Abstract
Shallow groundwater (>30 mbgl) is an essential source of drinking water to rural communities in the Ndop plain, northwest Cameroon. As a contribution to water management, the effect of seasonal variation on the groundwater chemistry, hydrochemical controls, drinking quality and recharge were investigated during the peaks of the dry (January) and rainy (September) seasons. Field measurements of physical parameters were preceded by sampling 58 groundwater samples during both seasons for major ions and stable isotope analyses. The groundwater, which was barely acidic (mean pH of 6) and less mineralised (TDS < 272 mg/l), showed no significant seasonal variation in temperature, pH and TDS during the two seasons. The order of cation abundance (meq/l) was Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively, but that of anions (\( {\text{HCO}}_{3}^{ - } \) > \( {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } \) > Cl− > \( {\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } \) > F−) was similar in both seasons. This suggests a negligible effect of seasonal variations on groundwater chemistry. The groundwater, which was CaMgHCO3 and NaHCO3, is chemically evolved rainfall (CaMgSO4Cl) in the area. Silicate mineral dissolution and cation-exchange were the main controls on groundwater chemistry while there was little anthropogenic influence. The major ions and TDS concentrations classified the water as suitable for human consumption as per WHO guidelines. The narrow cluster of δ18O and δD of same groundwater from both seasons between the δ18O and δD values of May–June precipitation along the Ndop Meteoric Water Line indicates meteoric origin, rapid recharge (after precipitation) and timing of recharge between May and June rainfall. Diffuse groundwater recharge mainly occurs at low altitudes (<1,400 m asl) within the plain. Besides major ions and TDS, the similar δ18O and δD of groundwater from both seasons indicate a consistent groundwater recharge and flow pattern throughout the year and resilience to present day short-term seasonal climatic variations. However, controlled groundwater abstraction is recommended given the increasing demand.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Acheampong SY, Hess JW (2000) Origin of the shallow groundwater system in the southern Voltaian sedimentary basin of Ghana: an isotopic approach. J Hydrol 233:37–53
Adelana SAM, MacDonald AM (2008) Groundwater research issues in Africa. In: Adelana SAM, MacDonald AM (eds) Applied groundwater studies in Africa. Taylor and Francis, London, pp 1–8
Adelana S, Fantong W, Nedaw D, Duah A (2011) Groundwater and health: meeting the unmet needs in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Jones JAA (ed) Sustainable groundwater resources. International year of planet earth. Springer Science+Business Media B.V, London, pp 21–33
Ako AA, Shimada J, Hosono T, Ichiyanagi K, Nkeng GE, Eyong GET, Roger NN (2012) Hydrogeochemical and isotopic characteristics of groundwater in Mbanga, Njombe and Penja (Banana plain)-Cameroon. J Afr Earth Sci 75:25–36
Allen DM, Suchy M (2001) Geochemical evolution of groundwater on Saturna Island, British Columbia. Can J Earth Sci 38:1059–1080
Alley WM (1993) General design considerations. In: Alley WM (ed) Regional groundwater quality. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, pp 3–22
Appelo CAJ, Postma D (2005) Geochemistry, groundwater, and pollution, 2nd edn. Balkema, Amsterdam
Brand WA, Geilmann H, Crosson ER, Rella CW (2009) Cavity ring-down spectroscopy versus high-temperature conversion isotope ratio mass spectrometry: a case study on δ2H and δ18O of pure water samples and alcohol/water mixtures. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 23:1879–1884
