Abstract
The Mungo River and its tributaries represent the major sources of water supply for agriculture and drinking purposes for the Douala city and the south western agricultural region of Cameroon. In this study, the surface water hydrochemistry was investigated at 12 locations to determine the hydrochemical and heavy metals characteristics and to assess the suitability for drinking and irrigational purposes. Results of water samples collected along the main channel and tributaries showed that the major ions were dominated by Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > NH4+ and > HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > F- > PO43- , with concentrations varying between 0 to 60 mg/l. Heavy metal concentrations were relatively weak, dominated by Fe > Mn > As > Cd > Zn > Se. The main hydrochemical facies types revealed primarily 52% Ca-Na-HCO3 and 48% Ca-Mg-HCO3. Base on Gibbs diagram and relative ion ratios, the hydrochemical characteristics are derived from weathering of silicate rocks and atmospheric source. The influence of anthropogenic factors including agro-industrial activities on the hydrochemical characteristics was less marked. The chemical composition of the water samples was compared with the drinking water standards and only the concentration of Fe was above the WHO guide limits in a single sample at Passi. The evaluation of the water quality for irrigation showed that 95% of water samples are suitable for irrigation in almost all soil types. According to the water quality index (HPI, HEI and Cd), this water is considered of excellent quality for consumption. The results provide a preliminary database for sustainable management of water resource in the Mungo River basin.
Highlights
Rivers, streams and lakes, have long been important sources of water for drinking and agricultural uses
This study aims to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics of the Mungo River Basin (MRB) to access: 1) the sources of chemical composition and 2) the suitability for drinking and irrigational purposes of surface water in the Mungo River and tributaries
Low content of ions was recorded in this study area and normal distribution was found for cations
Summary
Streams and lakes, have long been important sources of water for drinking and agricultural uses. Surface water interacts hydrochemically with environment in the area where they flow. Surface water quality is subjected to hydrochemical changes that are indicative of the climate and environment changes such as increased precipitation, evaporation, domestic and industrial activities, agriculture and breeding, human and animal consumption (Zhang et al, 2019). To better identify the basic processes affecting the chemical composition of the surface water, an understanding of the main factors controlling the ion and metal composition is required (Güler & Thyne, 2004; Huang et al, 2014). Since anthropogenic influences (domestic and industrial uses, agrochemical loadings, irrigation and increasing exploitation of water resources), reduces the suitability of surface water and induces costly water treatment, hydrochemical investigations can help to assess the water quality for drinking and for agricultural uses
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