Nutrient chemistry of the Densu River in Ghana

J. R. Fianko (), S. T. Lowor, A. Donkor and P. O. Yeboah
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J. R. Fianko: NNRI/GAEC
S. T. Lowor: Cocoa Research Institute
A. Donkor: University of Ghana
P. O. Yeboah: University of Ghana

Environment Systems and Decisions, 2010, vol. 30, issue 2, 145-152

Abstract: Abstract The impact of anthropogenic activities on the fluctuation of nutrients along the Densu River and its tributaries was studied. High concentrations of nutrients were observed in the study area but the river was found to be circumneutral and fresh with pH ranging between 6.54 and 7.84. The levels of NH4 +–N ranged between 0.21 and 2.1 mg L−1 with mean concentration of 1.19 ± 0.02 mg L−1 while that of nitrate is between 0.13 and 5.21 mg L−1 with a mean concentration of 2.07 ± 0.01 mg L−1. The levels of PO4 3−–P fluctuated within the range 0.54 and 1.04 mg L−1 with a mean of 0.84 ± 0.01 mg L−1. The Densu River Basin was also found to be with organic matter with depleted dissolved oxygen. The river recorded high BOD values ranging from 6.91 to 18.8 mg L−1. Concentration of nutrients and organic pollutants increased as a consequence of anthropogenic inputs particularly from domestic, agricultural and municipal sources. The highly impaired sites were those located close to the urbanized, agricultural and high-density residential areas. The relatively high concentration of nitrate and phosphate in the river indicated that it was quite eutrophic.

Keywords: Densu River; Eutrophication; Anthropogenic activity; Pollution; Nutrient; Ghana (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1007/s10669-010-9254-0

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