Maxwell Gyampo | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Maxwell Gyampo

Groundwater for Sustainable Development

Theoretical and Applied Climatology

It is projected that Africa’s population will triple by 2050 and the bulk of this phenomenal incr... more It is projected that Africa’s population will triple by 2050 and the bulk of this phenomenal increase will primarily be in the urban and peri-urban areas. Also, by 2015, about twenty-five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa will have higher urban populations than rural, and this number is expected to increase to 41 countries by 2030 (UN-Habitat, 2001). Currently, about 44 % of the population in the West African sub-region live in urban areas (UNPD, 2004), compared to only 4 % in 1920. The same 44 % applies to Ghana, and this number is expected to rise rapidly due to the high annual growth rates of between 6-9 % (GSS, 2002). The increasing urban population comes along with increasing demand for sanitation infrastructure. In Ghana, current urban sanitation infrastructure is inadequate and seems not to be keeping pace with population growth rate, about only 4–5 % of the population is linked with – infrequently functional – sewage systems and sewerage treatment plants. Most untreated wastew...

Earth Systems and Environment, 2018

The potential leaching of harmful chemicals (heavy metals) due to application of large quantities... more The potential leaching of harmful chemicals (heavy metals) due to application of large quantities of agro-chemicals in an impending up-scaling of dry-season irrigational farming into shallow groundwater aquifers has necessitated the study to assess the potential risk to contamination of the shallow (weathered) aquifers within the Atankwidi basin of Ghana using the combination of DRASTIC and Arc GIS. The DRASTIC indices ranged from 41 to 117 representing the lowest to highest vulnerable (risk) areas. 34.4 km 2 , 93.3 km 2 and 63.9 km 2 representing 20, 48.8 and 33.2% of the area had low, moderate and high risk with indices ranging between 41-71, 71-88 and 88-117, respectively. Moderate and high risk areas which constituted approximately 80% of the area are underlain with clay-loam and sandy-loam soils, where major farming takes place. High risk areas are located in elevated areas (recharge), having the shallowest depth-to-water table and highest conductivity values. Sensitivity analysis revealed influential parameters in order of Hydraulic conductivity (C) > Soil media (S) > Depth to water table (D) > Net recharge (R) > Impact of vadose zone (I) > Topography (T) > Aquifer media (A). Validation of the DRASTIC model using heavy metals revealed that elevated concentrations were found within the high risk and vice versa. It is recommended that pollution-prevention measures would be taken account during the planning and implementation of the up-scaling program.

Modeling Earth Systems and Environment

The paper evaluated the potential of groundwater pollution in the Densu River Basin of Ghana. Gro... more The paper evaluated the potential of groundwater pollution in the Densu River Basin of Ghana. Groundwater is an important resource in this basin currently supporting domestic, agricultural and industrial activities. The significance of water resources and the potential for groundwater quality to deteriorate due various anthropogenic activities within the Densu River Basin has necessitated this study using a combination of GIS and DRATIC methods. The study reveal that about 47% of the basin is exposed to high-risk, 43% exposed to medium-risk and 10% exposed to low-risk. It is recommended that the fast growing urban settlements in this high-risk prone areas need more careful urban planning of settlements, siting of irrigation schemes and sanitation facilities. The results in this research are replicable in other basins in Ghana and the sub-region.

Advances in Sustainable and Environmental Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Hydrochemistry and Water Resources, 2019

This study reveals the potential risk to the quality of shallow groundwater aquifers from the app... more This study reveals the potential risk to the quality of shallow groundwater aquifers from the application of agro-chemicals in upscaling crop production to ensure food security within the Atankwidi basin of Ghana, using the combination of DRASTIC and Arc GIS methods. The DRASTIC indices ranged from 41 to 117, representing the lowest to highest vulnerable areas. 34.4, 93.3 and 63.9 km2 representing 20, 48.8 and 33.2% of the area had low, moderate and high vulnerabilities with indices ranging between 41–71, 71–88 and 88–117, respectively. The moderate and high vulnerable areas, which constituted approximately 80% of the area, were underlain by clay-loam and sandy-loam soils, respectively, where major farming takes place. The most vulnerable areas were in the highest elevated areas (recharge), with the shallowest depth to water-table and the highest permeability values. Sensitivity analysis using a map removal approach revealed influential parameters in the order of Hydraulic conductiv...

