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Comparative Assessment of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water Sources in Two Small-Scale Mining Communities in Northern Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel J. Cobbina

    (Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, P.O. Box TL 1882, Nyankpala 233, Ghana
    School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Xuefu Rd. 301, Zhenjiang 212013, China)

  • Abudu B. Duwiejuah

    (Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, P.O. Box TL 1882, Nyankpala 233, Ghana)

  • Reginald Quansah

    (Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 25 Legon, Accra 233, Ghana
    Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon 233, Ghana)

  • Samuel Obiri

    (Environmental Chemistry Division, CSIR-Water Research Institute, P.O. Box A38, Accra 233, Ghana)

  • Noel Bakobie

    (Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, P.O. Box TL 1882, Nyankpala 233, Ghana)

Abstract

The study assessed levels of heavy metals in drinking water sources in two small-scale mining communities (Nangodi and Tinga) in northern Ghana. Seventy-two (72) water samples were collected from boreholes, hand dug wells, dug-out, and a stream in the two mining communities. The levels of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Mean levels (mg/l) of heavy metals in water samples from Nangodi and Tinga communities were 0.038 and 0.064 (Hg), 0.031 and 0.002 (As), 0.250 and 0.031 (Pb), 0.034 and 0.002 (Zn), and 0.534 and 0.023 (Cd), respectively, for each community. Generally, levels of Hg, As, Pb, Zn, and Cd in water from Nangodi exceeded the World Health Organisation (WHO) stipulated limits of 0.010 for Hg, As, and Pb, 3.0 for Zn and 0.003 for Cd for drinking water, and levels of Hg, Pb, and Cd recorded in Tinga, exceeded the stipulated WHO limits. Ingestion of water, containing elevated levels of Hg, As, and Cd by residents in these mining communities may pose significant health risks. Continuous monitoring of the quality of drinking water sources in these two communities is recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel J. Cobbina & Abudu B. Duwiejuah & Reginald Quansah & Samuel Obiri & Noel Bakobie, 2015. "Comparative Assessment of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water Sources in Two Small-Scale Mining Communities in Northern Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:9:p:10620-10634:d:54928
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mozhgon Rajaee & Samuel Obiri & Allyson Green & Rachel Long & Samuel J. Cobbina & Vincent Nartey & David Buck & Edward Antwi & Niladri Basu, 2015. "Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-41, July.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-29, July.
    3. Nang Biyogue Douti & Ebenezer Ebo Yahans Amuah & Abdul-Wahab Mbelayim Imoro & Samuel Kojo Abanyie, 2023. "Assessing the water quality and ecological sustainability of the Paga crocodile pond and the associated socio-economic implications," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 13331-13352, November.
    4. Niladri Basu & Elisha P. Renne & Rachel N. Long, 2015. "An Integrated Assessment Approach to Address Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, September.
    5. Nur Adila Adnan & Mohd Izuan Effendi Halmi & Siti Salwa Abd Gani & Uswatun Hasanah Zaidan & Mohd Yunus Abd Shukor, 2021. "Comparison of Joint Effect of Acute and Chronic Toxicity for Combined Assessment of Heavy Metals on Photobacterium sp.NAA-MIE," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-19, June.

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