scholarly journals Assessment of Total Mercury in Hair, Urine and Fingernails of Small–Scale Gold Miners in the Amansie West District, Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Ebow Kwaansa-Ansah ◽  
Edward Kwaku Armah ◽  
Francis Opoku
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Biological Media ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Artisanal Gold Mining

Background. Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that can cause several adverse health effects based on its form (organic, inorganic or elemental), duration and pathway of exposure. Measurement of mercury present in human biological media is often used to assess human exposure to mercury at mining sites. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to measure the concentrations of total mercury in urine, hair, and fingernails of miners and inhabitants of Amansie West District, Ghana. Methods. Concentrations of total mercury were measured in sixty–eight miners and twelve non–miners in the study area using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry with an automatic mercury analyzer (HG 5000). Results. Total mercury in nails and hair of smelter miners was 3.32 ± 0.36 and 6.59 ± 0.01 μg/g, respectively. Total mercury concentrations in hair samples obtained from smelter miners were above the 1 μg/g guideline set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Moreover, the total mercury concentration in urine samples was 6.97 ± 0.06 μg/L, far below the >25 μg/L level considered to be a high level of mercury contamination. The total mercury accrued by the individuals was not dependent on age, but was positively associated with duration of stay. Conclusions. Based on the total mercury (THg) levels analyzed in the biological media, artisanal gold mining activities in Amansie West District are on the increase with a potential risk of developing chronic effects. However, the majority of the population, particularly those engaged in artisanal small–scale gold mining, are unmindful of the hazards posed by the use of mercury in mining operations. The results showed that THg in urine, hair, and fingernails more efficiently distinguished mercury exposure in people close to mining and Hg pollution sources than in people living far from the mining sites. Further education on cleaner artisanal gold mining processes could help to minimize the impact of mercury use and exposure on human health and the environment. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. This study was approved by the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in Manso Nkwanta. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

scholarly journals Mercury Contamination Across a Riverine Foodweb

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent Norris Tweedy ◽  
Brandon J. Sansom ◽  
Caryn C. Vaughn
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Aquatic Insects ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Mercury Contamination ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Stream Community ◽  
Rivers And Streams ◽  
Lakes And Reservoirs ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract Lakes and reservoirs are frequently monitored by researchers for elevated mercury concentrations in sportfish. Rivers and streams, especially those of smaller orders, are less frequently monitored for mercury contamination. Mercury contamination in the environment comes predominantly from anthropogenic sources like artisanal gold mining and the burning of coal. We address this gap by surveying mercury levels in a stream community in the Kiamichi River in southeastern Oklahoma sampling fish, aquatic insects, and freshwater mussels at ten sites in the river. We found elevated levels of mercury across taxa within the river including large individuals of sportfish populations having concentrations (2986 ±1053 ng/g) above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit. Furthermore, we observed high concentrations in darters and logperch (1133 ±464 ng/g), non-sportfish species found predominantly in rivers and streams. Our results indicate that mercury contamination can reach elevated concentrations in rivers and streams posing risks to both humans and wildlife.

Managing the impacts of mining on Ghana’s water resources from a legal perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasirudeen Abdul Fatawu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Environmental Laws ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Legal Perspective

Recent floods in Ghana are largely blamed on mining activities. Not only are lives lost through these floods, farms andproperties are destroyed as a result. Water resources are diverted, polluted and impounded upon by both large-scale minersand small-scale miners. Although these activities are largely blamed on behavioural attitudes that need to be changed, thereare legal dimensions that should be addressed as well. Coincidentally, a great proportion of the water resources of Ghana arewithin these mining areas thus the continual pollution of these surface water sources is a serious threat to the environmentand the development of the country as a whole. The environmental laws need to be oriented properly with adequate sanctionsto tackle the impacts mining has on water resources. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure needs to bestreamlined and undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and not the company itself.

Municipal Wastewater Treatment Technology Transfer Activities of the United States Environmental Protection Agency

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 685-698
Author(s):  
J. J. Convery ◽  
J. F. Kreissl ◽  
A. D. Venosa ◽  
J. H. Bender ◽  
D. J. Lussier
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Outreach Program ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Transfer Programs

Technology transfer is an important activity within the ll.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Specific technology transfer programs such as the activities of the Center for Environmental Research Information, the Innovative and Alternative Technology Program, as well as the Small Community Outreach Program are used to encourage the utilization of cost-effective municipal pollution control technology. Case studies of three technologies including a plant operations diagnostic/remediation methodology, alternative sewer technologies and ultraviolet disinfection are presented. These case studies are presented retrospectively in the context of a generalized concept of how technology flows from science to utilization which was developed in a study by Allen (1977). Additional insights from this study are presented on the information gathering characteristics of engineers and scientists which may be useful in designing technology transfer programs. The recognition of the need for a technology or a deficiency in current practice are important stimuli other than technology transfer for accelerating the utilization of new technology.

The Hornsby Bend Hyacinth Facility in Austin, Texas

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 41-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Dinges ◽  
Jim Doersam
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Fish Production ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Functional Characteristics ◽  
The City

The Hornsby Bend Hyacinth Facility, the first such system built under the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency “Construction Grants Program”, represents the culmination of over a decade of experience at the City of Austin with hyacinth treatment. The facility consists of three culture basins 265 m in length with an area of 1.6 ha. To permit year-round hyacinth culture, basins are covered with a 2.06 ha unitary greenhouse structure. Fenced exclusion areas at intervals along sides of basins serve as natural aerators and enhance fish production. The system, operated in an aerobic mode, was designed to daily treat about three million liters of sludge lagoon supernatant. Exclusion of large vertebrate predators and stocking of basins with selected animal species will provide a unique ecosystem. Basins were planted with hyacinth in late October, 1985 and discharge commenced on February 3, 1986. Functional characteristics and ecological considerations of the facility are discussed and operational performance data are presented. Maintenance harvesting of hyacinth and disposition of plant material are described. Application of greenhoused hyacinth treatment systems are addressed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document