|
| Reference | Period of data collection | Region/community | Pollutant studied | Source of pollutant | Concentration of pollutants | Analytical Technique |
|
|
Kortatsi et al. 2008 [66] | Not reported | Greater Accra region: 21 communities; Eastern region: 23 communities; Volta region: 44 communities | As | Water samples from 15 selected boreholes | See Tables 1–4 | Wagtech Arsenator field test kit |
|
| Amonoo-Neizer et al. 1996 [19] | March 1992-1993 | Ashanti region: Obuasi and its environ | As, Hg | Soil and food crops*, vegetation, and mud fish | See Tables II and III | As: UV-visible spectrophotometer A SPEKOL II
Hg: cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
Boadu et al. 2000
[25] | Nov 1995, March 1996, July 1996, Nov 1996 | Eastern region: Konongo and its surrounding towns and villages; Ashanti region: Odumase, Patriensa and Obenemase | As | Water sample from underground water, river, ponds of a river | See Tables 1 and 2 | Instrumental neutron activation analysis |
|
|
Serfor-Armah et al. 2001 [68] | June 1996–August 1998 | Greater Accra region: Prampram, Nungua; Central region: Winneba, Cape Coast; and Western region: Sekondi, Axim | As, Al, Br, Fe, Mn, Cd, Hg, Zn, Ni, V, La | Seaweeds | See Tables III and IV | Neutron activation analysis |
|
| Asante et al. 2007 [15] | March 2004 | Western region: Tarkwa and its environ | V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, TI, Pb, Bi | Water samples from bore boles, wells, rivers/streams and urine samples | Bore hole and well water: <0.1–4.0 μg/L
Rivers/stream: 0.5–73 μg/L
Urine in mine workers: 34–650 μg/L and in non-workers: 43–700 μg/L | As: hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometer (HG-ASS);
Hg and Se: cold vapour atomic Absorption spectrometry;
Other metals: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry |
|
|
Serfor-Armah et al. 2006 [28] | Jan 2002–April 2003 | Western region: Prestea and its environ | As, Sb | Water samples from stream and soil sample | See Tables 2 and 3, Figures 3 and 4 | Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) |
|
|
Rossiter et al. 2010 [69] | July/August 2007 | Ashanti region (obuasi and its environs), North of the Volta region, Upper East region (Bolgatanga area) | Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, U, V, Zn | Water samples from boreholes, wells and rivers | See Table 1 | Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) |
|
|
Basu et al. 2011 [57] | Summer 2009 | Upper East region (Talensi-Nabdam district: Obuasi, World Bank, Kejitia) | Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn | Urine sample | See Table 1 | Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS) |
|
|
Adokoh et al. 2011 [70] | Not reported | Western region: Pra Estuary-Shama
Central region: Benya Lagoon-Elimina; Fosu Lagoon-Cape Coast; Narkwa Lagoon-near Saltpong Beach | Al, As, Cd, Hg | Water and sediments samples | See Table 3 | Neutron activation analysis |
|
|
Armah et al. 2011 [65] | April 2010 | Western region: Tarkwa mining area | As, Mn, Cd, Fe, Pb, Ni | Water samples from boreholes and taps | Table 1 | Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
| Armah et al. 2010 [5] | Feb–June 2009 | Ashanti region (Obuasi and its environ) | As, Cu, Mn, Cd, Fe, Pb, Zn | Water samples from taps and surface water bodies | See Table 2 | Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
|
Golow et al. 1996 [71] | Not reported | Ashanti region (Obuasi and its environ) | As | Soil samples from villages of varied distances from Obuasi Township | Figures 2 and 3 | Schimadzu UV-120-02 spectrophotometer |
|
|
Obiri et al. 2006 [72] | Not reported | Western region (Bogoso, Prestea, Tarkwa, Tamso) | Hg, Zn, Cd, As | Food crops: cassava, cocoyam, and other tuber crop samples | See Tables III, VII, VIII, XI | Schimadzu atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
Essumang et al.
