Effects of small scale gold mining on water quality: a case study of new Abirem mining area in Ghana.
| dc.contributor.author | Dotse, Edward Kudjo | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-07-29T16:22:37Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-07-29T16:22:37Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2018-11 | |
| dc.description | A thesis submitted to the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE) | |
| dc.description.abstract | ABSTRACT This study looked at the effects of small scale mining on the quality of water within the New Abirim mining area in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Surface water and ground water samples were collected monthly from October 2013 to March 2014 at five different sampling sites within the study area. Levels of selected metals namely Mercury (Hg), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb) and Arsenic (As) were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Concentrations of sulphates chlorides and phosphates in addition to other physico-chemical properties were determined using World Health Organization (WHO) standard methods. Results obtained showed variations in the parameters investigated in the surface and groundwater samples. Surface water samples recorded high concentrations of parameters investigated than the ground water samples. Moreover, Iron (Fe) concentrations were noted to be high hence above WHO permissible limit for drinking water in both surface and ground water samples. Mercury levels in surface water exceeded the WHO permissible limit for drinking water quality guidelines. Lead (Pb) with a value of 0.005 mg/l and Arsenic (As) 0.02 μg/l were within the WHO permissible limit of 0.01 mg/l and 10 μg/l for drinking water quality guidelines. The results of the research indicated that, small scale gold mining activities negatively affected water quality and its resources especially on surface waters. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | KNUST | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir.knust.edu.gh/handle/123456789/17514 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | KNUST | |
| dc.title | Effects of small scale gold mining on water quality: a case study of new Abirem mining area in Ghana. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |