Effects of Illegal Artisanal Gold Mining Operations on Groundwater Quality in Ghana: The Case of Ahafo-Ano South District

Anim-Gyampo, Maxwell; Berdie, Belinda S.; Bessah, Enoch; Agodzo, Sampson K.

doi:10.5772/intechopen.100242

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

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“… 12 According to Minnaar 12 , this runoff can contain a variety of pollutants, such as heavy metals, acid mine drainage, and other chemicals used in the mining process. Anim-Gyampo 13 , researched the effects of illegal artisanal gold mining operations on groundwater quality in Ghana at the Ahafo Ano South District of Ghana and found significant effects of mining activities on groundwater resources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Groundwater Quality in the Asante Akyem Central District of Ghana

Owusu Sekyere,

Essandoh,

Wemegah

et al. 2023

Environ�Health�Insights

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Groundwater is the primary water supply source for many people living on the surface of the earth. They depend on this valuable resource for their daily needs. But this natural resource is continuously being threatened by both natural and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, continuous monitoring and assessment of the water quality of this resource is important to keep check of the effects of water contaminants especially on human health. This study assessed the levels of Fe, Cd, Mn, and Hg in hand-dug wells at 4 communities (Ahyiayem, Odumasi Zongo, Apeboaso, and Kwaakyewaso) in the Asante Akyem Central District of Ghana and evaluated its sources and potential health risk associated with their exposure. These communities are known for illegal small-scale mining. The analysis also included other water quality parameters such as pH, nitrate, potassium, sodium, total hardness, calcium hardness, Phosphate, chloride, and total dissolved solids. From the research, there was no carcinogenic health risk to the communities concerning Fe, Mn, and Hg through ingestion and dermal contact because the hazard quotients and health hazard indices recorded in both adults and children were below one (<1). However, from the research, Cd exhibited carcinogenic health risk because its Cancer risk (CR) index exceeded 10-6 for both adults and children. This implies that there is a risk of cancer infection from ingesting water from the hand-dug wells in the study areas. According to the analysis of the Water Quality Index (WQI), the wells at Ahyiayem, Apeboaso, and Kwaakyewaso recorded indexes that were between 15 and 50, signifying that the hand-dug wells in these communities are safe for human consumption. However, about 90% of the wells at Odumasi Zongo recorded WQI values that were between 80 and 320. This means the hand-dug wells at Odumasi Zongo are highly polluted and not safe for human consumption.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Groundwater Quality in the Asante Akyem Central District of Ghana

Owusu Sekyere,

Essandoh,

Wemegah

et al. 2023

Environ�Health�Insights

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Health risk assessment of surface water resources in the Nandom Municipality of Ghana

Bekoe,

Quarcoo,

Dankwa

et al. 2024

Discov Public Health

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In Northern Ghana, reservoirs/dug-outs provide immeasurable services regardless of the season. A study was conducted in Kokoliguo and Nandom-Guo to evaluate health risks from exposure to surface waters. Samples were analyzed for pH, turbidity, conductivity, zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Kokoliguo revealed mean levels of 7.52 pH units, 124 NTU, 89.6 µS/cm, 0.004 mg/L (Zn), 0.210 mg/L (Fe), 0.219 mg/L (Mn), 0.007 mg/L (Cu), 0.007 mg/L (Cd) and 0.001 mg/L (Pb). Nandom-Guo recorded mean levels of 7.72 pH units, 11.6 NTU, 240 µS/cm, 0.0375 mg/L (Zn), 0.601 mg/L (Fe), 0.220 mg/L (Mn), 0.009 mg/L (Cu), 0.003 mg/L (Cd) and 0.182 mg/L (Pb). The chronic daily intakeoral for Kokoliguo and Nandom-Guo users occurred in the order; Cu < Cd < Zn < Mn < Fe and Cu < Cd < Zn` < Mn < Fe, respectively. Dermal exposure for Kokoliguo and Nandom-Guo occurred in the order; Zn < Cu < Cd < Mn < Fe and Cd < Zn < Cu < Mn < Fe, respectively. Except for Kokoliguo, hazard index derm/oral fell below 1. Cancer riskoral level of Cd exceeded 10e−04 among users. On the contrary, cancer riskoral levels of Pb ranged from 10e−04 to 10e−07 whereas dermal exposure levels ranged from 10e−09—10e−07. The cancer riskoral values predict the risk of carcinogenesis due to Cd toxicity. This study recommends crop farmers desist from the use of synthetic fertilizers. Again, improved water sources should be developed for the communities for domestic uses.

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Effects of Illegal Artisanal Gold Mining Operations on Groundwater Quality in Ghana: The Case of Ahafo-Ano South District

Cited by 2 publications

References 12 publications

Evaluating Groundwater Quality in the Asante Akyem Central District of Ghana

Evaluating Groundwater Quality in the Asante Akyem Central District of Ghana

Health risk assessment of surface water resources in the Nandom Municipality of Ghana

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