Heavy Metals Pollution of Owerri and Asuokofi Rivers in Konongo, Ghana

Abstract

The effects of polluted water and soil resulting from anthropogenic activities have impacted negatively on the livelihood of both human and animal existence. A thorough study was therefore required to ascertain the extent of pollution caused by the undertakings of these anthropogenic activities particularly within the Asante Akim Central Municipality of Ghana. This study assesses the dispersions and the extent of heavy metal pollution within the Owerri and Asuokofi Rivers in the study area. Fourteen water and sediments samples were collected in fourteen locations from the upstream of two Rivers; Owerri and Asuokofi. The samples were collected and poured in clean (sterilised) plastic bottles. A Geographical Positioning System (GPS) “Garmin 62SC” was used to take coordinates for each of the sampled points using WGS 84 as the baseline. Collected samples were digested and analysed for Hg, Pb, As and Cd levels using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The levels of Pb, Hg, As and Cd in the water samples were in the ranges of 0.8-9.5, 0.6-3.5, 0.02-51 and 0.2-5.2 µg/L respectively and that of sediments ranged between 7-89, 0.06-9.2, 10-998 and 0.1 -42 mg/kg respectively. The results showed that the levels of all the metals in water and sediment samples exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended levels in water and sediment.