Search

The improper application of pesticides in cultivating vegetables has resulted in the buildup of pesticide residues on vegetables. This study evaluated organophosphate pesticide residue levels in cabbage with specific objectives of investigating the varieties of organophosphate pesticides employed by farmers and their awareness, assessing residue levels on cabbage using semi-structured questionnaires, and determining the distribution of pesticide residues within the layers of the cabbage head using 50 cabbage samples randomly collected from farmers from 14 cabbage-producing communities. The findings indicated that 98 % of the farmers applied pesticides in the morning, whereas 24 % preferred evening application. Meanwhile, 22 % applied pesticides twice in a day. Also, 18 % combined pesticides, 40 % applied 20 ml during the application, 72 % chose a particular pesticide based on the expected efficiency, 46 % applied pesticides between 1 and 5 times in a season and 66 % sprayed between 7 and 14 days. Pyrinex 48 EC and Perferthion emerged as the predominant organophosphates, with usage rates of 10 % and 12 % respectively. Also, eleven (11) organophosphate pesticide residues were identified in the cabbage samples. Profenofos and chlorpyrifos exhibited the highest concentrations of pesticide residues, with levels reaching 0.02 mg/kg, with 56.6 % of the samples containing chlorpyrifos pesticide residue. Nevertheless, all the identified pesticide residues did not exceed the maximum residue limits for cabbage. The study analysis disclosed the presence of various organophosphate pesticide residues in the first 10 layers of cabbage. However, it was noted that the innermost layers might not contain any detectable pesticide residues. The findings highlight the need for farmers to use pesticides judiciously and follow recommended application practices to minimize vegetable residues.

Fish is an excellent source of low-fat protein. Fish contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins D and B2 (riboflavin). The daily consumption of contaminated food, especially fish, is among the primary cause of heavy metals pollution to human health. The aim of the research was to determine the concentration of heavy metals in selected species of fish from the Gulf of Guinea at James Town in Ghana. In tandem with the study's objective, samples of different forms of fish, Cassava fish, Flatfish, Redfish, Kingfish, and Silverfish, and sediment were obtained and analyzed for the presence of heavy metals using atomic absorption spectrometer (PerkinElmer®, PinAAcle 900T). The analysis indicated a high concentration of Pb, Cd, and Cr concentrations in fish gills, muscles, and sediment. High lead concentration in Silverfish gills (5.9 mg/kg) and Flatfish gills (2.29 mg/kg) above WHO levels. Cadmium was found in all fish species and sediment except Kingfish. Chromium concentrations were high n Cassava fish (3.10 mg/kg) and Silverfish (4.01 mg/kg) and copper concentrations were absent in the fish species. Arsenic and mercury were also not detected in all fish species and sediment. Manganese concentrations were found in fish and sediment. High cadmium target hazard quotient (0.17–11.60 for adults and 0.24 to 16.24 for children) and cancer risk (0.00–0.04) values in fish samples indicated potential health concerns. The Hazard Index (HI) for the analyzed samples ranged from 0.00 to 12.48 for adults and 0.00 to 17.47 for children. The study suggests that eliminating pollution and other sources of waterbody pollution is crucial to protecting the marine environment and the health of seafood consumers.

This study reviews the sources and factors impacting soil quality in Ghana and the associated health and environmental implications. After sourcing 386 materials from different search engines, these were subjected to content evaluation and novelty/concept analysis with a score of 100% and 146 were retained for this study. From this review, agricultural, mining, urban, and industrial activities, poor waste disposal, and vehicular and road traffic were the main sources/factors influencing the levels/distributions of soil contaminates in Ghana's pedological system. Pesticides including chlorpyrifos, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, hexachlorobenzene and heptachlor have also been identified in elevated levels. Also, heavy metals have been detected in dumpsites and e-waste disposal sites. HMs such as Zn (558), Cr (77), Cu (347), As (4.2), and Pb (288) (mg/kg) dominated waste disposal sites in Ghana. Extremely low levels of macro-nutrients and soil organic carbon with high metals/metalloids contents including Hg, Zn, Pb, Cu and As prevail in mining areas in Ghana. It is concluded that Ghana's pedological system is threatened by anthropogenic activities resulting in the detection of above-threshold levels of contaminants including agrochemicals, PAHs, HMs, and metalloids. These contaminants pose deleterious environmental and health implications.

