PAH Quantification and Estimated Carcinogenic Risks at Selected Fuel Stations in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

The research aim was to quantify PAHs levels and assess their associated carcinogenic health risks in fuel filling stations located in both high and low vehicular traffic areas in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana. Dust particles were collected from ten fuel filling stations and extracted using an Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE). PAH analysis was conducted using a GC-MS system. Cancer risk assessment was done using the Incremental Life-time Cancer Risk (ILCR) model. The average PAH concentration recorded in the high and low vehicular traffic areas were 158,080±102,650 μg/kg and 370,220±218,140 μg/kg respectively. Benzo(a)Anthra­cene was the most occurring PAH congener recorded in both traffic areas. Dermal contact as a route of PAH exposure recorded the highest potential cancer risk for both adults and children. Amongst the fuel filling stations, Gab Energy recorded the highest carcinogenic risks of 2.50 (adults) and 2.67 (children). In all, the average cancer risk values for adults (1.02) was slightly higher than that of the children (9.26E-01) with no significant difference. The mean ƩILCR val­ues for both populations indicated a high to very high potential carcinogenic risk to the people living or working in and around the study areas

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of False Yam (Icacina oliviformis) Extracts on Microbes

This study compares the phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of Icacina oliviformis tuber and seed extracts on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aerugino­sa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. False yam tubers were washed and peeled and the mesocarp removed to obtain the seeds. Methanol was used to obtain tuber and seed extracts of the false yam, after they were pulverized. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids and glycosides in both extracts but the proportion of tannins and alkaloids were relatively higher in false yam seed extract than tuber extract. Antimicrobial assay showed that both extracts had antimicrobial activity justifying its use in the treatment of diseases in Northern Ghana. False yam seed extract had a relatively higher antimicrobial activity than tuber extract. The least minimum inhibition concentration recorded was 1.56 mg/ ml for false yam seed on Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. False yam seed extract exhibited a higher antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms than the tuber extract, this provides a cheaper source of antimicrobial agent to treat infectious diseases. Keywords: False yam tuber, False yam seed, Icacina oliviformis, Phytochemical screening, Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC), Microorganisms &nbsp

Black-wattle growth in reponse to application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

Due to the lack of information about Black-wattle fertilization, this study evaluated black-wattle plants growth in response to different fertilization levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium six years after implantation. The statistical design used was a randomized blocks with trifatorial distribution. Total height (m), diameter at breast height (DBH) (cm) and stem volume with bark (m³ ha-1) were evaluated. Black-wattle showed a positive and significant growth response to N and P (interaction) fertilizations and absence for K. m To obtain the maximum development of black-wattle, for the soil and climate condition studied, it is required the use of the maximum dose of nitrogen (40.0 kg ha-1 N) and 78.9 kg ha-1 phosphorus, not requiring the addition of potassium

Multivariate Statistical and Spatial Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Tolon-Kumbungu District, Ghana

Abstract: The study was conducted to assess the quality of groundwater in 47 boreholes in the Tolon Kumbungu District of Ghana, using multivariate statistical and spatial techniques. The results indicate that physicochemical parameters exhibit wide variability. About 8.5% of the samples recorded pH outside World Health Organization recommended limit of 6.5-8.5. Approximately 43% of samples recorded conductivity levels higher than 1000 :S/cm, while close to 19% of boreholes recorded total iron concentrations above 0.3 mg/L. Approximately 3.4% of boreholes recorded arsenic concentrations above 0.01 mg/L. Alkalinity ranged from 28 to 766 mg/L CaCO 3 ; and groundwater in the area can be considered to have relatively high buffering capacity. Turbidity was associated with mineral matter suspension (Fe). Principal component analysis indicates that the data is a three-component system explaining 65% of the total variance. The first two components account for more than 50% of the total variance. Cluster analysis categorised the sampling locations into three spatially dissimilar groups. The natural hydrochemistry of the groundwater system appears to explain much of the variability of the data. However, a groundwater monitoring programme is recommended to characterise the variability of the parameters over longer temporal scales

Review of Ghana’s water resources: the quality and management with particular focus on freshwater resources

Abstract Freshwater resources are continually decreasing in quality and quantity. Approximately, 1% of this freshwater is accessible in lakes, river channels and underground for domestic use. The study reviewed literature on water resources with focus on freshwater, the quality of our freshwater in terms of physical, chemical and biological variables, the main mechanisms of management, and the challenges associated with these mechanisms as well as blending integrated water management with the indigenous or traditional management of water resources for sustainable development and peaceful co-existence. Also the review offered potent recommendations for policy makers to consider sustainable management of freshwater resources. A total of 95 articles were downloaded from Google scholar in water-related issues. The search took place from June to September 2017, and research articles from 1998 to 2018 were reviewed. Basically Ghana is made up of three discharge or outlet systems, namely the Coastal River Systems which is the least and Volta constituting the largest and with the South-Western been the intermediate. Also, freshwater resources usage can be put into two main categories, namely ex situ (withdrawal use) and in situ or in-stream use, and could also be referred to as the consumptive and non-consumptive use, respectively. With the exception of localised pollution engineered by illegal mining and other nuisance perpetuated by indigenes, the quality of water (surface and groundwater) in Ghana is generally better. The review outlined high microbial contamination of water as almost all surface waters are contaminated with either E. coli, faecal coliforms or total coliforms or all. However, these contaminations were more prevalent in surface water than groundwater

Land tenure and differential soil fertility management practices among native and migrant farmers in Wenchi, Ghana: implications for interdisciplinary action research

In the past, farmers in the forest-savannah transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana relied on the bush fallow system for maintaining the productivity of their farmland. However, in recent years population growth-induced pressure on land has increased and farmers have developed various other strategies for improving the productivity of their farmlands. Such strategies have been identified in the context of an interdisciplinary action research project and include rotations with cassava (Manihot esculents), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Using a social science model for understanding technical farming practices, this article explains the differential adoption of these locally developed soil fertility management strategies. It transpires that native and migrant communities are captured in a social dilemma situation, which has negative consequences for soil fertility in that promising innovations are not utilized optimally. Based on this research experience, this article concludes with a discussion of the implications for co-operation between natural and social scientists in the context of interactive action research. It is argued, amongst other things, that the essence of such co-operation lies in the critical questioning and influencing of each other's key assumptions and disciplinary research agendas