Advances in environmental research

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Heavy metal assessment of marine sediment in selected coastal districts of the Western Region, Ghana

  • Kuranchie-Mensah, Harriet (Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Osei, Juliet (Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Atiemo, Sampson M. (Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Nyarko, Benjamin J.B. (National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Osae, Shiloh K. (National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Laar, Cynthia (Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Ackah, Michael (Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Buah-Kwofie, Archibold (Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Blankson-Arthur, Sara (Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission) ;
  • Adeti, Prince J. (Nuclear Application Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission)
  • Received : 2012.07.18
  • Accepted : 2013.05.30
  • Published : 2013.06.25
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Abstract

A preliminary investigation to establish the status of contamination of trace metals in the Western coast of Ghana was conducted prior to the commercial production of crude oil in the area. The study revealed the presence of heavy metals such as Pb (4.00-79.64 mg/kg), As (8.81-236 mg/kg), Cu (12.86-108.06 mg/kg), V (28.07-953.32 mg/kg), Zn (7.08-264.25 mg/kg), Cr (101.69-1366.62 mg/kg), Ni (42.41-451.43 mg/kg), Mn (16.77-1890.45mg/kg), Br (7.66-142.78 mg/kg), Ti (542.03-19960 mg/kg) and Fe (7472.88-97120 mg/kg) at six sites sampled along the coast. With the exception of Ti and Fe which showed no variation in metal concentration, the rest of the metals varied significantly among the sampled locations. Potential ecological risk of metals particularly of Co, As and Br which exhibited extreme enrichment of the sediments indicates considerable metal pollution in the studied areas. The degree of contamination is of particular concern especially to benthic biota that inhabit this environment for survival.

Keywords

References

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