Despite the ecological importance of avifauna and the well-documented deleterious effects of mining on biodiversity, there is skimpy attention on the specific consequences of mining on the avian community. The study evaluated the dynamics of mining-induced land use/cover changes and consequent impacts on the avifauna community in the Ahafo mining area in Ghana. Landsat-TM and OLI imageries between 2003 and 2022 were digitally analyzed utilizing a maximum likelihood supervised classification technique in Erdas Imagine and Arc-GIS platforms. A bird survey was conducted with 150 random transects within a 1500 m radius of the Ahafo mining facility using the point count method, with the same number of transects laid in an intact forest. The diversity and abundance of the birds, were recorded at distances of 500, 1000, and 1500 m from the edge of the mining facility and that of the forest. The mining landscape experienced substantial changes, resulting in a drastic decline in forest area (82 %) with consequent increases in the settlement/bare surfaces, cropland, plantation, mining site and mine water within the period studied. Bird species diversity and abundance were significantly higher in the forest fragments around the mine compared to the intact forest. The birds' diversity indices and mean abundance along distances in the fragmented forest did not vary. The mining landscape was dominated by Ploceus cucullatus (44), followed by Lophoceros semifasciatus (25), whereas Halcyon senegalensis (15) was recorded as the most abundant species in the intact forest, followed by Tockus fasciatus (13). Insectivores were 75 % abundant in the mining landscape relative to the intact forest. The findings suggest that mining was the main creator of heterogeneous habitats that favored diverse birds around the mine. The study underscores the need to explore the wildlife enrichment potentials of the heterogeneous habitats in mining areas and management interventions that facilitate forest restoration and bird conservation in the mining landscapes.

Anthropogenic factors such as leakages from fuel storage facilities contribute to the release of petroleum hydrocarbons into groundwater. Following the proliferation of fuel stations in residential areas, this research assessed physicochemical parameters, salinity, and levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in groundwater sources within selected residential areas. From the study, mean values of temperature (30.5 °C), pH (5.8), EC (181.5 μs/cm), TDS (90.7 mg/L), and salinity (0.1 ppm) were recorded. The highest mean concentration of TPH (9.5 mg/L) was recorded at location A, while three sampling points (J, L, and M) exhibited 0.0 mg/L. Notably, TPH concentrations exceeding permissible limits were observed at three sampling points (A, B, and R). Strong positive correlations were observed between EC and TDS (r = 0.9), as well as salinity and EC (r = 0.9) and TDS (r = 0.9). Matrix plots demonstrated non-linear relationships, except for TDS and EC, although TPH and temperature exhibited a slightly linear pattern. The distance from USTs to the groundwater sources varied in the area. At location H, this distance (25 m) was measured as the shortest, where the mean TPH concentration was 3.71 mg/L. However, site Q exhibited the longest distance of 535 m, accompanied by a mean TPH concentration of 1.1 mg/L. Though the proximity of USTs to groundwater sources exerted some level of influence on the groundwater system, multiple linear regression, ANOVA, and cluster analysis showed that this did not pose direct and major impacts on the concentrations of TPH. However, approaches are needed to remediate the affected groundwater sources.