The present study has identified and measured the concentrations of heavy metals in the body tiss... more The present study has identified and measured the concentrations of heavy metals in the body tissue of Nile Tilapia from the Tono Irrigation facility located in the Kassena-Nankana East District of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Vanadium and Zinc were identified and their mean concentrations were 0.23, 0.02, 0.2, 1.03, 45.95, 19, 0.21, 0.27 and 12.76 :g/g, respectively. The order of mean concentration of heavy metals in fish samples was Cd<Ni<As<V<Cr<Cu<Zn<Mn<Fe. The mean concentrations of Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Iron, as well as Zinc concentrations were below the maximum contaminant levels of 0.27, 0.05, 53.80, 107, 0.7 and 34.2 :g/g, respectively in fish set by WHO (1986). However, the mean concentrations of Copper and Manganese exceeded the maximum contaminant levels of 1 and 5 :g/g, respectively. A correlation between age and the accumulation...

The study assesses concentration of certain heavy metals in water sources affected by the operati... more The study assesses concentration of certain heavy metals in water sources affected by the operations of defunct dredged gold mine operations more than a decade to evaluate its quality as a source of drinking water. The concentration of heavy metals were determined from nine (9) surface water sampling points and three (3) boreholes in the Awusu-River basin in comparison with their maximum contaminant levels to assess their suitability as drinking water sources. Results obtained from the analysis of water samples indicated that the concentrations of four heavy metals (Fe, 0.01-14.93 mg/L; Cd, <0.002-0.01 mg/L; As, <0.002-0.003 mg/L and Pb, <0.005-0.05 mg/L) analyzed in surface water samples were above WHO threshold values (Fe 300, Cd 3, As 10 and Pb 10 ug/L) for drinking water and two (Cu, <0.002-0.05 mg/L and Zc, <0.005-0.03 mg/L) were below (Cu 2000 ug/L and Zc 3000 ug/L). Dissolved iron registered the highest concentrations with the Slime Retention Area (SRA) dominating with a mean concentration of 4.979 mg/L. All the sampling points were being used as drinking water sources by the two communities. An integrated approach to management of sources of drinking water quality in the mining areas is needed and should involve not only the mining companies and regulatory agencies but also the local communities to enable the latter understand and appreciate post mining issues of water quality.

Sustainable Water Resources Management, 2021

The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of th... more The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of the broader Bongo–Sumbrungu areas of the Upper East Region of Ghana were evaluated through petrographic studies using point counting and SEM–EDX analysis of the granitic rocks within the study area. The F-bearing minerals observed in the samples were in the order of microcline > plagioclase > muscovite > biotite > hornblende > apatite > pyroxene and titanite from the petrography. Among the F-bearing minerals, biotite, hornblende, apatite and titanite contain fluoride as observed in the SEM–EDX patterns and hence are the minerals responsible for the fluoridation of groundwater within the Vea catchment through water–rock interaction within the aquifer. The order in which fluoride is been released into the aquifers is apatite > biotite > hornblende > titanite. Ion exchange reaction, wherein the process of smectization converts biotite, hornblende and other mafic minerals into clay, is the other geological process having the potency of contributing to the overall groundwater fluoride content in the area. Biotite and hornblende are minerals commonly distributed within the Vea catchment and form major components of basin-type granitoids, granitic gneisses and granites in the area making these two minerals the main culprits for the fluoridation in the broader Bongo areas through water–rock interaction as well as ion exchange reaction processes. The study agrees with earlier workers on lithology but disagrees with mineralogy as fluoride sources.

