Assessment of Arsenic Concentration Distribution and Related Diseases in the Obuasi Municipality of Ghana

Peter Ekow Baffoe

Abstract


Analytical results for arsenic concentration levels for ground water samples obtained from the Obuasi Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana were compiled. Arsenic is dangerous to human health due to its toxicity. The threat of arsenic to the public sometimes stems from its contamination of ground water. The locations of the sample sources were mapped. The concentration levels were found ranging from 7.2 to 34.5 micrograms per liter (μg/L). The results showed that wells and boreholes around the Nyamso River had higher arsenic concentrations. The data on arsenic related diseases from major health facilities were collated and analysed. Arsenic related diseases pertaining in the metropolis include bronchitis, skin cancer and other skin diseases.  The results of the trend of the diseases in the communities were analysed and also mapped using GIS overlay procedures. From the maps and graphs, it was observed that there was an increase in the trend of arsenic related diseases and is increasing at an alarming rate annually. Maps produced showed that communities closer to the major health facilities have their sources of water from water bodies which have higher arsenic concentrations. These give indications of the intensity of water pollution and the effects on human health indicating that mining in the Obuasi gold belt has partly affected water patterns of both ground and surface water sources. It is recommended that much research should be conducted to determine areas suitable for boreholes before sinking boreholes in the communities.

 

Keywords: Arsenic, Gold Mining, Obuasi, Ghana, Maps, Contamination


Keywords


Arsenic; Gold Mining; Obuasi; Ghana; Maps; Contamination

Full Text:

PDF

References


Akabzaa, T. and Darimani, A. (2001), “Impact of Mining Sector Investment in Ghana: A Study of The Tarkwa Mining Region”, https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/db7d/5a2fe09a7c14bf82dddee1bd5cb6ea32d003.pdf, Accessed: November 13, 2013.

Anon., (2012), Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25th June 2002 Relating to the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise, Published 18.7.2002, L189/12-25, 433 pp.

Anon., (2006), Noise Pollution Act, Decree-Law 292/2000 of 14th November, 2000, www.ajol.info/index.php/ Accessed: December 12, 2013.

Asiam, E. K., (1996), ˝Environmental Assessment of Gold Beneficiation: Arsenic Audit and Impact on the Obuasi Environs”, Ghana Mining Journal, Vol. 2, No.1, pp. 17-20.

Bempah, C. K., Ewusi, A., Obiri-Yeboah, S., Asabere, S. A., Mensah, F., Boateng, J., and Voigt, H. J. (2013), “Distribution of Arsenic and Heavy Metals from Mine Tailings Dams at Obuasi Municipality of Ghana”, American Journal of Engineering and Research, Vol. 2, Issue 5, pp. 61–70.

Chen, Y. U., Santella, R. M., Kibriya, M. G., Wang, Q., Kapil, M., Verret, W. J., Graziano, J. H. and Ahsan, H. (2007), “Association between Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water and Plasma Levels of Soluble Cell Adhesion Molecules: Environmental Health Perspectives”, http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1289/e hp.10277, Accessed: May 4, 2009.

Duker, A., Stein, A. and Hale, M, (2006), ˝A Statistical Model for Spatial Patterns of Buruli Ulcerin at the Amansie West District˝, Ghana International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp. 126- 136

Griffis, R. J., Barning, K., Agezo, F. L. and Akosah, F. K. (2002), Gold Deposits of Ghana, Minerals Commission of Ghana, Accra. A. A. Balkema Publishers, Rotterdam, 255 pp.

Gross, E. L. and Low, D. J. (2013), “Arsenic Concentrations, Related Environmental Factors, and the Predicted Probability of Elevated Arsenic in Groundwater in Pennsylvania: U.S”, Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5257, 46 pp.

Hopenhayn, C. (2006), “Arsenic in Drinking Water—Impact on Human Health: Elements”, Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 2, pp. 103–107.

Jang, M., Hwang, J. S., Choi, S. I. and Park, J. K. (2005), “Remediation of Arsenic-Contaminated Soils and Washing Effluents”, Chemosphere, Vol. 60, pp. 344-354.

Kesse, G. O. (1985), The Mineral and Rock Resources of Ghana, A. A. Balkema Publishers, Rotterdam, 610 pp.

Lin, W., Wang, S. L., Wu, H. J., Chang, K. H., Yeh, P., Chen, C. J. and Guo, H. R. (2008), “Associations Between Arsenic in Drinking Water and Pterygium in Southwestern Taiwan: Environmental Health Perspectives”, http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1289/ehp.11111, Accessed: May 4, 2015.

Reid, C., Becaert, V., Aubertin, M., Rosenbaum, R. K. and Deschenes, L. (2009), “Life Cycle Assessment of Mine Tailings Management in Canada”, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 17, Issue 4, pp. 471-479.

Roussel, C., Bril, H. and Fernandez, A. (2000), “Heavy Metals in the Environment, Arsenic Speciation: Involvement in Evaluation of Environmental Impact Caused By Mine Wastes”, Journal of Environmental Quality, Vol. 29, pp. 182-188.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.