Different sound levels are encountered by pastors, ministers, and the whole congregation during church services, which may extend for hours, and also by people living close to these churches. This can have an adverse effect on their health. The maximum allowable noise level in worship places is 65 dB (A), according to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). The aim of the study was to quantify the noise pollution levels of the churches in Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA) and assess the equivalent noise levels of the churches’ indoor and outdoor spaces. This investigation is being conducted due to the high number of churches and the noise emanating from these churches in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality and the possible impact on human health. Thirty churches were chosen at random for the study; on Sundays between the hours of 7.30 and 12.0 pm, sound levels in churches were measured using a portable General Class 1 Meter type DSM403SD with a data logging system. MS Excel was used to evaluate the data and determine characteristics including noise exposure levels (NEL), background noise level (L90), severe noise level (L10), and equivalent noise level (Leq). The indoor equivalent noise level ranges from 74.5 dB (A) to 104.1 dB (A), and the outdoor equivalent noise level ranges from 52.6 dB (A) to 85.3 dB (A). All of the noise levels found indoors of the churches were greater than the 65 dB (A) safe allowable limit, putting the congregants and residents at risk for a variety of physiological and psychological problems.

Over the last decade, pesticide use in agriculture has helped protect crops but left residues in food, posing health risks. This study analyzed organochlorine (Delta-HCH and Beta-HCH) and organophosphate (chlorpyrifos and dimethoate) residues in lettuce and green pepper from two communities in Ghana. Thirty-one farmers were surveyed, and samples were tested using Gas Chromatography. Chlorpyrifos, found in lettuce from Legon farm at 0.1403–0.2291 mg/kg, exceeded EU and USA Maximum Residue Limits, while green pepper contained no residues. Findings emphasize the need for ongoing pesticide monitoring and public education to ensure food safety and health.

The surge in mining operations to meet the global demand for mineral resources adversely impacts ecosystem services and dependent households, but the issue barely attracts attention. This study evaluated the dynamics of mining-induced changes in the value of ecosystem services (ES) and the consequent economic and relational cost to rural households in the Ahafo region of Ghana. Face-to-face structured interviews with 200 householders were conducted in three mining communities. We determined relational values in the landscape through focus group discussion and the economic cost of the ecosystem services lost by applying replacement and contingency cost estimations. Old-growth forests, degraded forests, teak plantations, cultivated land, wetlands, and grassland were ecosystems identified in the mining landscape. The most valued ecosystem was old-growth forest, while the least was grassland. Provisioning service was the most valued ES, while supporting service was the least. Provisioning ES was rated the most impacted by the mine, whereas cultural services were the least affected. Mining activities caused a significant loss of 14 ecosystem services (including crops, livestock, capture fisheries, wild food, bush meat, biomass fuel, and freshwater) that were of priority to the communities. The affected households experienced relatively high monthly economic costs, approximating $300 per household, from the loss of priority ecosystem services. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed connections between ecosystem services valuation and the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. There was a perceived mine-adverse effect on the relational values of the people relating to cultural identity, sovereignty, symbolic value, security, subsistence and livelihood, sense of place, social cohesion, social memory, female emotional/mental health, and womanhood training opportunities. Actors in the mining industry should consider policies and management interventions that will limit ecosystem services loss, widely ascertain ecosystem benefits, and comprehensively mitigate the impact of their loss on households.

There is a continuous increase in heavy metal(loid) pollution globally, especially via mining activities. This study focused on evaluating the soil quality of an illegal mining site at the peak of a ban on illegal mining activities in Ghana, using Kokotro as a case study. It also compares the soil quality of the mine area against residential and pristine areas. Twenty-three (23) physical, heavy metals, metalloids and nutrient parameters were considered in this study. The RCCI, LDA, K-means and hierarchical clusters, factor and correlation analyses were employed in this study. The RRCI results showed that the mine area was affected by the mining activities as 36%, 49% and 15% of the soil samples were within moderate, high and highest, respectively. The LDA showed that in LD1, EC (r = 0.87), moisture (r = -0.68), Mn (r = 0.51), K (r = -0.54), and Na (r = -0.55) had a strong contribution and silt (r = 0.46), sand (r = -0.30), clay (r = -0.34), Fe (r = -0.32), Ca (r = -0.35), Sr (r = 0.32), V (r = -0.31), and As (r = -0.40) had moderate influences on the soil. The factor analysis presented V, Pb, temperature, As, Sr, EC, Zn, Hg and NH3 as the mine areas’ major factors. Also, the multiple concentric shapes of contour plots pointed to the multi-modal distributions of the elements. The heavy metal and nutrient distributions varied widely in the area. This could be related to the unearthing and indiscriminate removal of fertile soils.

