Work done by Professor Raquel Pinderhuges and 40 Sustainability and the Cities class students.
I was a teacher assistant for this class and did the graphic layout of the booklet.
Water Management in Rural Areas in a Changing ClimateCIFOR-ICRAF
This presentation by Prof. Edward Pierzgalski from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences focuses on the main issues of water management in rural areas, climate change versus water resources, water management in agriculture versus climate change and what we should do.
Work done by Professor Raquel Pinderhuges and 40 Sustainability and the Cities class students.
I was a teacher assistant for this class and did the graphic layout of the booklet.
Water Management in Rural Areas in a Changing ClimateCIFOR-ICRAF
This presentation by Prof. Edward Pierzgalski from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences focuses on the main issues of water management in rural areas, climate change versus water resources, water management in agriculture versus climate change and what we should do.
Challenges of Water Quality Management: Case of Peripheral rivers in Dhaka Me...Global Water Partnership
Challenges of Water Quality Management: Case of Peripheral rivers in Dhaka Mega City, presented by Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, Bangladesh Water Partnership and Azharul Haq, Former Managing Director, Dhaka WASA at World Water Week 2010.
Environmental Legislation Case Studies IndiaIsha Sawant
case studies pertaining environmental legislation like the chipko movement, bhopal gas tragedy, narmada valley project, ecofeminism , delhi air pollution
This PPT is about the river pollution in India- Talks about Sutlej river and Koovam River. This PPT also talks about Elinor Ostram principle for management of the commons
Here's a powerpoint I created some time ago on Sustainability of Water and Wastewater provisions ~ presented to a Company in UK.
It may be of use or interest to someone and is a downloadable document ~ references are all cited and photo's I think are all creative commons or referenced :-)
PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF MULA MUTHA RIVER PUNEcivej
Mula-Mutha River in pune (India) is one of the most vulnerable water bodies to pollution because of their
role in carrying municipal and industrial wastes and run-offs from agricultural lands in their vast drainage basins. Despite of the various standards and laws made by government many industries were discharging their waste directly into the river making its quality poor day by day. The restoration of river water quality has been a major challenge to the environmental managers. Detailed research and analysis is needed to evaluate different process and mechanism involved in polluting water. The aim of the work under the title is to analyze the river by dividing it into various sampling station. The present study also identifies the critical pollutants affecting the river water quality during its course through the city. The
indices have been computed for pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon season at four locations, Khadakwasla , Sangamwadi, Vithalwadi &Bund Garden. It was found that the water quality ranged from satisfactory to marginal category at Khadakwasla and fell under very poor category at all other locations.This research have a vast future scope as the rapid industrialization results in formation of toxic contaminants leading to enormous damages to environment directly putting the lives at risk. Thus, this
gathered information would be handy and helpful for preventing or at-least reducing the hazardous impacts.
Sources, intake structures and water demand in Water Supply Schemes Vaibhav Kambale
This Slide deals with Sources, intake structures and water demand in Water Supply Schemes in Details Manner . All the Aspects Related to Source of Wate, Water Demand Calculations, Design Period Considerations has along with the population forecasting methods has been explained
Water and Wastewater Mangement in India 2010 - SampleNetscribes, Inc.
Water is one of the most invaluable resources of nature and increasing water consumption is leading to its depletion. Various sectors across India are rapidly increasing and are actively contributing to the pollution of surface as well as groundwater. This calls for the active need of water management. Although water has been one of the most thriving and important issues amongst the government concerns, the private players are actively granting their support to market efficient techniques and equipments to manage water. The wastewater treatment market in India is growing at 20% and techniques like watershed management, rainwater harvesting, desalination, filtration, river-interlinking, effluent treatment and sewage treatment are finding huge importance in major cities which are the major contributors to water pollution in India.
The report begins with an overview of water situation and consumption structure in India across various sectors namely, agriculture, domestic and industries showing the growth in water consumption across the masses in India. This is followed by a section which depicts the amount of wastewater generated across sectors and the level of degradation.
It also highlights the lakes and water bodies that are under threat of depleting and being polluted.
The market overview section gives the size and growth of the wastewater treatment market and shows the various techniques of water and wastewater treatment. It also gives an in-depth analysis of the various techniques and their status in India. The characteristics and trends in the market have been analyzed and include increasing urbanization, initiatives taken at the corporate level, initiatives of various research and training institutes, increasing licensing agreements, various summits and seminars, initiatives for consumer awareness and public private partnerships. A brief analysis of the issues/challenges hindering growth are also highlighted including policy failures and institutional weaknesses, coordination and technological loopholes, multiplicity of organizations and inadequacy in generation of revenue to meet costs.
Various government bodies and programmes as well as initiatives by the NGOs that have been actively involved in conserving water and regulating its consumption and pollution have been showcased.
The competitive landscape provides a look into the nature of the market and the activities of the players and the level of competition between them. It also compares the private players according to the products and services provided by them. Brief profile with short description of the major domestic and foreign players is also included. Furthermore, key developments in the market over the last one year have also been highlighted.
Wie ist der aktuelle Stand der deutschsprachigen Versicherer bis Oktober 2014 im Social Web. Wo ist die Branche überall aktiv und welche Plattformen nutzt sie? Welche Kanäle sind mittlerweile Standard, welche exotisch und was kann man von 188 Versicherungen mit insgesamt 771 Profilen / Accounts auf 22 Plattformen lernen?
Challenges of Water Quality Management: Case of Peripheral rivers in Dhaka Me...Global Water Partnership
Challenges of Water Quality Management: Case of Peripheral rivers in Dhaka Mega City, presented by Reba Paul, Executive Secretary, Bangladesh Water Partnership and Azharul Haq, Former Managing Director, Dhaka WASA at World Water Week 2010.
Environmental Legislation Case Studies IndiaIsha Sawant
case studies pertaining environmental legislation like the chipko movement, bhopal gas tragedy, narmada valley project, ecofeminism , delhi air pollution
This PPT is about the river pollution in India- Talks about Sutlej river and Koovam River. This PPT also talks about Elinor Ostram principle for management of the commons
Here's a powerpoint I created some time ago on Sustainability of Water and Wastewater provisions ~ presented to a Company in UK.
It may be of use or interest to someone and is a downloadable document ~ references are all cited and photo's I think are all creative commons or referenced :-)
PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF MULA MUTHA RIVER PUNEcivej
Mula-Mutha River in pune (India) is one of the most vulnerable water bodies to pollution because of their
role in carrying municipal and industrial wastes and run-offs from agricultural lands in their vast drainage basins. Despite of the various standards and laws made by government many industries were discharging their waste directly into the river making its quality poor day by day. The restoration of river water quality has been a major challenge to the environmental managers. Detailed research and analysis is needed to evaluate different process and mechanism involved in polluting water. The aim of the work under the title is to analyze the river by dividing it into various sampling station. The present study also identifies the critical pollutants affecting the river water quality during its course through the city. The
indices have been computed for pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon season at four locations, Khadakwasla , Sangamwadi, Vithalwadi &Bund Garden. It was found that the water quality ranged from satisfactory to marginal category at Khadakwasla and fell under very poor category at all other locations.This research have a vast future scope as the rapid industrialization results in formation of toxic contaminants leading to enormous damages to environment directly putting the lives at risk. Thus, this
gathered information would be handy and helpful for preventing or at-least reducing the hazardous impacts.
Sources, intake structures and water demand in Water Supply Schemes Vaibhav Kambale
This Slide deals with Sources, intake structures and water demand in Water Supply Schemes in Details Manner . All the Aspects Related to Source of Wate, Water Demand Calculations, Design Period Considerations has along with the population forecasting methods has been explained
Water and Wastewater Mangement in India 2010 - SampleNetscribes, Inc.
Water is one of the most invaluable resources of nature and increasing water consumption is leading to its depletion. Various sectors across India are rapidly increasing and are actively contributing to the pollution of surface as well as groundwater. This calls for the active need of water management. Although water has been one of the most thriving and important issues amongst the government concerns, the private players are actively granting their support to market efficient techniques and equipments to manage water. The wastewater treatment market in India is growing at 20% and techniques like watershed management, rainwater harvesting, desalination, filtration, river-interlinking, effluent treatment and sewage treatment are finding huge importance in major cities which are the major contributors to water pollution in India.
The report begins with an overview of water situation and consumption structure in India across various sectors namely, agriculture, domestic and industries showing the growth in water consumption across the masses in India. This is followed by a section which depicts the amount of wastewater generated across sectors and the level of degradation.
