(OVERVIEW) PROJECTS AND ROLES PLAYED BY CSIR-WATER

RESEARCH INSTITUTE ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

DIVISION (ECD)

By

DR OSMUND D. ANSA-ASARE,

PRINCIPAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST,

HEAD, ENVIRONMETAL CHEMISTRY DIVISION

CSIR WATER RESEARCH INSTITUTE. 17th July 2014

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Spring/Rain Water

Borehole

Well

Tanker Supply

Pipe-Borne (Outside)

Pipe-Borne (Inside)

Households by Main Source of Drinking Water and Region (%) (Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2010)

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• CSIR-WRI-ECD – MANDATE• FUNCTIONS• ECD LABORATORY• SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT• LABORATORY SERVICES• DIVISIONAL PROJECTS• PUBLICATIONS• CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CSIR Water Research Institute is one of the 13 Institutes of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

It was formed in 1996 from a merger of the erstwhile Institute of Aquatic Biology and Water Resources Research Institute, both of the CSIR.

CSIR WATER RESEARCH INSTITUTE

MANDATE

To research into water and related resources to generate and provide information, strategies and services on water quality.

To manage Ghana’s water resources through water quality assessments towards the rational development, utilization and in support of socio-economic advancement.

DIVISIONS OF CSIR-WRI•ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY•ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY & HEALTH•GROUNDWATER•FISHERY•SURFACE WATER•COMMERCIALISATION & INFORMATION•ADMINISTRATION•FINANCE

ECD is one of the 5 Technical Divisions of Water Research Institute (WRI) with the following functions:

Generation, processing and dissemination of water and wastewater quality information to end users.

Undertakes environmental baseline studies. Provision of laboratory analytical services for drinking

water producers, industries, fish farmers, hotels, individuals, etc.

Monitor pollution in inland, coastal and marine waters and recommend pollution control strategies

Environmental Impact Assessments Undertakes analysis in PAHs, Pesticides and PCBs from

Cocoa and vegetable growing areas

FUNCTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY DIVISION (ECD)

FUNCTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY DIVISION (ECD) (Cont.)

Assist students from Universities and Polytechnics in analyzing their samples for their Project works.

Collaborates with MDAs and other Research Organization in undertaking studies.

The only laboratory that carries out analysis for certification of drinking water quality for sachet and bottled water in Ghana.

Currently, we are about to analyze for POPs in vegetables, fruits ( for non-traditional exports)

Undertakes contract research in the areas of water quality and pollution management.

Finally, undertakes research into the use of pesticides in urban agriculture.

STAFF-ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY DIVISION

• Nine (9) Research Officers• Nineteen (19) Technical OfficersThree (3) Technologists and Sixteen (16) Technical

Officers; ECD HAS FOUR MAIN LABORATORIES:a. Potable Laboratoryb. Metal Laboratoryc. Organic Laboratoryd. Waste Water Laboratory

SPECIALISED EQUIPMENTATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETERS (AAS) (THERMO AND VARIAN/AGILENT)ION CHROMATOGRAPH (DIONEX)CARBON/SULPHUR ANALYSERGAS CHROMATOGRAPH (GC)-µECD/FIDGAS CHROMATOGRAPH/MASS SPECTROMETER GC/MS)UV SPECTROPHOTOMETERFLAME PHOTOMETER (2)

EQUIPMENT

GC-MS GC attached to PC & printer

GC-µECD/FID

Mineral Oil Analysis

EQUIPMENT

UV/Visible Spectrophotometer

EQUIPMENT

AAS Flame Photometer

EQUIPMENT

Ion Chromatograph Carbon/Sulfur Analyser

SEDIMENT LABORATORY

POTABLE LABORATORY

WASTEWATER LABORATORY

LABORATORY SERVICES

General Water Analysis

pH Potassium Orthophosphate

Conductivity Nutrients Colour

TDS Calcium Ammonia

TSS Magnesium Temperature

Turbididy Chloride Chlorine

DO Nitrate &Nitrite, Oil & Grease

BOD Sulphate & Silica Total Phosphorus

Total Hardness Chlorophyll-a Others

Sodium Fluoride

LABORATORY SERVICES

Metals(Dissolve &Total)

Organic Analysis

Bacteriological Analysis:

Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pd, Hg, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, Co, B, Sr, Be, Ba, Sn, Sb, Se, Mo, V, Si, Ag, Au, Al.

