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Modelling of heavy metals transport along the Lom River in the mining site of Gankombol (Adamawa Cameroon)

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Abstract

In the present study, the transport of heavy metals along the Lom River in the gold mining site of Gankombol (Adamawa Cameroon) is modelled and analysed. Water samples are systematically collected and characterized to know the concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd and Hg). The modelling of the transport of these heavy metals in the surface water is described by the one-dimensional advection–dispersion-sorption equation. This governing equation is solved analytically by using Laplace transform technique and numerically by using the finite volume method in space and Runge–Kutta method in time. The distribution of the concentration of heavy metals is studied according to several scenarios. The studied scenarios are the modelling of the solute source, the variation of the sorption partition coefficient and the increasing/decreasing temporal dependence. The experimental results reveal that the concentrations of Pb, As and Cd range from 0.0027 to 0.0054 mg.L−1, 0.0012–0.0044 mg.L−1 and 0.0001–0.0007 mg.L−1, respectively. The concentrations of Hg range from 0.0019 to 0.0065 mg.L−1 and the maximum concentration of 0.0065 mg.L−1 exceed the permissible limit recommended by the WHO standard. The analytical and numerical results show that the spatial distribution of heavy metals decreases along the section of the Lom River. This is due to the dispersion and adsorption processes. Finally, analytical and numerical results are compared to the experimental data. Therefore, this model which represent a real complex situation can help managers or decision-makers to take decisions faster and accurately in order to provide adequate remedial solutions.

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Fig. 1
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source point and influence of entry conditions on the spatial distribution of heavy metals obtained with numerical solution: a Pb; b As; c Cd and d Hg

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the laboratory of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) of Yaounde in and the laboratory of Geochemical and Water Analysis of the Geological and Mining Research Institute of Yaounde for their support during the analyses works. The authors would like to thank laboratory of Eco-materials and Environment of the School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere for providing the materials for the in situ measurements. The authors also wish to thank the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their helpful suggestions and enlightening comments.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    M. N. Ayiwouo & L. L. N. Mambou

  2. Department of Mechanical, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Faculty of Mines and Petroleum Industries, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 46, Maroua, Cameroon

    S. T. Kingni

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

    L. L. N. Mambou

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

    I. Ngounouno

  5. Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar

    H. Iqtadar

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  1. M. N. Ayiwouo
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  2. S. T. Kingni
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  3. L. L. N. Mambou
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  4. I. Ngounouno
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by MN Ayiwouo; methodology: MN Ayiwouo, ST Kingni and LLN Mambou; formal analysis and investigation: MN Ayiwouo, ST Kingni and LLN Mambou; writing–original draft preparation: MN Ayiwouo, ST Kingni and LLN Mambou; writing–review and editing: MN Ayiwouo, ST Kingni, LLN Mambou and H Iqtadar; supervision: H Iqtadar and I Ngounouno. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to M. N. Ayiwouo.

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Editorial responsibility: Shahid Hussain.

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Ayiwouo, M.N., Kingni, S.T., Mambou, L.L.N. et al. Modelling of heavy metals transport along the Lom River in the mining site of Gankombol (Adamawa Cameroon). Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 19, 10793–10808 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03889-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03889-9

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