Department of Civil Engineeringhttp://atuspace.atu.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/122024-03-29T15:55:11Z2024-03-29T15:55:11ZDelineation of preferential flow pathways in a tropical crystalline rock aquifer in Tarkwa, Ghana using integrated hydrogeophysical methodsAgbotui, P. Y.Ewusi, A.Seidu, J.Brookman-Amissah, M.Woode, A.http://atuspace.atu.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/32412023-09-14T15:49:48Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZDelineation of preferential flow pathways in a tropical crystalline rock aquifer in Tarkwa, Ghana using integrated hydrogeophysical methods
Agbotui, P. Y.; Ewusi, A.; Seidu, J.; Brookman-Amissah, M.; Woode, A.
In Ghana, crystalline rock aquifers with secondary hydraulic features and preferential flow pathways serve as very important aquifers. Protecting and managing these geological porous media require identifying preferential flow pathways and hydraulic characteristics. In this
study, preferential flow pathways and hydraulic parameters were characterised for two boreholes (Hilly and Valley) located in Tarkwa,
Ghana via the integrated use of borehole dilution testing (BDT), slug testing, and geological mapping. The geological fieldwork mapped a relatively sparsely fractured Sandstone Unit overlying a heavily foliated and fissile Phyllite Unit. Geology influenced groundwater flow in
boreholes. The BDT confirmed the geology by showing a stratified flow system with preferential flow pathways. The Hilly/recharge area borehole shows relatively low downward flow, whereas the Valley/transition area borehole is dominated by the concentrated diffuse horizontal
flow. These flow patterns are in agreement with the borehole locations and their dominant geologies. The estimated hydraulic conductivity,
transmissivity, and storage coefficient ranged between 5.1 104
–7.7 102 m/d, 4.0 102
–3.2 m2
/d, and 107
–105
, respectively. The
cheap integrated hydrogeophysical methods used in this study are applicable for characterising, protecting, and managing other crystalline
aquifers in the West African sub-region and other tropical terrains.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZEstimation of Shipping Emissions in Developing Country: A Case Study of Mohammad Bin Qasim Port, Pakistan.Hussain, I.Wang, H.Safdar, M.Ho, Q. B.Wemegah, T. D.Noor, S.http://atuspace.atu.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/30582023-09-08T12:03:35Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZEstimation of Shipping Emissions in Developing Country: A Case Study of Mohammad Bin Qasim Port, Pakistan.
Hussain, I.; Wang, H.; Safdar, M.; Ho, Q. B.; Wemegah, T. D.; Noor, S.
Transportation has the highest dependence on fossil fuels of any sector and accounts for 37% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Maritime transportation is responsible for around 940 million tons of CO2 and approximately 3% of global emissions annually. The significant increase in shipping activities around the globe has magnified the generation of toxic pollutants. In recent years, shipping emissions have received significant attention in developed countries due to global climate change, while in developing countries, researchers are making enormous efforts to tackle this catastrophic and pressing issue. This study considers Muhammad Bin Qasim Port (MBQP), Karachi, Pakistan as a case study. This study employed an activity-based or bottom-up approach with a standard procedure to estimate the various anthropogenic pollutants emissions including particular matters (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), CO2, methane (CH4), non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC), and hydrocarbon (HC) under different operational modes, i.e., hoteling, maneuvering, and reduced speed zones. The results indicated that CO2 was the highest contributor with a proportion of 92%, NOx 5%, and SO2 1.5% for all three operational modes. Moreover, the results indicated that container ships account for 64% of overall emissions, followed by tankers for 24%. Regarding the monthly trend, the findings revealed that November and December had the highest emission rates, with over 20% of the total emissions recorded. This study’s findings will assist stakeholders and policymakers to prioritize maritime emissions in developing countries.
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZEnhancing food waste compost quality with nutrient amendments.Nkansah, J. B.Oduro-Kwarteng, S.Essandoh, H. M. K.Kuffuor, R. A.http://atuspace.atu.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/30062023-03-08T08:25:12Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZEnhancing food waste compost quality with nutrient amendments.
Nkansah, J. B.; Oduro-Kwarteng, S.; Essandoh, H. M. K.; Kuffuor, R. A.
Purpose Recycling of food waste fraction of municipal solid waste into compost for use in agriculture is seen as an effective environmentally–friendly option. In developing countries, however, there are few commercial composting facilities producing composts whose use in agriculture is low, mainly due to their low nutrient content compared to chemical fertilizers.
Method This study investigated the effect of the food waste (FW) nutrient-amendment ratio on compost quality using amendments such as Cocoa Pod Husk Ash (CPHA), poultry manure (PM), and cow manure (CM). Six treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6) and control were composted for 70 days.
Results The total Nitrogen, total Phosphorous, and total Potassium content ranged from 0.96–1.42%, 0.19–0.78%, and 0.86-1.42%, respectively, for the different compost types. In all treatments, the C/N ratio reduced significantly, while concentrations of heavy metals (Pb and Zn) were within the acceptable international limits. Toxicity of composts to cucumber (Cucumis sativus) was ascertained. Germination index (GI) was the highest in T5 (FW amended with PM only) whereas the control (FW only) recorded the least GI.
Conclusion This study shows that the use of PM, CM, and CPHA seems to be beneficial for the enrichment of food waste compost.
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZQuantifying and analysing water trade-offs in the water-energy-food nexus: The case of Ghana.Opoku, E. K.Adjei, K. A.Gyamfi, C.Vuu, C.Appiah-Adjei, E. K.Odai, S. N.Siabi, E. K.http://atuspace.atu.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/30052023-03-08T08:24:55Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZQuantifying and analysing water trade-offs in the water-energy-food nexus: The case of Ghana.
Opoku, E. K.; Adjei, K. A.; Gyamfi, C.; Vuu, C.; Appiah-Adjei, E. K.; Odai, S. N.; Siabi, E. K.
Water, Energy and Food (WEF) are inextricably linked, and the Water-Energy-Food nexus (WEF nexus) provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the complex and intricate interconnections in the development of these invaluable resources. Quantifying the interconnections among energy, water, and food sectors is a preliminary step to integrated WEF systems modelling, which will further contribute to robust WEF security management. However, the use of the WEF nexus concepts and approaches to systematically evaluate WEF interlinkages and support the development of socially and politically relevant resource policies in Ghana has been limited. This study sets the pace in the development of WEF nexus research in Ghana to facilitate policy and decision-making in the WEF sectors in the country. The study aimed at quantifying the existing water trade-offs in the WEF nexus and also model the trade-offs considering basic development scenarios. The water intensities of food production and energy generation in Ghana were found to be 990 m3/tonne and 2.05 m3/kWh respectively. Scenario analysis was done to project future annual water requirements for food production, energy generation as well as socio-domestic WEF demands based on two possible development scenarios. The analysis predicts that with business as usual, the annual water requirements for food production and energy generation as well as domestic sustenance in Ghana would increase by 34% in 2030. However, technological advancements and innovation in the energy and food sectors could reduce annual water requirements by over 26% even when 100% access to electricity is achieved nationwide.
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