JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION

Abstract: To ensure the safety and security of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material (NRM) under regulatory control, and to mitigate the risks associated with illicit trafficking and potential malicious activities, an assessment was undertaken to evaluate the detection of NRM in imported cargo transiting through Ghana’s sole international airport. In the absence of a radiation portal monitor, a Radioisotope Identification Device (RID) was utilised for the screening process. A total of 648 containers were examined, of which 62 were determined to contain radioisotopes with the recorded equivalent dose rates ranging from 0.029 µSv/h to 0.417 µSv/h. Although the RID is a less optimal tool than radiation portal monitors for comprehensive cargo screening, its application, however, confirmed the presence of radiation in air cargo shipments. These findings raise concerns regarding the potential for illegal or illicit trafficking of NRM at Kotoka International Airport.

Keywords: Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material, radioisotope identification device, cargo screening, radiation detection, illicit trafficking, Kotoka International Airport.

Abstract: Pot size plays a crucial role in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) growth and development under controlled conditions. In this screenhouse study, we compared small (4 L) and large (10 L) pots across 20 replicates using the IT90K-76 genotype. Plants in larger pots consistently outperformed those in smaller ones, showing 40.9% more leaves, 52.5% greater leaf area, and 55.5% heavier seeds, all statistically significant (P < 0.05). Root biomass nearly doubled, reinforcing the importance of soil volume for healthy root development. Interestingly, traits such as pod length and seed count per pod remained unchanged, suggesting genetic stability. These findings highlight how pot size can skew experimental outcomes and offer practical guidance for designing more reliable screenhouse trials, especially in legume breeding and pre-breeding programs.

Keywords: crop management, cowpea, legume, pot size, screenhouse experiment, soil volume.

Abstract: The Voltaian Basin (VB) is an onshore sedimentary basin in Ghana that covers most central parts of Ghana. Unlike other Neoproterozoic sedimentary basins, a comprehensive sedimentology, tectonic evolution, economic prospects, and paleontological evidence of the VB are either inconclusive or unknown. The stratigraphic sequence of the basin from drill core is also still unknown. Hence, the review highlights the general sedimentology and other elements of a petroleum system of the basin and how that can be leveraged in the assessments of the hydrocarbon prospects of the basin. This review adds to the general ongoing discussion on the basin’s, with a special emphasis on its hydrocarbon prospecting and generation potential. Records of fieldwork show a thick unit of reddish argillaceous facies intercalated with thin lenses of greenish shales in the Ejura area and black shales together with phyllites in the Mpraeso area. The Kodjari Formation has well-exposed carbonates and cherts. Greenish and grey shale units are also exposed in the Sabari area with indications of phytoclasts and palynomorphs assemblage. Features of tectonic impact on the basin are reflected as microfolds, fractures, and faults. The organic geochemical indications from outcrop samples are suggestive of the presence of hydrocarbons, although very low. The hydrocarbon signatures observed from organic geochemical analysis of outcrop samples will require further investigations to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the basin evolution and the hydrocarbon prospects. Hence, the study recommends drill core samples should be used in the characterization of the petroleum system of the VB.

Keywords: Overview, sedimentology, paleontology, hydrocarbon prospects, Voltaian Basin, Ghana.

Abstract: Biochar has helped create possibilities for addressing the demand for environmentally acceptable and cost-effective adsorbents for adsorption. Removing phenol and polychlorinated biphenyl from landfill leachate is of great concern owing to the grave threat to soil, water resources and human health. This study investigated the efficiency of coconut husk biochar to adsorb phenol and polychlorinated biphenyl from landfill leachate. A total of 100 mL of the landfill leachate, with varied phenol and polychlorinated biphenyl initial concentrations, with contact times of 15, 30 and 45 minutes at temperatures of 30 and 35°C and coconut husk biochar dosage of 0.50, 1.50 and 3.50 g. The removal efficiency of up to 70.08% for phenol and 73.33% for polychlorinated biphenyl was achieved at adsorption conditions of 30°C and 35°C with contact times of 15, 30 and 45 minutes. The coconut husk biochar adsorption capacity (mg/g) of phenol ranged from 0.41 to 0.74 and 0.13 to 0.36 for polychlorinated biphenyl. The adsorbent dosage influences the adsorption efficiency significantly. The increase in adsorption efficiency as the adsorbent dosage increased might be attributable to the coconut husk biochar’s large surface area, which assisted in removing phenol and polychlorinated biphenyl from the landfill leachate. The adsorption efficiency decreased as temperature was increased from 30 to 35°C for phenol, whilst for polychlorinated biphenyl, the adsorption efficiency increased using coconut husk biochar. Pseudo-second order was the best-fit model for phenol and polychlorinated biphenyl onto the coconut husk biochar. This study is unique as it offers fresh perspectives on how temperature and dosage affect removal efficiency by using a sustainable agrowaste adsorbent to uniquely study two chemically distinct pollutants and disclose varied adsorption behaviours based on the compound characteristics. Coconut husk biochar has the potential for adsorption of phenol and polychlorinated biphenyl from landfill leachate. Furthermore, it emphasises the promise of coconut husk biochar as an environmentally friendly, affordable substance for treating complicated wastewater flows.

Keywords: Adsorption, polychlorinated biphenyl, coconut husk biochar, landfill leachate, phenol, pseudo-second order.

Abstract: Renewable energy is seen as a solution for reducing CO2 emissions and promoting sustainability. Ghana could increase renewable energy integration, but faces grid integration challenges and lacks an enabling environment for development. The full extent of renewable energy’s carbon reduction impact remains undocumented in Ghana, considering rapid globalization and population growth. This study examines renewable and non-renewable energy consumption’s impact on Ghana’s CO2 emissions from 1990 to 2020, using econometric methods. The analysis uses data from World Development Indicators, Global Footprint Network, and FAOSTAT to assess ecological footprint, fossil fuel use, forest land reduction, nuclear power, and renewable energy consumption. Results show fossil fuel use increases long-term CO2 emissions, while ecological footprints have short-term positive effects. Nuclear energy increases long-term emissions but reduces them short term, while renewable energy consistently reduces CO2 emissions in both periods. The study concludes all variables impact CO2 emissions in Ghana. Recommendations include implementing policies to promote renewable energy and limit emissions, introducing carbon tax on fossil fuels, and upgrading nuclear plants. As a Paris Agreement signatory, Ghana acknowledges nuclear power’s role in providing low-carbon energy. The government should incentivize renewable energy sources, invest in clean technology research, and conduct public awareness campaigns. Environmental education in schools can help educate future generations about sustainability.

Keywords: Carbon emission, ecological footprint, renewable energy.