It also highlights the lakes and water bodies that are under threat of depleting and being polluted.
The market overview section gives the size and growth of the wastewater treatment market and shows the various techniques of water and wastewater treatment. It also gives an in-depth analysis of the various techniques and their status in India. The characteristics and trends in the market have been analyzed and include increasing urbanization, initiatives taken at the corporate level, initiatives of various research and training institutes, increasing licensing agreements, various summits and seminars, initiatives for consumer awareness and public private partnerships. A brief analysis of the issues/challenges hindering growth are also highlighted including policy failures and institutional weaknesses, coordination and technological loopholes, multiplicity of organizations and inadequacy in generation of revenue to meet costs.
Various government bodies and programmes as well as initiatives by the NGOs that have been actively involved in conserving water and regulating its consumption and pollution have been showcased.
The competitive landscape provides a look into the nature of the market and the activities of the players and the level of competition between them. It also compares the private players according to the products and services provided by them. Brief profile with short description of the major domestic and foreign players is also included. Furthermore, key developments in the market over the last one year have also been highlighted.
Wie ist der aktuelle Stand der deutschsprachigen Versicherer bis Oktober 2014 im Social Web. Wo ist die Branche überall aktiv und welche Plattformen nutzt sie? Welche Kanäle sind mittlerweile Standard, welche exotisch und was kann man von 188 Versicherungen mit insgesamt 771 Profilen / Accounts auf 22 Plattformen lernen?
Rainwater Harvesting Technologies in Makueni County, Kenyainventy
Rainwater harvesting has been in existence for many years and has positively impacted life, agriculture and economy. Despite these known benefits of rainwater harvesting, Makueni County's population is slowly adopting rainwater harvesting technologies. Water scarcity still remains a major constraint to life and economic development in the County. The aim of this paper is to evaluate rainwater harvesting technologies and the factors contributing to adoption of the technologies in the ASAL areas with Makueni County being the case study. The study was conducted in Wanzauni and Itetani locations in Tulimani division, Mbooni West district, Makueni County within Kenya's Eastern Region which lies within the arid and semi arid ecological zones of Kenya. A total of 160 household questionnaires were administered, focus group discussions and key informants interviews done during data collection exercise. The data was analyzed using Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS). Various rainwater harvesting technologies (RWHTs) are used within Makueni County including macro-catchment (earth dams, sand/sub-surface dams), micro-catchment (Zai pits, strip catchment, tillage, contour and semi-circular bunds) and rooftop rainwater harvesting technologies with rooftop catchment being the most commonly used technique. However, adoption of these RWHTs in Makueni County is slow irrespective of their potential to improve livelihoods. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict factors affecting adoption of RWHTs within 160 households in Makueni County. Some of the factors found to have statistically-significant positive effect on the adoption of RWHT are gender, literacy levels, social and economic status and technological know-how on RWHT. Ways of promoting the adoption of RWHTs such as capacity building and training, poverty alleviation through enhancement of income generation activities, enhanced formation of community groups aimed at water development activities, and improved designs incorporating mechanized technologies in favour of women and children, are recommended.
Potential Impact Assessment of Agricultural Practices on Water Quality in Nya...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— A challenge of linking agricultural sector with water quality in order to combat water pollution remains worrying for the Government of Rwanda. The general objective of the study was to assess the potential impacts of agricultural practices on water quality in NYANZA District. Specifically, the study assessed agricultural practices in Bishya wetland, analyzed the level of water pollution in Bishya wetland, and demonstrated the correlation between agricultural practices and water quality from Bishya wetland. Data were obtained through questionnaires, observation, and laboratory analysis of water samples taken twice per month in six sampling points of bishya dam situated in bishya wetland starting from 4th March 2019 up to 20th August 2019. The Linear Regression Model using SPSS statistics with 95% confidence interval was used to demonstrate the correlation between agricultural inputs and water quality data for all selected physico-chemical parameters. Findings revealed that agricultural practices in Bishya wetland and surrounding areas are characterized by the presence of different crops, ineffective anti-erosions, absence of wetland margins, ineffective drainage of wetland, use of organic manures and chemical fertilizers, as well as the presence of different types of rocks and soils. Findings revealed also that all parameters have not manifested pollution, but some of them did according to Rwanda Standard Board guidelines. In sampling point1, the parameters that presented pollution were nitrites (r=0.047), phosphates(r=0.384), iron (r=0.11), and manganese(r=0.018); in sampling point2, were nitrites(r =0.010), iron (r=0.059), and chemical oxygen demand(r=0.012); in sampling point 3, were pH (r=0.048), nitrites(r =0.086), and phosphates (r=0.329); in sampling point 4, were nitrites (r =0.123), iron(r=0.182), and manganese (r=0.051); in sampling point 5,were turbidity (r=0.080), nitrites (r=0.095), phosphates(r=0.188),iron(r=0.093), manganese(r=0.051), and chemical oxygen demand(r=0.017), and in sampling point 6, the parameters that presented pollution were nitrites(r=0.046), phosphates(r=0.277), iron(r=0.106), and manganese(r=0.190). Finally, findings revealed that agricultural practices in Bishya wetland and surrounding areas, have contributed to the pollution of water quality of Bishya dam through substances of organic manures, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, crop residues, and soil sediments that are transported into the dam by erosion. The study concluded that an effort to create anti-erosions in all areas surrounding wetland, respectful of buffer zones, improving vegetation covers, creating water management bodies at cells level, increasing awareness of population about ecosystem functions, and capturing rain water from houses may effectively contribute to water quality in Bishya wetland.
Characterization of Physicochemical Water Quality Parameters of River Gudar (...IOSRJAC
Due to various natural and anthropogenic activities, quality of water was deteriorated in most towns of the country. These changes make or forced the community to depend on unsafe and poor water consumption. River Gudar is one of the rivers found in towns of the country, and exposed to many anthropogenic activities done around the town. Importance of river Gudar is strongly linked to Domestic consumption, Irrigation, Industrial (HAEF) and other public health. Under the investigation physicochemical parameters and selected heavy metals for the quality of river Gudar for drinking purpose were characterized. The laboratory results for both physicochemical parameters and selected heavy metals were: Alkalinity (154 ± 15.556 mg/L), pH (8.44), Electrical Conductivity (316.47 ± 72.802 Scm-1 ), TDS (149.37 ± 20.64 mg/L), Ammonia (41.00 ± 1.19 mg/L), Phosphate (3.50 ± 0.32mg/L), Total Hardness (156.87 ± 8.46 mg/L CaCO3), Sodium (17.44 ± 2.87mg/L), Potassium (8.51 ± 0.33 mg/L) and some selected heavy metals such as Cu (0.29 ± 0.04 mg/L ), Pb (2.5 ± 0.25 mg/L), Zn (0.63 ± 0.24 mg/L), Cd (0.79 ± 0.19 mg/L) and Ag (0.35 ± 0.17 mg/L) for water sample.
Accessibility and Physicochemical Properties of Water for Domestic Purposes i...ijtsrd
Water is a precious resource which is essential for life and is ranked next to air as a basic necessity of man. However, one major challenge in Nigeria is the ability for both rural and urban areas to access a clean water supply. This study examined the access and physicochemical properties of water used in lafia metropolis for domestic purposes. This study adopted both the use of questionnaires and collection of water samples for laboratory analysis. The parameters tested include Temperature °C , pH value, Electrical conductivity µs , Total suspended solids mg l , Biological Oxygen demand BOD ,Turbidity NTU , Sulphate So4 , Chloride Cl , Nitrate No3 , Potassium K , Sodium Na , Calcium Ca , Magnesium Mg , Zinc Zn , Iron Fe Copper Cu and Lead Pb . The results showed that households in Lafia metropolis have reasonable access to safe water supply and the results of analyses of water samples were compared with the WHO minimum quality standards. The analyses revealed that the quality of water supply is adequate. For instance, electrical conductivity, total suspended solids, biological oxygen demand, sulphate, nitrate, and chloride values were all below the WHO values. Farringoro U. D | Ndor, E "Accessibility and Physicochemical Properties of Water for Domestic Purposes in Lafia Metropolis" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-4 | Issue-1 , December 2019, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd29541.pdfPaper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/biological-science/allied-sciences/29541/accessibility-and-physicochemical-properties-of-water-for-domestic-purposes-in-lafia-metropolis/farringoro-u-d
Inadequacy of Safe Domestic Water Supply in Small Urban Centre’s in Kenya: A ...paperpublications3
Abstract: Urbanization and subsequent creation of urban sprawl have become a major concern to many countries worldwide and particularly, developing countries that experience a rapid rate of urbanization. This situation is pronounced more in Africa where the annual growth rate were 4.7% and 4.6% between 1960 - 1980 and 1980 - 2000 respectively. (UN 1969). In Kenya the big numbers of small urban centres such as Ahero indicate the trend where urbanization is spreading. This influx of people into specific settlements creates high demand for water. This situation implies that no provision of safe water for domestic use can be expected. In Ahero town, the provision of adequate supply of safe water for domestic use is lacking. This has led to other environmental problems including high health risks for the inhabitants. This study examines the state of and the adequacy of supply of safe domestic water in Ahero town. A survey was conducted that made use of the existing physical development plan for Ahero town. A still camera was used to capture the state of the subject of study and 199 close ended questionnaires. Discussions were held with key informants and non-governmental organizations in relation to water supply in the town. The data collected was analyzed using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS). The study established that there is one water point constructed by the Catholic Mission church. The facility is situated in the mission compound and run by the same church that supplies water at a fee. Other sources include wells and nearby River Nyando. The study concludes that environmental problems relating to poor and inadequate supply of safe domestic water exists in Ahero town. It recommends that proper strategy and planning for provision of these essential services is made.
