Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Lower Volta River, Ghana, West Africa: The Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Urban Development Nexus

Anndee Huff Chester; Christopher Gordon; Heather A. Hartmann; Stephen E. Bartell; Emmanuel Ansah; Tao Yan; Bo Li; Nfamara K. Dampha; Paul L. Edmiston; Paige J. Novak; Heiko L. Schoenfuss

doi:10.1002/etc.5279

Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Lower Volta River, Ghana, West Africa: The Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Urban Development Nexus

Anndee Huff Chester, Christopher Gordon, Heather A. Hartmann, Stephen E. Bartell, Emmanuel Ansah, Tao Yan, Bo Li, Nfamara K. Dampha, Paul L. Edmiston, Paige J. Novak, Heiko L. Schoenfuss

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Abstract

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments across all continents and are relatively well known in the developed world. However, few studies have investigated their presence and biological effects in low- and middle-income countries. We provide a survey of CEC presence in the Volta River, Ghana, and examine the microbial consequences of anthropogenic activities along this economically and ecologically important African river. Water and sediment samples were taken by boat or from shore at 14 sites spanning 118 km of river course from the Volta estuary to the Akosombo dam. Sample extracts were prepared for targeted analysis of antimicrobial CECs, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS; water only). Concurrent samples were extracted to characterize the microbial community and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). Antibiotics and PFAS (PFAS, 2–20 ng/L) were found in all water samples; however, their concentrations were usually in the low nanograms per liter range and lower than reported for other African, European, and North American studies. N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide was present in all samples. The number of different genes detected (between one and 10) and total ARG concentrations varied in both water (9.1 × 10⁻⁶ to 8.2 × 10⁻³) and sediment (2.2 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.3 × 10⁻²), with increases in gene variety at sites linked to urban development, sand mining, agriculture, and shellfish processing. Total ARG concentration spikes in sediment samples were associated with agriculture. No correlations between water quality parameters, CEC presence, and/or ARGs were noted. The presence of CECs in the lower Volta River highlights their global reach. The overall low concentrations of CECs detected is encouraging and, coupled with mitigation measures, can stymie future CEC pollution in the Volta River. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:369–381.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	369-381
Number of pages	13
Journal	Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Volume	41
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5279
State	Published - Feb 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding for the present study was provided by the National Science Foundation (CBET 1336062, to H.L. Schoenfuss; CBET 1510131, to P.J. Novak; MRI 2017788, to P.L. Edmiston), the University of Minnesota Joseph T. and Rose S. Ling Chair in Environmental Engineering (to P.J. Novak), and a St. Cloud State University Midcareer grant (211159, to H.L. Schoenfuss). We thank staff, faculty, and students at the University of Ghana for assistance with travel arrangements and fieldwork. E. Painter assisted with analysis of mass spectrometric data. B. Lorenz provided Figure 1.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 SETAC.

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Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

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Huff Chester, A., Gordon, C., Hartmann, H. A., Bartell, S. E., Ansah, E., Yan, T., Li, B., Dampha, N. K., Edmiston, P. L., Novak, P. J., & Schoenfuss, H. L. (2022). Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Lower Volta River, Ghana, West Africa: The Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Urban Development Nexus. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 41(2), 369-381. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5279

Huff Chester, A, Gordon, C, Hartmann, HA, Bartell, SE, Ansah, E, Yan, T, Li, B, Dampha, NK, Edmiston, PL, Novak, PJ & Schoenfuss, HL 2022, 'Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Lower Volta River, Ghana, West Africa: The Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Urban Development Nexus', Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 369-381. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5279

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title = "Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Lower Volta River, Ghana, West Africa: The Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Urban Development Nexus",

abstract = "Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments across all continents and are relatively well known in the developed world. However, few studies have investigated their presence and biological effects in low- and middle-income countries. We provide a survey of CEC presence in the Volta River, Ghana, and examine the microbial consequences of anthropogenic activities along this economically and ecologically important African river. Water and sediment samples were taken by boat or from shore at 14 sites spanning 118 km of river course from the Volta estuary to the Akosombo dam. Sample extracts were prepared for targeted analysis of antimicrobial CECs, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS; water only). Concurrent samples were extracted to characterize the microbial community and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). Antibiotics and PFAS (PFAS, 2–20 ng/L) were found in all water samples; however, their concentrations were usually in the low nanograms per liter range and lower than reported for other African, European, and North American studies. N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide was present in all samples. The number of different genes detected (between one and 10) and total ARG concentrations varied in both water (9.1 × 10−6 to 8.2 × 10−3) and sediment (2.2 × 10−4 to 5.3 × 10−2), with increases in gene variety at sites linked to urban development, sand mining, agriculture, and shellfish processing. Total ARG concentration spikes in sediment samples were associated with agriculture. No correlations between water quality parameters, CEC presence, and/or ARGs were noted. The presence of CECs in the lower Volta River highlights their global reach. The overall low concentrations of CECs detected is encouraging and, coupled with mitigation measures, can stymie future CEC pollution in the Volta River. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:369–381.",

