Affiliation:
1. University of Buea
2. The University of Bamenda
Abstract
Abstract
The Pouma area is situated within the Yaoundé domain of the Pan Africa Fold Belt in Cameroon. The rocks in the Pouma area are mainly metamorphic rocks such as quartzite, micaschist and gneiss. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the distribution of trace metals and to assess the degree of metal pollution in the sediments of Pouma area. The sediment samples were analysed for major, trace elements and rare earth elements content byInductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS- Aqua Regia). The calculated pollution load index (1.1 to 8.1), enrichment factor (0.01 to 1221), integrated nemrow pollution load index (3.57 to 25.93) and potential ecological risk index (3 to 7504) of Au, Ag, Al, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, Ga, Mo, Nb Ni, Pb, Rb, Sc, Sn, Sr, Th, U, V, Y, Zn and Zr indicate metal pollution and sediments contamination in the Pouma area. Natural and metal input assessment reveals that the dominantly mafic lithologies in the area, mining and domestic activities as well as agricultural activities of Pouma area are the main source of metal contamination.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
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