Heavy Metal Concentration in Drinking Water Sources Affected by Dredge Mine Operations of a Gold Mining Company in Ghana

Apori Ntiforo ； Maxwell Anim-Gyampo ； Frank K. Nyame

《Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences》 4卷6期 (2012/06) Pp. 633-639

並列摘要

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.

並列關鍵字

Concentration ； contaminant level ； defunct ； heavy metal ； paddock ； persistent