Spatial mapping and modelling of heavy metals and xenobiotics in - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana Spatial mapping and modelling of heavy metals and xenobiotics in Ghana Lily Lisa Yevugah Geomatic Engineering Department A PhD Student on the SHEATHE Project 1

Introduction • Heavy metals are rated amongst the most dangerous groups of environmental pollutants. Examples: Hg, Cd,Cr,Cu,Pb,Mg,Ni,Sn,Zn,As,Sb • Two major contributors to environmental pollution. – Industrialization – Urbanization • Two major sources of heavy metals – Artisanal Small Scale Mining (ASM) and – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). www.knust.edu.gh 2

Introduction • About 650 – 1000 tons of mercury is released yearly into the atmosphere (UNEP, 2013). • About 20 - 50 million tons of e-waste is generated yearly (UNEP, 2005) of which Ghana is one of the destination sites for its recycling. • Ghana receives about 215,000 tons e-waste (Amoyaw Osei et al., 2011). www.knust.edu.gh 3

Agbogbloshie E- waste site www.knust.edu.gh 4

Galamsey Site at Manso www.knust.edu.gh 5

Problem Statement • The ASM and WEEE contributes to heavy metals and xenobiotics in the environment. • Heavy metals are non degradable and they pose serious health risk to exposed individuals and plants. • Some works have been done in assessing the extent of contamination in the environment but no work has been done to cover the entire country. www.knust.edu.gh 6

Aim • The aim of this research is to measure and determine the dispersal of heavy metals and xenobiotics in Ghana. – Soil and Air www.knust.edu.gh 7

Objectives • To measure and analyze concentration of heavy metals in the soil and air. • To measure and analyze concentration of xenobiotics in the soil and air. • To determine Land Use Land Cover Change (LULCC) map of Ghana (1987 – 2017). • To determine the spatial distribution of heavy metals and xenobiotics. • To set up models of dispersal of contaminants in the soil and air. www.knust.edu.gh 8

Knowledge Gap • To provide a background information on the extent of contamination in soil and air for the entire country for future works. • To provide new knowledge on dispersal and effect of heavy metals and xenobiotics substances in the soil and air. www.knust.edu.gh 9

Study Area www.knust.edu.gh 10

Expected Output www.knust.edu.gh 11

Materials Equipment Software • ArcGIS Suite • Lumex Mercury Analyzer • Google Earth • UAV (Drone): Sabre HL48 Skyhorse • Google Earth Engine • GPS Receiver • GLEMOS • Passive Samplers • IDMM • Nixon XRF Analyzer www.knust.edu.gh 12

Equipment and Method Lumex Mercury Analyzer Sabre HL48 Skyhorse www.knust.edu.gh 13

Equipment and Method www.knust.edu.gh 14

Equipment and Method Mercury Analyzer GFAAS Passive Air Sampler XRF McLagan et al, 2016 www.knust.edu.gh 15

Expected Output www.knust.edu.gh 16

Land Use Land Cover Change (LULCC) 1987 1987- 1997 1997 1997-2007 2007 2007-2017 2017 www.knust.edu.gh 17

Models Soil Air IDMM GLEMOS MODEL AND MODEL AND SIMULATION SIMULATION www.knust.edu.gh 18

Expected Outcome • Background concentration of heavy metals and xenobiotic in Ghana. • Spatial distribution of heavy metals and xenobiotics. • LULCC of Ghana. • Models on contamination of heavy metals and xenobiotics. www.knust.edu.gh 19

Thank You! www.knust.edu.gh 20

Resources Available • KNUST Library • KNUST Central laboratories • Chemistry Department, KNUST • Aarhus University- Denmark • Geomatic Engineering Department, KNUST www.knust.edu.gh 21