Browsing by Author "Besseah, Mercy Adomaah"

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    Effects of Small Scale Gold Mining on Water Resources: A Case Study of Bogoso/Prestea Mining Area.
    (2011-06-20) Besseah, Mercy Adomaah
    Small scale gold mining in Ghana is largely an informal industry employing thousands of people. The industry is largely undeveloped, unmonitored and unrestrained, and coupled with their intense reliance on water resources for the processing of gold have resulted in uncontrolled release of substances which impact negatively on the quality of these water resources. This study assessed the effects of small scale gold mining on the quality of water resources within the Bogoso / Prestea mining area in the Western Region of Ghana. Surface and ground water samples were collected monthly from the months of October, 2010 to March, 2011 at ten different sampling sites within the study area. Levels of selected metals, namely, Fe, As, Hg and Mn were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Concentrations of phosphates, sulphates and chlorides, as well as some physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods. The results obtained showed variations in the investigated parameters in surface and ground water samples. Surface water samples recorded high concentrations in most of the investigated parameters than the groundwater samples. However, Mn concentrations were high in the groundwater samples and were above the WHO permissible limit for drinking water. Iron and manganese levels in the surface and ground water samples exceeded the World Health Organization drinking water quality guidelines. In general, the results of the study indicated that, small scale gold mining operations negatively impacted on water resources, most especially on surface waters.