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Contamination, Sources, Distribution and Risk Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Stream Sediments of Mewongo Gold District, Nyong Group, Cameroon

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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.

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Acknowledgements

This article is part of the PhD thesis in progress of Bertrand Kehding Fomekong at The University of Bamenda, under the supervision of Pof. Cheo Emmanuel Suh and Prof. Kouankap Nono Gus Djibril. The editors and anonymous reviewers are sincerely appreciated for their valuable scientific comments and suggestions which have greatly improved the quality of this paper.

Funding

The analyses were exclusively funded by G-mining Sarl.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Mining and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, P.O. Box 39, Bamenda, Cameroon

    Bertrand Kehding Fomekong, Afahnwie Ngambu Aloysius, Njoh Olivier Anoh & Cheo Emmanuel Suh

  2. Department of Geology, Higher Teacher Training College, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, P.O. Box 39, Bamenda, Cameroon

    Kouankap Nono Gus Djibril

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  1. Bertrand Kehding Fomekong
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The project was conceived by Pof. Cheo Emmanuel Suh and Prof. Kouankap Nono Gus Djibril and designed by all authors. The manuscript was written by the first author, read, ameliorated and approved by all authors.

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Article highlights

• The Mewongo gold district is located in the Nyong Group in southern Cameroon.

• The heavy metals in Mewongo stream sediments have above upper continental crust background concentrations, suggesting pollution.

• The metals are ubiquitously distributed and largely sourced from geologic origin with further input from anthropogenic activities in the Mewongo gold district.

• Multiple pollution indices determined indicate toxicity and pollution of the stream sediments with dire consequences on the water users.

• Precautions should be followed to abate further contamination of the aquatic environment in Mewongo.

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Fomekong, B.K., Djibril, K.N.G., Aloysius, A.N. et al. Contamination, Sources, Distribution and Risk Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Stream Sediments of Mewongo Gold District, Nyong Group, Cameroon. Water Air Soil Pollut 234, 601 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06553-9

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