Calow RC, MacDonald AM, Nicol AL, Robins NS (2010) Ground water security and drought in Africa: linking availability, access, and demand. Ground Water 48:246–256
Cendon DI, Larsen JR, Jones BG, Nanson GC, Rickleman D, Hankin SI, Pueyo JJ, Maroulis J (2010) Freshwater recharge into a shallow saline groundwater system, Cooper Creek floodplain, Queensland, Australia. J Hydrol 392:150–163
Craig H (1961) Isotopic variations in meteoric waters. Science 133:1702–1703
Currell M, Cendon DI, Cheng X (2013) Analysis of environmental isotopes in groundwater to understand the response of a vulnerable coastal aquifer to pumping: western Port Basin, south-eastern Australia. Hydrogeol J 21:1413–1427
Dansgaard W (1964) Stable isotope in precipitation. Tellus 16:436–468
Deshpande RD, Bhattacharya SK, Jani RA, Gupta SK (2003) Distribution of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in shallow groundwaters from southern India: influence of a dual monsoon system. J Hydrol 271:226–239
Deutsch WJ (1997) Groundwater geochemistry: fundamentals and applications to contamination. CRC Press, Florida
Dhar RK, Zheng Y, Stute M, van Geen A, Cheng Z, Shanewaz M, Shamsudduha M, Hoque MA, Rahman MW, Ahmed KM (2008) Temporal variability of groundwater chemistry in shallow and deep aquifers of Araihazar, Bangladesh. J Contam Hydrol 99:97–111
EACC (2010) Economics of adaptation to climate change: synthesis report. World Bank, Washington
Edmunds WM, Smedley PL (1996) Groundwater geochemistry and health: an overview. In: Appleton JD, Fuge R, McCall GJH (eds) Environmental geochemistry and health with special reference to developing countries. Geological Society Special Publication No.113, pp 91–105
Eneke GT, Ayonghe SN, Chandrasekharam D, Ntchancho R, Ako AA, Mouncherou OF, Thambidurai P (2011) Controls on groundwater chemistry in a highly urbanised coastal area. Int J Environ Res 5:475–490
Fantong WY, Satake H, Aka FT, Ayonghe SN, Asai K, Mandal AK, Ako AA (2010) Hydrochemical and isotopic evidence of recharge, apparent age, and flow direction of groundwater in Mayo Tsanaga river basin, Cameroon: bearings on contamination. Environ Earth Sci 60:107–120
Fisher RS, Mullican WF (1997) Hydrochemical evolution of sodium-sulfate and sodium-chloride groundwater beneath the northern Chihuahuan Desert, Trans-Pecos, Texas, USA. Hydrogeol J 5:4–16
Garrels RM, Mackenzie FT (1967) Origin of the chemical composition of some springs and lakes. In: Gould RF (ed) Equilibrium concepts in natural water. American Chemical Society, Washington, pp 222–242
Gat JR (2010) Isotope hydrology: a study of the water cycle. Series on environmental science and management, vol. 6. Imperial College Press, London
Gat JR, Matsui E (1991) Atmospheric water balance in the Amazon Basin: an isotopic evapotranspiration model. J Geophys Res 96:13179–13188
Gibrilla A, Osae S, Akiti TT, Adomako D, Ganyaglo SY, Bam EPK, Hadisu H (2010) Origin of dissolve ions in groundwaters in the northern Densu river basin of Ghana using stable isotopes of 18O and 2H. J Water Res Prot 2:1010–1019
Gonfiantini R, Frohlich K, Araguás-Araguás L, Rozanski K (1998) Isotopes in groundwater hydrology. In: Kendall C, McDonell JJ (eds) Isotope tracers in catchment hydrology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 203–246
Gupta S, Dandele PS, Verma MB, Maithani PB (2009) Geochemical assessment of groundwater around Macherla-Karempudi area, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. J Geol Soc India 73:202–212
Karklins S (1996). Groundwater sampling desk reference. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater PUBL-DG-037 96
Kasenow M (2001) Applied groundwater hydrology and well hydraulics, 2nd edn. Water Resources Publication, Colorado