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
The papers for publication in The International Journal of Engineering& Science are selected through rigorous peer reviews to ensure originality, timeliness, relevance, and readability.
The Northern Lakes and Surrounding Plains in the Nile Delta, Egypt How Are Th...ijtsrd
In addition to the consensus of scientists, environmental experts, fisheries and beach research in Egypt about the pollution of the northern lakes in the Egyptian delta and the collapse of its ecosystem as a result of using these lakes as a permanent drain for agricultural, health and industrial wastewater untreated for the delta governorates surrounding the lakes the continuous drying processes in the Manzala lakes Burullus, Mariout and Idku, which the government undertakes on the one hand, and individuals on the other hand, have caused a change in the morphology of the lakes and a reduction in their areas, ranging between 46 and 83 of their original areas. Drying and filling works are still going on for these lakes, without taking into account the new climatic conditions that have hit the world, which in turn will lead to a rise in the global sea level MGSL during this century by an amount that may reach a maximum of one meter. This will result in the invasion of all the northern lakes of the Nile Delta, in addition to the surrounding dry low plains along the northern coast of the delta, and then the invasion of all the areas that were previously deducted and drained from the lakes with their urban, agricultural and industrial projects, as well as the remaining submerged areas of these lakes, which in turn will lose their characteristics to become part of the Mediterranean. This study aims to determine the quantitative and qualitative size of the certain risks that will face the northern lakes and the plains surrounding them in the Nile delta as a result of the global rise in sea level during this century, the coastal threat sources and the traditional defensive policies that must be followed to avoid all these risks. Khaled Abdel-Kader Ouda "The Northern Lakes and Surrounding Plains in the Nile Delta, Egypt: How Are They Now and How Will They Are in Light of Climate Changes" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-6 | Issue-6 , October 2022, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd52183.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/geology/52183/the-northern-lakes-and-surrounding-plains-in-the-nile-delta-egypt-how-are-they-now-and-how-will-they-are-in-light-of-climate-changes/khaled-abdelkader-ouda
Kubernetes & AI - Beauty and the Beast !?! @KCD Istanbul 2024Tobias Schneck
As AI technology is pushing into IT I was wondering myself, as an “infrastructure container kubernetes guy”, how get this fancy AI technology get managed from an infrastructure operational view? Is it possible to apply our lovely cloud native principals as well? What benefit’s both technologies could bring to each other?
Let me take this questions and provide you a short journey through existing deployment models and use cases for AI software. On practical examples, we discuss what cloud/on-premise strategy we may need for applying it to our own infrastructure to get it to work from an enterprise perspective. I want to give an overview about infrastructure requirements and technologies, what could be beneficial or limiting your AI use cases in an enterprise environment. An interactive Demo will give you some insides, what approaches I got already working for real.
PHP Frameworks: I want to break free (IPC Berlin 2024)Ralf Eggert
In this presentation, we examine the challenges and limitations of relying too heavily on PHP frameworks in web development. We discuss the history of PHP and its frameworks to understand how this dependence has evolved. The focus will be on providing concrete tips and strategies to reduce reliance on these frameworks, based on real-world examples and practical considerations. The goal is to equip developers with the skills and knowledge to create more flexible and future-proof web applications. We'll explore the importance of maintaining autonomy in a rapidly changing tech landscape and how to make informed decisions in PHP development.
This talk is aimed at encouraging a more independent approach to using PHP frameworks, moving towards a more flexible and future-proof approach to PHP development.
Essentials of Automations: Optimizing FME Workflows with ParametersSafe Software
Are you looking to streamline your workflows and boost your projects’ efficiency? Do you find yourself searching for ways to add flexibility and control over your FME workflows? If so, you’re in the right place.
Join us for an insightful dive into the world of FME parameters, a critical element in optimizing workflow efficiency. This webinar marks the beginning of our three-part “Essentials of Automation” series. This first webinar is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to utilize parameters effectively: enhancing the flexibility, maintainability, and user control of your FME projects.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Essentials of FME Parameters: Understand the pivotal role of parameters, including Reader/Writer, Transformer, User, and FME Flow categories. Discover how they are the key to unlocking automation and optimization within your workflows.
- Practical Applications in FME Form: Delve into key user parameter types including choice, connections, and file URLs. Allow users to control how a workflow runs, making your workflows more reusable. Learn to import values and deliver the best user experience for your workflows while enhancing accuracy.
- Optimization Strategies in FME Flow: Explore the creation and strategic deployment of parameters in FME Flow, including the use of deployment and geometry parameters, to maximize workflow efficiency.
- Pro Tips for Success: Gain insights on parameterizing connections and leveraging new features like Conditional Visibility for clarity and simplicity.
We’ll wrap up with a glimpse into future webinars, followed by a Q&A session to address your specific questions surrounding this topic.
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your FME expertise and drive your projects to new heights of efficiency.
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...BookNet Canada
The publishing industry has been selling digital audiobooks and ebooks for over a decade and has found its groove. What’s changed? What has stayed the same? Where do we go from here? Join a group of leading sales peers from across the industry for a conversation about the lessons learned since the popularization of digital books, best practices, digital book supply chain management, and more.
Link to video recording: https://bnctechforum.ca/sessions/selling-digital-books-in-2024-insights-from-industry-leaders/
Presented by BookNet Canada on May 28, 2024, with support from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Slack (or Teams) Automation for Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Soluti...Jeffrey Haguewood
Sidekick Solutions uses Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Solutions Apricot) and automation solutions to integrate data for business workflows.
We believe integration and automation are essential to user experience and the promise of efficient work through technology. Automation is the critical ingredient to realizing that full vision. We develop integration products and services for Bonterra Case Management software to support the deployment of automations for a variety of use cases.
This video focuses on the notifications, alerts, and approval requests using Slack for Bonterra Impact Management. The solutions covered in this webinar can also be deployed for Microsoft Teams.
Interested in deploying notification automations for Bonterra Impact Management? Contact us at sales@sidekicksolutionsllc.com to discuss next steps.
Let's dive deeper into the world of ODC! Ricardo Alves (OutSystems) will join us to tell all about the new Data Fabric. After that, Sezen de Bruijn (OutSystems) will get into the details on how to best design a sturdy architecture within ODC.
State of ICS and IoT Cyber Threat Landscape Report 2024 previewPrayukth K V
The IoT and OT threat landscape report has been prepared by the Threat Research Team at Sectrio using data from Sectrio, cyber threat intelligence farming facilities spread across over 85 cities around the world. In addition, Sectrio also runs AI-based advanced threat and payload engagement facilities that serve as sinks to attract and engage sophisticated threat actors, and newer malware including new variants and latent threats that are at an earlier stage of development.
The latest edition of the OT/ICS and IoT security Threat Landscape Report 2024 also covers:
State of global ICS asset and network exposure
Sectoral targets and attacks as well as the cost of ransom
Global APT activity, AI usage, actor and tactic profiles, and implications
Rise in volumes of AI-powered cyberattacks
Major cyber events in 2024
Malware and malicious payload trends
Cyberattack types and targets
Vulnerability exploit attempts on CVEs
Attacks on counties – USA
Expansion of bot farms – how, where, and why
In-depth analysis of the cyber threat landscape across North America, South America, Europe, APAC, and the Middle East
Why are attacks on smart factories rising?
