ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Determination of hydrocarbon contamination of underground water around fuel filling stations in selected residential areas in the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Underground water is vulnerable to contamination from numerous anthropogenic activities. These human activities include improper installation of septic tanks, improper disposal of wastes, leaking underground storage tanks (LUST), and accidental spill of chemicals. Petroleum hydrocarbons are released into underground water due to leakages in fuel storage facilities from the numerous fuel filling stations. Once underground water is contaminated, it is very difficult, time consuming and expensive to clean up. In this study, the physico-chemical parameters - temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Salinity and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) as well as the distance from fuel storage tanks to underground water sources were measured to ascertain the level of contamination by hydrocarbons in the underground water studied. The mean temperature ranged from 28.69°C at Oforikrom to a high value of 31.87°C at Kentinkrono. The lowest pH recorded was 4.84 at Denyame and the highest of 7.03 at Ahinsan. The mean electrical conductivity results ranged from a low value of 24.5 µs/ cm at Ayeduase and a high value of 519.5 µs/cm at Oforikrom. TDS were highest at Oforikrom (260 mg/l) and lowest at Ayeduase (10 mg/l). None of these samples recorded TDS values exceeding the permissible limit of 1000 mg/l. The highest mean salinity value recorded was 0.25 ppm at Oforikrom and the lowest of 0.01 ppm at Ayeduase. The highest mean concentration of TPH was 9.48 mg/l recorded at Oforikrom and three sampling points (Abrepo, Kentinkrono and New Suame) recorded zero (0) concentration of TPH. Three sampling points (Oforikrom, Asafo YF and Kwadaso Nsuom) recorded TPH concentrations above the permissible limit. The shortest distance between fuel storage tank and underground water source recorded was 25 m at Ahinsan and the longest distance of 535 m at Aboabo which recorded average TPH concentrations of 3.71 mg/l and 1.12 mg/l respectively. This indicates that, as the distance between the underground storage tanks (UST) and an underground water source increases, there was reduction in the TPH concentration of the water sampled. This shows that the locations of UST had an influence on the contamination of underground water close to fuel filling stations within the Kumasi metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Determination of levels of cyanide in soils, water and cassava at Bibiani- a gold mining town in Ghana

Bibiani is a gold mining town in the Western Region of Ghana and the method of mining used is surface mining. The main leaching agent used is sodium cyanide which is toxic and when not properly managed could contaminate the soil, water and foodstuff which serve as the basis of livelihood for the natives living in the mining communities. Total cyanide concentrations in the soil, water and cassava samples from Bibiani were determined. Total cyanide concentrations were also determined in the soil, cassava and water samples from KNUST, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region to serve as control samples. Two analytical methods were adopted for cyanide determination of the samples. They are the argentometric method using potassium iodide as indicator and colorimetric method using pyridine-barbituric acid reagent as coupling agent and UV-Visible spectrophotometer to measure cyanide concentration. The research was conducted between October 2004 and May 2005 . Zinc, cadmium, copper and iron concentrations were determined in all the samples using the flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Sodium was also determined using the flame photometer. The mean total cyanide concentrations in raw cassava ranged from 84.74 to 149.99 mg/kg fresh weight using argentometric method and 82.45 to 142.91 mg/kg fresh weight using colorimetric method. The cassava peels had levels of cyanide ranging from 360 to 510 mg/kg for the argentometric method and 360.05 to 509.51 mg/kg for the colorimetric method. The cooked cassava had cyanide concentrations ranging between 6.79 and 24.91 mg/kg. The mean total cyanide levels in the soil samples ranged from 6.04 to 26.17 mg/kg and the mean total cyanide levels in water samples ranged from 2.17 to 7.83 mg/L. Sodium concentrations ranged from 998.1 to 1794.7 mg/kg in the soil, 25.94 to 29.92mg/L in the water and 114.7 to 159.6 mg/kg in the cassava samples. The concentration of iron in the soil samples ranged from 77.88 to 302.08mg/kg while in the cassava and water samples, iron was below detection limit. Copper concentrations ranged from 12.4 mg/kg to 115.4mg/kg in the soil, 4.6 to 6.0 mg/kg in the cassava and below detection in the water samples. The zinc concentrations ranged from 24.1 to 170.3 and 7;6 to 11.6 mg/kg. in soil and cassava samples respectively. Zinc was below detection in most of the water samples. however, two of the water samples had traces of it. Cadmium was generally low in all the samples. The pH of the soil, water and cassava samples ranged from 3.88 to 6.95, 3.14 to 7.44 and 5.42 to 5.60 respectively. The moisture content of the soil samples ranged between 2.47 and 35.40% and that of cassava. 56.08 to 56.87 %. Conductivity and total dissolved solids of water ranged from 34 to 155.5cm and 31 to 89mg/L respectively. The toxicological implications of these findings are discussed.

