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Abstract
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Article Information:
Assessment of Water Quality Conditions of Abandoned Mine Paddock for Conversion into a Fish Pond
Apori Ntiforo, J.A. Ampofo and Frank K. Nyame
Corresponding Author: Apori Ntiforo
Submitted: August 25, 2012
Accepted: September 19, 2012
Published: October 20, 2012 |
Abstract:
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This study explores the possibility of converting an abandoned dredged mine paddock into a fish pond.
The aim of the current study is the assessment of the water quality conditions of nine surface water sampling points
including paddocks/impoundments created by the operations of defunct dredged gold mine operations more than a
decade for conversion into a fish pond. The concentrations of twenty water quality parameters (major ions,
physicochemical and trace metals) were determined and compared with threshold values for protection of aquatic
life to evaluate the suitability of the paddocks for development into a fish pond. The prevailing legal framework
concerning water resources management in Ghana as well as the geophysical conditions of the studied sites was
favorable for the development of the abandoned dredged gold mine paddocks into a fish pond. But the elevated
levels of the analyzed concentration of copper, lead and cadmium ranging from 0.006 to 0.213 ppm, 0.002 to 0.047
ppm and 0.002 to 0.007 ppm, above recommended upper permissible limits of 0.00038, 0.0036 and 0.00054 ppm
respectively for the protection of aquatic life may be a constraint because of the toxicological effect on humans
when fishes from the facility are ingested. The nutrient loading and the major ion concentration of the studied sites
were moderate; the waters were therefore slightly eutrophic. These conditions will enhance the productivity of the
riverine ecosystem. The conversion of the abandoned paddock must be preceded with the acquisition of an
appropriate entrepreneurial skills and comparative toxicological studies of the fishery products from the paddocks,
other impoundments as well as the products from the entire Awusu drainage basin to ascertain their suitability for
human consumption.
Key words: Abandoned, Defunct, Dredge, Paddock, Riverine-Ecosystem, Eutrophic,
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Cite this Reference:
Apori Ntiforo, J.A. Ampofo and Frank K. Nyame, . Assessment of Water Quality Conditions of Abandoned Mine Paddock for Conversion into a Fish Pond. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, (2): 150-157.
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ISSN (Online): 2049-842X
ISSN (Print): 2049-8411 |
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