ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS IN LEACHATES OF MIX WASTES, TOPSOIL AND VEGETABLES GROWN AROUND MAJOR DUMP SITES IN ACCRA. MAXWELL ODURO YEBOAH

Introduction/Background Heavy metals are often problematic environmental pollutants, with well-known toxic effects on living systems. Nevertheless, because of certain useful physical and chemical properties, some heavy metals, including mercury, lead, and cadmium, are intentionally added to certain consumer and industrial products such as batteries, switches, circuit boards, and certain pigments (Aucott, 2006).

Introduction/Background Food safety is a worldwide concern because foods are in many cases poisoned and rendered unwholesome with sources as numerous and varied as the contaminants themselves (US EPA, 2003). Toxins, pesticides and heavy metals are some contaminants that accumulate in foods to cause poisoning.

Problem Statement Increase in population and consumption of resources have resulted in dramatic increase in generation of solid wastes from industrial and domestic activities, which could pose significant threats to human health (Ziadat & Mott 2005). In Ghana, as in many developing countries, waste is usually not segregated, and tend to be dumped together in the open or in pits. Leachates from mix waste may contain toxic substances including heavy metals usually found in industrial and electronic waste (Al-Raisi et al., 2014)

Problem statement Run-off after heavy rainfall can result in contamination of the surrounding environment including the soil; also ambient pollution by inorganic heavy metal dust could result in contamination In the Accra metropolis, some vegetables are grown near dumpsite such as the Agbogbloshie e-waste/dumpsite Toxic metals could pose a serious health threat to humans through consumption of contaminated vegetables There is very limited information regarding the accumulation of heavy metals in topsoil and vegetables cultivated around mixed waste dumps. But such information will be vital for quality vegetable and healthy food stuff production

Research Questions What are the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Fe, As, Hg, Cd) in leachates of mix waste obtained from major waste dumps in Accra? What are the levels of heavy metals in topsoil around mix waste dumpsites in Accra? What are the levels of heavy metals in vegetables cultivated around major dump sites in Accra?

General and Specific Objectives MAIN OBJECTIVE: To investigate the concentration of heavy metals in leachates at mix waste dumpsites and topsoil and vegetables grown near these dumpsites SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: To assess the levels of heavy metals in leachates of mix-wastes To assess the levels of heavy metals in the topsoil soil around mix waste dumpsites To assess the levels of heavy metals in vegetables cultivated around waste dumps  

Literature Review (1) The amount of waste generated each year is increasing. Landfilling is the predominant method of disposal in most of the countries because it is the most economical option (Modin, 2012). Landfills are the main means of waste disposal in the Accra metropolis. Landfills pose a big problem to the environment. Different kinds of hazards including gas and leachate are produced from this landfills. Leachates are also produced from open waste disposal which is a major form of waste disposal in Ghana. (Nartey, Hayford, & Ametsi, 2012)

Literature Review (2) In Ghana, there is extensive use of untreated but diluted wastewater (wastewater mixed with stream/storm water) for vegetable farming in urban areas. (Obuobie et al., 2006). Vegetables have the propensity to pick up heavy metals of environmental concerns. Food chain through the ingestion of contaminated vegetables creates the main route of heavy metal intake and accumulation in humans, although very rarely, the metals could also be inhaled from the environment (Lacatuşu et al., 1996; Jarup, 2003)

Methodology (1) Study area: Accra Metropolis The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is one of the Two Hundred and Sixteen (216) Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana and among the sixteen (16) MMDAs in the Greater Accra Region. The Northern boundary of the Assembly is Ga East Municipal Assembly (GEMA), to the West the Assembly shares boundary with Ga Central Municipal Assembly (GCMA). The Southern boundary stretches along the Gulf of Guinea from Gbegbeyese to the Vertinary Service Office and the Eastern Corridor of the Assembly is the La- Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LADMA).

Methodology 2 Study design: Analytical Cross Sectional study design. Samples will be collected from the study area at a single point in time to analyze the levels of heavy metals in the leachates, the topsoil and the vegetables cultivated around the dump sites Sampling The sampling sites will be given codes for easy identification. The sample for analysis will be leachates and vegetables cultivated around waste dumps. Ten leachate samples will be collected into 1-litre plastic bottles from five different waste dumps. Two from each site. This bottles will be adequately washed with detergents to make it free of agents that can interfere with the analysis.

Methodology 3 Data Analysis The edible parts of the vegetables will be randomly selected from five plots or farms around the waste dumps. Leachates, topsoil and vegetables will be analyzed for levels of heavy metals using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Data Analysis Data will be entered into excel and analyzed with STATA 14 Data will be presented as proportions and charts

Methodology 4 (variables) Dependent Variables Heavy metals in Leachates Heavy metals in topsoil Heavy metals in Vegetables Independent variables Environmental Factors Improper disposal of waste Lack of proper waste management systems Improper management of leachate from waste dumps Human factors Use of unclean water for irrigation of vegetables Farming close to waste dump sites

Ethical Issues Research objectives will be explained to farmers and permission to pick the samples will be sought from the farmers from whose farms the vegetable samples will be taken. Permission will also be sought from the informal Association leaders at various study sites. Approval for this study will be obtained from the Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

Timelines DATE ACTIVITY SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2016 PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT NOV– DEC, 2016 ETHICAL APPROVAL FROM GHANA HEALTH SERVICE MAY 2017 SAMPLE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS JUNE 2017 REPORT WRITING AND FINALISATION JULY 2017 SUBMISSION OF DISSERTATION

Budget ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION UNIT COST (GHS) QUANTITY TOTAL COST(GHS) PRINTING Printing of proposal 0.20 40 pages 8.00 SAMPLE COLLECTION calibrated containers for collection of leachates 5.00 10 50.00 Clean plastic bags for vegetables 2.00 Cost of vegetables 40 80.00 SAMPLE ANALYSIS Analysis of leachates 100.00 4,000.00 Analysis of soil 1000.00 Analysis of vegetables TRANSPORTATION Transportation and feeding at site of sample collection 2 MISCELLANEOUS 10% of total cost 1224.00 TOTAL 12240.00

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