Cyber risk predictions
Axis of attacks – Europe
Systemic attacks in the Middle East
Download the full report from here:
https://sectrio.com/resources/ot-threat-landscape-reports/sectrio-releases-ot-ics-and-iot-security-threat-landscape-report-2024/
JMeter webinar - integration with InfluxDB and GrafanaRTTS
Watch this recorded webinar about real-time monitoring of application performance. See how to integrate Apache JMeter, the open-source leader in performance testing, with InfluxDB, the open-source time-series database, and Grafana, the open-source analytics and visualization application.
In this webinar, we will review the benefits of leveraging InfluxDB and Grafana when executing load tests and demonstrate how these tools are used to visualize performance metrics.
Length: 30 minutes
Session Overview
-------------------------------------------
During this webinar, we will cover the following topics while demonstrating the integrations of JMeter, InfluxDB and Grafana:
- What out-of-the-box solutions are available for real-time monitoring JMeter tests?
- What are the benefits of integrating InfluxDB and Grafana into the load testing stack?
- Which features are provided by Grafana?
- Demonstration of InfluxDB and Grafana using a practice web application
To view the webinar recording, go to:
https://www.rttsweb.com/jmeter-integration-webinar
Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish CachingThijs Feryn
A presentation about the usage and availability of Varnish on Kubernetes. This talk explores the capabilities of Varnish caching and shows how to use the Varnish Helm chart to deploy it to Kubernetes.
This presentation was delivered at K8SUG Singapore. See https://feryn.eu/presentations/accelerate-your-kubernetes-clusters-with-varnish-caching-k8sug-singapore-28-2024 for more details.
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf91mobiles
91mobiles recently conducted a Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey in which we asked over 3,000 respondents about the TV they own, aspects they look at on a new TV, and their TV buying preferences.
"Impact of front-end architecture on development cost", Viktor TurskyiFwdays
I have heard many times that architecture is not important for the front-end. Also, many times I have seen how developers implement features on the front-end just following the standard rules for a framework and think that this is enough to successfully launch the project, and then the project fails. How to prevent this and what approach to choose? I have launched dozens of complex projects and during the talk we will analyze which approaches have worked for me and which have not.
Mission to Decommission: Importance of Decommissioning Products to Increase E...
Chemical analysis of freshwater bodies in the kumasi metropolis and its environs, ghana
1. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol. 3, No.9, 2013
37
Chemical Analysis of Freshwater Bodies in the Kumasi
Metropolis and Its Environs, Ghana
N. K. Asare-Donkor1*
, D.D. Wemegah2
and A. A. Adimado1
1. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB,
Kumasi, Ghana.
2. Department of Physics, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB,
Kumasi, Ghana.
*Email of corresponding author: asaredonkor@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract
One of the main environmental problems facing the city of Kumasi the second largest city in Ghana over the
years has been the pollution of water bodies arising from anthropogenic activities. This has become a potential
health threat to the inhabitants of the city which was formerly referred to as the garden city of Ghana and its
environs. The most affected are the surrounding rural areas that rely solely on the rivers for drinking, domestic
and agricultural purposes. This study focused on the extent of chemical pollution of these water bodies through
the determination physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids
(TDS), Total suspended solids (TSS), alkalinity, Total hardness, nitrates, sulphates as well as heavy metals and
biological contamination through the determination of total coliform and Escherichia coli. Eight samples were
taken from three main rivers in the Kumasi metropolis namely Wiwi, Sisa and Subin. This data showed
variations in the parameters in the samples as follows: pH, 6.67-7.50; temperature, 28-29°C; electrical
conductivity (EC), 220-2120 µS/cm; TDS,10-1800 mg/l; alkalinity, 24-124 mg/l; total hardness, 25-365 mg/l;
nitrates, b/d-0.47 mg/l; sulphate,0.352-40.30 ; phosphates, 5.2-30 mg/l; Pb, 6.620-6.797 mg/l; Fe. 14.81-45.65
mg/l; Mn, 0.726-4.7427 mg/l; Cd, 0.156-0.219 mg/l; Cr, 0.03-0.10 mg/l; Ni, 0.002-0.018 mg/l; Cu 0.113-2.258
mg/l and Zn 0.368-5.255 mg/l. However, all the results obtained for the levels of the metals exceeded the EPA
Maximum contaminant level (MCL) with the exception of the zinc where only one of the samples exceeded the
MCL level.
Keyword: environmental, chemical pollution, Maximum contaminant level, physicochemical parameters,
Kumasi-Ghana
1. Introduction
Freshwater resources all over the world are threatened not only by over exploitation and poor management but
also by ecological degradation. Fresh water is a finite resource, essential for agricultural, industry and even
human existence without fresh water in adequate quantity and quality, sustainable development will not be
possible (Adeyeye and Abulude 2004). The introduction of various kinds of pollutants and nutrients through
sewage, dumping of industrial effluents, run-off from agricultural fields, discharge of untreated waste etc. into
water bodies brings about a series of changes in the physicochemical and biological characteristics of water,
which have been the subject of several investigations (Lannik and Zubenko 2000; Cambell 2001; Lwanga et al.
2003 and Lomniazi et al. 2007). Industrial growth, urbanization and the increasing use of synthetic organic
substances have serious and adverse impacts on freshwater bodies.
The fact that water quality vary widely from depending on the source, has led to the establishment of standards
for drinking water used in interstate commerce by many States including the U.S. Public Health Service and the
World Health Organization (WHO). Portable water is defined as that having acceptable quality in terms of its
physical, chemical, bacteriological and acceptability parameters so that it can be safely used for drinking and
cooking (WHO 2004).
Various processes are involved in the treatment, and sanitary disposal of liquid and water-carried wastes from
households and industrial plants (Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2006).
The issue of sewage disposal assumed increasing importance in the early 1970s as a result of the general concern
expressed worldwide about the wider problem of pollution of the human environment, the contamination of the
atmosphere, rivers, lakes, oceans and groundwater by domestic, municipal, agricultural, and industrial waste.
In low-income countries, population growth coupled with urbanization has outpaced the development of
sanitation infrastructure, leaving the urban poor, especially, virtually without sanitation facilities in many
countries. About 2.4 billion people worldwide lack access to basic sanitation, 80 per cent of them in Asia and 13
per cent in Africa. Although, sanitation coverage is better in urban than in rural areas, still more than 300 million
urban residents lack sanitation facilities and the numbers are increasing.
In Ghana, 44 per cent of the total population of about 19 million lives in urban areas (Ghana Statistical Services
(2002, 2000). As in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Ghana’s sanitation infrastructure is not well developed.
2. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol. 3, No.9, 2013
38
The rapid rate of urbanization does not match available urban infrastructure. In particular, the few sanitation
facilities have been over-stretched, waste are also discharged indiscriminately in open drains. More than 70 per
cent of house-holds in three of Ghana’s ten administrative regions have no toilet facilities in or near their homes,
and the available sanitation infrastructure for those that have it is inadequate. The consequences are worst in
urban areas, which have very high population densities (in larger cities, there are growth rates of up to 4.4 per
cent).
Common sights as you walk through Ghana’s major cities, for example Accra and Kumasi are open storm-water
gutters full of garbage and wastewater, and urban streams that look like large wastewater drains. This current
state of environmental sanitation in major cities of Ghana is derived from the increasing amount of waste
generated and the inadequacy of waste disposal and treatment facilities. The use of public toilets and open
defecation is pronounced, as only 5% of the population is served with a sewerage network while 20 % have no
toilets at all. It is a common feature to find open gutters, which were meant for storm water drainage now filled
with domestic and industrial wastewater and often choked with solid materials and sediments. This is further
aggravated by inadequate drainage systems to manage the large amount of runoff. All these eventually flow into
streams and rivers causing severe pollution in the city and downstream (Keraita et al. 2002). This affects
significantly different sections of urban dwellers that use city water bodies for various purposes. One of these
groups is urban and peri-urban farmers.
Moreover, the migration of people from rural areas to the cities in search of ‘greener pastures’ has increased
urban food demands as well as the numbers of urban poor who cannot afford basic amenities of life. In response
to this situation, an increasing number of city dwellers have resorted to all kinds of income-generating activities
in the urban informal sector. Among this is the intensive irrigated urban and peri-urban agriculture which takes
advantage of urban demand for perishable crops and water sources (runoff/wastewater) for all-year or dry-season
production.