Source: KNUST
Determination of mercury in fish fins as a non-lethal assessment method for predicting mercury levels in fish muscle tissues of two species of freshwater fish from three different aquatic environments in Ghana

Mercury concentration in various tissues (dorsal fin, caudal fin, pectoral fin, pelvic fin and anal fin) of two species of fish, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and mudfish (Clarias gariepinus) from three fresh water bodies in Ghana were assessed in order to determine any relationship between them. Fifteen samples each of the two species were collected from Tono Dam at Navrongo, Hydroelectric reservoir at Kpong and White Volta at Yapei. The fish tissues were digested and analyzed by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry using an Automatic Mercury Analyzer ( Model HG-5000). For all fish tissues in all species, Hg concentrations were greatest in muscle tissue (mean muscle Hg = 0.236–0.680 µg/g wet weight), followed by fin tissues (0.03–0.09 mg/kg dry weight). The coefficient of determination (r 2 ) derived from regression analysis of species muscle Hg against fin Hg ranged between 0.349–0.823 and 0.278-0.752 for tilapia and mudfish samples from Navrongo, 0.492-0.715 and 0.14–0.37 and 0.737-0.965 for tilapia and mudfish samples respectively from Kpong and 0.413-0.893 and 0.546-0.960 for tilapia and mudfish samples from Yapei, respectively. The examination of fin tissues as predictors of muscle Hg resulted in caudal fin being the better predictor of mercury concentration in muscle of Tilapia fishes from all three location. The results for mudfish samples also indicated same. It is also noteworthy that the sensitivity of these nonlethal techniques was highly variable across species and dependent on specific life history characteristics of the fishes. The mercury level in the muscle tissues were all within the WHO limit of 5.0 µg/l and hence poses no health risk to consumers. The mercury concentration in the muscle tissues of 98% of the fishes in this research recorded results lower than the WHO limit of 0.5µg/g which implies that consumption of these fishes does not pose any threat to human health

Source: KNUST
Determination of mercury and zinc in river water, sediment and fish from the Offin River and its tributaries

Mercury and Zinc levels in River Water, River Sediments and different species of fish from the Offin River, Pra River and some tributaries of the Offin River- Oda and Fum were determined. The mean levels of Hg and Zn in river water and sediment from the Offin River were 0.945μg/L and 0.194 mg/L for water: 0.545μg/g and 0.093 mg/g for sediments respectively. The mean c oncentrations of Hg and Zn in the Pra River were 0.932μg/L and 0. 169mg/L for river water: 0.68μg/g and O.056mg/g for sediments respectively. The tributary Fum presented 0.783μg/L and 0.186mg/L as mean water Hg and Zn concentration and 0.469μglg and 0.O69mgIg mean sediment concentration respectively. The tributary Oda offered only mean water Hg and Zn concentrations of 0.817μg/L and 0.l67mg/L. No sediment samples were collected from this tributary. Fish types analysed were: Synodontis nigriventris, Alestes nurse, Chrysichthys nizrodizitatus, Hetobranhus, Sarothrodon melanothron,. Oreochromis spp, Marcusenius usherii and Marcusenius, abadii General mean Mercury concentration recorded in fish was 0.424μg/g in June and 0.101μg/g in February whilst Zinc in fish gave a mean of 0.05lmg/g for February. The concentration of mercury and zinc determined from this work was less than the 1976 WHO and EPA Hg and Zn standard of 5μg/L and 5μg/g respectively.