Many urban areas in Ghana are heavily polluted with plastic waste and the Bolgatanga Municipality... more Many urban areas in Ghana are heavily polluted with plastic waste and the Bolgatanga Municipality is not an exception. The inability of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly and Zoomlion Ghana limited (a private waste management firm) to tackle the problem calls for the participation of the general public. Households as a subset of the public consume more plastic products and subsequently generates enormous amount of waste. In addition, their waste management practices affect the environment. In view of this, the study was carried out to ascertain the plastic waste situation, identify household plastic waste management practices and challenges, and to find out from the household's perspective the way forward to reducing plastic waste. This questionnaire-based study was carried out in twelve (12) randomly selected electoral areas, and the analysis of the results showed that about 81.67% of households believed that the plastic waste situation was bad. Household waste management practices identified included temporal storage of waste in dustbins, boxes, buckets and large polythene bags. At the household level, plastic waste was generally collected together with other household waste and temporary stored in waste storage bins. In terms of final disposal from the household, about 54.77% of households disposed their waste at approved dumping sites whil34.77% burned their waste, 8.92% disposed their waste at any available open space whilst 1.54% buried their waste. Challenges of household waste management identified were distance to dumpsites, lack of sufficient dumpsite and dustbins as well as irregular collection of waste by waste management firms. Households however believed that dealing with the problem required a change of attitude towards waste disposal, discontinuation of plastic use, recycling, and all stakeholder participation in waste management. Recommendations made included the establishment of a recycling plant, creation of awareness and carrying out educational campaigns, the use of environment R's (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and support for the Municipal Assemblyin its waste management efforts.

Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2022

Earth Science Malaysia

This research conducted in the Upper East Region of Ghana characterizes Termitaria and residual c... more This research conducted in the Upper East Region of Ghana characterizes Termitaria and residual clays from Navrongo to establish effective fluoride adsorbent from boreholes in Bongo area. Specific objectives are to determine (1) geochemical and mineralogical compositions of the clays using ICP-MS and X-ray diffraction devices, respectively; (2) fluoride degradation in groundwater using a Batch test (3) water quality after fluoride removal. The Batch test uses 250 ml of groundwater with 2.29 mg/l fluoride and clay masses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 grams to perform within a minimum and varying time of 10 minutes to a maximum of 120 minutes. Results indicate enrichments of major elements in Termitaria clay and trace elements in residual clay. Fluoride reduces to 0.778 mg/l and 0.294 mg/l at a mass of 0.8 kg/l over 80 minutes for Termitaria and residual clays, respectively. Optimum defluoridation time occurs within an hour in the pH range of 7.83 to 8.04. Quartz-hematite-magnetite-illite-mo...

Earth Science Malaysia

This research conducted in the Upper East Region of Ghana characterizes Termitaria and residual c... more This research conducted in the Upper East Region of Ghana characterizes Termitaria and residual clays from Navrongo to establish effective fluoride adsorbent from boreholes in Bongo area. Specific objectives are to determine (1) geochemical and mineralogical compositions of the clays using ICP-MS and X-ray diffraction devices, respectively; (2) fluoride degradation in groundwater using a Batch test (3) water quality after fluoride removal. The Batch test uses 250 ml of groundwater with 2.29 mg/l fluoride and clay masses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 grams to perform within a minimum and varying time of 10 minutes to a maximum of 120 minutes. Results indicate enrichments of major elements in Termitaria clay and trace elements in residual clay. Fluoride reduces to 0.778 mg/l and 0.294 mg/l at a mass of 0.8 kg/l over 80 minutes for Termitaria and residual clays, respectively. Optimum defluoridation time occurs within an hour in the pH range of 7.83 to 8.04. Quartz-hematite-magnetite-illite-mo...

Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 2013

An assessment of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd) in soils, Cassava (Manihot esculenta crant... more An assessment of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd) in soils, Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) and plantain (Musa paradisiacal) was conducted in Wassa-Amenfi-West District, a small-scale gold-mining area in Ghana. Metal levels in soil samples were within the permissible limits of Indian and EU standards even though, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) revealed significant metal loading.

Article published in Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 2012.