This practice, which has been on the increase during the last decades, links environmental sanitation to urban
food supply.
Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region is the second largest city in Ghana. Kumasi has one of the largest
markets in West Africa. The metropolis covers an area of 223 square kilometers and currently has a population
of almost 1.2 million - more than twice the number recorded during the 1984 census. Kumasi is situated
approximately 260 meters above sea level, and has a wet, semi-equatorial climate and temperatures averaging 28°
C. Rainfall is weakly bi-modal, with an annual average of about 1,340 millimeters. The dry season (November to
March) is sharp and pronounced.
Four main streams (Daban, Sisa, Wewe and Subin), flow through Kumasi city, with the Subin originating in and
cutting through the city centre. They join the River Oda downstream. Quite characteristic of the drainage system
in Kumasi is a concrete drain that was superimposed on the Subin River to avert flooding in the city. This has
now turned into ‘solid and liquid waste highway ‘due to the dumping of all sorts of wastes in the drain. The
figure 1 below indicates the drainage network system in Kumasi; (IWMI, RUAF, CPWF 2006).
The principal generators of industrial wastewater in Kumasi are two breweries, soft drinks bottling plant and the
Kumasi abattoir which, together, generate a total of about 1,000 cubic meters of effluent daily, which ends up in
the city’s drains and nearby streams. Light industry generates significant amounts of non-collected waste oil and
leachate (Keraita Bernard IWMI).
Many people rely on the stream and its tributaries for their domestic use and for irrigation. The changes in water
quality in streams in and around Kumasi are evident, and complaints have been coming from users, especially in
Asago village, 9 km from the city centre, just downstream of the Kaase faecal treatment plant where the Sisa
enters the Oda River.
It is this therefore imperative that the physicochemical analyses are carried out for some rivers running through
the Kumasi city. The changes in water quality in Rivers Sisa, Subin and Wewe are evident and these pose a
threat to livelihood.
3. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol. 3, No.9, 2013
39
ES
Figure 1. Map showing locations of the water bodies and the sampling points in the Kumasi metropolis and its
environs.
Most sewerage infrastructure in Kumasi was built in the 1970s when the population was only one-third its
current level, and no significant extension to this infrastructure has taken place since. It was around this time that
the two main conventional sewage plants in Kumasi were built, one at a local university (KNUST) and the other
at Asafo, which covered some parts of the city centre. Neither has been in operation for over ten years. The
university plant needs rehabilitation and enlargement, as the student population has increased from fewer than
1,000 in the 1970s to more than 10,000 now, and efforts are underway to get funds for this. Rehabilitation of the
city centre plant is not feasible, but the local authorities are now promoting smaller, community-based treatment
plants. Currently, there are three in operation in some suburbs in Kumasi. The authority is also encouraging
private establishments, such as the larger hotels, to have their own treatment plants.
The other main problem in the city has been the management of faecal sludge – wastewater from the public
toilets, septic tanks and bucket latrines that serve more than three-quarters of the city’s population. There has
been no permanent faecal sludge treatment in Kumasi. The few sites that the authority obtains are “filled up” in a
matter of months, and even obtaining sites is hard as most communities see treatment plants as a nuisance. Over
the last few years, the city’s main faecal sludge treatment plant has been at Kaase. This was meant to be a
temporary plant for use during the African Cup of Nations games in 1998 but, as of March 2003, it was still the
main one in use and received an average of 144 cubic metres of sludge per day (Leitzinger and Adwedaa 1999).
The volume had reached 500 cubic metres per day 2001 but had gone down to 180 cubic metres per day in 2002
(KMA (2003, 2002). The Waste Management Department (WMD) attributed this mainly to vehicle break-downs
The Kaase treatment ponds have long been filled beyond capacity, and untreated faecal sludge has been flowing
into the River Subin. However, another plant at Buobai, which can handle 200 cubic metres per day, started
operation in April this year.
Various technologies exist for wastewater treatment. Waste stabilization ponds seem to be best suited to Kumasi,
as their removal of pathogenic micro-organisms is good and they are more cost-effective than other solutions
(Mara and Cairncross 1989). Indeed, apart from the KNUST plant (which is a trickling filter type), all other
plants in Kumasi, like most in Ghana, use this technology. As well as the initial design and construction costs,
which are often prohibitive for authorities, various other issues come into play. For example, the Asafo plant
(which was completed in the mid-1990s) is still operating below capacity (60 per cent of the intended population
4. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol. 3, No.9, 2013
40
is connected mainly because of the costs and unreliability of flushing water, the charges for using the plant, and
the difficulties in making connections in the heavily built-up surroundings.
Changes in water quality in water bodies in and around Kumasi are evident. This has been mentioned in local
daily newspapers and, from time to time, there is a public outcry. Many people rely on the streams for irrigated
farming and others even for domestic use. Asago, a village just downstream of the Kaase faecal sludge plant, is
one of the most affected locations.
Villagers have reported sickness, mostly among children, and a scarcity of fish such as tilapia in the local river,
the Oda.
Worse still, according to a DFID-EPA study carried out between 1999-2000, there is ongoing groundwater
contamination from the Oda that is affecting nearby shallow wells (McGregor et al. 2001). The study
encouraged environmental self-monitoring and the use of simple water quality test kits, which were provided in
junior secondary schools. As part of the IWMI project, an analysis of faecal coliform in the River Oda at Asago
found levels of 10 7
–10 9
per 100 millilitres. Despite dilution from the river, these levels are comparable to those
for raw sewage (Feachem et al. 1983), which shows the effects of effluents from the broken-down faecal sludge
treatment plant at Kaase.
Previous studies show that levels of heavy metals in water bodies in and around Kumasi are not very high
(Cornish, et al. (1999), as industrial pollution is negligible. However, inter-seasonal variations in water quality
can be wide, especially after the first heavy rainfall (Cornish, et al. 1999). Heavy metals in water exist in
colloidal, particulate and dissolved phases (Adepoju-Bello et al. 2009). Their occurrence in water bodies being
either of natural origin (for example eroded minerals within sediments, leaching of ore deposits and volcanism
extruded products) or of anthropogenic origin (ie solid waste disposa, industrial or domestic effluents, harbor
channel dredging) (Marcovecchio et al. 2007). Even though some of the metals are essential to sustain lifeeg
cobalt, copper, iron, manganese and zinc are needed at low levels as catalysts for enzyme activities (Adepoju-
Bello et al. 2009), excess exposure to heavy metals can result in toxicity. In a two-week interval, PO4 levels rose
from less than 6 milligrams per litre in three sampling locations to more than 71 milligrams per litre. The high
PO4 levels, which could be of great value to farmers, cannot be attributed only to waste water, but also to flushes
from nearby farms where fertilizers and manures are intensively used.
In general, the nutrient load and microbiological pollution levels were low just upstream of the city (ST),
reaching their highest just downstream of the city (KA), and decreasing further downstream (Figure for the
location of the sites). However, it is worthwhile to note that coliform levels in the stream are still too high (more
than 106
per 100 millilitres of water even 32 kilometres downstream of the city. WHO guidelines restrict the use
of irrigation water at faecal coliform levels higher than 10 3
per 100 millilitres.
Table 2.1 shows the values of selected chemical and biological parameters of water sources used by farmers in
and around Kumasi, sampled at different points along the Rivers Sisa and Oda which pass through the city. The
values are averages from a wide range of samples taken during both the dry and wet seasons. Heavy metals had
already been shown by Cornish (1999) to be within tolerable limits in Kumasi. The high levels of FC however
are an indicator of indiscriminate dumping of untreated faecal waste to water bodies in the sampled areas. The
risk is not only to farmers but also to consumers.
The recommended FC levels for irrigation water for vegetables is = 1 x 10 3
/100 ml (WHO, 1989) but levels as
high as 3.4 x 1010
/100ml are recorded for site A, which is the site closest to the city being only 4 km downstream.
The faecal sludge treatment plant around this site has an evident negative influence on water quality though the
levels decrease downstream.
The objective of this study is to determine the levels of heavy metals in rivers Sisa, Subin and Wewe in and
around the Kumasi and to assess the effects of the contaminants to users (domestic and irrigational purposes)
2. Materials and methods
2.1 Sampling sites
The samples were collected from eight different sites from three different rivers namely River Sisa, River Wiwi
and River Subin. The choice of the sampling sites were influenced by the activities tanking place around them.
