Can seasonal variations influence risk element contamination in soils at electronic-waste recycling and disposal sites in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana?

The study aimed to assess the pseudo-total concentrations of risk elements in soils at electronic waste recycling sites in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Soil samples were collected from nine sites during the wet and dry seasons. Two sites with no history of e-waste recycling and disposal activities served as controls. Soils were analysed for 34 risk elements, including Ag, As, B, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn. Results showed that 84 samples, representing 55% of the total analysed, had at least one risk element exceeding the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's soil threshold for residential and industrial use. Lacatusu contamination and pollution index showed risk elements within the excessive pollution range, which were mainly associated with Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn. Only Cu, Mo, and Pb showed significant seasonal differences, with p-values of 0.04, 0.02, and 0.03, respectively. Overall, appreciable levels of risk elements were detected at e-waste recycling sites, which pose a severe threat to public health and environmental quality.