The distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic ecosystem from the Densu river revea... more The distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic ecosystem from the Densu river revealed varying levels of concentration in water and the sediment samples. Three locations were sampled along the river to evaluate the levels of organochlorine pesticide residue in the river. Sediment and surface water samples were extracted by soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction respectively and analyzed using Gas Chromatograph coupled with electron capture detector. The detectable organochlorine pesticides were gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), delta-hexachlorocyclohexane, heptachlor, aldrin and dieldrin. The other pesticides that were investigated are gamma-chlordane, alpha endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, p,p'-DDT and its metabolite p,p'-DDE, methoxychlor, endrin and its metabolite endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone. The order of increasing frequency of detection of samples was higher in sediment than water. In sediment, the mean concentration ranged from 0.030 μg kg(-1) dry weight (endrin) to 10.98 μg kg(-1) dry weight (aldrin). The highest detected concentration of organochlorine in water was endosulfan sulfate with mean concentration of 0.185 μg L(-1). Analysis of variance indicated significant differences for most organochlorine pesticide residue in the sediment sampled from the various locations. Some of the levels of organochlorine pesticides detected in water were relatively high compared to guideline values set by World Health Organization and Australia and thus could be harmful if the trend is not checked.
The study investigated the extent of contamination of with p,p-DDT, p,p-DDE, hexachlorocyclohexan... more The study investigated the extent of contamination of with p,p-DDT, p,p-DDE, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, lindane ((γ-HCH) and δ-HCH, dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, alpha-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, chlordane, heptachlor and methoxychlor in ...
Abstract: Leachate and unsaturated zone water samples were collected from landfill-site and its a... more Abstract: Leachate and unsaturated zone water samples were collected from landfill-site and its adjacent area at Oblogo, Accra-Ghana to study the possible impact of leachate percolation on unsaturated zone water quality. Concentration of various physico-chemical ...
Leachate and unsaturated zone water samples were collected from landfill-site and its adjacent ar... more Leachate and unsaturated zone water samples were collected from landfill-site and its adjacent area at Oblogo, Accra-Ghana to study the possible impact of leachate percolation on unsaturated zone water quality. Concentration of various physico-chemical parameters including heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, As, V, and Zn) were determined in unsaturated zone water and leachate samples. The moderately high concentrations of ClG, NO3G, SO4 2 G, Fe, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and BOD in unsaturated zone water, likely indicate that water quality in the unsaturated zone is being significantly affected by leachate percolation. This suggests that leachate percolation is having an impact the unsaturated zone water which indicates the originality of the groundwater in the area is threatened.
Abstract: A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially t... more Abstract: A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially those who work directly with the transformers on the adverse health effects that are associated with the exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. Knowledge of PCBs and the adverse effects on humans and the environment were assessed among Electricity Company of Ghana staff members, Volta River Authority staff members and the general public. Evidence obtained from the use of structured questionnaire analysed with Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 16 shows that Staff members of the technical departments of ECG/VRA (71.4%) as well as a few welders (16.7%) have come in contact with the transformer oil that may possibly contain PCBs. About 26.1% of female from ECG and VRA indicated they still work with and/or on transformer, thereby increasing the potential adverse effect associated to exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. About 55.6% of the ECG/VR...
The objective of this work is to assess the levels of trace elements and the extent of pollution ... more The objective of this work is to assess the levels of trace elements and the extent of pollution in the surface water and sediments from in the Densu delta wetland using INAA, PLI and the help of statistical tools like PCA and CA establish their common sources. Eight samples of surface water, eight samples of sediments were taken for elemental analysis. The samples were analyzed for physical and chemical parameters, as well as trace elements (Al, Cu, V, Mn, Cd, Zn, Cr, Fe and As). The results showed that the surface water in the area can be described as slightly alkaline with pH of 7.5 and high conductivities of 150-3412:S/cm with corresponding TDS of 80-1750 mg/L. Statistical analyses such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) were used to identify trace elements pollution in the wetland area. Results from CA and PCA suggest positive relationships between the two analyses. Trace elements were identified as originating from a common source in all the analys...
The distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic ecosystem from the Densu river revea... more The distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic ecosystem from the Densu river revealed varying levels of concentration in water and the sediment samples. Three locations were sampled along the river to evaluate the levels of organochlorine pesticide residue in the river. Sediment and surface water samples were extracted by soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction respectively and analyzed using Gas Chromatograph coupled with electron capture detector. The detectable organochlorine pesticides were gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), delta-hexachlorocyclohexane, heptachlor, aldrin and dieldrin. The other pesticides that were investigated are gamma-chlordane, alpha endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, p,p'-DDT and its metabolite p,p'-DDE, methoxychlor, endrin and its metabolite endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone. The order of increasing frequency of detection of samples was higher in sediment than water. In sediment, the mean concentration ranged from 0.030 μg kg(-1) dry wei...
