Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon)

Josephine Ndjama; Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo; Gloria Takem Eyong; Eric Belmond Biram Ngon; Alain Fouepe Takounjou; Georges Mafany; Clarisse Mfopou Mewouo

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11

Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon)

Josephine Ndjama, Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo, Gloria Takem Eyong, Eric Belmond Biram Ngon, Alain Fouepe Takounjou, Georges Mafany, Clarisse Mfopou Mewouo

Published in Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry (Volume 9, Issue 3)

Received: 11 May 2021 Accepted: 9 June 2021 Published: 13 July 2021

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by human activities, notably urban sewage and industrial effluent discharges, particularly in rivers. This study assesses heavy metals contamination of sediments of the Mgoua River in Douala, Cameroon. The Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (FC), the Sediment Pollution Index (SPI), the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used to assess the contamination risk. The mean concentration of Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Zn, Pb, U, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Cs and Ba in sediments was 12601.08, 111.96, 151.93, 9.47, 65.43, 161.81, 7.55, 2.27, 419.30, 248.30, 49.30, 12.65, 89.50, 39.69, 3017.52, 5.95, 313.26, 39667.32, 0.97 and 243.19 µg/l, respectively. Heavy metals concentrations in sediments creased in the following order: U < Cs < Cd < Mo < As < Co < Rb < Y < Ni < Sr < V < Cr < Cu < Ba < Pb < Mn < Zn < Ti < Fe. The Igeo, CF and EF indicate a polymetallic contamination dominated by Cu, Cd and Pb being the most important in all studied sites. The value of SPI varied between 10.95 and 37.84, suggesting that the sediments are moderately to highly polluted, with PLI higher than 1. These indices reveal that the sediments of Mgoua river catchment were polluted with most of the heavy metals. The high concentrations of some of the metals were due to anthropogenic sources particularly the discharge of untreated industrial wastes in to watercourses. This study can therefore be used as a reference to monitor the quality of sediments of the Mgoua river.

Published in	Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry (Volume 9, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11
Page(s)	58-67
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Sediment Quality, Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (FC), Sediment Pollution Index (SPI), Enrichment Factor (EF), Pollution Load Index (PLI)

