http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/37 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:33:28 GMT 2026-04-04T12:33:28Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4631 Levels of Platinum Group Metals in Selected Species (Sarotherodon melanotheron, Chonophorus lateristriga, Macrobrachium vollenhovenii and Crassostrea tulipa) in Some Estuaries and Lagoons Along the Coast of Ghana Essumang, D.K.; Adokoh, C.K.; Boamponsem, L. The use of some biota as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution has been demonstrated as particularly adequate due to their capacity of bioconcentration. This study evaluated the levels of platinum group metals (PGMs) in some selected species along the coastal belt of Ghana, using the neutron activation analysis (NAA) method. The result was processed to evaluate pollution indices in order to map the distribution of the metals in those species in the lagoons and estuaries along the costal belt of Ghana. The analysis showed significant levels of all PGMs in blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron Cichlidae), brown goby (Chonophorus lateristriga Gobiidae), shrimp (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii Palaemonidae), and mangrove oysters (Crassostrea tulipa Ostreidae) in the lagoons and river Pra estuary. However, the oysters showed an elevated mean concentration of 0.13 μg/g (dry weight) Pd. From the pollution indices, most of the sampling sites registered mean contamination factor (CF) values between 1.20 and 3.00 for Pt, Pd, and Rh. The pollution load index (PLI) conducted also gave an average pollution index between 0.79 and 2.37, indicating progressive contamination levels. The results revealed that anthropogenic sources, industrial and hospital effluent, etc., together with vehicular emissions, could be the contributing factors to the deposition of PGMs along the Ghanaian coas Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4631 2010-09-17T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4611 Using cooperative learning to enhance pupils’ understanding about the solar system n The Agortime-Ziope District of Ghana Mak-Mensah, E.; Sam, A.; Hanson, R. Cooperative learning is the instructional use of small groups of learners so that they work together to maximize their own and each other’s learning. This study investigated the use of cooperative learning to enhance the performance of upper primary pupils in science. A mixed method approach with a quasi-experimental design was used. The access population was upper primary pupils from Kortsrala and Takuve D/A primary schools in the Agortime-Ziope district of the Volta region of Ghana with a sample size of 32 pupils. The sample was divided into experimental and control group with each group consisting of sixteen pupils. A pre-test administered at the beginning of the study, showed that both groups had about the same entry point. The experimental group was taught using the cooperative learning method while the control group was taught using the old-fashioned way of teaching. At the end of the four weeks treatment, both groups were post-tested. A whole class interview session was conducted with the experimental group after the post test. Post-test results showed that pupils taught with the cooperative learning approach exhibited high academic performance and thus prove that cooperative learning enhances pupil’s own understanding of concepts. It also showed that using collaborative techniques such as paired or group modeling go further than simply motivating students through other verbal, coercive and independent (individual) work approaches. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4611 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4610 Practices and knowledge about environmental sanitation and hygiene among urban dwellers in Gomoa East District, Ghana Safo-Adu, G.; Hanson, R. This study assessed the practices and knowledge about environmental sanitation and hygiene among urban dwellers in Gomoa East District in the Central Region of Ghana. A cross sectional survey research design was adopted for the study. Random sampling technique was used in selecting 360 inhabitants in three urban communities. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The study showed that a significant number of respondents (80.8%) had high knowledge about environmental sanitation and hygiene than respondents (2.5 %) with low knowledge. Respondents who had good standard practices regarding environmental sanitation and hygiene were 43 % greater than respondents with poor standard practices. Chi-square test results showed that no association exist between sex and knowledge = 2.32, p = 0.31) and age and knowledge = 2.03, p = 0.36). However, there was significant association between occupation and knowledge ( = 42.10, p=0.00). A Pearson product-moment correlation result showed that there was no relationship between standard practices and knowledge about environmental sanitation and hygiene (r = 0.058, p = 0.274). Major findings of the study leads to a conclusion that even though inhabitants knowledge about environmental sanitation and hygiene was high there was a clear gap between knowledge and actual practices hence the District Environmental Health and sanitation Department in collaboration with Environmental Protection Agency should implement effective behavioral change communication strategy among the urban dwellers to translate knowledge into actual practice. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4610 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4609 ANALYSIS OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT FROM SOME FACTORIES IN TEMA Hanson, R.; Twumasi, A.K.; Boi-Doku, A. This research work analysed the quality of some important physico-chemical parameters of industrial effluents collected from two soap factories (A and B) in the Tema industrial area. In the study, PO4-, NH3, BOD, COD, TSS and turbidity for both factories were high compared to the EPA standards. Measures of NO3-, total hardness, calcium, and chloride, for both factories were below the EPA standard. Alkalinity value for factory A was below the EPA standard while that for factory B was higher. pH value for factory A was within the pH range for EPA while that of factory B was higher. TDS and conductivity for factory A were below the recommended EPA standard while that of factory B was higher. Due to the high amount of PO4-, NH3, and turbidity, eutrophication could occur in the receiving water, thereby affecting aquatic life. The high BOD, COD and TSS contribute to the decrease in oxygen supply in the receiving water which indicates high pollution by organic pollutants. The high alkalinity, TDS, conductivity and pH could contribute to the deformity and death of fishes in the receiving water from especially Factory A. Effluents from both factories were highly polluted in many respects and so EPA audits must be intensified to prevent pollution of water bodies in Ghana. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4609 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z