Source: KNUST
Determination of Optimum Quantity Cost and Cycle Time Using Inventory Model with Stock Level Dependent Demand Rate And Variable Holding Cost

This thesis seeks to address the problem of inventory management Mantrac Ghana Limited. The objective of this study includes: (a) To model Mantrac Ghana Limited’s inventory cost as Retroactive Holding Cost problem. (b) To determine optimal order quantity, reorder point and optimal total cost of Mantrac Ghana Limited using Retroactive Holding Cost increase. Inventory models in which the demand rate depends on the inventory level are based on the common real-life observation that greater product availability tends to stimulate more sales. 4 This thesis considers the inventory policy for an item with a stock-level dependent demand rate and a storage-time dependent holding cost. The holding cost per unit of the item per unit time is assumed to be an increasing function of the time spent in storage. Two time-dependent holding cost step functions are mentioned: Retroactive holding cost increase, and incremental holding cost increase. Procedures are developed for determining the optimal order quantity and the optimal cycle time using Retroactive holding cost increase.

Source: KNUST
Determination of optimal order quantity and cost using inventory model with backorders and lost sales under fuzzy cost; case study: Mantrac Ghana Limited, Accra

Continuous review model in which a fraction of demand is backordered and the remaining fraction is lost during the stock out period are considered under fuzzy environment. Fuzziness is introduced by allowing the cost components not clear and vague to certain extent. Trapezoidal fuzzy numbers are used to represent these characteristics. The optimum policy of this model under fuzzy costs are derived. The values are now determined numerically and the sensitivity in the decision variables are highlighted and described.

Source: KNUST
Determination of optimal premiums and claims mix for a Health Insurance Scheme

One challenge for a Private Health Insurance Scheme which has a segmented market is to get proper premiums and claims mix for the different policy options in order that it will attract potential subscribers so that returns will be maximized. This study addresses the above challenge by developing a Linear Programming Problem model which is tested using five different scenarios. The study revealed that while subscribers in the two lower policy levels are attracted by decreasing their premiums, those of the highest policy level are attracted by an increase in their claims and an improved quality of service. It is also found that there is a limit to how much the premiums could be .decreased. Beyond this limit returns will start dwindling (diminishing returns). The evidence therefore suggests that the Private Health Insurance Firm should within some limits decrease premiums for lower policy levels and increase claims for higher policy levels in order to expand its clientele base while maximizing returns.

Source: KNUST
Determination of postharvest losses in Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) from harvest to the depot

Cocoa production is a major source of income that sustains the livelihood of millions of farmers and their dependants, contributes significantly to Ghana’s GDP and avenue for foreign exchange earnings. Even though Ghana is a recognized leader in the cocoa industry, its cocoa production faces problems such as postharvest losses which are a major cause of concern to stakeholders. Unfortunately, available information on postharvest losses in cocoa in Ghana is very scanty. This makes it virtually impossible to carry out effective prevention measures. This study was therefore, conducted to assess causes, nature and identify major areas along the production chain where losses occur. The study also sought to examine the effect of fermentation method and number of days of fermentation on the quality and chemical properties of dried cocoa beans. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data from farmers to ascertain their perception on extent of postharvest losses on their farms. Field visits were carried out on cocoa farms in the Eastern Region including farms of Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) to qualitatively and quantitatively determine losses along the chain. Responses from the farmers indicated that the major causes of pre-harvest losses in cocoa were capsid attack, black pod attack and rodent infestation. Major postharvest losses occurred at the pod breaking stage and losses were mainly attributed to germinated and caked beans. As to how caked beans affected quality it was observed that they produced higher free fatty acid (8.4%) content and pH (6.8). The study showed that both CRIG and farmers’ farms produced Grade 1 cocoa according to the standards of Quality Control Company (QCC) of Ghana Cocoa Board. Generally, fermenting beans for six days using the heap and basket fermentation methods resulted in Grade 1 cocoa and also produced beans with lower free fatty acids (0.41% and 0.58% respectively). Fermenting beans for six days using tray method produced the best (36.83mg/g) results of polyphenol content in dried beans. The study designed a model that could be used in estimating losses when the quantities of germinated and caked beans are known.