The table below represents sampling sites and the activities around that influence the properties of the
rivers.GY= Gyinyase–adjacent KNUST campus (Vegetable farms of cabbage, lettuce and tomatoes), BG =
KNUST-Botanic Gardens (Conserved species of plants trees), PS = Weweso-behind the Tech Police station
(Vegetable farms of cabbage and spring onion ), AS = Asabi– between Asokore (Liquid waste from gutters), FC
= Susuaso-behind the Family Life Chapel (Car washing bay and deposition of solid waste), SB = Sisakyi- behind
Sobolo (Refuse dump, human and animal excreta, liquid waste from gutters, palm nut and gari production), GH
= Adeabeba behind Georgia hotel (Plantain and cassava farms. Car washing bay, human excreta), KA = Kaase
subin (Plantain farm and car washing bay), ES= Esereso (Plantain farm and car washing bay).
5. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol. 3, No.9, 2013
41
2.2 Sample treatment and preservation
The samples were collected with plastic bottles of volumes of 500 mL and 1.5 mL for each sampling site.
Because water is susceptible to change as a result of physical, chemical or biological reactions this may take
place between the time of sampling and the analysis. The sample in the 1.5 mL plastic bottle was acidified at the
time of collection with nitric acid with an aliquot of about 7 mL and kept in a temperature of about 4 °C in a
refrigerator. This was purposely done for the sample used for heavy metal analysis.
2.3 Sample Analysis
The pH, conductivity,salinity and TDS of each water sample were determined using the Hanna multi-parameter
meter. The pH meter was calibrated with two buffer solutions of pH 4.0 and 7.0 before the measurements were
done. About 50 ml of the water sample was poured in a clean glass beaker and the electrode was rinsed with
distilled water and placed in the sample in the beaker. A digital reading appeared upon inserting the probes into
the water samples indicating first the pH and temperature. The total suspended solids (TSS), Alkalinity, Total
hardness, Magnesium and calcium were determined by the classical methods (APHA, 1998).
Standard solutions of each of the anions (Cl-
, F-
, SO3
-
, SO4
2-
, NO2
-
, NO3
-
and PO4
3-
) were prepared with
concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 ppm. Each standard solution was injected into the Ion Chromatograph
(Metrohm 861 Advanced Compact IC) with the appropriate column (polyvinyl alcohol with quaternary NH4
+
and
eluent (NaHCO3
-
/Na2CO3) to determine the retention time and peak areas of the standards. A calibration curve
was drawn for each anion. The sample solutions were then injected into the ion chromatograph to measure their
retention times and peak areas. The concentrations of the anions were determined from the calibration curves.
2.4 Digestion procedure
All glass wares were soaked in detergents solution overnight after which they were rinsed with distilled water
and soaked in 10 % HNO3 solution overnight. They were then rinsed again with distilled water and dried. For
this purpose, the most common procedure is an acid digestion for total metal determination. 500 ml of each
water sample was measured into a 1000 ml beaker and 15 ml of concentrated HNO3 acid was added. The
mixture was then heated on a hot plate in a fume chamber till the volume was reduced to about 20-30 ml. The
mixtures was cooled to room temperature and filtered into 50 ml volumetric flasks through whatman No. 41
filter paper and made to the mark with distilled water. A blank solution was prepared in the same manner
without the sample.
2.5 Determination of Heavy metals
Calibration standards were prepared by multiple dilutions of the stock metal solutions. Reagent blank and 3
calibration standards in graduated amount in the appropriate range of the linear part of the curve were prepared.
The metals in all the digests were determined UNICAM 979 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. By choosing the
correct wavelength of the various metalsand running a known standard curve of the various metals, the
absorbance values of the heavy metals present in the samples were determined. Using the standard absorbance of
the various heavy metals, the absorbance from the various heavy metals as contained in the samples was
converted into mg/l for water samples as their levels of concentrations. This was repeated three times for every
sample and the mean concentration was taken as the actual level of concentration of the heavy metal. Finally the
entire data was generated by the laboratory analysis of the samples were analyzed by some simple descriptive
statistics. The detection limits of the instrument for all the metals determined were approximately 0.01 mg/l. The
detection limit is defined as the lowest analytical signal to be distinguished qualitatively at a specified
confidence level from the background signal (Kackstaetterand Heinrichs, 1997). The accuracy of analytical
procedure was checked by analyzing the standard reference materials (water: SRM-143d, National Institute of
Standards and Technology).
The microbial analysis was done using the standard method for the determination of total coliform and fecal
coliform (Brenner et al. 1993; APHA 1995).
3. Results and discussion
The pH readings were between the ranges of 6.69 to 7.50. They were within the EPA quality guidelines of
permissible range of 6.5-8.5 for natural water bodies. Most aquatic plants and animals are adapted to a specific
pH range, and natural populations maybe harmed by water that is too acidic or alkaline. Waters, with low pH
could contain elevated levels of toxic metals cause premature damage to metal piping and have associated
aesthetic problems such as metallic or source taste staining of laundry and characteristic blue green staining of
sinks and drains. In very acidic metals which are normally bound to organic matter and sediment, are released
into the water. Water with a pH more than 8.5 could indicate that the water is hard (Ameyibor and Wiredu, 1991).
Total hardness levels from the various sampling sites ranged from 120-280 mg/l which were much lower than
the WHO recommended levels for drinking water of 500 mg/l. Hardness of water does not pose a health risk but
can cause aesthetic problems. These problems include the formation of ‘scale’ or precipitation on piping and
fixtures causing water pressures and interior diameters of piping to decrease, causes alkali taste in water,
6. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol. 3, No.9, 2013
42
formation of scale or deposit on dishes, utensils and laundry basins, difficulty in getting soaps and detergents to
foam and formation of insoluble precipitates on clothing.
Sites such as (GY), (PS), (GH) and (KA) obtained high conductivity values. Both KA and GH obtained the same
value of 2120 µS/cm which exceeds the EPA limit. The conductivity results of the EPA in February 2002 were
lower than those obtained in table 4.1. This might be due to the increase of disposal of waste and other activities
along the rivers such car washing bays over recent years.
Table 1. Physicochemical parameters of water sampled from rivers Wiwi, Sisa, Oda and Subin
Parameter pH Conductivity
(µS/cm)
Temperature( °C) TDS (mg/l) TSS (mg/l) Alkalinity
(mg/l)
Total hardness
(mg/l) CaCO3
Magnesium
(mg/l)
Calcium
(mg/l)
Salinity
(mg/l)
GY 6.69 ± 0.01 1280 ± 9.8 28 ± 1.06 124 ± 7.4 16.0 ± 0.04 250± 5.75 270± 2.95 2.675± 0.14 20.0± 1.45 0.15± 0.02
BG 6.67 ± 0.03 240 ± 1.65 28 ± 0.90 10 ± 1.32 15.32± 0.70 140± 3.45 230± 1.98 0.685± 0.02 14.0± 0.66 0.09± 0.01
PS 7.50 ± 0.04 1220 ± 8.92 29 ± 1.2 100 ± 6.8 13.00± 0.08 150± 4.05 120 ± 3.76 0.899± 0.00 18.4± 1.11 0.13± 0.01
AS 6.83 ± 0.11 220 ± 3.65 29 ± 1.04 500 ±8.4 14.00 ±0.03 250± 1. 57 220 ± 1.35 0.851± 0.01 60.0± 4.35 0.45± 0.02
FC 6.89 ± 0.08 820 ±6.0 29 ± 0.98 900 ± 10.0 14.53± 0.09 800± 2.95 140 ± 2.25 0.958± 0.02 24.5± 1.37 0.72± 0.05
SB 6.81 ± 0.13 1060 ± 7.6 29 ± 0.70 1200±15.2 13.92 ±0.02 350± 3.15 160 ± 2.85 0.730± 0.03 40.0± 2.31 0.14± 0.02
GH 6.80± 0.34 2.201 ± 0.02 29 ± 0.021 1700± 11.5 14.42± 0.05 700± 2.35 280 ± 1.95 2.456± 0.17 31.2± 1.91 0.45± 0.04
KA 6.75 ±.0.02 2120 ± 18.1 29 ± 1.02 1800± 32.4 13.86± 0.04 200± 3.22 150 ± 3.05 0.899± 0.03 30.4± 2.25 0.29± 0.07
ES 7.20 ±.0.03 252 ±.2.32 28 ± 0.60 125 ± 2.10 10.00 ±0.03 400 ± 3.53 200 ± 4.33 1.459± 0.04 32.0± 3.16 0.12± 0.00
MDL 0.01 0.9 N/A 0.01 N/A 0.1 0.1 0.01 0.01 N/A
MCL 6.50-8.50 1500 30 1000 50.00 200 500 N/A 200 N/A
Abbreviations: b/d, below detection, N/A. not applicable; MDL, minimum detection limit, MCL, maximum
contamination limit.
