Relationship between land use and groundwater quality in six districts in the eastern region of Ghana

The chemical quality of groundwater in six district of the eastern region beneath the different types of land use areas of Ghana was examined to evaluate the effects of human activities on groundwater. Analyses indicate that groundwater in the studied area is fresh and generally suitable for most uses. The groundwater is generally characterised by a chemical facies of Ca-HCO(3) (−), Na-Cl and mixed Na–Ca-HCO(3) types and is weakly mineralised. Anthropogenic disturbances have had and continue to have an impact on the aquatic ecosystem of Ghana. High concentration of Cl(−) and TDS were found in wells in high residential areas while the highest levels of Na, Ca, SO(4) (2−) and NO(3) (−) were found in agricultural and high density residential areas. About 50% of boreholes sampled have elevated level of NO(3) (−)-N emanating from agricultural runoff.