Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Exposure Risks in a Rural Mining District of Ghana Using Multivariate and Probabilistic Approaches

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Exposure Risks in a Rural Mining District of Ghana Using Multivariate and Probabilistic Approaches | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Exposure Risks in a Rural Mining District of Ghana Using Multivariate and Probabilistic Approaches Sagoe Samuel Dzidefo, Samuel Jerry Cobbina, Raymond Webrah Kazapoe, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7031098/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 18 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study investigates the hydrogeochemical characteristics and human health risks associated with groundwater in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) zones within the Talensi District of northern Ghana. A total of 35 borehole samples were analysed for physicochemical parameters and potentially toxic elements (PTEs), with groundwater quality evaluated using the Weighted Average Water Quality Index (WAWQI) and Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI). Multivariate statistical techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Self-Organizing Maps (SOM), were employed to delineate underlying geochemical processes and apportion pollution sources. Additionally, deterministic and probabilistic Human Health Risk Assessments (HHRA) were conducted for both adults and children through ingestion and dermal exposure pathways. Results indicate that groundwater across the district is generally suitable for drinking, with 100% of samples falling within ‘excellent’ to ‘good’ WAWQI categories (16.11–34.62; mean = 25.51; SD = 5.41) and HEI values (1.70–7.51; mean = 4.65; SD = 1.36) signifying low pollution levels. However, spatial heterogeneity was observed, with localized enrichment of As, Hg, and Cu linked to ASGM activities. PCA and SOM revealed distinct geochemical clusters dominated by anthropogenic inputs (As, Hg, Cu) and geogenic signatures (Ni, Zn, Pb). HHRA indicated no significant risk for adults (HI 1; mean = 0.84). The findings underscore a dual geogenic–anthropogenic influence on groundwater chemistry in Talensi and point to the need for targeted water quality monitoring and pollution control in mining-impacted zones. Galamsey Groundwater Water Quality Talensi Heavy Metals Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Supplementarymaterial.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 07 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 17 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 08 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 04 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 03 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Aug, 2025 Reviews received at journal 30 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Aug, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 19 Aug, 2025 Editor invited by journal 19 Aug, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 05 Jul, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 05 Jul, 2025 First submitted to journal 02 Jul, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7031098","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":502671562,"identity":"ff451ee9-c129-4758-83f1-e785962c38a3","order_by":0,"name":"Sagoe Samuel 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A total of 35 borehole samples were analysed for physicochemical parameters and potentially toxic elements (PTEs), with groundwater quality evaluated using the Weighted Average Water Quality Index (WAWQI) and Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI). Multivariate statistical techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Self-Organizing Maps (SOM), were employed to delineate underlying geochemical processes and apportion pollution sources. Additionally, deterministic and probabilistic Human Health Risk Assessments (HHRA) were conducted for both adults and children through ingestion and dermal exposure pathways. Results indicate that groundwater across the district is generally suitable for drinking, with 100% of samples falling within \u0026lsquo;excellent\u0026rsquo; to \u0026lsquo;good\u0026rsquo; WAWQI categories (16.11\u0026ndash;34.62; mean\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;25.51; SD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.41) and HEI values (1.70\u0026ndash;7.51; mean\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4.65; SD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.36) signifying low pollution levels. However, spatial heterogeneity was observed, with localized enrichment of As, Hg, and Cu linked to ASGM activities. PCA and SOM revealed distinct geochemical clusters dominated by anthropogenic inputs (As, Hg, Cu) and geogenic signatures (Ni, Zn, Pb). HHRA indicated no significant risk for adults (HI\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1; mean\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.23), but some risk for children in isolated locations (HI\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1; mean\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.84). The findings underscore a dual geogenic\u0026ndash;anthropogenic influence on groundwater chemistry in Talensi and point to the need for targeted water quality monitoring and pollution control in mining-impacted zones.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Exposure Risks in a Rural Mining District of Ghana Using Multivariate and Probabilistic Approaches","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-27 14:28:00","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7031098/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-10-07T18:37:26+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-17T11:08:08+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-08T14:58:52+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-04T13:43:12+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-04T02:50:45+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"89773009536455297455027349053280137192","date":"2025-09-03T08:24:00+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"284814610707461915818983877234069053041","date":"2025-09-01T17:27:39+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"5818376059486927986563483142212302217","date":"2025-08-30T20:29:23+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-30T08:22:48+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"69716836074635526551387177133496936766","date":"2025-08-29T14:19:01+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"28619585329789989157861061420272052263","date":"2025-08-29T13:56:44+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"33901991486149489396560707549850018606","date":"2025-08-28T22:08:56+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"100143690584154905850655685899809280731","date":"2025-08-19T15:43:29+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-08-19T14:56:31+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-08-19T08:28:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-07-05T09:50:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-07-05T09:49:45+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Geoscience","date":"2025-07-02T15:49:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-geoscience","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Geoscience](https://www.springer.com/journal/44288)","snPcode":"44288","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44288","title":"Discover Geoscience","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"521b9c71-795e-41d6-84c6-3dc896dea2bd","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 27th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-04T22:08:14+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-27 14:28:00","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7031098","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7031098","identity":"rs-7031098","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}