Trace metal levels in water and sediment from the Sakumo II and Muni lagoons, Ghana

Abstract

Trace metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe and Cd) levels were determined in water and sediment from the Sakumo II and Muni lagoons and the Mamahuma and Gbagbla Ankonu feeder streams, which feed the Sakumo II lagoon over a 1-year period, and their occurrences compared. Some physical parameters (temperature, pH and electrical conductivity) were also investigated. The aim of the study was to establish the pollution status of the two lagoons, as well as investigate whether the feeder streams of the Sakumo II lagoon have any influence (in terms of trace metal pollution) on the Sakumo II lagoon. Results showed that upper mean values in water and sediment were Zn ( 0.160 ± 0.01 mg/l, 48.7 ± 0.93 mg/kg), Pb (0.057 ± 0.03 mg/l, 29.2 ± 3.2 mg/kg), Mn (0.798 ± 0.07 mg/l, 668.2 ± 6.3 mg/kg), Cu (0.158 ± 0.01 mg/l), Fe (1.32 ± 0.73 mg/l, 3075 ± 14.7 mg/kg), respectively, for Sakumo II lagoon. Cd levels in water and sediment ranged from 0.004 ± 0.001 to 0.009 ± 0.001 mg/l and