Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr. Franklin Obiri-Nyarko, has warned that relying on natural remediation alone to restore waterbodies polluted by illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, is practically impossible.
Dr. Obiri-Nyarko said the scale and complexity of contamination caused by galamsey make it extremely difficult for polluted rivers, streams and other water sources to recover naturally within a reasonable period.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, August 12, Dr. Obiri-Nyarko explained that the presence of heavy metals in waterbodies affected by galamsey poses a major challenge to natural restoration processes.
The scientist said the complexity of the pollution means that allowing nature to restore the affected waterbodies without significant intervention could take an unreasonably long period.
“If you have such a complex contamination like that, it is somewhat difficult to treat, especially when you have heavy metals in the contamination. Some organic contaminants are recalcitrant; they are very difficult to biodegrade. Generally, if you have heavy metals, it is very difficult for microbes to biodegrade them.
“It is generally microorganisms that will biodegrade contaminants when we talk about natural remediation, but if you look at the situation, considering the timeframe and all that, you will realise that it will be very difficult and practically impossible for us to wait for natural remediation to take place for the polluted water to be restored.”
Source: Citinewsroom
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