ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Soil carbon change and CO2 fluxes under different agricultural land use in the Vea catchment, Upper East Region of Ghana

Soil organic carbon is an index for soil fertility and sustainable land management. Monitoring soil respiration and carbon provide quantitative information on soil carbon stocks at a given location. This study assessed soil carbon change across predominant land-uses and soil types in the Vea catchment of Upper East Region, Ghana. The goal was to assess soil carbon change and CO 2 emissions from selected (rice, maize, millet and sorghum) cropping systems in the Vea catchment. To achieve this, farmers were interviewed for information on cropping history; establish the proportion between land use and soil type; determine crop yield components, yield and biomass for selected crops under different tillage (i.e. power tiller, bullock and manual) and amendment; estimate soil carbon stock; and determine the fractions and future trend of soil carbon stock and measure soil CO2 flux using respiration chamber under different land uses. The majority of the land is occupied by cropland about 41 % with 63 % of Leptosols, 52 % of Fluvisols and 46 % of Lixisols (i.e. the three main soil type) being cultivated. The highest grain yield obtained was 5675 kg/ha, 1375 kg/ha and 970 kg/ha for rice, maize and sorghum, respectively. The mean soil organic carbon stock for the major land-uses obtained in the study area were 10.24 ± 1.2 t/ha for cereals (maize and sorghum), 14.96 ± 2.4 t/ha for paddy irrigated rice 15.88 ± 2.1 t/ha for semi natural area, 16.53 ± 2.3 t/ha for grazing area, 18.5 ± 4.9 t/ha for eucalyptus forest and 23.5 ± 7.1 t/ ha for paddy rain fed rice. Eucalyptus forest had high carbon stock, but this carbon is mainly composed of the light fraction, which is a non-stable fraction. The Introductory Carbon Balance Model (ICBM) simulation revealed a future trend of soil carbon depletion of 8 - 15 % was obtained continuous cereal (i.e. maize and sorghum) production with or without fertilisation with the current management system. However, fertilised maize production in rotation with groundnut will prevent the depletion of soil carbon stock. Soil CO 2 emission had similar trends under the maize - kenaf and sorghum - kenaf cropping systems. However, the cumulative soil CO2 emission for sorghum - kenaf cropping system was higher (22 %) than that of maize - kenaf cropping system. The study also showed that the trend of soil CO 2 emission was different for the different management practices (power tiller, bullock and manual tillage) of rice. Furthermore, the soil CO 2 emission was sensitive to soil moisture stress but not soil temperature for maize and sorghum cropping systems. For high yield but low CO2 emission, rice cropping system with bullock tillage and urea in deep placement (UDP) as amendment as well as power tillage with NPK + urea application are the best options for climate change mitigation for rainy and the dry season under irrigation, respectively. Therefore cereal-legume rotation is one of the best ways to sustain SOC in the study area.

Source: KNUST
Soil physical and chemical properties and their relationship with sheabutter quality in selected areas of the Northern Region of Ghana

Soil physical and chemical properties and their relationship with the quality of shea butter, an extract of the kernels of the shea tree, were investigated in four districts of the Northern region of Ghana. Thirty-six samples of freshly extracted shea butter together with 36 soil samples were collected and stored at 25°C for analysis. The soil properties and that of properties of shea butter were determined using standard methods. The qualities of the shea butter were also examined based on their moisture content (MC), the peroxide value (PV), the insoluble impurities (IM) and free fatty (FAA) acids using a grading system set by the Regional Technical Committee of Africa standard for unrefined shea butter. A coefficient of determination (R2) was used to establish the correlation between the soil properties and the quality and quantity of shea butter. The results indicated that soils at the shea parklands had sand forming the highest component (66.60 – 52.04), followed by silt (38.65 – 26.69) and lastly clay (9.31 – 4.73). The soil chemical properties such as organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM) cation exchange capacity (CEC) and Nitrogen (N) were found to have poor correlation with the butter quality parameters. It was, however, found that the soil chemical properties of soil organic matter, soil organic carbon and cation exchange capacity correlates strongly with the fat content with R2 values ranging between 0.82 and 0.84. In conclusion, soil physical and chemical properties do not have a direct relationship with the quality of shea butter.