2007 [16] | Not reported | Western region: Tarkwa: Efuantah, Nsuta and Tamso | As, Cd, Hg | Food crop: cocoyam and water cocoyam samples | See Table 1 | As, Cd:
flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer
Hg: cold vapour technique |
|
|
Obiri 2007 [64] | August 2004–June 2005 | Western region: Dumasi in Wassa West District | As, Zn, Cd, Fe, Co, Cr, Pb, Mn | Water samples from boreholes | See Table 4 | Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer Shimadzu model coupled with an arsine gas generator |
|
|
Adomako et al. 2011 [73] | Not reported | Selected supermarkets and markets in some regions in Ghana | As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb, Se, Zn | Grains | See Figure 2 | High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) |
|
|
Adomako et al. 2008 [74] | Jan to sept 2005: bimonthly sampling | Ashanti region/River Subin | Al, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn | Water and sediment samples | Water sample
Tables 3 and 4
Sediment sample
Tables 3 and 4 | Neutron activation analysis |
|
|
Amasa 1975 [31] | Not reported | Ashanti region (Obuasi and its environ) | As | Urine, Food crops, vegetation, soil, water samples | Tables 1 and 2 | Neutron activation analysis |
|
|
Golow and Adzei 2002 [75] | Not reported | Central region: Dunkwa-on-Offin | Zn | Soil and cassava tuber samples | Figures 2 and 3 | AAS/Perkin-Elmer 51000 PV |
|
|
Golow and Adzei 2002 [75] | Not reported | Central region: Dunkwa-on-Offin | Hg | Soil and cassava tuber samples | Figures 2 and 3 | Cold vapour cell in AAS |
|
|
Oppong et al. 2010 [32] | August 2005, Jan 2006 | Central region: Awisam, Twifo Praso, Twifo Mampong
Western region: Daboaso, Beposo | Hg | Soil, sediments and, fish samples | Tables 1 and 2 | Cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
|
Yidana et al. 2008 [76] | NA | Western region: Ankobra basin at Ankwaso, Dominase, Prestea | Hg, Mg | Water samples | Table 1 | Not reported |
|
|
Bentum et al. 2010 [77] | Not reported | Eastern region: Odumase-Atua area | Pb, As, Cd | Breast milk from lactating mothers | Pb: 4.83 ± 9.016 μg/L;
range: LOD-32.0 ± 1.935 μg/L
As: 1.54 ± 1.935 μg/L;
range: LOD-6.22 μg/L
Cd: 1.34 ± 2.194 μg/L
range: LOD-12.301 μg/L | Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Philip AAS 9200u Model) |
|
|
Essumang 2009 [55] | Not reported | Western region: Tarkwa | As | Human hair samples | 0.0142–0.0515 μg/g | Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer |
|
|
Asante et al. 2007 [15] | March 2004 | Western Region: Tarkwa and its environ | Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr | Water samples from boreholes, rivers/streams and urine sample of mine workers | Tables 1 and 2 | Hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
|
Abrefah et al. 2011 [58] | Not reported | Western region: mine workers at Tarkwa | As, Hg | Urine samples | As
Distance from mine of workers
10 km: 6.76 ± 1.43 μg/L
2 km: 1.78 ± 1.33 μg/L
0.5 km: 8.03 ± 1.75 μg/L
Casual: 10.44 ± 1.88 μg/L
Gold ore workers:
14.75 ± 1.62 μg/L
Hg
Distance from mine of workers
10 km: 0.36 ± 0.11 μg/L
2 km: 0.47 ± 0.12 μg/L
0.5 km: 0.51 ± 0.16 μg/L
Casual: 0.57 ± 0.14 μg/L
Gold ore workers:
0.56 ± 0.21 μg/L | Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for As;
197Hg induced radionuclide in INAA for Hg |
|
|
Kumi-Boateng 2007 [78] | Nov 2007 to Jan 2010 once/month | Ashanti region: Obuasi | | Soil sample
Sediment sample | Soil sample
0–15 cm: 69.72 ppm;
15–30 cm: 42.90 ppm
Sediment sample
34 253 ppm | Atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
|
Fianko et al. 2007 [61] | Weekly from Dec to June | Central region: Iture Estuary | Cd, Pb, Se, Zn | Water sample | See Figures 2–5, Table 6 | Atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
|
Basu et al. 2011 [57] | Summer 2009 | Upper East region: Obuasi, World Bank, Kejitia | Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn | Urine samples | See Table 1 | Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer equipped with a quadrupole analyser and octopole collision |
|
|
Kwaansa-Ansah et al. 2010 [60] | Not reported | Central region; Dunkwa-on-Offin area | Hg | Urine and hair samples | See Tables 1 and 2 | Urine: cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry using an automatic mercury analyser model HG 5000
Hair: open flask method |
|
|
Paruchuri et al. 2010 [56] | May and June 2009 | Upper East region
Bolgatanga | Hg | Urine and hair samples | Urine
170 ± 77.3 μg/g
(0.2–708)
Hair
0.1 ± 3.2 μg/g
(0.0–22.9) | Direct mercury analyzer |
|
|
Adimado and Baah 2002 [35] | Not reported | Western region: Anwiaso; Sahuma, Tanoso, Elubo | Hg | Blood, urine, hair, nail, and fish samples | See Table 2 | Atomic absorption spectrophotometer with flow injection mercury hydride system |
|
|
Smedley 1996 [62] | Not reported | Ashanti region: Obuasi; Upper East region: Bolangatanga | Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Mo, Pb, Rb, Sb, Cs, U, Fe, As, Al | Water samples from boreholes | See Tables 1–10 | Not reported |
|
Amonoo-Neizer
and Amekor
1993 [14] | Not reported | Ashanti region: Kumasi and Obuasi area | As | Vegetation, cooked food, local fish, and meat (goat) samples | Kumasi: 0.07–7.20 mg/kg
Obuasi: 0.12–70.50 mg/kg | |
|
|
Amedjoe et al. 2012 [63] | June-July; Sept-Oct. 2010 | Ashanti region: Homase area | Fe, Zn, As, Mg | Water samples from streams, hand-dug wells, borehole | See Tables 1 and 2 | Not reported |
|
Akabzaa et al.
