Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access

Abstract

The Catchment Area of Kadey in East-Cameroon: Assessment of Arsenic Contamination in Deep Groundwater Resources

Kouassy Kalédjé PS, Ndam Noupayou JR, Djomou Djomga PN and Mvondo Ondoua J

This present study, in general, was carried out to assess arsenic in deep groundwater resources in the catchment area of Kadey, East-Cameroon and to predict arsenic mobilization process in relation to copper (indicatives aspects), iron, manganese, pH and ORP. Seventy-two (72) deep groundwater samples were collected during twenty four months between January 2014 and December 2015. The depths of the wells were ranged from 7 to 34 m. In year 2014 and year 2015, arsenic concentration in 17% and 26% of examined groundwater wells, respectively exceeded permissible World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 0.010 mg/L for drinking water. The concentrations of arsenic were in the range between arsenic is medium correlated with copper. The strong negative correlation between arsenic and ORP indicates that arsenic mobilization occurs under reducing condition. These distinct relationships indicate that arsenic release is considered to be affected by the reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxides in the groundwater. Arsenic has very weak negative correlation with pH suggesting less effect of pH on arsenic mobilization. Arsenic is not significantly correlated with the season which infers similar distribution of arsenic in both seasons. Arsenic varies spatially in groundwater of the valley showing high concentrations in central groundwater district.