WEJ - Impact of anthropogenic activities on the Densu River in Ghana

I have chosen another peer-reviewed article.  This one is a very short five pages long, so a very quick read.  It is called “Impact of anthropogenicactivities on the Densu River in Ghana” and was written by Fianko, Osae and Achel.  The reason I chose this article is that by preventing waste, we must prevent all forms of waste.  Often, the term “waste” brings up images of rubbish in our minds however we must not forget that by definition, waste is a variety of things.  In the end, waste is an excess that is not being used.

Fianko et al do not discuss anthropogenic activities affecting the Densu River (see the river dividing the study area east to west) only in terms of rubbish.  The anthropogenic activities are affecting the river through waste coming from municipal, industrial, rural areas and agricultural farms found along the shoreline.  This means that everyone plays a part in the rivers' state.  The study concluded that:

 (1) The ecosystem found within the river is directly linked to anthropogenic activities that will increase nutrients, as well as other oxygen-consuming materials.  When these materials enter an ecosystem, oxygen often decreases, changing the numbers and types of aquatic plants and animals in the ecosystem.  Other undesirable effects and cultural eutrophication often also occur.

 (2) The study revealed that the Densu River is severely polluted, especially in terms of organic matter.  The worst sites were those near urbanized, agricultural and industrialized areas.  Pollution of the Densu River is to an extent that the aquatic ecosystem in most of the exposed sections of the river has been destroyed.  The results make it clear that the Densu River requires an immediate reduction in pollutant input, as well as the treatment of sewage and changes in agricultural practices throughout the country.

Fianko et al do state that government must establish a body to monitor and control discharge of pollutants into the Densu River, however it seems to me that the change must come from the people.  If the change is forced by the government, the change will not last, however if the people understand the problem and come up with solutions that work for them, then there will be lasting change for the better.  There are surely knowledgeable people within the group who understand the problem and can look at ideas holistically and if none feel ready to take on the challenge, help can easily be found.

This weeks quote is by Ruth Ann Minner and it sure does say what WaPreG is saying:

Benjamin Franklin said there were only two things certain in life: death and taxes. But I'd like to add a third certainty: trash. And while some in this room might want to discuss reducing taxes, I want to talk about reducing trash.