A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially those who w... more A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially those who work directly with the transformers on the adverse health effects that are associated with the exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. Knowledge of PCBs and the adverse effects on humans and the environment were assessed among Electricity Company of Ghana staff members, Volta River Authority staff members and the general public. Evidence obtained from the use of structured questionnaire analysed with Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 16 shows that Staff members of the technical departments of ECG/VRA (71.4%) as well as a few welders (16.7%) have come in contact with the transformer oil that may possibly contain PCBs. About 26.1% of female from ECG and VRA indicated they still work with and/or on transformer, thereby increasing the potential adverse effect associated to exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. About 55.6% of the ECG/VRA staff me...
The study investigated the extent of contamination of with p,p- DDT, p,p-DDE, hexachlorocyclohexa... more The study investigated the extent of contamination of with p,p- DDT, p,p-DDE, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, lindane ((-HCH) and *-HCH, dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, alpha-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, chlordane, heptachlor and methoxychlor in tissues of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), obtained from the Gomoa East district of Ghana. The organochlorine pesticide residues in the samples were soxhlet extracted using a mixture of hexane and acetone. The extracts were cleaned up using florisil and analysed using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron detector (GC- ECD). The results indicated that all the analyzed samples were contaminated with the studied organochlorine pesticides. Aldrin and heptachlor were the principal contaminants in all the samples. The muscle had the highest pollutant load followed by the liver and then the kidney. The levels of organochlorine pesticide residues detected in all the tissues were below the accepted Maximum ...
This study was conducted to determine the types and levels of Organochlorine pesticide residues i... more This study was conducted to determine the types and levels of Organochlorine pesticide residues in the breast milk of 21 primiparae mothers in La, a suburb of Accra an urban community in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Liquid-liquid extraction procedure was employed and extract clean-up was done using silica gel solid phase extraction. Fourteen (14) different organochlorine pesticides residues namely p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, gamma-HCH, delta-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, Endrin, endrin-aldehyde, endrin-ketone, alpha-endosulphan, endosulphan-sulphate, gamma-chlordane, dieldrin, and methoxychlor were identified and quantified in the individual breast milk samples using a Gas Chromatograph (GC) with an Electron Capture detector. The GC recoveries of spiked samples were between 89 to 97%. P,p'- DDE recorded 100% incidence ratio. Also p,p'-DDT, delta-HCH, gamma-HCH, and endosulfan sulfate recorded incidence ratios of 76.79, 95.25, 80.95 and 85.71%, respectively for the breast mi...
The distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic ecosystem from the Densu river revea... more The distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic ecosystem from the Densu river revealed varying levels of concentration in water and the sediment samples. Three locations were sampled along the river to evaluate the levels of organochlorine pesticide residue in the river. Sediment and surface water samples were extracted by soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction respectively and analyzed using Gas Chromatograph coupled with electron capture detector. The detectable organochlorine pesticides were gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), delta-hexachlorocyclohexane, heptachlor, aldrin and dieldrin. The other pesticides that were investigated are gamma-chlordane, alpha endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, p,p'-DDT and its metabolite p,p'-DDE, methoxychlor, endrin and its metabolite endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone. The order of increasing frequency of detection of samples was higher in sediment than water. In sediment, the mean concentration ranged from 0.030 μg kg(-1) dry weight (endrin) to 10.98 μg kg(-1) dry weight (aldrin). The highest detected concentration of organochlorine in water was endosulfan sulfate with mean concentration of 0.185 μg L(-1). Analysis of variance indicated significant differences for most organochlorine pesticide residue in the sediment sampled from the various locations. Some of the levels of organochlorine pesticides detected in water were relatively high compared to guideline values set by World Health Organization and Australia and thus could be harmful if the trend is not checked.
The study investigated the extent of contamination of with p,p-DDT, p,p-DDE, hexachlorocyclohexan... more The study investigated the extent of contamination of with p,p-DDT, p,p-DDE, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, lindane ((γ-HCH) and δ-HCH, dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, alpha-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, chlordane, heptachlor and methoxychlor in ...
Abstract: Leachate and unsaturated zone water samples were collected from landfill-site and its a... more Abstract: Leachate and unsaturated zone water samples were collected from landfill-site and its adjacent area at Oblogo, Accra-Ghana to study the possible impact of leachate percolation on unsaturated zone water quality. Concentration of various physico-chemical ...
Leachate and unsaturated zone water samples were collected from landfill-site and its adjacent ar... more Leachate and unsaturated zone water samples were collected from landfill-site and its adjacent area at Oblogo, Accra-Ghana to study the possible impact of leachate percolation on unsaturated zone water quality. Concentration of various physico-chemical parameters including heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, As, V, and Zn) were determined in unsaturated zone water and leachate samples. The moderately high concentrations of ClG, NO3G, SO4 2 G, Fe, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and BOD in unsaturated zone water, likely indicate that water quality in the unsaturated zone is being significantly affected by leachate percolation. This suggests that leachate percolation is having an impact the unsaturated zone water which indicates the originality of the groundwater in the area is threatened.