2007 [24] | Not reported | Ashanti region: Obuasi mine | Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, As | Water samples from streams, boreholes, hand-dug well | Tables 1 and 2 | Not reported |
|
|
Asante et al. 2012 [59] | Not reported | Greater Accra: Agbogbloshie area in Accra;
Ashanti region: Obuasi | V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi | Urine sample | Tables 1 and 2 | All: metals: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer;
Hg: cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometer |
|
Akabzaa et al.
2007 [24] | 2002–2004 | Ashanti region: Obuasi and its environ | Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, As | Water samples from streams, boreholes, hand-dug wells, and fruit samples | See Tables 5.2–5.4 | Atomic absorption spectrometry |
|
| Tay and Kortatsi 2008 [47] | Feb 2005–Dec 2005 | Eastern and Greater Accra regions: 68 communities within Densu basin in these regions | Mg, Fe, Mn | Ground water samples | Tables 2a–2d | Not reported |
|
|
Karikari and Ansa-Asare 2006 [79] | July 2003 and March 2004 | Eastern region: Akwadum, Mangoase, Asuboi, Pakro and Ashalaji | Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb | Water sample from Densu river | Table 2 | Atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
|
Boamponsem et al. 2010 [29] | Sept 2008–Jan 2009 | Western region: Teberebie, Mile 7 in the Wassa West District | Sb, Mn, Cu, V, Al, Co, Hg, As, Cd, Th | Water and sediments samples | Tables 2 and 3 | Instrumental neutron activation analysis |
|
|
Tay et al. 2010 [80] | Nov 2003 and Oct 2004 | Greater Accra region: Sakumo II and Muni lagoons | Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cd, | Water and sediments | Tables 1–4 | Flame atomization |
|
|
Kortatsi 2007 [81] | Not reported | Western region: Ankobra basin | Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Th | Water samples from boreholes in the Ankobra Basin | Tables 1 and 2 | ICP-MS |
|
Dapaah-Siakwan
and Gyau-Boakye
2000 [82] | June 2002 to March 2003 | Ashanti region: Obuasi | As, V, Th, Sb, U, Cr | Lichen samples | Table 2 | As, Sb, U: epithermal instrumental neutron analyses
Cr, V, Th: thermal instrumental neutron analyses |
|
|
Nartey et al. 2005 [83] | May-June and Sept to Novem each year | Eastern region: Akwapim area | Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu | Surface water samples from springs/streams | Table 2e | Flame atomic absorption spectrometer |
|
|
Koranteng-Addo et al. 2011 [84] | Nov 2009 to Jan 2010 | Western region: Tarkwa gold mining area | Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn | Sand and clay soil samples | Table 1 | ICP-Atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
|
Hayford et al. 2009[30] | Not reported | Western region: Tarkwa and its environs | As, Hg, Sb, V, Cu, Zn, Cr | Samples from cassava, plantain, and soil | Table 1 | Instrumental neutron analyses |
|
|
Ansa-Asare and Asante 2000 [85] | March, May, July, Sept, Nov 1995 and Jan 1996 | Eastern region: Birim basin and its environ | Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Mn, Fe | Water sample from Birim basin and its environ | Table 4 | Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Varian 1275 AAS) |
|
|
Bentum et al. 2011 [86] | Nov 2009 | Central region: Cape coast | Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Al | Sediments sample from Fosu lagoon | Tables 3 and 4 | Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Varian 235 AAS) |
|
|
Tay et al. 2008 [87] | Nov 2003 and Oct 2004 | Greater Accra and Volta regions: James Town, Salaha, Tema Fishing harbour, Sogakope | Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd | Fish sample | Table 3 | Flame atomization using Unican 969 Atomic absorption spectrophotometer |
|
|
Nyarko et al. 2006 [34] | June 2002 and March 2003 | Ashanti region: Obuasi and its environs | As, V, Th, Sb, U, Cr | Lichen samples | Tables 1 and 2 | Neutron activation analysis |
|
Dankwa and Biney
2005 [46] | Aug 1994 | Central region: Kaniago, Buabuasin, Kubi, Baadoa and Twifu Praso | Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe | Sediment, fish, and water samples | | Flame and cold atomic absorption spectrophotometry |
|
|
Tay 2007 [67] | 2002 and 2004 | Volta region: Ketu and Akatsi | Mg, Fe, Mn | Water samples from boreholes | | Atomic absorption spectrophotometry |
|
|
Tay and Momade 2006 [26] | | Ashanti region: Obuasi area | Ni, Hg, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cd | Water samples from borehole, well, and stream | | Atomic absorption spectrophotometry |
|
|
Donkor et al. 2006 [33] | July 2002 | Central, western and Eastern regions: River Pra basins | Hg | Water samples from river pra basin | | Ultraclean free-metal sampling protocol |
|
