeder streams and, consequently, the Sakumo II lagoon. The streams could, thus, be described as potential sources of trace metal pollution to the Sakumo II lagoon. Trace metal levels were also found to be more concentrated in sediment from the mid-section of the Muni lagoon than those from the northern and southern sections, while the northern section had more trace metal concentrations in water than those from the mid-and southern sections. The study also showed that trace metal levels detected in both water and sediment from the Sakumo II lagoon were higher relative to those from the Muni lagoon. The Sakumo II lagoon could be described as relatively more polluted with trace metal load.

The physico-chemical characteristics of the groundwater at Akatsi and Ketu districts were investigated. Water samples were collected from 34 boreholes in the Akatsi District and 27 boreholes in the Ketu District and analysed for their quality parameters, using appropriate certified and acceptable international standard methods. Most of the water quality variables measured were within the WHO and GWCL guidelines for drinking water. The results showed that groundwater in the two districts are soft but slightly acidic with ranges 5.75-7.39 pH units and 5.14-7.15 pH units for Akatsi and Ketu districts, respectively, and mean 6.73 pH units for Akatsi and 6.5 pH units for Ketu. Groundwater in both districts were also mineralized with conductivity ranges 170-6440 µS/cm and 420-5180 µS/cm for Akatsi and Ketu districts, respectively, and mean 1450.9 µS/cm for Akatsi and 1737.1 µS/cm for Ketu. SO 4 2-and Clion concentrations in some boreholes in both districts were at such elevated levels that serious health effects and risks might arise after prolonged and continuous intake. The NO 3-N concentrations in some of the boreholes in the two districts were present at elevated levels (far above the critical value of 10 mg/l) and might cause cyanosis, a potential health risk in infants. Fig. 1: Map of Ketu & Akatsi districts showing sampling communities Akatsi District Akatsi District is located in the southeastern part of the Volta Region. It covers a total land area of about 906,455 square kilometres. It is bordered to the south by Keta, the east by Ketu, and west by both North and South Tongu districts. It has Akatsi as its district capital. Akatsi District has a number of water bodies such as Agblegbor, Wowoe-all streams, Lotor river and Tordzie river. These are the main sources of drainage in the area. The land is made up of peculiar coastal savanna soil, laterites and tropical black soil. Akatsi has an annual population growth rate of 2.6%. The capital (Akatsi) is the only urban settlement whiles the other major settlements: Avenorpeme, Lume, Agbedrafor, Wute, Dakpa, Torve and Gefia are rural. Ketu District Ketu District is the major gateway for tourists entering the country from Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. It covers a total land area of about 779 square kilometres. The District falls within the coastal savanna vegetation zone of the country. The Gulf of Guinea (the Atlantic Ocean) in the south washes a sandy and sparkling 30-km coastline, stretching from Horvi in the west to Aflao (on the Ghana-Togo boarder) in the east. The southwestern portion of pocket lagoons forms part of the designated Ramsar sites-resting and feeding grounds of over 70 species of migratory and

An assessment was conducted on the concentrations of zinc, copper, manganese, iron, lead and cadmium in 10 different fish species caught from some coastal and inland waters in Ghana, as part of a project on monitoring of pollution in water bodies in Ghana. Shellfish species (Egeria paradoxa galanata and Atya gabonensis) caught from inland waters had higher elemental concentrations than those caught from coastal waters. Mean concentrations of Fe and Mn were higher in E. paradoxa galanata, A. gabonensis and Trachiurus trachiurus, while Panulirus regius and Sardinella eba had higher mean concentrations of Cu. T. trachiurus, Dentex congoensis and T. ovatus had higher mean concentrations of Pb, while T. trachiurus and S. eba had higher mean concentrations of Zn. Mean Cd concentrations in the fish species were relatively low, with mean concentrations of Cynoglossus cadenati, D. congoensis and T. ovatus below detection limits. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd for shell fishes were comparable to those obtained from previous studies in Ghana. However, they were lower than those reported in other areas of the sub-region. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in fin fishes were higher than those obtained from previous studies in Ghana. However, these values were comparable to those obtained from other areas in the sub-region. Compared to WHO limits, the levels of Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd in the fish species were lower, and, therefore, safe for human consumption. The study also showed that all the fish species except S. eba, Solar crumophthalmus and P. regius are safe for human consumption with respect to Zn, Cu and Fe.

The physico-chemical characteristics of the groundwater at Akatsi and Ketu districts were investigated. Water samples were collected from 34 boreholes in the Akatsi District and 27 boreholes in the Ketu District and analysed for their quality parameters, using appropriate certified and acceptable international standard methods. Most of the water quality variables measured were within the WHO and GWCL guidelines for drinking water. The results showed that groundwater in the two districts are soft but slightly acidic with ranges 5.75-7.39 pH units and 5.14-7.15 pH units for Akatsi and Ketu districts, respectively, and mean 6.73 pH units for Akatsi and 6.5 pH units for Ketu. Groundwater in both districts were also mineralized with conductivity ranges 170-6440 µS/cm and 420-5180 µS/cm for Akatsi and Ketu districts, respectively, and mean 1450.9 µS/cm for Akatsi and 1737.1 µS/cm for Ketu. SO 4 2-and Clion concentrations in some boreholes in both districts were at such elevated levels that serious health effects and risks might arise after prolonged and continuous intake. The NO 3-N concentrations in some of the boreholes in the two districts were present at elevated levels (far above the critical value of 10 mg/l) and might cause cyanosis, a potential health risk in infants. Fig. 1: Map of Ketu & Akatsi districts showing sampling communities Akatsi District Akatsi District is located in the southeastern part of the Volta Region. It covers a total land area of about 906,455 square kilometres. It is bordered to the south by Keta, the east by Ketu, and west by both North and South Tongu districts. It has Akatsi as its district capital. Akatsi District has a number of water bodies such as Agblegbor, Wowoe-all streams, Lotor river and Tordzie river. These are the main sources of drainage in the area. The land is made up of peculiar coastal savanna soil, laterites and tropical black soil. Akatsi has an annual population growth rate of 2.6%. The capital (Akatsi) is the only urban settlement whiles the other major settlements: Avenorpeme, Lume, Agbedrafor, Wute, Dakpa, Torve and Gefia are rural. Ketu District Ketu District is the major gateway for tourists entering the country from Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. It covers a total land area of about 779 square kilometres. The District falls within the coastal savanna vegetation zone of the country. The Gulf of Guinea (the Atlantic Ocean) in the south washes a sandy and sparkling 30-km coastline, stretching from Horvi in the west to Aflao (on the Ghana-Togo boarder) in the east. The southwestern portion of pocket lagoons forms part of the designated Ramsar sites-resting and feeding grounds of over 70 species of migratory and

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