Evaluation of Water Pollution in the Locality of Mbang-Foulbe, Adamawa, Cameroon
Talba DALATOU *
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences (FS), University of Garoua, P.O.BOX 346, Garoua, Cameroon.
Hassana BOUKAR
Department of Chemical Engineering, University Institute of Technology (U.I.T.), University of Ngaoundere, P.O.Box: 455, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.
Lamy Lamy Georges Maxime
Center for Research on Medicinal Plant and Traditional Medicine, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies of Yaounde, P.O.Box: 13033, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Martin Benoit NGASSOUM
Department of Applied Chemistry, National Advanced School of Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O.Box: 455, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.
Ali AHMED
Department of Chemical Engineering, University Institute of Technology (U.I.T.), University of Ngaoundere, P.O.Box: 455, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The exponential growth of the cattle herd in the locality of Mbang – Foulbe, is not correlated the expansion of the pastoral space. Compared to a normal exploitation, the study area may characterize an overgrazing pattern which is combined with a significant accumulation of cattle manure, leading to a serious environmental problem. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the pollution of water in the study area. In this regard, two samplings campaigns were carried out, and consisted of surface and groundwater sample. The first sampling campaign was doing in the dry season and the second sampling campaign in the raining season. In those sampling campaign, we quantify the level of pollution by nutriments, such as: OM, NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, PO42- in the water. Volumetric and spectrophotometric analysis methods were used to quantify the levels of these pollutants in our various surface and groundwater samples. The well located on the cattle market (P1) has the highest nitrate and orthophosphates content 41.864±0.152 mg/L and 9.21±0.66 mg/L respectively. The well located on slaughterhouse (P2) records the highest levels of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen 7.14±0.12 mg/L and 2.583±0.003 mg/L respectively. Principal component analysis shows that the P1 and P2 wells have nitrate and nitrite concentrations exceeding the standards for water for human and bovine consumption. Pastoral activity has an impact on the quality of the environment and, by extension, on human health.
Keywords: Cattle breeding, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia nitrogen, orthophosphates