author = "{Huff Chester}, Anndee and Christopher Gordon and Hartmann, {Heather A.} and Bartell, {Stephen E.} and Emmanuel Ansah and Tao Yan and Bo Li and Dampha, {Nfamara K.} and Edmiston, {Paul L.} and Novak, {Paige J.} and Schoenfuss, {Heiko L.}",

note = "Funding Information: Funding for the present study was provided by the National Science Foundation (CBET 1336062, to H.L. Schoenfuss; CBET 1510131, to P.J. Novak; MRI 2017788, to P.L. Edmiston), the University of Minnesota Joseph T. and Rose S. Ling Chair in Environmental Engineering (to P.J. Novak), and a St. Cloud State University Midcareer grant (211159, to H.L. Schoenfuss). We thank staff, faculty, and students at the University of Ghana for assistance with travel arrangements and fieldwork. E. Painter assisted with analysis of mass spectrometric data. B. Lorenz provided Figure 1. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 SETAC.",

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AU - Ansah, Emmanuel

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AU - Dampha, Nfamara K.

AU - Edmiston, Paul L.

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AU - Schoenfuss, Heiko L.

N1 - Funding Information: Funding for the present study was provided by the National Science Foundation (CBET 1336062, to H.L. Schoenfuss; CBET 1510131, to P.J. Novak; MRI 2017788, to P.L. Edmiston), the University of Minnesota Joseph T. and Rose S. Ling Chair in Environmental Engineering (to P.J. Novak), and a St. Cloud State University Midcareer grant (211159, to H.L. Schoenfuss). We thank staff, faculty, and students at the University of Ghana for assistance with travel arrangements and fieldwork. E. Painter assisted with analysis of mass spectrometric data. B. Lorenz provided Figure 1. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 SETAC.

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N2 - Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments across all continents and are relatively well known in the developed world. However, few studies have investigated their presence and biological effects in low- and middle-income countries. We provide a survey of CEC presence in the Volta River, Ghana, and examine the microbial consequences of anthropogenic activities along this economically and ecologically important African river. Water and sediment samples were taken by boat or from shore at 14 sites spanning 118 km of river course from the Volta estuary to the Akosombo dam. Sample extracts were prepared for targeted analysis of antimicrobial CECs, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS; water only). Concurrent samples were extracted to characterize the microbial community and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). Antibiotics and PFAS (PFAS, 2–20 ng/L) were found in all water samples; however, their concentrations were usually in the low nanograms per liter range and lower than reported for other African, European, and North American studies. N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide was present in all samples. The number of different genes detected (between one and 10) and total ARG concentrations varied in both water (9.1 × 10−6 to 8.2 × 10−3) and sediment (2.2 × 10−4 to 5.3 × 10−2), with increases in gene variety at sites linked to urban development, sand mining, agriculture, and shellfish processing. Total ARG concentration spikes in sediment samples were associated with agriculture. No correlations between water quality parameters, CEC presence, and/or ARGs were noted. The presence of CECs in the lower Volta River highlights their global reach. The overall low concentrations of CECs detected is encouraging and, coupled with mitigation measures, can stymie future CEC pollution in the Volta River. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:369–381.

AB - Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments across all continents and are relatively well known in the developed world. However, few studies have investigated their presence and biological effects in low- and middle-income countries. We provide a survey of CEC presence in the Volta River, Ghana, and examine the microbial consequences of anthropogenic activities along this economically and ecologically important African river. Water and sediment samples were taken by boat or from shore at 14 sites spanning 118 km of river course from the Volta estuary to the Akosombo dam. Sample extracts were prepared for targeted analysis of antimicrobial CECs, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS; water only). Concurrent samples were extracted to characterize the microbial community and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). Antibiotics and PFAS (PFAS, 2–20 ng/L) were found in all water samples; however, their concentrations were usually in the low nanograms per liter range and lower than reported for other African, European, and North American studies. N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide was present in all samples. The number of different genes detected (between one and 10) and total ARG concentrations varied in both water (9.1 × 10−6 to 8.2 × 10−3) and sediment (2.2 × 10−4 to 5.3 × 10−2), with increases in gene variety at sites linked to urban development, sand mining, agriculture, and shellfish processing. Total ARG concentration spikes in sediment samples were associated with agriculture. No correlations between water quality parameters, CEC presence, and/or ARGs were noted. The presence of CECs in the lower Volta River highlights their global reach. The overall low concentrations of CECs detected is encouraging and, coupled with mitigation measures, can stymie future CEC pollution in the Volta River. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:369–381.

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Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Lower Volta River, Ghana, West Africa: The Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Urban Development Nexus

Abstract

Bibliographical note

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UN SDGs

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