References

[1]	Grigoratos T, Samara C, Voutsa D, Manoli E, Kouras A (2014). Chemical composition and mass closure of ambient coarse particles at trafﬁc and urban background sites in Thessaloniki. Greece. Environmental Sciences and Pollution Research 21: 7708–7722.
[2]	Barakat A, Baghdadi ME, Rais J, Nadem S (2012). Assessment of heavy metal in surface sediments of Day river at Beni-Mellal Region, Morocco. Research Journal Environmental Earth Sciences 4: 797-806.
[3]	Pejman A, Bidhendi GH, Ardestani M, Saeedi M, Baghvand A (2015). A new index for assessing heavy metals contamination in sediments: A case study. Ecological Indicators 58: 365–373.
[4]	Ndjama J (2014). Pollution des systèmes hydrologiques en zones urbaines et impacts environnementaux: Cas du bassin versant de la Mgoua à Douala, Cameroun. Thèse de Doctorat Ph.D. Université de Yaoundé I, Faculté des Sciences, Département des Sciences de la Terre, 224p.
[5]	Eneke GT, Kuitcha D, Ako AA, Mafany GT, Takoundjou Fouepe A, Ndjama J, Ntchancho R, Ateba BH, Chanchasekharam D, Ayonghe SN (2015). Acidification of shallow groundwater in the unconfined sandy aquifer of the city of Douala, Cameroon, Western Africa: Implications for groundwater quality and use. Journal of Environmental Earth Sciences. DOI: 10.1007/S12665-015-4681-3.
[6]	Fantong WY, Kamtchueng BT, Ketchemen-Tandia B, Kuitcha D, Ndjama J, Fouepe AT, Takem GE, Issa, Wirmvem MJ, Bopda Djomou SL, Ako AA, Nkeng GE, Minoru Kusakabe & Takeshi Ohba (2016). Variation of hydrogeochemical characteristics of water in surface flows, shallow wells, and boreholes in the coastal city of Douala (Cameroon). ISSN: 0262-6667 (Print) 2150-3435.
[7]	Kopa Njueya A, Likeng JDH, Nono A (2012). Hydrodynamique et qualité des eaux souterraines dans le bassin sédimentaire de Douala (Cameroun): cas des aquifères sur formations Quaternaires et Tertiaires. International Journal Biology and Chemistry Sciences 6 (4): 1874-1894.
[8]	Ogbeibu AE, Omoigberale MO, Ezenwa MI, Eziza JO, Igwe JO (2014). Using pollution load index and geoaccumulation index for the assessment of heavy metal pollution and sediment quality of the Benin river. Nigeria. Nature Environmental 2: 1-9.
[9]	Bai J, Cui B, Chen B, Zhang K, Deng W, Gao H, Xiao R (2011). Spatial distribution and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from a typical plateau lake wetland, China. Ecol. Model., 222 (2): 301-306.
[10]	Esmaeilzadeh M, Karbassi A, Moattar F (2016). Assessment of metal pollution in the Anzali Wetland sediments using chemical partitioning method and pollution indices 35 (10): 28-36.
[11]	Kerolli-Mustafa, Fajković M, Rončević HS, Ćurković L (2015). Assessment of metals risks from different depths of jarosite tailing waste of Trepça Zinc Industry, Kosovo based on BCR procedure. J. Geochewm. Explor. 148: 161-168..
[12]	El-Sammak AA, Abdul-Kassim TA (1999). Metal pollution in the sediments of Alexandria Region. Southern Mediterranean. Egypt. Bull. Environmental Contamination Toxicology 63: 263-270.
[13]	Tomlinson DC, Wilson JG, Harris CR, Jeffery DW (1980). Helgolãnder Meeresunters 33: 566-575.
[14]	Yaqin J, Yinchang F, Jianhui W, Tan Z, Zhipeng B, Chiqing D (2008). Using geoaccumulation index to study source profiles of soil dust in China. Journal Environmental Sciences 20: 571-578.
[15]	Islam MS, Ahmed MK, Raknuzzaman M., Habibullah-Al-Mamun M, Islam MK (2015c). Heavy metal pollution in surface water and sediment: a preliminary assessment of an urban river in a developing country. Ecol. Indic. 48: 282–291.
[16]	Turekian KK, Wedepohl KH (1961). Distribution of the elements in some major units of the earth’s crust. Bulletin of the Geological Society of American 72: 175-192.
[17]	Legorburu I, Rodriguez JG, Borja A, Menchaca I, Solaun O, Valencia V, Galparsoro I and Larreta J (2013). Source characterization and spatio-temporal evolution of the metal pollution in the sediments of the Basque estuaries (Bay of Biscay). Marine Pollut. Bull. 66 (1-2), 25-38.
[18]	Abrahim GMS, Parker RJ (2008). Assessment of heavy metal enrichment factors and the degree of contamination in marine sediments from Tamaki Estuary. Auckland. New Zealand. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 136: 227-238.
[19]	Sakan SM, Djordjevic DS, Manojlovic DD, Polic PS (2009). Assessment of heavy metal pollutants accumulation in the Tisza River sediments. Journal Environmental Management 90: 3382-3390.
