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The hydrochemistry of groundwater in rural communities within the Tema District, Ghana

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Abstract

A detailed study has been carried out on groundwater in rural communities in the Tema District of the Greater Accra region of Ghana to establish the hydrochemistry and identify the various sources of contaminants as well assess the physical and chemical quality of the groundwater to ascertain their wholesomeness and the health impacts of the groundwater on the communities. The groundwater was found to vary considerably in terms of chemical and physical properties. Generally, the water was mildly acidic (pH 4.3–7.4), brackish to fresh, and undersaturated with respect to gypsum and halite. The majority of groundwater clustered toward Ca–Mg–SO4 and Na–Cl facies. About 70% of boreholes sampled have elevated levels of NO3 − –N, Cl − , and SO4 2− emanating from anthropogenic activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Joseph Richmond Fianko

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Vincent K. Nartey & Augustine Donkor

Authors
  1. Joseph Richmond Fianko
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  2. Vincent K. Nartey
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  3. Augustine Donkor
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Correspondence to Joseph Richmond Fianko.

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Fianko, J.R., Nartey, V.K. & Donkor, A. The hydrochemistry of groundwater in rural communities within the Tema District, Ghana. Environ Monit Assess 168, 441–449 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1125-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1125-0

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