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Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2011, 1(3-4):186-194
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Article

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

M. Ackah1,2 , O. Agyemang1,2, A. K Anim1,2, J. Osei1, N.O. Bentil1, L. Kpattah1, E.T Gyamfi1,2, J.E.K.Hanson1,2
1Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Kwabenya, Accra, Ghana
2Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana. P.O. Box AE 1, Atomic, Kwabenya, Ghana

Received 27 June 2011; Accepted 29 July 2011; Published online 20 November 2011
IAEES

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 19.5oC-26.7oC, pH range of 4-7.4, conductivity range of 214-2830 ¦ĚS/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 ->SO42- >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).

Keywords agriculture; dominance; groundwater; drinking; physicochemistry; salinity.


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