Source: KNUST
Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked bush meat

Public awareness on the safety of meat and meat products is heightened by the day solely due to reports from most health institutions across the country. The use of all sorts of materials including lorry tyres to prepare bush meat in particular for consumption leaves many residues and contaminants of which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was of major concern. Thus, 12 bush meat samples were obtained from six local producers within the Kumasi Metropolis to investigate the presence and levels of PAHs using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The samples were examined for nine of the most carcinogenic PAHs. The concentrations of naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, acenaphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene were: 0.210, 0.379, 0.084, 0.329, 0.066, 0.478, 0.0670.153 and 0.095 respectively. PAHs present in the samples were all less than 0.5 µg/kg on the average of the total contamination profile, with phenanthrene and 2-methylnaphthalene occurring with the highest concentrations (maximum contents of 0.920 and 0.527 mg/kg respectively), irrespective of the bush meat type analysed. Smoked antelope meat was potentially more risky, since total PAHs contents for antelope were generally higher as compared to other bush meat samples. Significant however to the findings of this research is that the PAHs levels were far below the European Union recommended levels of 5µg/kg in smoked meat.

Source: KNUST
Determination of runoff coefficient for small watersheds within Tano Basin in the forest zone of Ghana

Many of the small watersheds within Tano Basin of the Forest Zone of Ghana are ungauged. But for highway drainage design, the runoff data is needed. The problem then is how to determine the runoff coefficient of these small ungauged watersheds within the Tano Basin of Ghana. The objective of this study is to estimate the runoff coefficient and water yield per square kilometre for small watersheds within the Tano Basin of Ghana. To achieve this objective, the relationship between the direct runoff, the rainfall and the oatchment areas of the small watersheds within the Tano Basin was determined. The Runoff Coefficient for these watersheds was estimated from generated relationship and the water yield per square kilometre per year was estimated. The runoff values were lagged against the rainfall from one month to twelve months. One month lag-time gave the best R2 value, with Tanoso having an R2 value of 0.854 followed by Jumoro, 0.829; Sefwi-Wiawso, 0.775 and finally Hwidiem 0.732. It was found that the runoff coefficients using the direct runoff data of the various small watersheds of the Tano Basin are 10.4%, 4.2%, 8.5%, and 11.8% for Tanoso, Hwidiem, Sefwi-Wiawso and Jumoro respectively. It was also observed that the yield of water per square kilometre is 140,400m3km~2yr~], 56,700m3knf 2yr~!, 122,315m3km2y"1 and 172,870m km' yr" , for Tanoso, Hwidiem, Sefwi-Wiawso, and Jumoro respectively. The methodology used for this study can also be used in other basins to determine their runoff coefficients. Because the Lag-Times for all the various watersheds were found to fall within one month after rainfall, it is recommended that further study is conducted using the same methodology but with Daily Rainfall and Runoff data to determine the specific Lag-Times for the various watersheds.

