Total coliforms, arsenic and cadmium exposure through drinking water in the Western Region of Ghana: application of multivariate statistical technique to groundwater quality

摘要: In recent times, surface water resource in the Western Region of Ghana has been found to be inadequate supply and polluted by various anthropogenic activities. As a result of these problems, demand for groundwater human populations peri-urban communities domestic, municipal irrigation purposes increased without prior knowledge its quality. Water samples were collected from 14 public hand-dug wells during rainy season 2013 investigated total coliforms, Escherichia coli, mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) physicochemical parameters. Multivariate statistical analysis dataset linear stoichiometric plot major ions applied group identify main factors sources contamination. Hierarchal cluster revealed four clusters hydrochemical variables (R-mode) three case (Q-mode) after z score standardization. Principal component varimax rotation indicated that the extracted explained 93.3 % variance, which highlighted salinity, toxic elements hardness pollution as dominant affecting Cation exchange, mineral dissolution silicate weathering influenced The ranking order was Na+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+ Cl− > SO4 2− > HCO3 −. Based on piper hydrogeology study area, sodium chloride (86 %), hydrogen carbonate (14 %) types identified. Although E. coli absent samples, 36 % contained coliforms (Enterobacter species) exceeded WHO guidelines limit zero colony-forming unit (CFU)/100 mL drinking water. With exception Hg, concentration Cd 79 43 % guideline limits 10 3 μg/L water, respectively. Reported values some areas Nigeria, Malaysia USA that maximum low high this study. Health risk assessment Cd, Hg based average daily dose, hazard quotient cancer determined. conclusion, multiple natural processes activities non-point contributed significantly salinization, hardness, element microbiological contamination area. outcome can used baseline data prioritize future sustainable development wells.