Source: KNUST
Soil respiration studies in two sites of different post-logging ages in a moist-semi deciduous forest in Ghana

A large proportion of carbon is stored up in forest soils. Nevertheless, carbon is also released into the atmosphere via soil respiration, a process which determines ecosystem function and a great contributor in the global carbon cycle. This study investigated soil respiration in the Bobiri Forest Reserve, a moist- semi deciduous forest in Ghana. The aim was to investigate the seasonality, magnitude and abiotic controls on total soil respiration and its component contributions from root-and-rhizosphere, mycorrhizae, surface litter and soil organic matter in a 12- and 55-year-old post-logged site over a full seasonal cycle. Soil respiration was measured at monthly intervals from May 2013 to April 2014, by means of a dynamic closed chamber method. Total soil respiration had a strong seasonal influence whereby average fluxes were higher during the wet season and lower during the dry season. Estimated total soil respiration was 18.03 and 17.83 Mg C ha -1 year -1 at the 12- and 55-year-old sites respectively. In addition, estimated component contributions at the 12- and 55-year-old post-logged sites were 24.02 and 34.58 % for root-and-rhizosphere, 16.97 and 14.26 % for mycorrhizae, 27.42 and 25.17 % for litter and 31.59 and 25.99 % for soil organic matter, respectively. This depicted a higher autotrophic percentage at 55-year-old post-logged site (48.84 %) in comparison to 12-year-old post-logged site (40.99 %) and conversely, a higher heterotrophic percentage at 12-year-old post-logged site (59.01 %) in comparison to 55-year-old post-logged site (51.16 %). Relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture was quadratic, however observed variation was only explained at 12-year-old post-logged site (R 2 = 0.75; p < 0.01). A quadratic—quadratic regression of soil respiration and both soil temperature and soil moisture accounted for 83 % of observed variation in soil respiration at 12-year-old post-logged site (p < 0.01) but still did not improve variation at the 55-year-old post-logged site (p = 0.84). The study shows the influence of forest age on soil respiration and confirms the importance of separating total soil respiration into source components. Thus, the information should serve as a baseline for respiration studies in Ghana as iv well as assist in the understanding of forests and their influence on carbon cycling and global warming

Source: KNUST
Soil Stabilisation Investigation at the Damang Mine-Abosso Goldfields Limited, Ghana

operations in the Western Region of Ghana. The weak oxidised soils encountered at the Damang Mine are unable to sustain the trucks moving on them properly. This has resulted in situations where trucks easily get bogged down and these occur along the haul roads, pit floors and most especially at the waste dump. This poses considerable danger to the safety of men and equipment besides the precious man-hours lost whenever attempts are made in salvaging the trucks, with consequent high costs to the company. In this thesis report, a number of methods have been outlined to provide possible ways of stabilising these soils. The various laboratory tests conducted on soil samples from the mine have been discussed. Notable among these are the compaction tests, which were used to establish the optimum ratios for the various soil-additive combinations. The strength increases resulting from the introduction of additives was confirmed when triaxial tests conducted on specimen of dolerite mixed with 3.5% hydrated lime gave a significantly high increase in the value of soil cohesion. Based on the outcome of these tests, a number of recommendations have also been made the adoption of which would improve the engineering properties of these soils.

Source: KNUST
Soil Transmitted Helminth Contamination of Lettuce Irrigated With Wastewater during the Time of Harvest: A Case Study at Boadi Lettuce Farm

There has been an increasing interest in reuse of wastewater in agriculture over the last few decades due to increased demand for fresh water. Population growth, increased per capita use of water, the demands of industry and of the agricultural sector all put pressure on water resources. However, its use especially if untreated may pose danger to farmers as well as consumers because it may contain pathogens including helminthes. This study investigated soil-transmitted helminth contamination of lettuce cultivated with wastewater during the time of harvest at the Boadi lettuce farm, Kumasi. A total of 288 lettuce samples and water samples of irrigation wastewater were collected from February and April for examination. Helminth eggs were enumerated using the modified US-EPA concentration method. Focus group discussions were used to assess the risk factors of infection at the harvesting stage. The major type of helminths encountered were Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most dominant (42.35%) and Trichuris trichiura (22.89%) being the least encountered. The total mean helminth eggs for the farm were 3.9 eggs/100g of lettuce. The Ascaris lumbricoides eggs ranged from 0-7 eggs per 100g lettuce. Mean helminth egg populations on the lettuce showed a monthly incidence of 3.5/100g, 3.5/100g and 4.5/100g of lettuce for the month of February, March and April respectively. The mean helminth egg populations for the water were 1.5/L, 1.2/L and 1.8/L for the month of February, March and April respectively. The study indicates that contamination of lettuce with helminths is still a major problem thus e effective farm interventions and washing of vegetables with sanitizers is required to reduce the risk of transmission and infection.

Source: KNUST
Solar Crop Dryer With Thermal Energy Storage As Backup Heater

In this work, solar crop dryer with thermal energy storage device is designed and constructed from locally available materials for drying sorghum. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems provide several alternatives for efficient energy use and conservation. The thermal energy storage (TES) design incorporated in the solar crop dryer is used to store thermal energy from the sun during the day and dissipated in the night for drying when there is no sun. The use of thermal energy storage (TES) is an effective way of storing thermal energy and has the advantage of high-energy storage density. In this study, flake salt was used as the storage medium to help store the heat energy in copper pipes. From the experiment conducted on the thermal energy storage (TES) system, the results show that the dryer reduced the moisture content from about 30% to 11% wet basis in 6 hours. Also, 21% to 13% in solar drying with backup heating mode in 4 hours. The temperature of the absorber chamber with the thermal energy storage system was found to be between 89.8 0C and 72.2 0C which was higher than the temperature without thermal energy storage (40.8 0C to 46.5 0C) for a 24-hour period.