Groundwater for Sustainable Development , 2021

The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of th... more The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of the broader Bongo-Sumbrungu areas of the Upper East Region of Ghana were evaluated through petrographic studies using point counting and SEM-EDX analysis of the granitic rocks within the study area. The F-bearing minerals observed in the samples were in the order of microcline > plagioclase > muscovite > biotite > hornblende > apatite > pyroxene and titanite from the petrography. Among the F-bearing minerals, biotite, hornblende, apatite and titanite contain fluoride as observed in the SEM-EDX patterns and hence are the minerals responsible for the fluoridation of groundwater within the Vea catchment through water-rock interaction within the aquifer. The order in which fluoride is been released into the aquifers is apatite > biotite > hornblende > titanite. Ion exchange reaction, wherein the process of smectization converts biotite, hornblende and other mafic minerals into clay, is the other geological process having the potency of contributing to the overall groundwater fluoride content in the area. Biotite and hornblende are minerals commonly distributed within the Vea catchment and form major components of basintype granitoids, granitic gneisses and granites in the area making these two minerals the main culprits for the fluoridation in the broader Bongo areas through water-rock interaction as well as ion exchange reaction processes. The study agrees with earlier workers on lithology but disagrees with mineralogy as fluoride sources.

The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of th... more The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of the broader Bongo-Sumbrungu areas of the Upper East Region of Ghana were evaluated through petrographic studies using point counting and SEM-EDX analysis of the granitic rocks within the study area. The F-bearing minerals observed in the samples were in the order of microcline > plagioclase > muscovite > biotite > hornblende > apatite > pyroxene and titanite from the petrography. Among the F-bearing minerals, biotite, hornblende, apatite and titanite contain fluoride as observed in the SEM-EDX patterns and hence are the minerals responsible for the fluoridation of groundwater within the Vea catchment through water-rock interaction within the aquifer. The order in which fluoride is been released into the aquifers is apatite > biotite > hornblende > titanite. Ion exchange reaction, wherein the process of smectization converts biotite, hornblende and other mafic minerals into clay, is the other geological process having the potency of contributing to the overall groundwater fluoride content in the area. Biotite and hornblende are minerals commonly distributed within the Vea catchment and form major components of basintype granitoids, granitic gneisses and granites in the area making these two minerals the main culprits for the fluoridation in the broader Bongo areas through water-rock interaction as well as ion exchange reaction processes. The study agrees with earlier workers on lithology but disagrees with mineralogy as fluoride sources.

Groundwater for Sustainable Development

Theoretical and Applied Climatology

It is projected that Africa’s population will triple by 2050 and the bulk of this phenomenal incr... more It is projected that Africa’s population will triple by 2050 and the bulk of this phenomenal increase will primarily be in the urban and peri-urban areas. Also, by 2015, about twenty-five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa will have higher urban populations than rural, and this number is expected to increase to 41 countries by 2030 (UN-Habitat, 2001). Currently, about 44 % of the population in the West African sub-region live in urban areas (UNPD, 2004), compared to only 4 % in 1920. The same 44 % applies to Ghana, and this number is expected to rise rapidly due to the high annual growth rates of between 6-9 % (GSS, 2002). The increasing urban population comes along with increasing demand for sanitation infrastructure. In Ghana, current urban sanitation infrastructure is inadequate and seems not to be keeping pace with population growth rate, about only 4–5 % of the population is linked with – infrequently functional – sewage systems and sewerage treatment plants. Most untreated wastew...

Earth Systems and Environment, 2018

The potential leaching of harmful chemicals (heavy metals) due to application of large quantities... more The potential leaching of harmful chemicals (heavy metals) due to application of large quantities of agro-chemicals in an impending up-scaling of dry-season irrigational farming into shallow groundwater aquifers has necessitated the study to assess the potential risk to contamination of the shallow (weathered) aquifers within the Atankwidi basin of Ghana using the combination of DRASTIC and Arc GIS. The DRASTIC indices ranged from 41 to 117 representing the lowest to highest vulnerable (risk) areas. 34.4 km 2 , 93.3 km 2 and 63.9 km 2 representing 20, 48.8 and 33.2% of the area had low, moderate and high risk with indices ranging between 41-71, 71-88 and 88-117, respectively. Moderate and high risk areas which constituted approximately 80% of the area are underlain with clay-loam and sandy-loam soils, where major farming takes place. High risk areas are located in elevated areas (recharge), having the shallowest depth-to-water table and highest conductivity values. Sensitivity analysis revealed influential parameters in order of Hydraulic conductivity (C) > Soil media (S) > Depth to water table (D) > Net recharge (R) > Impact of vadose zone (I) > Topography (T) > Aquifer media (A). Validation of the DRASTIC model using heavy metals revealed that elevated concentrations were found within the high risk and vice versa. It is recommended that pollution-prevention measures would be taken account during the planning and implementation of the up-scaling program.

