Baseline environmental quality assessment at offshore Cape Three Point, Ghana
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Date
FEBRUARY, 2019
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Abstract
Baseline assessment and monitoring of physico-chemical water quality parameters in a marine
environment are required in order to understand the pollution status for strategic mitigation
measures to be put in place to address significant environmental impacts. Environmental
monitoring is often required to obtain information on the actual and potential environmental
impacts of an activity so that it will inform authorities to adopt better environmental
regulations. Offshore environmental assessment was conducted on the quality of marine water
and sediment at Cape Three Point, Ghana.
During the study, water and sediment samples were collected from near shore area, pipeline
route and well/cluster area (Gye Nyame, FPSO, Sankofa NE, Sankofa SE, Sankofa NW and
Sankofa SW fields). Data was taken monthly for a period of three months (March - May, 2018).
The geographical locations of the study sites were determined using global positioning system
(GPS). Physical and chemical parameters were determined for water and sediment samples
using accepted international methods and standards for the examination of water. The results
showed that total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) levels in the sediment were high in the
well/cluster fields with mean values of 71.9 mg/kg and 1165 mg/kg for pipeline route and
Sankofa NE fields, respectively. Iron, As, Ni and Cu in the sea water and sediment exceeded
the NOAA threshold limits and were comparatively higher in the well/cluster area compared
to the nearshore and pipeline route region. Concentrations of TOC, BTEX, SOD, BTEX, VOC,
Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg in sediment was below detected limit and safe for marine ecosystem health.
Phosphate and nitrates in the sea water were lower throughout the water column, increasing
slightly with depth in the order; surface (<100m), middle (100-500m) and bottom (>500m).
This is an indication that adverse biological effects cannot occur in the short term but constant
monitoring are needed in the well/ cluster field.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology in the College of Science, in fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science
Keywords
Water quality, Assessment, Marine water, Cape Three Point, Ghana