Hydrochemistry and isotopic composition of the Sakumo Ramsar site
The objective of this study was geared towards determining the current pollution status of the Sakumo Ramsar site with the aim of identifying factors affecting the long-term ＂integrity＂ of the Ramsar site. Water quality deterioration, mainly salinization, has occurred in the Sakumo lagoon, Accra, Ghana. The cause of deterioration of water quality was studied using hydrochemical data and environmental isotopes of water; namely deuterium and oxygen-18 (measured as δ^2H and *δ^(18)0. Water samples were collected from the lagoon, feeder streams and some beverage and textile industries. The sequence of order of the heavy metals in the water observed in the Sakumo wetland was as follows: Fe＞Mn＞Cu＞Hg. The δ^2H and *δ^(18)0 content prove successful when interpreted with corresponding hydrochemical data. The d-values of water samples from any source normally change due to history and processes to which the water molecules have been subjected in the environment. Results indicated both higher enrichment of heavier isotopes and higher chloride concentration in water samples from the lagoon than in water samples from other sources (industries and feeder streams).