Modeling Earth Systems and Environment

The paper evaluated the potential of groundwater pollution in the Densu River Basin of Ghana. Gro... more The paper evaluated the potential of groundwater pollution in the Densu River Basin of Ghana. Groundwater is an important resource in this basin currently supporting domestic, agricultural and industrial activities. The significance of water resources and the potential for groundwater quality to deteriorate due various anthropogenic activities within the Densu River Basin has necessitated this study using a combination of GIS and DRATIC methods. The study reveal that about 47% of the basin is exposed to high-risk, 43% exposed to medium-risk and 10% exposed to low-risk. It is recommended that the fast growing urban settlements in this high-risk prone areas need more careful urban planning of settlements, siting of irrigation schemes and sanitation facilities. The results in this research are replicable in other basins in Ghana and the sub-region.

Advances in Sustainable and Environmental Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Hydrochemistry and Water Resources, 2019

This study reveals the potential risk to the quality of shallow groundwater aquifers from the app... more This study reveals the potential risk to the quality of shallow groundwater aquifers from the application of agro-chemicals in upscaling crop production to ensure food security within the Atankwidi basin of Ghana, using the combination of DRASTIC and Arc GIS methods. The DRASTIC indices ranged from 41 to 117, representing the lowest to highest vulnerable areas. 34.4, 93.3 and 63.9 km2 representing 20, 48.8 and 33.2% of the area had low, moderate and high vulnerabilities with indices ranging between 41–71, 71–88 and 88–117, respectively. The moderate and high vulnerable areas, which constituted approximately 80% of the area, were underlain by clay-loam and sandy-loam soils, respectively, where major farming takes place. The most vulnerable areas were in the highest elevated areas (recharge), with the shallowest depth to water-table and the highest permeability values. Sensitivity analysis using a map removal approach revealed influential parameters in the order of Hydraulic conductiv...

The present study has identified and measured the concentrations of heavy metals in the body tiss... more The present study has identified and measured the concentrations of heavy metals in the body tissue of Nile Tilapia from the Tono Irrigation facility located in the Kassena-Nankana East District of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Vanadium and Zinc were identified and their mean concentrations were 0.23, 0.02, 0.2, 1.03, 45.95, 19, 0.21, 0.27 and 12.76 :g/g, respectively. The order of mean concentration of heavy metals in fish samples was Cd<Ni<As<V<Cr<Cu<Zn<Mn<Fe. The mean concentrations of Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Iron, as well as Zinc concentrations were below the maximum contaminant levels of 0.27, 0.05, 53.80, 107, 0.7 and 34.2 :g/g, respectively in fish set by WHO (1986). However, the mean concentrations of Copper and Manganese exceeded the maximum contaminant levels of 1 and 5 :g/g, respectively. A correlation between age and the accumulation...

The study assesses concentration of certain heavy metals in water sources affected by the operati... more The study assesses concentration of certain heavy metals in water sources affected by the operations of defunct dredged gold mine operations more than a decade to evaluate its quality as a source of drinking water. The concentration of heavy metals were determined from nine (9) surface water sampling points and three (3) boreholes in the Awusu-River basin in comparison with their maximum contaminant levels to assess their suitability as drinking water sources. Results obtained from the analysis of water samples indicated that the concentrations of four heavy metals (Fe, 0.01-14.93 mg/L; Cd, <0.002-0.01 mg/L; As, <0.002-0.003 mg/L and Pb, <0.005-0.05 mg/L) analyzed in surface water samples were above WHO threshold values (Fe 300, Cd 3, As 10 and Pb 10 ug/L) for drinking water and two (Cu, <0.002-0.05 mg/L and Zc, <0.005-0.03 mg/L) were below (Cu 2000 ug/L and Zc 3000 ug/L). Dissolved iron registered the highest concentrations with the Slime Retention Area (SRA) dominating with a mean concentration of 4.979 mg/L. All the sampling points were being used as drinking water sources by the two communities. An integrated approach to management of sources of drinking water quality in the mining areas is needed and should involve not only the mining companies and regulatory agencies but also the local communities to enable the latter understand and appreciate post mining issues of water quality.