Table 2. Mean levels anion in water sampled from rivers Wiwi, Sisa, Oda and Subin
Parameter Chloride Mg/l Fluoride Mg/l Sulphite Mg/l Sulphate
Mg/l l)
Nitrites Mg/l) Nitrates (mg/l) phosphates
(mg/l)
GY 15.35± 0.01 0.049 ± 0.00 0.07 ± 0.00 0.352± 0.05 25.58± 0.88 0.18 ± 0.001 6.4 ± 0.75
BG 0.11 ± 0.02 b/d b/d 5.2 ± 0.96
PS 23.39 ± 0.04 0.078 ± 0.00 0.09 ± 0.00 4.66± 0.12 b/d 0.028 ± 0.00 18 ± 1.42
AS 81.60 ± 0.11 39.14 ± 0.65 0.06 ± 0.00 22.93 ± 0.4 b/d 0.26 ± 0.003 5.2 ± 0.065
FC 125.57± 2.08 0.179 ± 0.09 0.08 ± 0.00 40.30± 0.54 b/d 0.18 ± 0.001 9.9 ± 0.087
SB 13.53 ± 0.13 0.143 ± 0.07 0.09 ± 0.01 4.12 ± 0.52 b/d 0.18 ± 0.001 15 ± 1.02
GH 73.41± 0.34 35.21 ± 0.02 0.11 ± 0.02 36.09± 0.91 b/d 0.22 ± 0.002 20 ± 1.23
KA 54.34 ±.0.22 0.083 ± 0.00 0.09 ± 0.02 7.79 ± 0.47 b/d 0.47 ± 0.0021 30 ± 1.53
ES 22.48 ± 0.03 0.078 ± 0.02 0.13 ± 0.02 6.93 ± 0.30 b/d b/d b/d
MCL 250 1.5 1.5 250 5.0 50 2.0
Abbreviations: b/d, below detection, MCL, maximum contamination limit.
Table 3. The mean levels of heavy metals in water sampled from rivers Wewe, Sisa, Oda, and Subin
Metal (ppm) Lead Copper Zinc Manganese Iron Cadmium Chromium Nickel
GY 6.620 ± 0.43 0.628 ± 0.03 1.211 ± 0.0021 2.454 ± 0.005 33.18 ± 1.332 0.145 ± 0.0032 0.10 ± 0.01 0.028 ± 0.020
BG 6.723 ± 0.35 0.123 ± 0.008 0.896 ± 0.0020 0.813 ± 0.00 26.43 ± 1.04 0.165 ± 0.0015 0.06 ± 0.00 0.008 ± 0.001
PS 6.730 ± 0.21 0.128 ± 0.02 0.452 ± 0.0024 2.667 ± 0.0043 26.58 ± 1.13 0.217 ± 0.0023 0.03 ± 0.00 0.007 ± 0.001
AS 6.523 ± 0.09 0.160 ± 0.007 0.368 ± 0.0017 0.726 ± 0.0018 14.81 ± 0.76 0.130 ± 0.0013 0.07 ± 0.01 0.002 ± 0.00
FC 6.975 ± 0.11 0.189 ± 0.011 1.211 ± 0.0032 1.666 ± 0.0011 29.08 ± 0.98 0.199 ± 0.007 0.08 ± 0.01 0.004 ± 0.001
SB 6.723 ± 0.15 0.113 ± 0.09 1.211 ± 0.005 2.782 ± 0.003 39.08 ± 1.03 0.156 ± 0.0011 0.05± 0.01 0.018 ± 0.003
GH 6.797 ± 0.34 2.201 ± 0.02 4.545 ± 0.0021 3.834 ± 0.014 44.81 ± 1.319 0.219 ± 0.017 0.05 ± 0.00 0.009± 0.002
KA 6.562 ± 0.39 2.258 ± 0.05 5.255 ± 0.0041 4.427 ± 0.020 45.65 ± 1.142 0.170 ± 0.0005 0.04 ± 0.01 0.006 ± 0.001
ES 3.20± 0.12 1.845± 0.51 1.11 ± 0.032 0.613 ± 0.00 11.92± 1.01 0.032± 0.002 0.03± 0.01 0.005± 0.00
MCL 0.1 1.0 5.00 0.10 1.0 0.005 2.0 0.50
Abbreviations: b/d, below detection, MCL, maximum contamination limit.
Table 4. The levels of total and fecal coliform in water sampled from rivers Wiwi, Sisa and Subin
Sample Total coliform MPN x 1010
/100 ml Fecal coliform (E-coli) MPN x 1010
/100 ml
GY 5.61 3.61
BG 4.34 2.34
PS 5.58 3.58
AS 5.62 3.62
FC 6.42 4.42
SB 6.79 4.79
GH 6.32 4.32
KA 6.15 4.15
ES 3.86 2.34
MDL 20 MPN 100 ml 20 MPN 100 ml
Apart from the presence of dissolved metals, agricultural runoff can also raise conductivity values in water
bodies. This accounted for the high levels obtained for GY, PS, GH and KA because of the presence of
phosphate and nitrate from the farms around.
7. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol. 3, No.9, 2013
43
The temperature readings were ranging from 28 and 29 °C. The ranges of 26.2 and 30.6 °C of EPA 2002 report
were due to the fact that temperatures were taken on sites therefore the disparity. All plant and animal species
that live in water are adapted to temperatures within a certain range. It controls the rate of metabolic and
reproductive activities. The metabolic rate of fish and aquatic organisms also increases with increasing water
temperatures, and additional oxygen is required for respiration. Thermal pollution may even be caused by the
removal of trees and vegetation, which normally shade the water body.
However the values obtained for rivers Sisa and Subin are greater than the accepted EPA limit of 500mg/l. due
to the increase of deposition of waste the TDS values of the EPA report was lesser compared to these.
Suspended solids absorb heat from sunlight, which increases water temperature and subsequently decreases
levels of dissolved oxygen. Photosynthesis also decreases, since less light penetrates the water.
The nitrates levels obtained and that of the data of the EPA (February 2002) did not exceed the EPA limit of 1.0
mg/l, they were less than 1.0 mg/l. Common sources of nitrate include fertilizers manure, animal feedlots,
municipal waste water and sludge, septic systems and nitrogen fixation from atmosphere by legumes, bacteria
and lightning. The result for (PS) was 0.028 mg/l which is unexpectedly low. This is because the sample was
taken from river Wewe where the site is found along vegetable farms where supposedly fertilizers are used
which happens to be one of the main sources of nitrates. Although there was a transmittance reading for BG)-
KNUST Botanic Gardens it was too low to be detected. (GY), (FC) and (SB) recorded the same value of
0.18mg/l. These may be due to application of fertilizers on vegetable farms in the case of (GY). This area has the
largest urban vegetable farming sites. For FC and SB humans and animals excrete into the river (River Sisa) and
nearby houses have the septic tanks leading into the river. There is a faecal treatment plant in Kaase where the
Sisa enters the Oda River, this also accounts for the high concentration for KA. However, the concentrations of
nitrates increase from river Wiwi to river Subin and this corresponds to the level of waste in the rivers.
The amount of Chloride found in the test samples ranged from 15.345 to 125 mg/l which were far below the
WHO value of 250 mg/l and hence does not pose any immediate health risk to consumers. Chlorides enters
surface and groundwater from both anthropogenic and natural sources such as run-off from human habitations,
discharges of waste waters into water bodies, fertilizer applications, septic tank effluents etc. (Gupta 1999).
Chloride toxicity has not been observed in humans except in the special case of impaired sodium chloride
metabolism as reported in congestive heart failure (Gupta 1999). In portable water, the salty taste is produced by
the chloride concentrations and its variable and dependence on the chemical composition (Putz 2003).
