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Abstract
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Article Information:
Arsenic and Mercury Levels in Earthenware Clays in Otsew in Gomoa West District of Central Region of Ghana using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis
B.V. Samlafo, J.B.K. Adua Aidoo, L.A. Sarsah, E. Quarshie and Y. Serfor-Armah
Corresponding Author: Emmanuel Quarshie
Submitted: 2011 April, 01
Accepted: 2011 May, 06
Published: 2011 August, 10 |
Abstract:
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This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence and extent of potentially toxic heavy metals,
As and Hg in earthenware clay deposits at Otsew in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region of Ghana
using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique. Arsenic concentrations in the clay
ranged from 1.55±0.23 to 18.47±2.60 μg/g at S6 and S10 respectively with a mean of 9.48 μg/g. Arsenic was
not detected in sample S3. Mercury concentration in the clay ranged from 0.030±0.005 to 0.31±0.01 μg/g in S2
and S3 respectively, with a mean of 0.14 μg/g. Mercury was however, not detected in S10. The precision and
accuracy of the analytical technique (INAA) were assessed by simultaneous activation of reference material
IAEA soil-7. The values obtained compared favourably well with the recommended values as Spearman’s
correlation coefficient was +0.99. The experimental samples were within ±5% of the recommended values. The
measurement precision specified by the relative standard deviation was within ±4%.
Key words: Clay, element, food, level, recommended, toxic,
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Cite this Reference:
B.V. Samlafo, J.B.K. Adua Aidoo, L.A. Sarsah, E. Quarshie and Y. Serfor-Armah, . Arsenic and Mercury Levels in Earthenware Clays in Otsew in Gomoa West District of Central Region of Ghana using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (5): 541-545.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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