This study examined the readiness and motivation of market women to separate solid waste in the Central Business Districts (CBD) of Kumasi. Multiple non-probability sampling techniques were adopted to sample 156 respondents. The results obtained were analysed using SPSS. From the study, 81.4% of market women were willing to sort their waste provided there are proper infrastructures such as separate waste bins. Also, 85.3% of the women also indicated that training and educating them on the consequences of sorting waste will have a great impact on their attitudes to participate. A Relative Importance Index (RII) assessment of the reasons why waste sorting was done, the highest index (RII = 0.87) was recorded for environmental protection. The second highest order of reason for sorting waste by the women was related to personal hygiene (RII = 0.86) whereas reduce proliferation of landfills recorded (RII = 0.85) as the third highest index. The fourth and fifth reasons were that it will be easier to produce manure from sorted waste and fulfilment to mankind with RII of 0.77 and 0.58 respectively. A spatial multicriteria evaluation was performed to select suitable sites for the waste bins for the CBD. A total of 192 suitable locations were identified for waste bins in the three business districts. It is recommended that proper waste management equipment (colour-coded bins) are provided in the CBD bin as a motivating mechanism for waste segregation.

Artisanal or small-scale mining (ASM) is one of the most important economic activities in Ghana as in other developing countries. While this activity poses serious risks to the people involved and the environment as a whole, a continuation of its practice in Ghana suggests a lack of adequate appreciation of its impacts on the people in the affected areas. This study investigated the perception of 300 participants who were selected from 10 mining communities on the environmental, socio-economic and health impacts of artisanal mining as well as their coping strategies in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana to inform policy decisions toward sustainable mining. The sample size of 300 was determined using the Cochrane sample size formula. Results showed that a majority of the respondents were males (69%). Also, most of the participants (59%) were between the ages of 15 and 30. About 64% had not received secondary education (64%), and 52% were involved in mining activities. Respondents (96%) had considerable knowledge of ASM, 87% found ASM to be destructive to the environment while 72% asserted that it poses human health. Pollution of water bodies, land degradation, and destruction of farmlands was considered the most common environmental effects associated with ASM, whereas increased incidences of malaria, skin diseases as well as physical injuries and fatal accidents were the commonest health-related effects observed in the area. Nonetheless, participants maintained that ASM is a means of acquiring assets, creating employment and getting rich quickly, and thus wanted it to continue. Coping mechanisms include drinking alternative water, use of mosquito nets/coil and covering mined pits. In general, the findings of this study revealed a substantial understanding of the community members of the benefits and adverse effects of ASM in the Amansie West District, which can be harnessed for policy formulation to ensure sustainable mining in the district.

Abstract Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a promising technology for the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ) by removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through advanced oxidation process (AOP). In this paper, authors developed a laboratory scale dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor which generates atmospheric NTP to study the removal of low-concentration formaldehyde (HCHO), a typical indoor air VOC in the built environment associated with cancer and leukemia, under different processing conditions. Strong ionization NTP was generated between the DBD electrodes by a pulse power zero-voltage switching flyback transformer (ZVS-FBT), which caused ionization of air molecules leading to active species formation to convert HCHO into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). The impact of key electrical and physical processing parameters i.e. discharge power (P), initial concentration (Cin), flow rate (F), and relative humidity (RH) which affect the formaldehyde removal efficiency (ɳ) were studied to determine optimum conditions. Results show that, the correlation coefficient (R2) of removal efficiency dependence on the processing parameters follow the order R2 (F) = 0.99 > R2 (RH) = 0.96, > R2 (Cin) = 0.94 > R2 (P) = 0.93. The removal efficiency reached 99% under the optimum conditions of P = 0.6 W, Cin = 0.1 ppm, F = 0.2 m3/h, and RH = 65% with no secondary pollution. The study provided a theoretical and experimental basis for the application of DBD plasma for air purification in the built environment.