Source: KNUST
Determination of Shelf Life of Honey Shake Milk Drink

Food has undergone several transformations with the advancement in technology and with the present emphasis on food quality and safety, the shelf life and quality of food products are highlighted issue. This study sought to determine the quality and shelf life of Honey Shake Milk Drink (HSMD) during storage. Three different flavours (Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate) of HSMD were randomly selected and subjected to microbiological, physicochemical and sensory analyses using standard procedures. Results showed that all the freshly prepared HSMD samples were safe for consumption with <30 cfu/g aerobic count, no Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus detected, pH of 6.98, milk fat content of 2.08%, non-fat content of 15.64% and Brix-TC content of 17.10. The products had overall acceptability score of 5-7 on a 9-point hedonic scale with the chocolate HSMD the most acceptable by consumers. The products exhibited a reduction in pH, fat content and Brix over time with a more profound and significantly different reduction (p < 0.05) in the products stored under ambient conditions as opposed to those stored under refrigeration conditions. The pH decreased from 6.98 to 3.32 under ambient storage conditions and from 6.98 to 5.68 under refrigeration conditions whereas the milk fat content reduced from 2.08% (w/w) to 0.48% (w/w) and from 2.08 to 1.84% (w/w) under ambient and refrigeration storage conditions, respectively for storage period of 35 days. The Brix content reduced from 17.0 to 15.6 and from 17.0 to 12.2 under ambient and refrigeration storage conditions respectively over 35 days of storage. The ultimate shelf life of the product was estimated to be 7 days when stored under ambient conditions and 52 days when stored under refrigeration conditions. The results suggest that the HSMD products will be best stored at refrigeration temperature ( 5°C).

Source: KNUST
Determination of position coordinates of the new active CORS in Ghana

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies provide services and applications in a wide range of areas, including survey and mapping, transportation, precision agriculture, urban planning, smart mobility and smart city management, to name a few. Most of these applications rely on real-time kinematic (RTK) technology, which is typically supported by a network of continuously operating reference stations (CORS). In order to improve GNSS applications in Ghana, eight new CORS were established by the Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana (LiSAG) in 2019 known as LiSAGNet. Accurate and precise positions of the LiSAGNet are, however, very critical for GNSS applications. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine accurate three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of the LiSAGNet using Network-based and Precise Point Positioning (PPP) techniques based on the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). Positions of the new CORS were computed from data for 11 consecutive days using gLAB software v5.4.1 in PPP mode and the Canadian Spatial Reference System PPP (CSRS-PPP) online services as a check. Position solutions from both gLAB and CSRS-PPP were compared, which yielded coordinates variability of 0.001 m, 0.003 m and 0.029 m in the northings (N), eastings (E) and up (U) directions respectively and were therefore accepted as the final coordinates of the LiSAGNet. Positions from the PPP and Network-based techniques were also compared to determine consistencies or otherwise in the coordinates of the LiSAGNet. The study concluded that positions of LiSAGNet showed more consistency when determined by Network-based technique than when determined by PPP technique.

Source: KNUST
Determination of shortest path using Dijkstra’s Algorithm for Emergency Service in Kumasi Metropolis

It is becoming difficult for emergence services to find the best route especially in Kumasi to any destination in order to save lives in real time. This study deals with the problem of finding shortest paths in traversing some locations within the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Dijkstra’s Algorithm was selected to determine the shortest distances from any location to any destination within the Kumasi metropolis. The objective of thesis is to use Dijkstra’s algorithm in constructing the minimum spanning tree considering the dual carriage ways in the road network of Kumasi metropolis within the shortest possible time for emergence services. The distance between 51 locations of the towns with the major roads was measured and a legend and a matrix were formulated. A visual basic program was prepared using Dijkstra’s algorithm. The distances were used to prepare an input deck for the visual program.The methodology employed included review of relevant literature of the types of Dijkstra’s algorithm and methods employed in the solution of the Dijkstra’s algorithm and to develop computer solutions – ArcGIS and VB.net for faster computation of Dijkstra’s algorithm. The result shows a remarkable reduction in the actual distance as compared with the ordinary routing. These results indicate, clearly the importance of this type of algorithms in the optimization of network flows. Hence the shortest distance from any area in Kumasi metropolis to another can easily be calculated using this thesis so as to minimize the average lost of lives in case emergences.

Source: KNUST