Mapping Seasonal Variation in the Distribution and Concentration of Heavy Metals Using Water Quality Index and Geographic Information System Based Applications

Incessant monitoring of water is essential in terms of heavy metals and toxic substances as it provides detailed information on aquatic resources. Majority of lagoons receive freshwater from their catchment areas containing industrial and domestic waste. The paper analysed seasonal variations in the distribution and concentrations of Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd),and Manganese (Mn) in the Fosu lagoon in Ghana to ascertain the quality of the lagoon. Water was sampled from eighteen (18) different points on the lagoon and was analysed at the Water Research Institute (WRI) of the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and the results were interpolated using kriging.The results obtained were compared with the World Health Organisation water quality index. Statistical analysis of heavy metal concentrations using Pearson’s two-tailed significance correlation showed positive correlations for both seasons; between Pb and Cu (0.297; sig. = 0.232, and 0.196; sig.= 0.436), and Cd and Mn (0.119; sig. = 0.643 and 0.191; sig. = 0.447) for the wet and dry seasons respectively. A paired sample t-test on concentrations also showed statistical differences between wet and dry seasons’concentrations for Pb (t = 1.324; sig. = 0.203), Cu (t = 2.759; sig. = 0.013),and Cd (t = 3.056; sig. = 0.007), and Mn (t = -4.014; sig. = 0.001). Pb and Cd showed higher concentrations above the World Health Organisation's permissible limits. Heavy metal concentrations of water samples analysed varied widely in terms of seasons and sampling points

An assessment of water quality and the locals' perception of coastal lagoon pollution in ghana: A case study of chemu lagoon in tema

The Chemu lagoon is not immune to pollution through chemical waste contamination, refuse disposals, and untreated household sewage, and hence has been chosen as a case study. This paper aims to assess the lagoon's level of pollution. Chemical analysis of water samples, field observations, and a structured survey questionnaire was used to assess the state of the lagoon. The study revealed that the Chemu lagoon has inferior water quality as most of the parameters evaluated were above the acceptable standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Significant differences in concentrations of water quality parameters were established between seasons. The study found that respondents were aware of the lagoon’s polluted state and attributed pollution to siltation and waste dumping. This leads to offensive odour, livelihood losses emphasising a reduction in fishing activities, and outbreaks of diseases in the area. Conclusively, stakeholders have not prioritised mitigating pollution of the lagoon. The study recommends that the Environmental Health and Waste Management Departments of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly intensify house-to-house hygiene education and sanitary inspection in the area. There should be education and sensitisation on proper waste management practices in the area

Investigation of Abundance and Spatial Distribution of Marine Debris on Ghanaian Urban Coastal Beaches : Assessment of Marine Debris

Marine debris has been identified as a form of pollution for more than half a century, and it is a major concern for the general public due to its detrimental effects on the environment and human health. The accumulation of marine debris not only affects the aesthetic appeal of our oceans but also poses a significant threat to safety. The impact of marine debris on the tourism industry, especially the eco-tourism sector, is a growing concern both locally and globally. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of marine debris on three beaches of Ghana along the Gulf of Guinea. It sought to survey the spatiotemporal changes in the concentration of marine debris, quantify the perceptions of locals and beach users of marine debris, examine the citizen science perspectives on marine debris and finally analyse the effects of marine debris on coastal resources. The study employed a shoreline debris survey and citizen science approach to achieve this objective. Content analysis in NVivo was deployed to analyze transcriptions from the interviews. A standing stock beach survey was used to survey debris in 100 m2 quadrants for 30 occasions each for the three studied beaches at 12-day intervals, which spanned one year. Debris was classified and quantified according to the NOAA classification scheme for marine debris. The quantitative data generated were analyzed in SPSS 23.0 to establish debris abundance and spatiotemporal differences. Results revealed that plastics are the dominant debris type, accounting for 52% of the total debris surveyed, which was confirmed by the citizen science approach. Biriwa Beach had a minor debris abundance, statistically different from Abandze and Anomabo. The paper found significant seasonal differences in the concentration and spatial distribution of all debris types except for plastics and processed lumber. Respondents acknowledged the effects of marine debris on humans and the environment. The study recommends making adequate waste management infrastructure available in the area. NGOs and the Municipal Assembly should educate residents on effective mass participation in waste management practices to curb debris accumulation

Comparative analysis of ecosystem service delivery between two coastal lagoons in Ghana

The integration of ES into global policies represents a significant step towards harmonising sustainability and growth and unifying dialogues on biodiversity and sustainable development to benefit humanity. Consistent assessment of the availability of ES is vital to enable ongoing monitoring and support sustainable natural resource management and decisionmaking. This study was conducted to comparatively analyse the ecosystem service delivery between two coastal lagoons in Ghana. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) and Marine Ecosystem Services Assessment Tool (MESAT) scales were used in the study. The paper was based on the positivist paradigm and employed inferential statistics with SPSS v23 for data analysis. The results indicate no statistical differences between the Fosu and Muni lagoons in terms of their ecosystem service delivery; the null hypothesis is accepted for the two ecosystem service scales used and confirms that Fosu and the Muni Lagoons are similar in their deliveries of ecosystem services. The relationship between ES and human well-being is complex due to the interplay between social and ecological systems. To address coastal issues and develop management plans, the study proposes using MESAT and MEA for evaluation and solution provisioning. It further recommends expanding stakeholder and decision-maker involvement in lagoon management to promote sustainability and enhance stakeholder participation in decision-making