Access to potable water, proper sanitation, and hygiene have become global concerns. The study assessed sanitation and waste management practices and the possible implications on groundwater quality in Doba and Nayagnia. The data were elicited from 240 households using a semi-structured questionnaire. Besides, 10 composite groundwater (boreholes and well) samples were collected for total coliform and E. coli analyses. The data was analyzed using cross-tabulation and descriptive statistical tools using the R software. The study showed that there was a strong relationship (P < 0.001) between the respondents' perceptions of the importance of sanitation and their levels of education. Also, there was a significant relationship (P < 0.001) between the availability of household toilets and income levels. The availability of household waste receptacles was statistically significant with income levels (P = 0.006) and subscriptions for commercial waste collection (P = 0.009). Open defecation was influenced by inconveniently sited (P = 0.004) and poorly maintained public toilets (P = 0.009). About 73% of the households relied on boreholes as their major source of water. However, all the groundwater sources contained loads of enteric bacteria. The results of the Friedman test were significant based on an alpha value of 0.05, χ2 (2) = 8.86, p = 0.012 for total coliform and χ2 (2) = 7.80, p = 0.020 for E. coli. Generally, the communities practiced unimproved sanitation practices which may pose potential effects on public health. Alongside environmental health education, the provision of toilets and waste collection receptacles will address the environmental challenges discussed in this study .

Soils constitute an important location for the transfer and retention of pollutants in the environment. The contents of pollutants in soils are increasing due to geo-natural and anthropogenic factors. This study sought to highlight the emergence, levels, distribution, trends, and possible health implications associated with two potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (vanadium and strontium) which are now gaining attention in pedological studies in Ghana. The study discussed concentrations of Sr reaching 951 mg/kg and 954 mg/kg, and 665 mg/kg in northeastern and southeastern Ghana respectively. These were well above the average crustal average for Sr (375 mg/kg). The average concentration of V in the northeastern part of Ghana increased from 72 mg/kg to 78 mg/kg from 2012 to 2017. In southeastern Ghana, V results ranged between 71 mg/kg and 375 mg/kg which indicates that 65% of the samples exceeded the average crustal value of 135 mg/kg. In southern Ghana, positive correlations between Sr and V with PTEs and elements with systematic toxicity; Sr, Zn and Zr (R2 = 0.0448 and R2 = 0.1944), Pb and V (R2 = 0.9201). In southwestern Ghana, results of V and Sr respectively ranged from 0–622 mg/kg and 0–556 mg/kg with 67% and 53% of the soil samples exceeding average crustal values. This suggests that other areas of Ghana may harbor similar elevated concentrations of V and Sr, and these may be posing hidden environmental and health impacts.

The saccharification of biomass with hydrolases from fungi is considered as an efficient and sustainable approach to obtain fermentable sugars. The expression of these hydrolytic enzymes by fungi is mainly by a substrate-induced mechanism, which depends on prevailing environmental conditions. Trametes polyzona, a white rot fungus, is regarded as one of the most efficient producers of hydrolases for the hydrolysis of biomass. This study sought to examine and optimize cultivation conditions for the efficient production of hydrolases by Trametes polyzona (T. polyzona). Hydrolase production by T. polyzona was examined using parametric optimization. Crude enzyme extracts obtained under varying cultivation conditions were profiled for endoglucanase, betaglucosidase, exoglucanase, xylanase and amylase activities to determine the optimal conditions for hydrolase production. Significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher endoglucanase (1.97 ± 0.04 U/mL), xylanase (0.87 ± 0.05 U/mL) and amylase (1.16 ± 0.27 U/mL) activities were achieved by the solid-state cultivation in comparison to the submerged cultivation of T. polyzona. Maximum production of endoglucanase, betaglucosidase, exoglucanase, xylanase and amylase were recorded at 14 days of cultivation on cassava peels, 60% moisture level, temperature 30°C, pH 6, and supplementation with 0.3% w/w urea and 0.03% w/w Mg2+. A solid to liquid ratio of 1:2 was found to be ideal for the solid-liquid extraction of hydrolases. This study has proven that optimization of cultivation conditions is an efficient approach to enhance hydrolases production by T. polyzona BKW001. The hydrolase profile of the enzyme cocktail suggests a potential suitability and adoption for ethanol biorefinery from lignocellulosic biomass.

