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Abstract
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Article Information:
Geochemical Characteristics of Soils from Selected Districts in the Upper East Region, Ghana: Implications for Trace Element Pollution and Enrichment
Gordon Foli, Prosper M. Nude and Ohene B. Apea
Corresponding Author: Gordon Foli
Submitted: 2011 November, 10
Accepted: 2011 November, 18
Published: 2012 February, 01 |
Abstract:
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This study assessed the major and selected trace elements i.e., vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), cobalt
(Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), strontium (Sr), zirconium (Zr),
barium (Ba), gallium (Ga), yttrium (Y) concentrations in soils sampled from the B-horizon from selected
communities in the Upper East region of Ghana. The area which is mostly underlain by granitoids, is
characterized by extensive agricultural activities, soil erosion, land degradation and artisanal mining at places.
The objectives were to determine the sources of these elements, and to evaluate the levels of trace element
enrichments, pollution and potential risks in the area. The concentration values of the elements in the soils were
compared to their respective background reference values to establish possible enrichments and pollution. The
relative enrichments of the trace elements were evaluated using Enrichment Factor (EF) and geo-accumulation
index (Igeo), while Pollution Load Index (PLI) was used to compare enrichments within the east and west zones
of the study area. The results show that while the major elements reflect the bedrock compositions, the trace
elements were derived from both natural sources such as weathering of underlying bedrocks, and anthropogenic
sources such as mining and other land use activities. Elements such as Cr, Zn, As, Pb, Sn, Sr, Zr, Ba and Y were
enriched by various degrees while V, Co, Ni, Cu and Ga were not. The results also show that the east side of
the study area was relatively more polluted in trace elements than the west.
Key words: Anthropogenic, enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index, major elements, pollution load index, ,
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Cite this Reference:
Gordon Foli, Prosper M. Nude and Ohene B. Apea, . Geochemical Characteristics of Soils from Selected Districts in the Upper East Region, Ghana: Implications for Trace Element Pollution and Enrichment. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (02): 186-195.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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