TPH,PAHs,PCBs,Pesticides

Total Coliform, Faecal coliform, Total Heterotrophic Bacteria, Staphylococcus spp, Enterococcus spp, Pseudomonas aerogenosa

1. Assessment of human health risk associated with informal recycling of e-waste at Agbogbloshie scrap yard - Accra, Ghana.

Researchers: Dr. Osmund D. Ansa–Asare (Project Coordinator), Mr. Samuel Obiri (Principal Investigator)Ms. Saada Mohammed (Co – Investigator).Technical staff: Serapis Asiedu Appiah, Daniel Amoah &

Michael Dorleku

DIVISIONAL PROJECTS – Saada Mohammed, Obiri Samuel and Ansa-Asare D. Osmund

2. Phytoremediation of toxic chemicals from contaminated mine lands in Ghana.

Project Team: Dr. Osmund D, Ansa-Asare, Mr. Samuel Obiri, Ms. Saada Mohammed and Mr. Michael Dorleku.

3. Determination of Bisphenol A and other toxic contaminants in bottled water in Ghana.

Project Team: Dr. Osmund D. Ansa-Asare, Mr. Samuel Obiri, Ms. Saada Mohammed and Ms. Grace A. Dartey.

4. Pesticides residue analysisi of vegetables from selected markets in Greater Accra Region, Ghana,

Project Team: Dr. Osmund D. Ansa-Asare, Ms. Saada Mohammed and Ms. Grace A. Dartey.

 5. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in irrigated soils

and some selected irrigated Vegetables.Researchers: Dr. Osmund D. Ansa–Asare (Project Coordinator)Ms. Saada Mohammed (Principal Investigator) Technical staff: Ms. Grace Dartey,

6. Suitability of the Nima Creek for Urban Agriculture.

Project Team: Dr. Isaac O. A. Hodgson, Ms. Saada Mohammed and Mr. Serapis Appiah Asiedu.

7. Environmental Quality Monitoring- Assessment of surface, ground, sediment and pond water quality at AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Ltd., Obuasi mine.

  START DATE: March, 2014 ESTIMATED DURATION: One year SPONSORS: AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Ltd.   PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Kwadwo Ansong

Asante PARTICIPATING SCIENTISTS: Mr. A. Y. Karikari, Mr.

Mark Akrong, Dr. O. D. Ansa-Asare

9. Industrial Wastewater Studies 

Project Team: Dr. I.O.A HodgsonHumphrey Darko, A.Y.Karikari, Dr. Ansa-Asare, Daniel Amoah, Martha Agyemang (Mrs.), Esther Sowah (Begun in 2007) 10. Independent Investigation of Drinking Water Quality in Various Districts for the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) 

Project Team: Humphrey Darko, Mark Akrong, Dr. Ansa-Asare., A.Y. Karikari. Murijinatu Abdul-Hamid, Jude Quansah (Begun in 2012)

11. Physico-chemical assessment of raw and treated water for the 3-District Water Supply Project in the Dangme East, Dangme West and North Tongu Districts.

 Project Team: Humphrey Darko Dr. Ansa-Asare, Dr. I. O. A Hodgson, Dr. K. A. Asante, Dr,

J.A. Ampofo ( Director), Murijinatu Abdul-Hamid, Michael Afram, Mohammed Bello

(Begun in 2008)   12. Water Quality Studies of the Weija Dam.