The study assessed the dynamics of mining land use land cover changes and consequent fragmentation impacts on woody plant community structure in the Ahafo Region, Ghana. Landsat images were utilised to determine land use and cover changes using a supervised classification method. Plant community structure was determined within 60 (20 × 20 m) plots that were randomly laid in equal numbers in fragmented and intact forests. Our findings showed that the mining landscape experienced a substantial land use/cover change between 2003 and 2018, with considerable forest cover loss at the expense of increasing cover of plantation, settlement/bare surface, mine site, and waterbody. Woody plant species diversity was significantly lower in the fragmented forest around the mine. Likewise, fragmentation caused a shift in plant species composition in the fragmented forest, whose composition was less homogenised compared to the intact forest. Plant abundance did not differ significantly between the two forests, but it was invasive and cultivated tree species that increased the total abundance of woody plants in the fragmented forests. The mining landscape was dominated by an invasive alien species, Broussonetia papyrifera which poses an ecological threat to native species. In conclusion, our findings suggest that mining contributed to intense land use/cover dynamics and fragmentation that impaired woody plant community structure around the mine. There is the need to accord priority to management intervention that would seek to manage and conserve the remaining forest fragments and its biodiversity in the mining landscape.

High generation of fecal sludge without proper treatment is a major sanitation problem. A key step in curbing this problem is producing value-added resources such as vermicompost from fecal sludge through substrate enrichment. Substrate enrichment is a vermicomposting technique that involves augmenting vermibed substrates with organic rich materials to provide additional nutrients, as well as underlying layers needed for microcosm development to produce desirable vermicompost. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of substrate enrichment with organic soils (black soil, red laterite soil and sandy soil) combined with coconut coir as bulking material, on the fecal sludge vermicomposting process and quality of the end-product. The purpose of the study was to promote the development of highly nutritive vermicompost from fecal sludge using substrate enrichment as a low-cost innovative vermicomposting technique. The enriched substrates were prepared with 160g of coconut coir, 120g of fecal matter (65–70% dry matter) and 80g of organic soil. The treatments were labelled T1, T2 and T3 representing systems containing black soil, red laterite soil and sandy soil respectively. The control treatment (T4) contained no soil. Triplicate treatments were setup and about 20 3-week old clitellated earthworms of the species Eisenia. fetida with live weights ranging from 255 to 275mg, released into each system for vermicomposting over a period of 12 weeks. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, Organic Carbon (Corg), Total Nitrogen (Ntot), Available Phosphorus (Pavail), Exchangeable Calcium (Caexch), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb) and Aluminium (Al) were determined for both the fecal sludge and the vermicompost. The vermicompost in the setup with black soil (T1) showed the highest Corg mineralization and Ntot, Pavail and Caexch enhancement followed by T2, T3 and T4. Treatment T1 also resulted in the lowest concentration of Fe, Pb and Al in the vermicompost. Concentrations of these heavy metals were found to be higher in the other treatments in increasing order of T2, T3 and T4. Less than 16% earthworm mortality was recorded in all treatments except T4, in which the mortality was about 38% (38.33 ± 13.74). The enriched substrates were therefore found to provide a more suitable microclimate for earthworm development and produced vermicompost with high nutrient content. However, a more comprehensive study on metal accumulation in the earthworm tissues as a potential metal contaminant is needed to establish a strong hypothesis in the safe use of earthworms for this vermicomposting technique.