Sustainable Water Resources Management, 2021

The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of th... more The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of the broader Bongo–Sumbrungu areas of the Upper East Region of Ghana were evaluated through petrographic studies using point counting and SEM–EDX analysis of the granitic rocks within the study area. The F-bearing minerals observed in the samples were in the order of microcline > plagioclase > muscovite > biotite > hornblende > apatite > pyroxene and titanite from the petrography. Among the F-bearing minerals, biotite, hornblende, apatite and titanite contain fluoride as observed in the SEM–EDX patterns and hence are the minerals responsible for the fluoridation of groundwater within the Vea catchment through water–rock interaction within the aquifer. The order in which fluoride is been released into the aquifers is apatite > biotite > hornblende > titanite. Ion exchange reaction, wherein the process of smectization converts biotite, hornblende and other mafic minerals into clay, is the other geological process having the potency of contributing to the overall groundwater fluoride content in the area. Biotite and hornblende are minerals commonly distributed within the Vea catchment and form major components of basin-type granitoids, granitic gneisses and granites in the area making these two minerals the main culprits for the fluoridation in the broader Bongo areas through water–rock interaction as well as ion exchange reaction processes. The study agrees with earlier workers on lithology but disagrees with mineralogy as fluoride sources.

Many urban areas in Ghana are heavily polluted with plastic waste and the Bolgatanga Municipality... more Many urban areas in Ghana are heavily polluted with plastic waste and the Bolgatanga Municipality is not an exception. The inability of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly and Zoomlion Ghana limited (a private waste management firm) to tackle the problem calls for the participation of the general public. Households as a subset of the public consume more plastic products and subsequently generates enormous amount of waste. In addition, their waste management practices affect the environment. In view of this, the study was carried out to ascertain the plastic waste situation, identify household plastic waste management practices and challenges, and to find out from the household's perspective the way forward to reducing plastic waste. This questionnaire-based study was carried out in twelve (12) randomly selected electoral areas, and the analysis of the results showed that about 81.67% of households believed that the plastic waste situation was bad. Household waste management practices identified included temporal storage of waste in dustbins, boxes, buckets and large polythene bags. At the household level, plastic waste was generally collected together with other household waste and temporary stored in waste storage bins. In terms of final disposal from the household, about 54.77% of households disposed their waste at approved dumping sites whil34.77% burned their waste, 8.92% disposed their waste at any available open space whilst 1.54% buried their waste. Challenges of household waste management identified were distance to dumpsites, lack of sufficient dumpsite and dustbins as well as irregular collection of waste by waste management firms. Households however believed that dealing with the problem required a change of attitude towards waste disposal, discontinuation of plastic use, recycling, and all stakeholder participation in waste management. Recommendations made included the establishment of a recycling plant, creation of awareness and carrying out educational campaigns, the use of environment R's (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and support for the Municipal Assemblyin its waste management efforts.

Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2022

Earth Science Malaysia

This research conducted in the Upper East Region of Ghana characterizes Termitaria and residual c... more This research conducted in the Upper East Region of Ghana characterizes Termitaria and residual clays from Navrongo to establish effective fluoride adsorbent from boreholes in Bongo area. Specific objectives are to determine (1) geochemical and mineralogical compositions of the clays using ICP-MS and X-ray diffraction devices, respectively; (2) fluoride degradation in groundwater using a Batch test (3) water quality after fluoride removal. The Batch test uses 250 ml of groundwater with 2.29 mg/l fluoride and clay masses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 grams to perform within a minimum and varying time of 10 minutes to a maximum of 120 minutes. Results indicate enrichments of major elements in Termitaria clay and trace elements in residual clay. Fluoride reduces to 0.778 mg/l and 0.294 mg/l at a mass of 0.8 kg/l over 80 minutes for Termitaria and residual clays, respectively. Optimum defluoridation time occurs within an hour in the pH range of 7.83 to 8.04. Quartz-hematite-magnetite-illite-mo...

