Title: Biomonitoring in the forest zone of Ghana: the primary results obtained using neutron activation analysis and lichens

Authors: B.J.B. Nyarko, S.B. Dampare, Yaw Serfor-Armah, S. Osae, D. Adotey, D. Adomako

Addresses: Nuclear Engineering Department, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon-Accra, Ghana. ' Nuclear Engineering Department, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon Accra, Ghana. ' Chemistry Department, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon-Accra, Ghana. ' Chemistry Department, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon-Accra, Ghana. ' Chemistry Department, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon-Accra, Ghana. ' Physics Department, National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon-Accra, Ghana.

Abstract: The first heavy metal deposition survey using biological indicators in the forest belt of Ghana was carried out in the year 2002–2003. The selected sampling areas included two mining centres, industrial areas and farming communities. Levels of ten chemical elements namely, Al, As, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn, Sb, Th, Ti and V present in the lichens at high concentrations that are suspected to be resulting from anthropogenic activities were reported in these areas. The result shows that, the farming communities are relatively clean with the gold mining areas being the most polluted areas with respect to As, Sb and Cr. The industrial areas were found to be relatively polluted with Al, Fe and Ti.

Keywords: biomonitoring; heavy metals; forest zone; neutron activation analysis; NAA; lichen; atmospheric pollution; anthropogenic; Ghana; biomonitors; farming; mining; environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.018410

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.32 No.4, pp.467 - 476

Published online: 21 May 2008 *

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