Health Risk Assessment, Bioaccumulation Factors and Ecological Indices of Heavy Metals in Sediment, Fish and Water Along Asuoyeboah River, Kumasi: A Case Study

This study was performed on the water, bottom sediment and fish from four communities along the Asuoyeboah River, Kumasi, Ghana to explore the concentration and health risks of heavy metals. The impact of heavy metals on the ecology and aquatic toxicity was assessed with bioaccumulation factors and ecological risk indices. The sources and extent of pollution were explored with principal component analysis by applying multivariate statistics in identifying the principal sources of pollution. The levels of metals in the water samples follow a decreasing order of Pb > Fe > Zn > Cd > Cr. The water from the Asuoyeboah River may be poisoned by accumulated amounts of Cd, Fe and Pb due to the mean concentration of Fe (0.8 mg/L), Cd (0.129 mg/L) and Pb (1.759 mg/L) being greater than the World Health Organization allowed values of 0.3, 0.03 and 0.01 mg/L, respectively. Estimates of the non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed that the water and fish samples pose little or no adverse health concerns to the population. However, Cr and Pb recorded carcinogenic risk of > 10(-6) indicating a possibility of cancer risk. The water quality index assessment from this study also showed that the water in the Asuoyeboah river was of very poor quality. Researchers that may need more precise results while taking into account different water quality parameters might use the water quality index and multivariate statistics. The results of this study might aid the relevant authorities in formulating policies with strict regulations to safeguard water quality, ensure effective management and reduce surface water pollution.