Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation: the case study of Teiman-Oyarifa Community, Ga East Municipality, Ghana

Publication Type  Journal Article
Year of Publication  2011
Authors  M. Ackah, O. Agyemang, A. K Anim, J. Osei, N.O. Bentil, L. Kpattah, E.T Gyamfi, J.E.K.Hanson
Journal Title  Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Volume  1
Issue  3-4
Pages  186-194
Journal Date  12/2011
Short Title  Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation: the case study of Teiman-Oyarifa Community, Ga East Municipality, Ghana
Publisher  International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
ISSN Number  2220-8860
Key Words  agriculture; dominance; groundwater; drinking; physicochemistry; salinity.
Abstract  

The suitability of groundwater quality for drinking and agricultural purposes was assessed in a predominantly farming and sprawling settlement in the Ga East Municipality (Ghana). Various water quality parameters were determined to assess groundwater quality of 16 wells in Teiman-Oyarifa community. Standard methods for physicochemical determinations were employed. Hand-dug wells, boreholes and pipe borne water samples were collected within the locality and analysed. Results showed the temperature range of 19.5 oC-26.7 oC, pH range of 4-7.4, conductivity range of 214-2830 uS/cm, total dissolved solids, 110-1384 mg/L, bicarbonate, 8.53-287.7mg/L, chloride, 28.41-813.8 mg/L, Flouride, below detection limit -0.4667mg/L, Nitrate 1.9-4625 mg/L, sulphate, 16.35-149.88mg/L. Results of analysis carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry showed metal concentrations of Fe ranging from 0.212-3.396 mg/L, Mn 0.01-0.1 mg/L, Ca 0.39-9.97 mg/L. The ionic dominance for the major cations and the anions respectively were in these order; Na+ >K+ >Mg+ >Ca+ and Cl- >HCO3- >SO4- >NO3 -. Most of the samples analyzed were within the Guidelines set by both national and international bodies for drinking water. Most of the groundwater samples fell in the US Salinity Laboratory Classification of C2-S1(medium salinity-low SAR).

URL  http://www.iaees.org/publications/journals/piaees/articles/2011-1(3-4)/assessment-of-groundwater-quality-for-drinking-and-irrigation.pdf
DOI  DOI 10.0000/issn-2220-8860-piaees-2011-v1-0017
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