Source: KNUST
Soil transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosomiasis among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic: A case study of the Bonsaaso cluster in the Amansie West District of Ashanti Region.

Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) and Schistosomiasis infections are known to cause high morbidity as well as reduce haemoglobin levels causing anaemia. These infections as well as anaemia during pregnancy are common in sub-Saharan Africa and are a major public health problem in developing countries. The study was carried out to determine STHs and Schistosomiasis among pregnant women in Bonsaaso Cluster in the Amansie West District. A total of 186 women attending antenatal clinic within the Bonsaaso cluster took part in the study after their consent was sought. Stool and urine samples were collected from the participants as well as some demographic information through a structured questionnaire. Sedimentation and formol ether methods were used for examination of the urine and stool samples respectively. The mean age of the women was 26 years from 15- 41 years. Most of the women were farmers (46%) and 50% in their second trimester. Most of the pregnant women (53%) were infected with at least one species of the soil transmitted helminths with hookworm being the most prevalent (23%) whiles eleven percent (11%) of all the urine examined had S.haematobium eggs. In all, 81% of the participants had their haemoglobin levels below the recommended value by WHO (11g/dl) for pregnant women. Infection with soil transmitted helminths is high among pregnant women in the cluster especially the farmers, and thus calls for appropriate control interventions

Source: KNUST
Solar disinfection of drinking water

The provision of good drinking water has always been a preoccupation of man. Modern methods of water treatment are relatively expensive, and a simple way to make bacterially contaminated water fit for drinking would go a long way to alleviate the plight of the rural poor. Solar radiation has long been known to be harmful to microorganisms and thus the study broadly sought to determine the effects of solar radiation on some bacteria and on Cyclops. To achieve this end, experiments were performed initially to find out quality of water in some selected villages. These were Ayeduase, Kotei and Nkwaakuom, all in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The results showed that none of them met the WHO microbiological guideline values for drinking water quality. The microorganisms used were obtained either from one of the sources of water examined or were obtained as pure cultures. The pure strains used were Esaherichia coil, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Streptococcus faecalis. These were exposed to solar radiation for six hours, and after experiencing overnight darkness the exposure was continued the following day. The solar radiation had a visible lethal effect on the microorganisms used, but at no time was the radiation able to reduce the number of microorganisms to acceptable clean water standards. Experiments with Cyclops consisted of filtration using two locally available sponge materials and a. rapid sand filter; treatment with trona, a chemical and exposure to solar radiation. The rapid sand filter had the potential of filtering the Cyclops while trona and solar radiation had no effect on them.

Source: KNUST
Solid medical waste management practices at the university hospital, KNUST, Kumasi

Effective management of solid medical waste (SMW) is an important issue confronting many developing countries including Ghana. Ghana has many health facilities of which the University Hospital, KNUST, Kumasi (UH-KNUST) forms part. This research took place between November 2015 and February 2016 at the UHKNUST, a Level C District Hospital, with an average daily out-patient attendance of 325 patients. Data for the study were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected through segregation, quantification and weighing of solid medical waste (SMW) generated. Questionnaires were also employed in obtaining primary data. The Hospital generates non-hazardous (general) and hazardous (infectious, pharmaceutical, pathological, heavy metal and sharp) wastes which are currently co-disposed into skip containers on-site. UH-KNUST treats only their sharp waste using incineration, without air pollution control device. Quantities of waste generated were measured twice daily using plastic bags, cardboard boxes and buckets of known weights and a weighing scale. A total of 5422.0 kg and 4262.2 kg of nonhazardous and hazardous wastes respectively were generated within the 16-week study period. Quantities of specific SMW generated in all wards/units were statistically different. The existing management practices, which serves as basis for providing sustainable management measures to issues of waste handling and disposal at the Hospital were identified. This was done by personal observations and administering of questionnaires to waste handlers and healthcare staff. Limitations identified include: inadequate education/sensitization of healthcare personnel and waste handlers, lack of hospital waste management department and policy, non-adherence to segregation of waste, and no documentation of waste generated and waste handling procedures. Sustainable management measures such as effective and regular sensitization of all iv healthcare workers and patients on the importance of segregation and the risks involved in poor handling of SMW among others were recommended to reduce the negative impacts of improper management of SMW on human health and environmental resources. A waste management plan was developed for the UHKNUST to serve as a guideline in managing its SMW. Putting these measures in place will address the various health and environmental issues identified at the UH-KNUST

