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Spatio-temporal variation and assessment of trace metal contamination in sediments along the Lom River in the gold mining site of Gankombol (Adamawa Cameroon)

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Abstract

This paper assesses the spatio-temporal variation and the trace metal contamination in sediments along the Lom River in the gold mining site of Gankombol (Adamawa Cameroon). A total of fifty (50) surface sediment samples was collected during the dry and rainy season. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter) and nine (09) trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb) were analysed in the sediment samples. The concentrations of studied trace metals were compared to various standards such as the United State Environmental Protection Agency standard (USEPA), the world river system (WRS), and the probable effect concentration (PEC). To assess the intensity of trace metal contamination in sediments and to identify the potential origins of trace metals, pollution indices, ecological risk assessment and multivariate statistical analysis (MSA) were used. The pollution indices were calculated using continental background concentrations. The results of physico-chemical characterization showed that sediments were acidic to neutral (5.73–7.63), weakly conductive (20–183 µS cm−1) and the organic matter (OM) ranged from 0.97 to 5.10%. The sequence of trace metal mean concentrations in sediments was Fe > Mn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Zn > Co > Pb > As. The mean concentrations of Ni and Cu exceeded the average shale concentrations (ASC) and all the studied standards and indicators. According to pollution indices and ecological risk assessments, significant contamination factor of Cu (\({\rm CF}=5.66\)) was observed with a contamination degree (\(\rm CD\)) varying from low (3.08) to significant (16.71). The Nemerow index (\(\rm NI\)) indicated high potential risk exhibited in some sampling points. The ecological risk index (\({E}_{r}^{i}\)) for all the trace metals was low (\({E}_{r}^{i}\le 40\)) and the geo-accumulation index (\({I}_{\mathrm{geo}}\)) generally ranged from uncontaminated to moderately contaminated (\({I}_{\mathrm{geo}}\) 0-1). Significant enrichment was found for Ni (13.31) and Cu (11.82). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed strong linear correlations between Fe–Pb (\(R=0.73\)) and Fe–Ni (\(R=0.70\)). Assessment of contamination intensity in sediments in the studied section of Lom River globally suggested moderate to significant contamination by trace metals but the sediment quality may degrade in the near future due to increasing of anthropogenic inputs.

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The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Framework of Support for the Promotion of Mining Handicrafts ‘’CAPAM’’ laboratory, the Eco-materials and Environment laboratory of the School of Geology and Mining Engineering (University of Ngaoundere) and the promotion of local materials ‘’ (MIPROMALO)’’ of Yaounde for their support during the analysis works. The authors also wish to thank the anonymous reviewers and editor for their helpful suggestions and enlightening comments.

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  1. Department of Mining Engineering, School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 115, Meiganga, Cameroon

    Mouhamed Ngounouno Ayiwouo & Luc Leroy Ngueyep Mambou

  2. Laboratory of Material Sciences, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Luc Leroy Ngueyep Mambou

  3. Department of Mechanical, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, National Advanced School of Mines and Petroleum Industries, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 46, Maroua, Cameroon

    Sifeu Takougang Kingni

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon

    Ismaila Ngounouno

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Ngounouno Ayiwouo, M., Ngueyep Mambou, L.L., Kingni, S.T. et al. Spatio-temporal variation and assessment of trace metal contamination in sediments along the Lom River in the gold mining site of Gankombol (Adamawa Cameroon). Environ Earth Sci 81, 379 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10501-x

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