Abstract: A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially t... more Abstract: A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially those who work directly with the transformers on the adverse health effects that are associated with the exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. Knowledge of PCBs and the adverse effects on humans and the environment were assessed among Electricity Company of Ghana staff members, Volta River Authority staff members and the general public. Evidence obtained from the use of structured questionnaire analysed with Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 16 shows that Staff members of the technical departments of ECG/VRA (71.4%) as well as a few welders (16.7%) have come in contact with the transformer oil that may possibly contain PCBs. About 26.1% of female from ECG and VRA indicated they still work with and/or on transformer, thereby increasing the potential adverse effect associated to exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. About 55.6% of the ECG/VR...
The objective of this work is to assess the levels of trace elements and the extent of pollution ... more The objective of this work is to assess the levels of trace elements and the extent of pollution in the surface water and sediments from in the Densu delta wetland using INAA, PLI and the help of statistical tools like PCA and CA establish their common sources. Eight samples of surface water, eight samples of sediments were taken for elemental analysis. The samples were analyzed for physical and chemical parameters, as well as trace elements (Al, Cu, V, Mn, Cd, Zn, Cr, Fe and As). The results showed that the surface water in the area can be described as slightly alkaline with pH of 7.5 and high conductivities of 150-3412:S/cm with corresponding TDS of 80-1750 mg/L. Statistical analyses such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) were used to identify trace elements pollution in the wetland area. Results from CA and PCA suggest positive relationships between the two analyses. Trace elements were identified as originating from a common source in all the analys...
The distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic ecosystem from the Densu river revea... more The distribution of organochlorine pesticides in the aquatic ecosystem from the Densu river revealed varying levels of concentration in water and the sediment samples. Three locations were sampled along the river to evaluate the levels of organochlorine pesticide residue in the river. Sediment and surface water samples were extracted by soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction respectively and analyzed using Gas Chromatograph coupled with electron capture detector. The detectable organochlorine pesticides were gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), delta-hexachlorocyclohexane, heptachlor, aldrin and dieldrin. The other pesticides that were investigated are gamma-chlordane, alpha endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, p,p'-DDT and its metabolite p,p'-DDE, methoxychlor, endrin and its metabolite endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone. The order of increasing frequency of detection of samples was higher in sediment than water. In sediment, the mean concentration ranged from 0.030 μg kg(-1) dry wei...
A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially those who w... more A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially those who work directly with the transformers on the adverse health effects that are associated with the exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. Knowledge of PCBs and the adverse effects on humans and the environment were assessed among Electricity Company of Ghana staff members, Volta River Authority staff members and the general public. Evidence obtained from the use of structured questionnaire analysed with Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 16 shows that Staff members of the technical departments of ECG/VRA (71.4%) as well as a few welders (16.7%) have come in contact with the transformer oil that may possibly contain PCBs. About 26.1% of female from ECG and VRA indicated they still work with and/or on transformer, thereby increasing the potential adverse effect associated to exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. About 55.6% of the ECG/VRA staff me...
The study investigated the extent of contamination of with p,p- DDT, p,p-DDE, hexachlorocyclohexa... more The study investigated the extent of contamination of with p,p- DDT, p,p-DDE, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, lindane ((-HCH) and *-HCH, dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, alpha-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, chlordane, heptachlor and methoxychlor in tissues of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), obtained from the Gomoa East district of Ghana. The organochlorine pesticide residues in the samples were soxhlet extracted using a mixture of hexane and acetone. The extracts were cleaned up using florisil and analysed using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron detector (GC- ECD). The results indicated that all the analyzed samples were contaminated with the studied organochlorine pesticides. Aldrin and heptachlor were the principal contaminants in all the samples. The muscle had the highest pollutant load followed by the liver and then the kidney. The levels of organochlorine pesticide residues detected in all the tissues were below the accepted Maximum ...
This study was conducted to determine the types and levels of Organochlorine pesticide residues i... more This study was conducted to determine the types and levels of Organochlorine pesticide residues in the breast milk of 21 primiparae mothers in La, a suburb of Accra an urban community in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Liquid-liquid extraction procedure was employed and extract clean-up was done using silica gel solid phase extraction. Fourteen (14) different organochlorine pesticides residues namely p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, gamma-HCH, delta-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, Endrin, endrin-aldehyde, endrin-ketone, alpha-endosulphan, endosulphan-sulphate, gamma-chlordane, dieldrin, and methoxychlor were identified and quantified in the individual breast milk samples using a Gas Chromatograph (GC) with an Electron Capture detector. The GC recoveries of spiked samples were between 89 to 97%. P,p'- DDE recorded 100% incidence ratio. Also p,p'-DDT, delta-HCH, gamma-HCH, and endosulfan sulfate recorded incidence ratios of 76.79, 95.25, 80.95 and 85.71%, respectively for the breast mi...
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Papers by Sarah Blankson-Arthur