Heavy metals and microbial loads in raw fecal sludge from low income areas of Ashanti Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the heavy metals and microbial loads of raw public toilet sludge from low income areas (peri-urban and rural) of Ashanti Region of Ghana. Fecal sludges were sampled from public toilets. Methods outlined in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewaters were used for the analyses of fecal sludge samples. Range of heavy metals concentrations were found as 0.039-5.216 mg/l and 0.010-1.488 mg/l for peri-urban and rural areas, respectively. These concentrations were in the order of Mn . .Cu . .Fe . .Zn . .Pb . .Ar . .Cd and Zn . .Mn . .Fe . .Cu . .Pb . .Ar . .Cd for peri-urban and rural areas, respectively. The range of bacteria loads was measured as 1.4 Â 10 6 -4.5 Â 10 7 CFU/100 ml for peri-urban and 0.2 Â 10 6 -4.5 Â 10 7 CFU/100 ml for rural areas. Similarly, range of helminths was determined as 1-18 eggs/100 ml for both peri-urban and rural areas. The study showed that the levels of heavy metals and microbial quantities were generally higher in peri-urban compared to rural areas. However, fecal sludge from these low income areas are not recommended for direct use in agriculture unless they are given further treatment. Composting is recommended as a promising and suitable method for effective treatment of fecal sludge resulting in a hygienically safe and economically profitable product.

Toilet chemical additives and their effect on faecal sludge characteristics

“…With regards to helminth eggs (HE), the total concentration in the beginning of the study ranged from 218 to 656 eggs/gTS. The helminth egg counts and the trends observed are similar to those reported by Appiah–Effah et al., [ 54 , 55 ]. A sharp decline in helminth egg loads was observed in all treatments by week 1 ( Figure 12 ) and subsequently declined slowly as observed by Appiah–Effah et al.…”

Water Quality of the Gualaxo do Norte and Carmo Rivers After the Fundão Dam Collapse, Mariana, MG

“…The reduction in the concentration of Fe and Mn in the dry period is attributed to lower metal dilution effect, increasing the concentration of metal dissolved in water (Dornfeld 2002), and ca be in uenced by mud tailings from the Fundão dam, since it did not affected the upstream Carmo River sector (Golder Associates 2017). The dissolved Cd, on the other hand, had a high variability in the rainy period in the downstream Carmo River sector, which may be associated with the greater release of domestic e uents by the of Barra Longa city (Ulmgren 2000;Appiah-Effah et al 2015).…”

Fecal sludge treatment in a pilot-scale vertical-flow constructed wetland for the removal of helminth eggs

“…The lack of knowledge about this eco-technology may be one of the main factors leading to the uncontrolled discharge of untreated FS into the environment (Kengne et al 2011). One of the threats associated with FS is soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), a neglected tropical disease (Yen-Phi et al 2010;Appiah-Effah et al 2015;Seck et al 2015). Ascariasis is the most common STH and endemic in Africa (Jimenez 2007).…”