Lindane and propoxur residues in cocoa from Central region of Ghana

Lindane and propoxur residue levels in cocoa samples taken from the Central Region of Ghana were determined. Propoxur and Lindane residues in cocoa were extracted by continuous soxhlet extraction with a 1:1 v/v acetone-chloroform and acetone-hexane (20:80 v/v) mixture for propoxurand lindane respectively for 12 h. The extracts were passed through preconditioned octadecyl (C-18) columns to clean up. The pesticides were then analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography using Flame Ionization Detector (FID) and Electron Capture Detector (ECD) for propoxur and lindane respectively. The concentration range for lindane in cocoa was 0.055 - 3.318 mg/kg. The concentration range for propoxur was 0.001 – 0.991 mg/kg. The mean of lindane in cocoa beans were: 0.411 mg/kg, pod 1.113 mg/kg, testa 0.609 mg/kg , placenta 0.905 mg/kg, leaves 0.892 mg/kg and bark 1.332 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of propoxur in cocoa were: beans0.235 mg/kg, pod 0.235 mg/kg, placenta 0.276 mg/kg, leaves 0.104 mg/kg, bark 0.491 mg/kg. From the studies it may be preferable to use propoxur for control of pests in cocoa

Assessment of Water Quality Parameters of Kpeshie Lagoon of Ghana

A study was carried out on the Kpeshi Lagoon to identify the chemical and physical characteristics of the water. A lot of industrial activities are carried out around the Lagoon and it is being gradually turned into a place of refuse damp. Standard methods were used for determining of chemical and physical characteristics of water samples. Trace metal ions were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The lagoon recorded mean pH and conductivity values of 6.32± 2.20 and 87.31 ms/cm±19.14 respectively. Nutrient and organic matter were found to be the most frequent cause of pollution of the lagoon with mean sulphate, nitrate and phosphate concentrations of 11852 mg/l±2915.08, 2905.71 mg/l±616.52 and 487.14 mg/l±257.02 respectively. Iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) recorded the highest concentration of 13.2 mg/l±3.47 and 13.6 mg/l± 4.29 respectively in water sample. Fish sample revealed calcium and potassium as having the highest concentration of 15709 mg/kg±75.35 and 5999.94 mg/kg±87.30 respectively with sodium and aluminum recording 3775.70 mg/kg± 24.80 and 708.47mg/kg ± 4.95 respectively. The results as compared to the WHO guidelines indicate that the Lagoon is highly contaminated.Keywords: Kpeshi lagoon, nutrients, trace metals

Evaluation of Water from Bokro Stream for Irrigation and Its Effect on Soil

This study focused on evaluating the water quality of the Bokro stream for its suitability for irrigation purposes. Among the water quality parameters examined were pH, total dissolved solids, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, hardness, major ions and concentration of some trace metals. The results revealed that most of the parameters examined were below the FAO limits for irrigation water. The results also indicated that nutrient concentrations (Sulphate, Nitrate-Nitrogen and Phosphate-Phosphorus) from the stream were far below the usual ranges in irrigation water. Based on values calculated for Sodium Adsorption Ratio and electrical conductivity, the water source could be described as possessing low salinity hazard and therefore no permeability problems are expected for the soils. In addition, human activities along the banks of the stream and inflow of untreated domestic sewage from communities in the catchment area of the stream were found to have great impact on the quality of water from the stream. Water from the stream will have no adverse effect on the soil when it is use for irrigation.Keywords: Bokro stream, Irrigation, Salinity hazard, Self purification, Waste wate

LINDANE AND PROPOXUR RESIDUES IN COCOA FROM CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA

ABSTRAC

Streaming Emergency Department Patients to Primary Care Services: Developing a Consensus in North East London

Report of local research on emergency care decision

Repellency Potential, Chemical Constituents of Ocimum Plant Essential Oils, and Their Headspace Volatiles against Anopheles gambiae s. s., Malaria Vector

African malaria mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto) transmit a malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) to humans. The current control strategies for the vector have mainly focussed on synthetic products, which negatively impact the environment and human health. Given the potential use of environmentally friendly plant-derived volatiles as a control, this work aims to examine and compare the repellency potential of essential oils and headspace volatiles from Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Ocimum basilicum and their chemical compositions. The repellency potential and chemical composition of the plants were achieved by using the protected arm-in-cage method and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Among the three Ocimum species, both the essential oils and the headspace volatiles from O. tenuiflorum achieved the longest repellency time lengths of 90–120 minutes. One hundred and one (101) chemical constituents were identified in the headspace volatiles of the three Ocimum spp. Nonetheless, (−)-camphor, (E)-γ-bisabolene, terpinolene, β-chamigrene, cubedol, (E)-farnesol, germacrene D-4-ol, viridiflorol, γ-eudesmol, tetracyclo [6.3.2.0 (2,5).0(1,8)] tridecan-9-ol, 4,4-dimethyl, α-eudesmol, isolongifolol, and endo-borneol were unique only to O. tenuiflorum headspace volatiles. Either essential oils or headspace volatiles from O. tenuiflorum could offer longer protection time length to humans against An. gambiae. Though field studies are needed to assess the complementarity between the chemical constituents in the headspace volatiles of O. tenuiflorum, our observations provide a foundation for developing effective repellents against An. gambiae

Assessment of the water quality of boreholes in the Aburi municipality of eastern region of Ghana

Ground water samples from 32 boreholes in 17 communities within Aburi and its environs were sampled and analysed within the period of October 2008 to January 2009 for various physicochemical water quality  parameters. The study showed that most of the physico-chemical  parameters were within the World Health Organization limits recommended for drinking water. All the water samples were found to be colourless, with turbidity of 0.00 NTU. Temperature ranged from 24.0 to 28.0 oC, with an average of 26.21 ± 1.57 oC. The pH values ranged from 6.38 to 7.28with an average of 6.38 ± 0.21. The TDS of the water samples ranged from 13 to 522 mg/L with an average of 85.19 ± 53.85. Alkalinity levels were low ranging from 10 to 260.34 mg/L with a mean of 51.16 ± 37.51 mg/L  whereas conductivity recorded values ranging from 18.98 to 240 ìS/cm and an average of 82.15 ± 43.10 ìµ/cm. The total hardness had a range of 25 to 301 mg/L with an average of 95.46 ± 59.01 mg/L. Most of the boreholes showed low level of mineralization. Low levels of nitrates ranging from 0.11 to 1.00 mg/L with an average of 0.665 ± 0.24 mg/L were recorded. Low levels of sulphate ranging from 35.35 to 200.48 mg/L with a mean of 93.75 ± 49.98 mg/L were obtained. Phosphate ion concentration ranging from 0.5 to 5.8 mg/L with an average of 2.64 ± 1.423 mg/L and chloride ion concentration ranging from 21.27 to 131.17 mg/L with a mean of 66.02 ± 30.28 mg/L were also obtained. All the water was found to be  “salinityfree.” The study showed that the borehole water in the municipality is potable.Keywords: groundwater, borehole, physico-chemical, environ