 Project Team: Humphrey Darko, Dr. Ansa-Asare Murijinatu Abdul-Hamid Michael Afram (Begun in 2012)

13. Water Quality Monitoring and Capacity Building Programme : Water Quality Assessment of the Southwestern, Coastal and Volta Rivers Systems

Project Team: Humphrey Darko, Dr.Ansa-Asare, Victor Mantey.

 14. Assessment of Effluent Quality for Pioneer Food Cannery Limited, Tema

Project Team: Humphrey Darko, Dr.Ansa-Asare, Daniel Amoah

15. Assessment of Effluent Quality for GIHOC Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Accra

Project Team: Humphrey Darko, Dr.Ansa-Asare, Daniel Amoah and Serapis Asiedu-Appiah

16. Potable Water Quality Assessment for Pioneer Food Cannery Limited, Tema

Project Team: Humphrey Darko, Dr.Ansa-Asare, Jude Quansah, Michael Afram.

17. Independent Investigation of Drinking Water Quality in various Districts for the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) – To be Presentated

  Project Team: Humphrey Darko, Mark Akrong, Dr. Ansa-Asare, Murijinatu Abdul- Hamid, Jude Quansah, Hawa Ahmed.

 

18. A plan for sustainable cage aquaculture in Lake Volta

Team Members: Ruby Asmah (Ghana Principal Investigator),Anthony Y. Karikari, Dr. J. K. Ofori, Dr. Hederick Dankwa, Dr. Osmund Ansa-Asare

19. Climate Change Effects on Volta Lake Resources Team Members: Dr. Ruby Asmah (Coordinator), Dr.

Hederick Dankwa, Dr. Emmanuel Obuobie, Ms Deborah Ofori, Mr. Emmanuel T, Mensah-Doku.

20. Newmont Apensu Pit Monitoring Project Team: Dr. Ruby Asmah (Project Coordinator), Dr.

K Asante, Dr. Felix Akpabey

21. Newmont Golden Ridge Ecological study Project Team: Dr. Ruby Asmah (Project Coordinator), Dr.

Kwadwo A. Asante, Mr. Theodore Quarcoopome, Dr. Mike Osei Atweneboana, Dr. Felix Akpabey, Dr. Gloria Addico, Dr. Ebenezer Ansa.

22. Newmont Ecological study(Final report is being reviewed by Client) Project Team: Dr. Ruby Asmah (Project Coordinator), Dr.

Hederick Dankwa, Mr. Mark Akrong, Dr. Alex Opoku, Dr. Felix Akpabey, Mr. George Mensah

23. Thesis Project: Collins Tay

Title: Origin of major dissolved ions in groundwater within the Lower Pra Basin using groundwater geochemistry, major ions relationship and stable isotopes of O18 and H2

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Ministry of Water Resources and Works and Housing

(MWRWH) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) Ministry of Trade and Industries (MoTI) Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development

(MoFAD) Water Resources Commission (WRC) Government Universities Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA)

LIST OF CLIENTELES

COMPANIES/COMMUNITIES/INDIVIDUALS Private industries Mining companies Communities Private individuals

DONORS/FOREIGN ENTITIES DANIDA EU CIDA OPCW DFID

LIST OF CLIENTELES CONT’D

1. Karikari, A. Y. (2013). Systematic implementation and maintenance of a quality system in environmental laboratories. Basic Res. J. Soil Environ. Sci. Vol. 2 (3): 31-37. CSIR/WRI/RJP/AYK/2013/3

2. Karikari, A. Y., Akpabey, F. and Abban, E.K. (2013). Assessment of water quality and primary productivity characteristics of Volta Lake in Ghana. Academia Journal of Environmental Sciences 1(5): 088-103. CSIR/WRI/RJP/AYK/2013/2

3. Karikari, A. Y. and Ampofo, J. A. (2013). Chlorine treatment effectiveness and physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of treated water supplies in distribution networks of Accra-Tema Metropolis, Ghana. Appl Water Sci 3: 535-543. CSIR/WRI/RJP/AYK/2013/1

4. Amoako, J., Karikari, A. Y. and Ansa-Asare, O. D. (2011). Physico-chemical quality of boreholes in Densu Basin of Ghana. Appl Water Sci. 1: 41-48. CSIR/WRI/RJP/JA/2011/1

 

Publications from 2011 to date:- 26

5. Asmah R. and Biney C. A. (2014) Distribution of heavy metals in tissues of tuna from Ghana. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science. Inyernational Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies. 1(6) 82-86.

