@phdthesis{Bempah2014, author = {Bempah, Crentsil Kofi}, title = {Arsenic contamination of groundwater in south-western part of Ashanti Region of Ghana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-31961}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Groundwater samples were collected from 63 community wells and boreholes within south-western part of Ashanti Region of Ghana to examine their hydrogeochemical characteristics and elemental features to better understand the sources and mobilization processes responsible for arsenic (As) enrichment as well as the suitability of the groundwater for domestic and agricultural purposes. In addition, gold mine tailings dams were also investigated to ascertain the potential source of As and other trace metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn) contamination and their dissolution into the adjoining environmental media. Further, two point-of-use As removal technologies were evaluated for their effectiveness and appropriateness. A transparent small volume flow-through cell coupled with a calibrated hand held YSI® Multi-Parameter Water Quality Meter (Model YSI 6 l0-DM/600XL) was used simultaneously to measure indicator field parameters. Anions and cations were determined simultaneously in groundwater samples using Metrohm 761 Compact IC and Dionex 4500i IC system, respectively. Total As and trace metals analysis of the groundwater samples and gold mine tailings were performed on electrothermal and flame atomic absorption spectrometry. As speciation were performed using disposable cartridges. Spatial distribution maps were produced for hydrogen ion concentration (pH), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and percentage sodium (\% Na) using the geographic information system (GIS). Results for the analysis of groundwater samples from 63 boreholes and wells (depth 1.5-100 m) within the study area demonstrate that the groundwater composition varies from Ca-Mg-HCO3 to Na-K-HCO3 and anoxic in nature. As concentrations ranged from <0.1-72 µg/L and <0.1-83 µg/L during the dry and the wet seasons, respectively. High As concentrations were generally present in the shallow to medium depth (20-70 m) of the aquifer along with high Fe ranging from <0.01-12.3 mg/L and <0.01-16.3 mg/L during the dry and the wet seasons, respectively and relatively low Mn (1.8-498.0 µg/L during the dry season and 2.3-583.8 µg/L during the wet season). The data demonstrated that 59 \% of the groundwater samples contained no detectable level of As, 17 and 22 \% of the samples gave results with levels of As above the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value for drinking water standard of 10.0 µg/L, while 24 and 19 \% of the samples showed results below the WHO drinking water guideline value during the dry and the wet seasons, respectively. Dissolved inorganic As species predominate with arsenite (As-III) as the main form. It appears that high As concentrations in the study area result from the contribution of different mechanisms which can be grouped into two namely aquifers under oxidizing conditions (aided by sulphide alteration) and aquifers under reducing conditions resulting from the reduction dissolution of arseniferous iron oxyhydroxide that exist as a dispersed phase on the sedimentary grains of the aquifer. In addition, water residence time and different water use practices also influence As concentrations in the groundwater. The results of the gold mine tailings dam revealed elemental concentrations ranging up to 1752 mg/kg As, 75.16 wt.\% Fe, 1848.12 mg/kg Mn, 92.17 mg/kg Cu and 177.56 mg/kg Zn. Sulphate was the dominant anion throughout the leachate, reaching a maximum dissolved concentration of 58.43 mg/L. The As concentration levels of the mine tailings were very much higher than the Netherlands soil protection guideline value of 55 mg/kg. A higher amount of the total As content in the mine tailings registered leaching levels in a range of 0.04-0.56 \%. It was observed from the study that the groundwater was predominantly soft in nature and its pH in desirable range which is within safe limits for domestic use during the dry season while 82.8 \% of the analyzed groundwater samples registered a non-desirable pH range (acidic) during the wet season. The results for the spatial distribution of pH, TDS, TH, EC, SAR, \% Na and RSC of the groundwater samples analyzed generally appear to be within safe limits. The two point-of-use As removal technologies evaluated shown that the Three-earthen pot system is the most effective and appropriate technology. Moving forward, it is my anticipation that the findings of this study will serve as a master piece to advice policy makers, well and borehole owners about the dangers or potential risks associated with As and other trace metals in drinking water supplies sourced from groundwater and how these can be managed. In addition, this research has identified high-risk As-contaminated areas, potential health issues, methodology for assessing As in groundwater, and a broad outline of two point-of-use As treatment options which can target risk populations to protect public health and help shape the national, regional, municipal and districts water monitoring policies.}, subject = {Arsenic contamination; Groundwater; Gold mine tailings; Trace metals; Removal technologies; Spurenmetalle; Entfernungstechnologie; Arsenverschmutzung; Grundwasser; Goldminenbetrieb; Ghana; Ashanti; Goldbergbau; Grundwasserverschmutzung; Arsen; Spurenmetall; Gew{\"a}sserreinigung}, language = {en} }