Assessment of Endocrine Disrupting Trace Metals in River Samre at Samreboi in the Wassa Amenfi West District of the Western Region of Ghana

Matthew Nkoom, Samuel Jerry Cobbina, Michael Kumi

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Water Research Institute, Tamale, Ghana.
Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus, Tamale, Ghana.

DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2013.510102                

Abstract

The rational for the study was to assess the levels of endocrine disrupting trace metals in River Samre. The levels of Mercury ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/l (mean of 0.006 mg/l), whiles cadmium levels ranged from 0.002 to 0.011 mg/l (mean of 0.01 mg/l). The high levels of Hg and Cd may have adverse effects on the endocrine system of inhabitants who drink directly from the river without treatment. High levels of mercury and cadmium might be caused by the activities of a Timber and Plywood Company located close to the river and the underlying bedrocks of the area exposed as a result of human activities such as farming. The concentration of lead was below detection limit (<0.005 mg/l) but that of Arsenic ranged from 0.001 to 0.007 mg/l (mean of 0.005). Health risk assessment conducted shows that the risk associated with exposure to these metals for now are low. Continuous water quality monitoring is recommended to help protect the resource and also to safeguard human health.

Keywords

Endocrine Disrupting Trace Metal; Samreboi; Non-Cancer; Risk Assessment; Hazard Quotient; Surface Water

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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