6. Asmah R., Karikari A. Y., Ofori J. K., Abban E.K. and Awity L.A.K. (2014) Cage Fish Farming in Lake Volta: Practices and Potential Environmental Impacts. Ghana Journal of Science, Vol 54. In press.

7. Asmah, R. (2013). Aquaculture Site Selection and Carrying Capacity Estimates for Inland and Coastal Water bodies in West Africa. In: Ross, L.G., Telfer, T.C., Soto, D. And Aguilar-Manjarrez, J.A. (Eds). 2013. Site selection and carrying capacities for inland and coastal aquaculture. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Proceedings 21. Pp 197-206. FAO, Rome.

8. Asmah R., Muir J.F. and Ross L. G. (2013) Development Potential of fish farming in Ghana. In Meaden, G.J. & Aguilar-Manjarrez, J., eds. 2013. Advances in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing for Fisheries and Aquaculture. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 552. Rome, FAO. 98 pp. Includes a CD-ROM containing the full document (425 pp)

9. Asmah R. and Biney C. A. (2014) Distribution of heavy metals in tissues of tuna from Ghana. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science. Inyernational Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies. 1(6) 82-86.

10. Asmah R., Karikari A. Y., Ofori J. K., Abban E.K. and Awity L.A.K. (2014) Cage Fish Farming in Lake Volta: Practices and Potential Environmental Impacts. Ghana Journal of Science, Vol 54. In press.

11. Tay, C., and Biney, C.A (2012). Levels and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in selected irrigated urban agricultural soils in Accra, Ghana. Environmental Earth Sciences, Number 6, Vol. 68: 1773-1782

12. Tay, C. (2012). Hydrochemistry of groundwater in the Savelugu- Nanton District, Northern Ghana. Environmental Earth Sciences, Number 7, Vol. 67:2077-208.

13. Tay, C.K., Kortatsi, B., Hayford, E., and Hodgson I. ( 2013). Origin of Major Dissolved Ions in Groundwater within the Lower Pra Basin Using Groundwater Geochemistry, Source-Rock Deduction and Stable Isotopes of H2 and O18. Environmental Earth Science, DOI 10.007/S 12665-0132-Z. ISSN 1866-6280.

14. Itai, T., Otsuka, M., Asante, K. A., Muto, M., Opoku-Ankomah, Y., Ansa-Asare, O. D. and Tanabe, S. (2014)- Variation and distribution of metals and metalloids in soil/ash mixtures from Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site in Accra, Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 470-471, 707-716.

 15. Gioia, R., Akindele, A. J., Adebusoye, S. A., Asante, K. A., Tanabe, S., Buekens, A.

and Sasco, A. (2014)- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Africa: a review of environmental levels. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21, 6278-6289 pp.

 16. Asante, K. A., Takahashi, S., Itai, T., Isobe, T., Devanathan, G., Muto, M., Agyakwah,

S. K., Adu-Kumi, S., Subramanian, A. and Tanabe, S. (2013)- Occurrence of halogenated contaminants in inland and coastal fish from Ghana: Levels, dietary exposure assessment and human health implications. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 94, 123-130 pp.

 17. Asante, K. A., Agusa, T., Biney, C. A., Agyekum, W. A., Bello, M., Otsuka, M., Itai,

T., Takahashi, S. and Tanabe, S. (2012)- Multi-trace element levels and arsenic speciation in urine of e-waste recycling workers from Agbogbloshie, Accra in Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 424, 63-73 pp.