Kendall C, Doctor DH (2011) Stable isotope applications in hydrologic studies. In: Holland HD, Turekian KK (eds) Isotope geochemistry, 1st edn. Academic Press, London, pp 181–220
Kim K (2002) Plagioclase weathering in the groundwater system of a sandy, silicate aquifer. Hydrol Process 16:1793–1806
Kim K (2003) Long-term disturbance of ground water chemistry following well installation. Ground Water 41:780–789
Kortatsi BK (2006) Hydrochemical characterization of groundwater in the Accra plains of Ghana. Environ Geol 50:299–311
Lapworth DJ, MacDonald AM, Tijani MN, Darling WG, Gooddy DC, Bonsor HC, Araguás-Araguás LJ (2013) Residence times of shallow groundwater in West Africa: implications for hydrogeology and resilience to future changes in climate. Hydrogeol J 21:673–686
Loehnert EP (1988) Major chemical and isotope variations in surface and subsurface waters of West Africa. J Afr Earth Sci 7:579–588
Ma J, He J, Qi S, Zhu G, Zhao W, Edmunds WM, Zhao Y (2013) Groundwater recharge and evolution in the Unhang basin, northwestern China. Appl Geochem 28:19–31
MacDonald AM, Bensor HC, Dochartaigh BEO, Taylor RG (2012) Quantitative maps of groundwater resources in Africa. Environ Res Lett 7:024009
Mache JR, Signing P, Nyoya A, Kunyukubundo F, Mbey JA, Njopwouo D, Fagel N (2013) Smectite clay from the Sabga deposit (Cameroon): mineralogical and physicochemical properties. Clay Miner 48:499–512
Marzoli A, Renne PR, Piccrilo EM, Francesca C, Bellieni G, Melfi A, Nyobe JB, N’ni J (1999) Silicic magmas from the continental Cameroon Volcanic Line (Oku, Bambouto and Ngaoundere): 40Ar-39Ar dates, petrology, Sr-Nd-O isotopes and their petrogenetic significance. Contrib Mineral Petrol 135:133–150
Mbonu M, Travi Y (1994) Labelling of precipitation by stable isotopes (18O, 2H) over the Jos Plateau and the surrounding plains, north-central Nigeria. J Afr Earth Sci 19:91–98
Molua EL, Lambi CM (2006) Climate hydrology and water resources in Cameroon. CEEPA
Ndenecho EN (2009) Cropping systems and post-cultivation vegetation succession: agro-Ecosystem in Ndop Cameroon. J Hum Ecol 27:27–33
Ndzeidze SK (2008) Detecting changes in a wetland using multi-spectral and temporal Landsat in the Upper Noun Valley drainage basin-Cameroon. MSc. Thesis, Geography. Oregon State University
Neba A (1999) Modern geography of the Republic of Cameroon, 3rd edn. Neba Publishers, Bamenda
Negrel Ph, Lemière B, Machard de Gramont H, Billaud P, Sengupta B (2007) Hydrogeochemical processes, mixing and isotope tracing in hard rock aquifers and surface waters from the Subarnarekha River basin, (east Singhbhum district, Jharkhand state India). Hydrogeol J 15:1535–1552
Negrel Ph, Pauwels H, Dewandel B, Gandolfi JM, Massacre C, Ahmed S (2011) Understanding groundwater systems and their functioning through the study of stable water isotopes in a hard-rock aquifer (Maheshwaram watershed, India). J Hydrol 397:55–70
Nganje TN, Adamu CI, Ugbaja AN, Amah AE (2010) Evaluation of hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in parts of Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria. Chin J Geochem 29:398–406
Njitchoua R, Diver L, Fontes J-Ch, Naah E (1997) Geochemistry, origin and recharge mechanism of groundwaters from the Garoua sandstone aquifer, northern Cameroon. J Hydrol 190:123–140
Oga MS, Marlin C, Dever L, Filly A, Njitchoua R (2008) Hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics of coastal groundwater near Abidjan (southern Ivory Coast). In: Adelana SAM, MacDonald AM (eds) Applied groundwater studies in Africa. Taylor and Francis, London, pp 371–389
Oyebog SA, Ako AA, Nkeng GE, Suh CE (2012) Hydrogeochemical characteristics of some Cameroon bottled waters, investigated by multivariate statistical analyses. J Geochem Explor 112:118–130