[20]	Malvandi H (2017). Preliminary evaluation of heavy metal contamination in the Zarrin-Gol River sediments. Iran. Marine Pollution Bulletin. MPB-08421; No of Pages 7.
[21]	Singh M, Mülle G, Singh IB (2002). Heavy metals in freshly deposited stream sediments of rivers associated with urbanization of the Ganga plain. India. Water Air Soil Pollution 141: 35-54.
[22]	Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1995). The geochemical evolution of the continental crust. Reviews of Geophysics 33: 241-265.
[23]	Gamo T (2007). Geochemistry of Environment (in Japanese). Baihu-kan. 235 p.
[24]	Humsa TZ, Srivastava RK (2015). Impact of rare earth mining and processing on soil and water environment at Chavara. Kollam. Kerala: a case study. Procedure Earth Planet Sciences 11: 566–581.
[25]	Eker SC, Sipahi F, zkan O, Gumu MK (2017). Evaluation of potentially toxic element contents and Pb isotopic compositions in Ankara Stream sediments within an urban catchment in central Turkey. Environmental Earth Sciences 76: 647.
[26]	Rumpa S, Rumki N, Bidyut S (2011). Sources and toxicity of hexavalent chromium. Journal of Coordination Chemistry. 64 (10): 1782–1806.
[27]	Halimoon N, Goh Soo YR (2010). Removal of Heavy Metals from Textile Wastewater using Zeolite. EnvironmentAsia 3: 124-130.
[28]	Khan MZH, Hasan MR, Khan M, Aktar S, Fatema K (2017). Distribution of Heavy metals in surface sediments of the Bay of Bengal Coast. Journal of Toxicology, Volume 2017, Article ID 9235764, 7 p.
[29]	Fu J, Zhao C, Luo Y, Liu C, Kyzas GZ, Luo Y, Zhao D, An S, Zhu H (2014). Heavy metals in surface sediments of the Jialu River. China: their relations to environmental factors.
[30]	Srarfi FRR, Bol R, Martina I, Nadhem GB, SlimShimi N (2019). Stream sediments geochemistry and the influence of flood phosphate mud in mining area. Metlaoui. Western south of Tunisia. Environmental Earth Sciences 78: 211-223.
[31]	Mukai H, Tanaka A, Fujii T, Nakao M (1994). Lead isotope ratios of airborne particulate matter as tracers of long-range transport of air pollutants around Japan. Journal of Geophysical Research 99 (2): 3717-3726.
[32]	Obaje SO, Akpoborie IA, Ugbe FC, Onugba A (2015). Rare Earth and Trace Elements Distribution in Sediments of River Gora. Minna Area. North-Central Nigeria: Implication for Provenance. Earth Sciences Research 4 (1): 103-112.
[33]	Smedley PL, Kinniburgh DG (2017). Molybdenum in natural waters: A review of occurrence. Distributions and controls. Applied Geochemistry 84: 387–432.
[34]	Petrescu L, Bilal E, Iatan L (2010). The impact of a uranium mining site on the stream sediments (Crucea mine. Romania). Scientific Annals of the School of Geology 100: 121-126.
[35]	Islam MS, Ahmed MK, Habibullah-Al-Mamun M, Hoque MF (2015b). Preliminary assessment of heavy metal contamination in surface sediments from a river in Bangladesh. Environmental Earth Sciences 73: 1837–1848.
[36]	Rosha R, Bajracharya RM, Subodh S, Chhatra MS, Shichang K, Qianggong Z, Tripathee L, Pengfei C, Dipesh R, Guo J, Bhawani SD (2017). Potentially Toxic Trace Metals in Water and Lake-Bed Sediment of Panchpokhari, an Alpine Lake Series in the Central Himalayan Region of Nepal. Water Air Soil Pollution 228: 303.
[37]	Bhuiyan MAH, Dampare SB, Islam MA, Suzuki S (2015). Source apportionment and pollution evaluation of heavy metals in water and sediments of Buriganga river. Bangladesh. using multivariate analysis and pollution evaluation indices. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 187: 4075-4075.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Josephine Ndjama, Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo, Gloria Takem Eyong, Eric Belmond Biram Ngon, Alain Fouepe Takounjou, et al. (2021). Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon). Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 9(3), 58-67. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Josephine Ndjama; Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo; Gloria Takem Eyong; Eric Belmond Biram Ngon; Alain Fouepe Takounjou, et al. Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon). Sci. J. Anal. Chem. 2021, 9(3), 58-67. doi: 10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Josephine Ndjama, Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo, Gloria Takem Eyong, Eric Belmond Biram Ngon, Alain Fouepe Takounjou, et al. Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon). Sci J Anal Chem. 2021;9(3):58-67. doi: 10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11,