Analysis of Groundwater Quality in the Coastal Aquifer of the Effutu Municipality, Ghana

The study sought to assess the suitability of groundwater for domestic and drinking purposes in the Effutu Municipality of Ghana. The paper employed laboratory protocols to analyse the water quality parameters’ concentrations for groundwater samples collected from wells. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse the data and the concentrations of parameters compared with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) permissible limits. Principal component analysis using the varimax rotation was employed to explore the main parameters which express groundwater quality in the municipality. Water quality index employing the weighted arithmetic method was also used to score groundwater suitability for domestic and drinking purposes. The study found that the main parameters determining groundwater quality in the Effutu Municipality are conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, hardness, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Except for conductivity, manganese, TDS, total hardness, and calcium, the average concentrations for all studied water quality parameters were within limits proposed by WHO. The study further revealed that 48.15%, 44.44%, and 7.41% of the groundwater had excellent, good, and poor water quality indices, respectively. The investigation so advances that the groundwater resources of the Effutu Municipality are suitable for domestic purposes. Despite this, we recommend that abstracted groundwater should be treated by prioritizing the water quality parameters

Climatic Variability and Food Crop Production in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region of Ghana

The paper presents an assessment of climatic trends and patterns, and impacts on food crop productivity in the Bawku West District. The study adopted both statistical and descriptive approaches to achieve the formulated objectives. Rainfall and temperature data were obtained from the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Navrongo-Ghana, and the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal. The main instruments used to gather information from the respondents were questionnaire, structured interview guide and field observation. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20 and presented in tables and figures. The study revealed that there were yearly irregularities in the amount and intensity of rainfall with increasing number of dry spells, implying the area is currently contending more with climate variability. It also revealed that climate variability has had negative implications on food crop production in the district such as unpredictability of onset of rains, crop failure and low yield. The current coping/adaptive mechanisms employed by farmers to climate variability in the district include irrigation, fertilizer application, growing improved crops, getting jobs outside agriculture, support from government and NGOs, and migration of the youth. It is therefore recommended that stakeholders provide subsidised farm inputs and ensure sound environmental management to cater for the consequences of climate variability on their livelihoods

Space-time cube approach in analysing conflicts in Africa

In terms of conflict types and occurrences, there is a mesh of old, new, and concurrent conflicts which coexist and are affecting each other over space and time. Existing conflict studies are unable to fully explicate the space-time elements, hence this generates static and two-dimensional hotspots/coldspots. Using Africa as a case, this study used three-dimensional space-time cube, with conflict occurrences grouped into bins where space is mapped horizontally and time is mapped vertically for analysis. Analysis of conflict based on the three dimensional space-time cube produced four main categories of hotspots namely consecutive, sporadic, oscillating, and new hotspots. Furthermore, the causes of conflicts in Africa varied significantly across each time-based hotspot, providing insight into why straightjacket solutions have been unsuccessful. Conflict managers can learn from the patterns of time-based hotspots which helps to see conflicts as three-dimensional entities needing with three levels of orientation that focus on type, space, and time instantaneously

Factors influencing compliance of closed fishing season: lessons from small-scale coastal fisheries in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract This paper contributes to the literature on marine conservation and its implication for coastal governance and sustainability. The study investigates factors influencing fisherfolk compliance with the temporal fishing bans in Ghana. The purpose is to understand the factors influencing compliance behaviour to help design an improved conservation strategy to achieve management objectives. A mixed-method approach was employed, consisting of 200 household surveys and 17 in-depth interviews with stakeholders at the local, district, regional, and national levels. The results reveal that a combination of instrumental and normative factors influences fisherfolk’s compliance behaviour concerning the closed fishing season. Participation of fisherfolk and coastal communities in the fisheries management decision-making processes positively influenced compliance. The key drivers of non-compliance with the closed season emanate from a perceived lack of ecological effectiveness, lack of enforcement of sanctions, and lack of compensation for loss of income during the ban. The study suggests co-management that includes fisheries agencies and traditional authorities as a viable option for fisheries management and marine conservation initiatives. In addition, the paper recommends the introduction of conservation payment schemes alongside strict monitoring of the temporal ban on fishing

Socio- Economic Impact of Lake Bosomtwe Shoreline Changes on Catchment Residents in Ghana

relies largely on fishing in the lake and farming on the marginal lands. The relationship between the land use practices in the catchments, people’s livelihood and the lake fishing environment is fascinating, because of the belief that the catchment forests and streams help make the lake basin a rich habitat. However, recent human activities and shoreline changes of the lake are believed to have subjected the catchment areas to undue deforestation from uncoordinated farming practices. The unparalleled degradation of the catchments has disrupted the fish ecology, hence dwindling livelihood opportunities. The local population has had to diversify livelihood strategies. This study examined the impacts of the shoreline changes on the livelihood of the surrounding communities. The study employed the mixed methods approach to undertake the research by triangulating primary and secondary source data. In-depth interview and questionnaire were used to solicit information from eighty seven (87) respondents on their knowledge and perception on Lake Bosomtwe shoreline change and its impacts on their livelihoods. The main findings of the study are that the gradual depletion of the lake is being felt by the population who depend on the lake for their means of livelihood. It is recommended that committees be set up within the three districts to provide environmental education and proper management of the lake as it serves as the highest income generating venture