Landfilling, which sits at the bottom of the waste management hierarchy, is the most employed option for managing waste in many emerging economies. In view of the numerous environmental and public health challenges associated with operation of landfills, proper siting would require inputs that overcome the challenges. This study sought to use Geographic Information System application through multi-criteria decision technique to spatially locate suitable sites that fulfill standard landfill guidelines, for waste disposal. Spatial Analyst extension within ArcGIS software was employed for the suitability analysis. Three processes were involved: (1) digitizing to determine boundaries around built up areas, (2) buffering for proximity analysis in order to generate zones around features such as roads, streams, etc. and (3) overlay analysis to determine areas suitable for landfilling. The findings from this study revealed that about 2.62% of the total area was considered as most suitable for landfilling, 2.74% deemed suitable and a large portion (94.64%), considered unsuitable. The study identified 6 most suitable sites that can be used for landfill development in the study area burdened with urbanization. GIS has been used to determine suitable sites for landfill development. Findings from the study serve as guideline for environmentally friendly landfill siting with efficient land-use planning.

Co-composting organic solid waste with dewatered sewage sludge was carried out to determine its suitability for managing waste on a University campus. Windrow composting method was employed in which dewatered sewage sludge and organic solid waste were mixed at volume ratios: 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 0:1 and 1:0 sludge/organic solid waste. Parameters such as pH, percentage N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg, organic matter, ash content and C/N ratio were determined weekly. Total and faecal coliform population were measured biweekly with Pb and Cd levels determined at the beginning and end of the composting. With the exception of ratio 1:0 sludge/organic solid waste, all other ratios attained a favourable Carbon to Nitrogen (C/N) ratio both at the start and end of the composting process. Levels of major nutrients measured were found to be favourable for use as organic fertilizer. There was a general decline in carbon and organic matter in all the compost piles except the sewage sludge pile (1:0). Apart from the compost ratio 1:0 sludge/organic solid waste, all other ratios attained a temperature of 55°C within 8 days of composting. Generally the compost ratios 1:2, 1:3 and 0:1 (sludge/organic solid waste) were found to be the most suitable for use as organic fertilizer. International Journal of Environment Vol. 5 (1) 2016, pp: 14-31

Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, one of the rapidly expanding cities of Ghana has been facing serious problems with solid waste management. This is mainly due to the lack of available information about the types and quantity of solid waste generation in the area. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the rate of household solid waste generation and its composition in the aforesaid city. The methodology and procedures for this study were derived from the Standard Test Method for Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed MSW (ASTM D 5231-92). All samples were hand sorted into 6 waste categories (paper, plastic, organics, metals, glass, and other waste). The study revealed that by weight, organic wastes constitutes the largest proportion of household solid waste (38%) followed by 19% plastics, 7% papers, 4% metals, 4% glass and 28% other wastes (comprising of sand, stones, ash, inert substances). The rate of daily waste generation per capita in the low, middle and high income households were 0.27±0.19, 0.4±0.19 and 0.58±0.24 kg/cap/day, respectively. The study revealed that there is no waste treatment or recovery facility established within the metropolis hence no significant waste recovery and reuse activities exist. The study showed that more than 38 % of the waste generated in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is decomposable organic matter that can be re-used through composting as well as 34% of the waste having recycling potential thereby considerably mitigating the solid waste problem. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12644 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 221-235

The prospect of anaerobic digestion of unsorted municipal solid waste (UMSW) was assessed. Simulated waste consisting of a blend of unsorted municipal solid waste and market waste was studied in a double-stage mesophilic batch experiment, providing basic information on COD, OA, VOS, TS and pH profiles during hydrolysis, and in addition, gas yield during methanogenesis. Degradation rate of 42±19% (dry matter) of volatile organic solid of the starting waste material was achieved. Significant amount of biogas with high methane quality was produced. Reduction of COD and OA concentrations during methanogenesis were 90±6, and 97±2.1% respectively. The results obtained suggest that, based on appropriate pretreatment method, UMSW can be biologically treated yielding valuable by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]