Fluorides may be discharged as by product from fertilizer and aluminium factories and it can enter ground water
bedrock wells to create greater risk for high levels of fluoride. Flouride levels were generally low ranging
between 0.049-39.140 mg/l. The levels obtained from GY, BG, PS, FC, SB, KA, and ES were far below the
WHO level of 1.5mg/l. However the levels at AS and GH recorded values far greater than the WHO
recommended value. WHO (2004) asserts that, fluoride in drinking water occur naturally and can be released
from phosphate containing rocks which contains 4 % fluoride. Levels of fluoride up to 10 mg/l results in dental
flourosis while concentration below 0,1 mg/l leads to dental decay (Edmunds and Smedely 1996).
Nitrite in water is either due to oxidation of ammonium compounds or due to reduction of nitrate. The presence
of nitrite indicates that, the organic matter present in water is not fully oxidized. The amount of nitrite in portable
water should be nil. All the samples taken were below detection limit except GY which gave a value of 25.58
mg/l. The general absence of nitrites indicate that the organic matter present in almost all the water bodies were
fully oxidized and longer harmful. (APHA 1992)
The levels of phosphate are in appreciable amounts; (BG) and (AS) recorded the lowest of 5.2 mg/l because
there is less activity along both rivers and KA recorded the highest of 30 mg/l and is due to deposition of sewage
from around the vicinity and the rest for the other river such as rivers Sisa, Wewe etc the joins River subin at
Kaase. Phosphate levels give a measure of both inorganic and organic forms of phosphorus. Phosphates are not
toxic to human beings or animals unless present in very high concentrations. Digestive problems occur from
extremely high levels of phosphates (Oram, 2011). Comparatively, the EPA February 2002 recorded high values
such as 36 mg/l and 55mg/l for river Subin for Kaase and Asafo sites respectively. Rivers Sisa and Wiwi
recorded the same levels of 31mg/l. The disparity in the values might be due to the location of the sampling sites.
The primary sources of phosphates to surface water are detergents, fertilizers, and natural mineral deposits.
The sulphate levels in all the water bodies was in the range of 0.352-51.084 mg/l which is far below the WHO
recommended value of 260 mg/l. Sulphate ion occurs naturally in most water supplies and is reduced to sulphide,
which in turn combine with hydrogen to form hydrogen sulphide which has a characteristic rotten-egg odour
(Spellman 2003; Liu 1999). According to WHO (2004), sulphate in drinking water has a laxative effect which is
mostly manifested in concentrations between 1000 and 1200 mg/l.
The concentrations obtained for all the samples were very high and they exceeded the EPA limit of 0.005 mg/l.
GH of river Subin recorded the highest concentration of 0.219 mg/l and least was 0.145 mg/l of river Wiwi (GY).
However the experiment carried out by the EPA in 2002 did not detect any amount of cadmium.
8. Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol. 3, No.9, 2013
44
The cadmium emissions are likely from fertilizer application, galvanized pipe corrosion; natural deposits and
sewage sludge disposal which have increase in recent years. Acute and chronic exposure to cadmium in animals
and humans results in kidney dysfunction, hypertension, anemia, and liver damage. The kidney is considered to
be the critical target organ in humans chronically exposed to cadmium by ingestion. Therefore the rivers are
unsuitable for irrigation as well as consumption. The concentrations obtained ranges from 0.113 to 2.258 mg/l of
(SB) and (KA). The EPA limit for natural water is 1.3 mg/l and so that concentrations obtained are very high not
ideal for natural water.
Copper is often used to plumb residential and commercial structures that are connected to water distribution
systems. Copper contaminating drinking water as a corrosion by -product occurs as the result of the corrosion of
copper pipes that remain in contact with water for a prolonged period. Copper is an essential nutrient, but at high
doses it has been shown to cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver and kidney damage, and anemia.
Lead is used in enormous quantities in storage batteries and bearing metals hence accounts for the levels of sites
(KA), (GH) and (FC) located near car washing bays. The levels of lead ranges from 6.562 and 6.975 mg/L from
the results obtained. The most commonly found materials include service lines, pipes, brass and bronze fixtures,
and solders and fluxes. Some of the waste deposited in the rivers includes these materials. Lead in these
materials can contaminate drinking water as a result of the corrosion that takes place when water comes into
contact with those materials. Lead can cause a variety of adverse health effects in humans. At relatively low
levels of exposure, these effects may include interference in red blood cell chemistry, delays in normal physical
and mental development in babies and young children, slight deficits in the attention span, hearing, and learning
abilities of children, and slight increases in blood pressure of some adults making the rivers unsuitable for both
domestic and irrigation purposes. .
Zinc is recommended nutrient for both plants and animals and the EPA limit allowed in drinking water is 5.0
mg/l. Samples taken from rivers Wiwi and Sisa were less than 2.0 mg/l. however, samples GH and KA recorded
concentrations of 4.545 mg/l and 5.255 mg/l respectively. Zinc is found in some natural waters, most frequently
in areas where it is mined. It is not considered detrimental to health unless it occurs in very high concentrations.
It imparts an undesirable taste to drinking water. The accumulation of the waste in the river Subin accounts for
the higher levels since there is no mining site in the Kumasi metropolis. From the results obtained, iron was
abundant heavy metal with concentrations ranging from 14.81 mg/l for AS and 45.65 mg/l for KA. Iron is known
to be one of the most abundant metals on earth. It is soft, malleable, and ductile and easily magnetized at
ordinary temperatures due to these properties widely used and prefers for most metal works at 1.0 mg/l a
substantial number of people will note the bitter astringent taste of iron. Also at this concentration, it imparts a
brownish color to laundered clothing and stains plumbing fixtures with a characteristic rust color. Commercially
pure iron is used for the production of galvanized sheet metal and of electromagnets.
From the February, 2002 EPA report the concentration levels of Zn, Mn and Cu were below 1.0 mg/l. However
the levels of Mn exceeded the permissible EPA limit of 0.05 mg/l. The increase in concentrations may be due the
increase in the source of polluted materials in the rivers over the past five years.
The EPA MCL of 0.05 mg/l was set to prevent aesthetic and economic damage. Concentrations may cause a
dark brown or black stain on porcelain plumbing fixtures. As with iron, manganese may form a coating on
distribution pipes. These may slough off, causing brown blotches on laundered clothing or black particles in the
water. The results of the concentration levels exceeded the EPA MCL because the least was 0.726 mg/l for AS
and 4.427 for KA.
4. Conclusions
The study indicated that the results obtained for pH, temperature, conductivity and the nutrients- nitrates and
phosphates were within the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). The amount of total solids was
environmentally unfriendly and hence corresponded to the high concentrations of the heavy metals. The most
predominant metal present were iron and the least being cadmium. All the metals determined (Pb, Fe. Mn, Cd,
Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn) exceeded the EPA MCL with the exception of zinc where only one of sample exceeded the
MCL. Therefore, from the results obtained and their discussions give the indication that the rivers are heavily
polluted and not suitable for either domestic use and irrigation purposes or aquatic life.
Acknowledgement
The authors are grateful to the National Council for tertiary Education (NTCE), Ghana for a research grant under
the Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund (TALIF-KNUSTS/3/005/2005). We are also grateful to the
Department of Chemistry and the Department of Theoretical and applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University
of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi for the use of their facilities for this work.
10. This academic article was published by The International Institute for Science,
Technology and Education (IISTE). The IISTE is a pioneer in the Open Access
Publishing service based in the U.S. and Europe. The aim of the institute is
Accelerating Global Knowledge Sharing.
More information about the publisher can be found in the IISTE’s homepage:
http://www.iiste.org
CALL FOR JOURNAL PAPERS
The IISTE is currently hosting more than 30 peer-reviewed academic journals and
collaborating with academic institutions around the world. There’s no deadline for
submission. Prospective authors of IISTE journals can find the submission
instruction on the following page: http://www.iiste.org/journals/ The IISTE
editorial team promises to the review and publish all the qualified submissions in a
fast manner. All the journals articles are available online to the readers all over the
world without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those inseparable from
gaining access to the internet itself. Printed version of the journals is also available
upon request of readers and authors.
MORE RESOURCES
Book publication information: http://www.iiste.org/book/
Recent conferences: http://www.iiste.org/conference/
IISTE Knowledge Sharing Partners
EBSCO, Index Copernicus, Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, JournalTOCS, PKP Open
Archives Harvester, Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, Elektronische
Zeitschriftenbibliothek EZB, Open J-Gate, OCLC WorldCat, Universe Digtial
Library , NewJour, Google Scholar