  author = {Josephine Ndjama and Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo and Gloria Takem Eyong and Eric Belmond Biram Ngon and Alain Fouepe Takounjou and Georges Mafany and Clarisse Mfopou Mewouo},
  title = {Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon)},
  journal = {Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry},
  volume = {9},
  number = {3},
  pages = {58-67},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjac.20210903.11},
  abstract = {Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by human activities, notably urban sewage and industrial effluent discharges, particularly in rivers. This study assesses heavy metals contamination of sediments of the Mgoua River in Douala, Cameroon. The Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (FC), the Sediment Pollution Index (SPI), the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used to assess the contamination risk. The mean concentration of Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Zn, Pb, U, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Cs and Ba in sediments was 12601.08, 111.96, 151.93, 9.47, 65.43, 161.81, 7.55, 2.27, 419.30, 248.30, 49.30, 12.65, 89.50, 39.69, 3017.52, 5.95, 313.26, 39667.32, 0.97 and 243.19 µg/l, respectively. Heavy metals concentrations in sediments creased in the following order: U < Cs < Cd < Mo < As < Co < Rb < Y < Ni < Sr < V < Cr < Cu < Ba < Pb < Mn < Zn < Ti < Fe. The Igeo, CF and EF indicate a polymetallic contamination dominated by Cu, Cd and Pb being the most important in all studied sites. The value of SPI varied between 10.95 and 37.84, suggesting that the sediments are moderately to highly polluted, with PLI higher than 1. These indices reveal that the sediments of Mgoua river catchment were polluted with most of the heavy metals. The high concentrations of some of the metals were due to anthropogenic sources particularly the discharge of untreated industrial wastes in to watercourses. This study can therefore be used as a reference to monitor the quality of sediments of the Mgoua river.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon)
AU  - Josephine Ndjama
AU  - Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo
AU  - Gloria Takem Eyong
AU  - Eric Belmond Biram Ngon
AU  - Alain Fouepe Takounjou
AU  - Georges Mafany
AU  - Clarisse Mfopou Mewouo
Y1  - 2021/07/13
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11
T2  - Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry
JF  - Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry
JO  - Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry
SP  - 58
EP  - 67
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-8053
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11
AB  - Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by human activities, notably urban sewage and industrial effluent discharges, particularly in rivers. This study assesses heavy metals contamination of sediments of the Mgoua River in Douala, Cameroon. The Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (FC), the Sediment Pollution Index (SPI), the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used to assess the contamination risk. The mean concentration of Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Zn, Pb, U, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Cs and Ba in sediments was 12601.08, 111.96, 151.93, 9.47, 65.43, 161.81, 7.55, 2.27, 419.30, 248.30, 49.30, 12.65, 89.50, 39.69, 3017.52, 5.95, 313.26, 39667.32, 0.97 and 243.19 µg/l, respectively. Heavy metals concentrations in sediments creased in the following order: U < Cs < Cd < Mo < As < Co < Rb < Y < Ni < Sr < V < Cr < Cu < Ba < Pb < Mn < Zn < Ti < Fe. The Igeo, CF and EF indicate a polymetallic contamination dominated by Cu, Cd and Pb being the most important in all studied sites. The value of SPI varied between 10.95 and 37.84, suggesting that the sediments are moderately to highly polluted, with PLI higher than 1. These indices reveal that the sediments of Mgoua river catchment were polluted with most of the heavy metals. The high concentrations of some of the metals were due to anthropogenic sources particularly the discharge of untreated industrial wastes in to watercourses. This study can therefore be used as a reference to monitor the quality of sediments of the Mgoua river.
VL  - 9
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Josephine Ndjama

