Integrated hazard, risk and impact assessment of tropical marine sediments from Tema Harbour (Ghana)

Benjamin O. Botwe, Kristine De Schamphelaere, Cor A. Schipper, Johannes Teuchies, Ronny Blust, Elvis Nyarko, Piet N.L. Lens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The potential ecological hazard, risk and impact of tropical marine sediments from the Tema Harbour (Greater Accra, Ghana) was investigated by integrating Corophium volutator and Hediste diversicolor whole-sediment toxicity bioassays with data on the metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and As) concentrations of the sediments. The whole-sediment toxicity bioassay results showed that sediments of the Tema Harbour are potentially hazardous to marine benthic invertebrates. C. volutator exhibited a higher vulnerability to the sediment toxicity than H. diversicolor, although the latter showed higher biota-sediment accumulation factors for the investigated metals. Statistically significant correlations were observed between C. volutator mortality and sediment Cd concentration (r = 0.84, p < 0.05; n = 6) and between H. diversicolor mortality and sediment Cu concentration (r = 0.94, p < 0.05; n = 5). Comparison of metal concentrations with international action levels for contaminated sediment disposal indicates that the Tema Harbour sediments contain potentially hazardous concentrations of Cu and Zn. This study shows that sediments from the Tema Harbour are not suitable for disposal at sea without remediation. There is, therefore, a need to improve environmental management and regulate the disposal of dredged material originating from the Tema Harbour.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)24-34
Number of pages11
JournalChemosphere
Volume177
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Bioaccumulation
  • Corophium volutator
  • Hediste diversicolor
  • Impact assessment
  • Metals
  • Whole-sediment bioassay

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Integrated hazard, risk and impact assessment of tropical marine sediments from Tema Harbour (Ghana)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this