Pollution fingerprinting of two southwestern estuaries in Ghana

The present study assessed the pollution fingerprints of two estuaries (Pra and Ankobra) in the Southwestern region of Ghana. Contaminations of sediments in the two estuaries were evaluated for particle size distribution, total organic matter, microplastics, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphorous, and metals. The results revealed the mean concentration of microplastics particles in Pra as follows: fibre (14.22 ± 4.99); sheet (24.44 ± 13.21); fragment (38.00 ± 25.47); bead (4.22 ± 4.84); and in Ankobra as follows: fibre (13.00 ± 7.56); sheet (20.60 ± 12.59); fragment (8.70 ± 11.22); bead (3.30 ± 4.14). Metal concentrations were in the order Fe > As > Zn > Cu > Pb; concentrations of Cd and Hg were below the detection limit. Pb, Cu, and Zn were within Interim Marine Sediment Quality Guidelines except for Fe and As. The respective order of contamination factor and geo-accumulation index of the metals were As > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu and As > Fe > Pb > Cu. The pollution load index recorded for Pra and Ankobra estuaries were 1.94 and 2.71, respectively, suggesting deterioration of the estuaries due to metal pollution. The principal component analysis indicated that pollution fingerprinting is strongly influenced by Fe, Cu, As, Zn, silt, and sand associated with illegal artisanal gold mining activities. Thus, the findings from this study imply that the levels of pollution recorded could have deleterious impact on human health and the communities that depend on the services rendered by the estuaries. There is the need to adopt strategies for pollution control to protect these fragile ecosystems that support livelihoods.