Pu T, He Y, Zhang T, Wu J, Zhu G, Chang L (2013) Isotopic and geochemical evolution of ground and river waters in a karst dominated geological setting: a case study from Lijiang basin, South-Asia monsoon region. Appl Geochem 33:199–212
Saka D, Akiti TT, Osae S, Appenteng MK, Gibrilla A (2013) Hydrogeochemistry and isotope studies of groundwater in the Ga West Municipal Area, Ghana. Appl Water Sci 3:577–588
Schoeller H (1965) Qualitative evaluation of groundwater resources. In: Methods and techniques of groundwater investigations and development. UNESCO, pp 54–83
Talabi AO, Tijani MN (2013) Hydrochemical and stable isotopic characterization of shallow groundwater system in the crystalline basement terrain of Ekiti area, southwestern Nigeria. Appl Water Sci 3:229–245
Tanyileke GZ, Kusakabe M, Evans WC (1996) Chemical and isotopic characteristics of fluids along the Cameroon Volcanic Line, Cameroon. J Afr Earth Sci 22:433–441
Taupin J-D, Coudrain-Ribstein A, Gallaire R, Zuppi GM, Filly A (2000) Rainfall characteristics (δ18O, δ2H, ΔT and ΔHr) in western Africa: regional scale and influence of irrigated areas. J Geophys Res 105:11911–11924
Tay CK (2012) Hydrochemistry of groundwater in the Savelugu-Nanton District, Northern Ghana. Environ Earth Sci 67:2077–2087
Umar R, Ahmed I, Alam F, Khna MM (2009) Hydrochemical characteristics and seasonal variations in groundwater quality of an alluvial aquifer in parts of Central Ganga Plain, Western Uttar Pradesh, India. Environ Geol 58:1295–1300
WHO (2011) Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 4th edn. World Health Organization, Geneva
Wirmvem MJ, Ohba T, Fantong WY, Ayonghe SN, Suila JY, Asaah ANE, Tanyileke G, Hell JV (2013a) Hydrochemistry of shallow groundwater and surface water in the Ndop plain, North West Cameroon. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 7:518–530
Wirmvem MJ, Fantong WY, Wotany ER, Ohba T, Ayonghe SN (2013b) Sources of bacteriological contamination of shallow groundwater and health effects in the Ndop plain, Northwest Cameroon. J Environ Sci Water Resour 2:127–132
Wirmvem MJ, Ohba T, Fantong WY, Ayonghe SN, Suila JY, Asaah ANE, Asai K, Tanyileke G, Hell JV (2013c). Monthly δ18O, δD and Cl− characteristics of precipitation in the Ndop plain, Northwest Cameroon: Baseline data. Quatern Int. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2013.07.009
Wirmvem MJ, Ohba T, Fantong WY, Ayonghe SN, Hogarh JN, Suila JY, Asaah ANE, Tanyileke G, Hell JV (2014) Origin of major ions in monthly rainfall events at the Bamenda Highlands, North West Cameroon. J Environ Sci 26:801–809
Wotany ER, Ayonghe SN, Fantong WY, Wirmvem MJ, Ohba T (2013) Hydrogeochemical and anthropogenic influence on the quality of water sources in the Rio del Rey Basin, South Western, Cameroon, Gulf of Guinea. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 7:1053–1069
Acknowledgments
The paper constitutes part of an ongoing PhD research of the corresponding author, sponsored by the Japanese Government under the MONBUKAGAKUSHO Scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Material support was provided by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) project titled: Magmatic Fluid Supply into Lakes Nyos and Monoun, and Mitigation of Natural Disasters in Cameroon.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wirmvem, M.J., Ohba, T., Suila, J.Y. et al. Hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics of groundwater in the Ndop plain, northwest Cameroon: resilience to seasonal climatic changes. Environ Earth Sci 72, 3585–3598 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3265-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3265-y