Earth Science Malaysia

This research conducted in the Upper East Region of Ghana characterizes Termitaria and residual c... more This research conducted in the Upper East Region of Ghana characterizes Termitaria and residual clays from Navrongo to establish effective fluoride adsorbent from boreholes in Bongo area. Specific objectives are to determine (1) geochemical and mineralogical compositions of the clays using ICP-MS and X-ray diffraction devices, respectively; (2) fluoride degradation in groundwater using a Batch test (3) water quality after fluoride removal. The Batch test uses 250 ml of groundwater with 2.29 mg/l fluoride and clay masses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 grams to perform within a minimum and varying time of 10 minutes to a maximum of 120 minutes. Results indicate enrichments of major elements in Termitaria clay and trace elements in residual clay. Fluoride reduces to 0.778 mg/l and 0.294 mg/l at a mass of 0.8 kg/l over 80 minutes for Termitaria and residual clays, respectively. Optimum defluoridation time occurs within an hour in the pH range of 7.83 to 8.04. Quartz-hematite-magnetite-illite-mo...

Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 2013

An assessment of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd) in soils, Cassava (Manihot esculenta crant... more An assessment of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cd) in soils, Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) and plantain (Musa paradisiacal) was conducted in Wassa-Amenfi-West District, a small-scale gold-mining area in Ghana. Metal levels in soil samples were within the permissible limits of Indian and EU standards even though, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) revealed significant metal loading.

Article published in Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 2012.

Groundwater for Sustainable Development , 2021

The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of th... more The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of the broader Bongo-Sumbrungu areas of the Upper East Region of Ghana were evaluated through petrographic studies using point counting and SEM-EDX analysis of the granitic rocks within the study area. The F-bearing minerals observed in the samples were in the order of microcline > plagioclase > muscovite > biotite > hornblende > apatite > pyroxene and titanite from the petrography. Among the F-bearing minerals, biotite, hornblende, apatite and titanite contain fluoride as observed in the SEM-EDX patterns and hence are the minerals responsible for the fluoridation of groundwater within the Vea catchment through water-rock interaction within the aquifer. The order in which fluoride is been released into the aquifers is apatite > biotite > hornblende > titanite. Ion exchange reaction, wherein the process of smectization converts biotite, hornblende and other mafic minerals into clay, is the other geological process having the potency of contributing to the overall groundwater fluoride content in the area. Biotite and hornblende are minerals commonly distributed within the Vea catchment and form major components of basintype granitoids, granitic gneisses and granites in the area making these two minerals the main culprits for the fluoridation in the broader Bongo areas through water-rock interaction as well as ion exchange reaction processes. The study agrees with earlier workers on lithology but disagrees with mineralogy as fluoride sources.

The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of th... more The minerals responsible for the high fluoride content in groundwaters in the Vea catchment of the broader Bongo-Sumbrungu areas of the Upper East Region of Ghana were evaluated through petrographic studies using point counting and SEM-EDX analysis of the granitic rocks within the study area. The F-bearing minerals observed in the samples were in the order of microcline > plagioclase > muscovite > biotite > hornblende > apatite > pyroxene and titanite from the petrography. Among the F-bearing minerals, biotite, hornblende, apatite and titanite contain fluoride as observed in the SEM-EDX patterns and hence are the minerals responsible for the fluoridation of groundwater within the Vea catchment through water-rock interaction within the aquifer. The order in which fluoride is been released into the aquifers is apatite > biotite > hornblende > titanite. Ion exchange reaction, wherein the process of smectization converts biotite, hornblende and other mafic minerals into clay, is the other geological process having the potency of contributing to the overall groundwater fluoride content in the area. Biotite and hornblende are minerals commonly distributed within the Vea catchment and form major components of basintype granitoids, granitic gneisses and granites in the area making these two minerals the main culprits for the fluoridation in the broader Bongo areas through water-rock interaction as well as ion exchange reaction processes. The study agrees with earlier workers on lithology but disagrees with mineralogy as fluoride sources.