Concentration of some heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, As) in the water and sediment of lake Tadee at Ashanti Mampong in Ashanti Region of Ghana

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2011-06-20
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The aim of this research was to assess the water quality of Lake Tadee with respect to heavy metals pollution. The water and sediment samples were collected from Lake Tadee at Ashanti Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana during October, 2010 and February, 2011. The water and sediment samples were analyzed for Zn, Cu, Cd, Hg and As, using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The results of this study showed that there were significant differences in concentrations of the metals in the surface water and bottom sediment of Lake Tadee except mercury in which there was insignificant different. The higher concentrations of heavy metals in the sediment of the Lake Tadee than its overlying water may be due to factors such as changes in temperature, pH, sediment matrix, and redox condition as well as effluent from domestic, municipal and agricultural waste might have contributed to the release of higher contaminants in the bottom of the sediment. The mean concentration of heavy metals (mg/L) in the water ranged from 0.066 to 0.174 for zinc, 0.021 to 0.036 for copper, less than 0.001 to 0.015 for cadmium, and those mercury and arsenic were below detection limits. The concentration (mg/Kg) of the heavy metals in the sediment ranged from 8.683 to 10.041 for zinc, 8.560 to 10.072 for copper, 0.036 to 0.096 for cadmium, 0.553 to 0.658 for arsenic, and that of mercury was below detection limit. Heavy metals concentration in the Lake Tadee was significantly higher than that of Kyiremfa. However, Concentrations of heavy metals in the two water bodies are currently within acceptable limits of USEPA and WHO recommended guidelines. Care must be taken to reduce the amount of pollutants released into the Lake to prevent future increase in heavy metals concentration in the Lake so that its concentrations would not exceed the national and international standards.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science
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