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- Title
Contamination, Sources, Distribution and Risk Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Stream Sediments of Mewongo Gold District, Nyong Group, Cameroon.
- Authors
Fomekong, Bertrand Kehding; Djibril, Kouankap Nono Gus; Aloysius, Afahnwie Ngambu; Anoh, Njoh Olivier; Suh, Cheo Emmanuel
- Abstract
Stream sediments for preliminary gold exploration in the Mewongo area found in the Nyong Group of Cameroon were investigated to infer degree or risk of heavy metals pollution, possible sources and distribution of pollutants. Fifty-one samples collected and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry had mean metal concentrations in the order Au < Sn < W < Co < Ta < U < Pb < Nb < V < Cr < Hf < Mn < Th < Al < Zr < Ti < Fe. The metal concentrations were greater than upper continental crust background values (except Al), indicating pollution. The intensity of sediments pollution was evaluated using multiple pollution indices. Mean contamination factors confirm moderate contamination with Co, considerable contamination with Mn, Fe, V, Au and Cr, and very high contamination with Sn, W, Pb, Ti, Nb, Ta, U, Zr, Th and Hf. Mean degree of contamination (1175.4), mean modified degree of contamination (73.46) and mean pollution load index (12.39) indicate very high, ultra-high and overall contamination of the sediments respectively. Mean geo-accumulation indices reveal that the sediments are unpolluted with Au and Co, unpolluted-weakly polluted with V, Mn, Fe, Sn, Cr, Pb, W and Ti, moderately polluted with Nb, Ta, U and Th, and moderately-strongly polluted with Zr and Hf. Mean enrichment factors (21.53 to > 40) reveal high-extremely high enrichment with the heavy metals. Mean ecological risk factors reveal low potential ecological risk with Mn, Cr and Co, and moderate potential ecological risk with Pb. Mean potential ecological risk index shows low ecological risk whereas mean anthropogenic metal inputs are greater than 1, indicating anthropogenic metal loadings. The heavy metal pollutants in the Mewongo stream sediments are largely sourced from the local mafic-felsic rock units, with extra input from anthropogenic origin. The unhealthy environmental risk level reported in this study should be mitigated to save consumers of surface and ground waters in the Mewongo gold district.
- Subjects
CAMEROON; RIVER sediments; HEAVY metals; HEAVY metal toxicology; RISK assessment; CONTINENTAL crust; GOLD
- Publication
Water, Air & Soil Pollution, 2023, Vol 234, Issue 9, p1
- ISSN
0049-6979
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11270-023-06553-9