Source: KNUST
Solid Medical Waste Management Practices: A Case Study at the Sefwi – Wiawso Government Hospital

The management of solid medical wastes poses a number of environmental and health challenges in most developing countries including Ghana. Limited consideration has been given to this issue in spite of the possible health problem medical wastes cause. This study looks at thesolid medical waste management practicesin the SefwiWiawso Government Hospital. Structured and unstructured questionnaires were used to collect data while the total waste generatedwas determined using a weighing scale before segregation.The mean sharps (hypodermic needles, intravenous needles, scalpels, lancets, saws, blades, broken glasses etc.) and hazardous waste generated per month were found to be 30.43±5.3 kg and 96.94± 24.5 kg respectively. The analysis of the results showed that the differences between means of waste generated in different months of the study period were significant (p = 0.0001). The study revealed that except for sharps, segregation of solid medicalwastes was not done.The main treatment method adopted in the final disposal of infectious waste is incineration.The study showed that inadequate training for medical waste staff, lack of supervision, insufficient protective equipment and lack of medical wastes management policies are the major setbacks militating against waste management in Hospital. This study recommends sustainable management of medical wastes in the hospital to avert or reduce its negative impact on health and the environment

Source: KNUST
Solid waste collection and willingness to pay for better service in Tema, Ghana

The underlying rational for the study was to develop a conceptual statistical model upon which social, economical and environmental factors can be combined to deduce a workable and suitable Solid Waste Management strategy. The study yielded useful results that made it possible to elicit the willingness of individuals to pay for improved solid waste collection services. Approximately 51.6% of the respondents expressed willingness to pay for improved solid waste management. On the average, majority of the participants indicated a response to pay a premium reflecting the current service charges of the Tema municipal Assembly, between (3-5 cedis) monthly. As it is expected, respondents’ Willingness To Pay was skewed towards individuals earning between 950-1500 cedis. Furthermore, individuals who indicated a satisfactory response to the current frequency of waste collection were all willing to pay and vice versa. Education is also seen as a variable which can affect people’s WTP; consequently, people in the highest quartile of the education category were more (58.1%) predisposed to paying for better waste management than their counterparts who are less educated. Though on the whole, factors such as education, current salary, owning a waste bin and general socioeconomic status affected willingness to pay. An analysis with the Wald Criterion demonstrated that four main variables used in the study affected WTP significantly: These are; current frequency of collection, preferred frequency of collection, age and educational background.

Source: KNUST
Solid Waste Management in Ghana: The Case of Tamale Metropolitan Area

The study aimed ensuring a clean environment in the Tamale Metropolis. It analysed the underlying factors affecting effective solid waste management in the metropolis and suggested possible measures to tackle the problem. The research gathered data from two main sources namely: secondary and primary sources. The three main techniques employed in gathering the primary data were: preliminary field investigation, questionnaire survey and face-to-face interview. The following key findings were established to be the factors affecting effective solid waste management in the Metropolis. These are: • Inadequate skip supply for storing waste. • Lack of routine collection of waste. • Poor methods of waste management. • Inadequate resources for waste management institutions to effectively collect the waste generated. In the light of these problems enumerated above, the research recommended the adequate supply of skips, regular collection of waste, use of Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) Model, proper management of the landfill and adequate rsourcing of the waste management institutions.

Source: KNUST
Solid Waste Management in Ghana: A Case Study of Effiduase and Asokore in the Sekyere East District

Waste management has over the years posed and continues to pose serious challenges to both global authorities and communities including Effiduase and Asokore in Ghana. In the bid to assess the situation in Effiduase and Asokore, the existing practices and challenges to both management and households and willingness of households to pay for door-to-door solid waste collection were assessed through administration of structured questionnaire to respondents who were made of households, district assembly and a waste management company (Zoomlion Ghana Limited). Results indicated that waste disposal in the study communities was mainly undertaken by females probably due to the culture of the communities which enjoined females to engage in domestic chores. Respondents, who were of average household size of 7 people and earned about GH¢ 250.00 through trading, generally had low level of educational attainment (only 40% up to both secondary and tertiary). Solid wastes were collected into holding facilities such as polythene material, dustbins and sacks and disposed into wagon, bush, in pits and at open public dumpsites or even burned. Households paid an average monthly charge of GH¢ 3.00 for disposal of solid waste into strategically placed wagon and were willing to pay up to GH¢ 6.00 for door-to-door collection and disposal as against the monthly charge of GH¢12.00 proposed by the waste management company. Low level of educational attainment by households, pollution and lack of financial and technological resource were the main factors that militated against efficient management of solid waste in the study communities. This calls for intensified public education on sound environmental practices with special emphasis on solid waste management and also the provision of adequate resources to efficiently deal with the waste management problem.

Source: KNUST