Hydrological Research Centre, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon
Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo

Department of Science, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
Gloria Takem Eyong

Hydrological Research Centre, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon
Eric Belmond Biram Ngon

Hydrological Research Centre, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon
Alain Fouepe Takounjou

Hydrological Research Centre, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon
Georges Mafany

Hydrological Research Centre, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon
Clarisse Mfopou Mewouo

Laboratory of Soil, Plant, Water and Fertilizer, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Yaounde, Cameroon

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Josephine Ndjama, Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo, Gloria Takem Eyong, Eric Belmond Biram Ngon, Alain Fouepe Takounjou, et al. (2021). Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon). Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 9(3), 58-67. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Josephine Ndjama; Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo; Gloria Takem Eyong; Eric Belmond Biram Ngon; Alain Fouepe Takounjou, et al. Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon). Sci. J. Anal. Chem. 2021, 9(3), 58-67. doi: 10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Josephine Ndjama, Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo, Gloria Takem Eyong, Eric Belmond Biram Ngon, Alain Fouepe Takounjou, et al. Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon). Sci J Anal Chem. 2021;9(3):58-67. doi: 10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11,
  author = {Josephine Ndjama and Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo and Gloria Takem Eyong and Eric Belmond Biram Ngon and Alain Fouepe Takounjou and Georges Mafany and Clarisse Mfopou Mewouo},
  title = {Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon)},
  journal = {Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry},
  volume = {9},
  number = {3},
  pages = {58-67},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjac.20210903.11},
  abstract = {Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by human activities, notably urban sewage and industrial effluent discharges, particularly in rivers. This study assesses heavy metals contamination of sediments of the Mgoua River in Douala, Cameroon. The Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (FC), the Sediment Pollution Index (SPI), the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used to assess the contamination risk. The mean concentration of Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Zn, Pb, U, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Cs and Ba in sediments was 12601.08, 111.96, 151.93, 9.47, 65.43, 161.81, 7.55, 2.27, 419.30, 248.30, 49.30, 12.65, 89.50, 39.69, 3017.52, 5.95, 313.26, 39667.32, 0.97 and 243.19 µg/l, respectively. Heavy metals concentrations in sediments creased in the following order: U < Cs < Cd < Mo < As < Co < Rb < Y < Ni < Sr < V < Cr < Cu < Ba < Pb < Mn < Zn < Ti < Fe. The Igeo, CF and EF indicate a polymetallic contamination dominated by Cu, Cd and Pb being the most important in all studied sites. The value of SPI varied between 10.95 and 37.84, suggesting that the sediments are moderately to highly polluted, with PLI higher than 1. These indices reveal that the sediments of Mgoua river catchment were polluted with most of the heavy metals. The high concentrations of some of the metals were due to anthropogenic sources particularly the discharge of untreated industrial wastes in to watercourses. This study can therefore be used as a reference to monitor the quality of sediments of the Mgoua river.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Sediment Contamination by Heavy Metals in the Water of Mgoua Catchment in the Industrial Zone of Douala (Cameroon)
AU  - Josephine Ndjama
AU  - Raoul Gustave Nkoue Ndondo
AU  - Gloria Takem Eyong
AU  - Eric Belmond Biram Ngon
AU  - Alain Fouepe Takounjou
AU  - Georges Mafany
AU  - Clarisse Mfopou Mewouo
Y1  - 2021/07/13
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11
T2  - Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry
JF  - Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry
JO  - Science Journal of Analytical Chemistry
SP  - 58
EP  - 67
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-8053
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20210903.11
AB  - Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by human activities, notably urban sewage and industrial effluent discharges, particularly in rivers. This study assesses heavy metals contamination of sediments of the Mgoua River in Douala, Cameroon. The Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (FC), the Sediment Pollution Index (SPI), the Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used to assess the contamination risk. The mean concentration of Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Zn, Pb, U, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Mn, Fe, Cs and Ba in sediments was 12601.08, 111.96, 151.93, 9.47, 65.43, 161.81, 7.55, 2.27, 419.30, 248.30, 49.30, 12.65, 89.50, 39.69, 3017.52, 5.95, 313.26, 39667.32, 0.97 and 243.19 µg/l, respectively. Heavy metals concentrations in sediments creased in the following order: U < Cs < Cd < Mo < As < Co < Rb < Y < Ni < Sr < V < Cr < Cu < Ba < Pb < Mn < Zn < Ti < Fe. The Igeo, CF and EF indicate a polymetallic contamination dominated by Cu, Cd and Pb being the most important in all studied sites. The value of SPI varied between 10.95 and 37.84, suggesting that the sediments are moderately to highly polluted, with PLI higher than 1. These indices reveal that the sediments of Mgoua river catchment were polluted with most of the heavy metals. The high concentrations of some of the metals were due to anthropogenic sources particularly the discharge of untreated industrial wastes in to watercourses. This study can therefore be used as a reference to monitor the quality of sediments of the Mgoua river.
VL  - 9
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download