18. Asante, K. A., Adu-Kumi, S., Nakahiro, K., Takahashi, S., Isobe, T., Sudaryanto, A., Devanathan, G., Clarke, E., Ansa-Asare, O.D., Dapaah-Siakwan, S. and Tanabe, S. (2011)- Human exposure to PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDs in Ghana: temporal variation, sources of exposure and estimation of daily intakes by infants. Environment International, 37, 921-928 pp.

19. Ansa – Asare, O. D., Darko, H. F. and Obiri, S. (2014): Assessment of Carcinogenic Risk and Non–Carcinogenic Health Hazard from Exposure to Toxicants in Water from the Southwestern Coastal River System in Ghana (Accepted for Publication). Journal of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment.

20. Hodgson, I. O. A., Obiri, S., Cobbina, S. J. and Quarcoo, G. (2014): Multivariate statistical techniques for assessing the geochemical processes influencing groundwater quality in the Ho Municipality, Ghana. (Accepted for Publication). Journal of Environmental Statistics

21. Obiri, S., Ansa – Asare, O. D., M.ohammed, S., Darko, H. F. and Dartey, A.G. (2014) Human health risk assessment of informal e- waste workers from expose to toxicants in soil and bottom ash deposits from opening of e – waste at Agbogbloshie scrap yard, Ghana. (In Press). Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

22. Mohammed. S., Ansa – Asare, O. D. and Dartey, A. G. (2014): Pesticide residue in vegetables from selected markets in Accra, Ghana. (In Press). Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

23. Darko, H.F., Ansa-Asare, O., Paintsil, A., 2013. A Number Description of Ghanaian Water Quality—A Case Study of the Southwestern and Coastal Rivers Systems of Ghana. Journal of Environmental Protection, 2013, 4, 1318-1327.

24. Ansa-Asare, O.D., Darko, H.F., (2013). Assessment of carcinogenic and non – carcinogenic health risk from exposure to heavy metals via oral ingestion of water from Southernwestern River Systems in Ghana (In press, Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology)

25. Ansa-Asare, O.D. and Gordon, C. (2012) Water Quality Assessment of Densu, Birim and Ayensu Rivers in the Okyeman Area. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, Vol. 20 (3), Pp 53-64. CSIR/WRI/RJP/ODA/2012/1.

26. Gordon, C., Linstead, C., Moss, B., Ansa-Asare, O.D., Annang, T., Leah, R., Kyeremateng, R. Owusu, E.H. Maltby, E., Bissaw, M. and Ampomah, B. (2012) Tool kits for the Sustainable Management of Ghana’s Riverine Biodiversity: an Overview. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, Vol. 20 (3) Pp 1-33. CSIR/WRI/RJP/CG/2012/1.

The CSIR-WRI Laboratory undertakes analyses of pesticides, PAHs and Petroleum Hydrocarbons from all Projects on cost recovery basis. Trace Metals can also be analysed in our laboratory.

The CSIR-WRI ECD helps in sourcing funds from various agencies in the analysis process. Donor agencies like OPCW, DANIDA, CIDA, DFID and Other Mining Companies.

ECD Laboratory trains scientist on their specialized water analysis.

The CSIR-WRI is resolved and committed to sustain the inter-laboratory calibration undertaken at both NIVA and IAEA to ensure sustainable quality assurance in our laboratories.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the Organic & Physico-Chemical Laboratory of CSIR-WRI-ECD would like to be accredited in terms of organic (Pesticides, PAHs, TPH and PCBs) Physico-Chemical analysis – we need funds for that!

National or Regional Laboratory for both Physico-Chemical and Organic Analysis should be put up at CSIR-WRI (We have the space and the land).

Further training will be needed in setting up the calibration curves for pesticides, PAHs and PCBs. Further training on the GC-MS will be needed in order to put the instrument to its maximum use.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Training will be needed for all new ECD staff in the laboratory on our QA/QC to ensure continuity and sustainability.

Additional Technical Staff will be needed immediately in the laboratories to help meet the demands.

We would like to recommend a notice board in the reception for the display of our publications.

THANK YOU – “ASOMDWEE” PARK