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Article Dans Une Revue Lakes and Reservoirs: Research & Management Année : 2009

Physicochemical characteristics of lake IRAD, an artifical lake in Wakwa region, Cameroon

Résumé

Wakwa is a region in north Cameroon characterized by intensive cattle production. This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics of the waters in Lake IRAD, located near Wakwa, which is the main water source for cattle grazing in this area. Water samples were collected at four sampling sites during the rainy and dry seasons (April, July, October and February). The chemical composition of the water samples was analysed for various constituents, including nitrate (NO3–), chloride (Cl−), phosphate (PO43−), bicarbonate (HCO3−), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), ammonia–nitrogen (NH4–N) and organic matter (OM). The mineral composition varied significantly (P < 0.05) with the sampling period. High concentrations of zinc (0.96 mg L−1) and dissolved iron (1.23 mg L−l) were observed during the dry season. Total iron (3.25 mg L−1), OM (15.4 mg of O2 L−1), nitrate (28.82 mg L−1) and NH4–N (1.05 mg L−1) concentrations were highest during the rainy season. The iron, OM and NH4–N concentrations were higher than the USEPA-recommended values (0.2 mg L−1, 4 mg of O2 L−1 and 0.5 mg L−1, respectively). The phosphate, copper, nickel and cadmium concentrations, considered as the polluting substances, were present in negligible concentrations, being below the detection limits of the analytical techniques used to measure them. The high iron, OM and nitrogen concentrations were attributed to water-leached soil run-off, as well as the activity of animals in the lake. Sampling sites 1 and 2, which were used mostly by cattle, were observed to have the highest concentrations of NH4–N, compared with sites 3 and S (exit point). It will be necessary to delimit cattle access points to the lake to reduce this type of contamination of drinking water.

Dates et versions

hal-01486274 , version 1 (09-03-2017)

Identifiants

Citer

W.M.L. Fezeu, M.B. Ngassoum, E. Montarges‐pelletier, Guillaume Echevarria, C.M.F. Mbofund. Physicochemical characteristics of lake IRAD, an artifical lake in Wakwa region, Cameroon. Lakes and Reservoirs: Research & Management, 2009, 14 (3), pp.259-268. ⟨10.1111/j.1440-1770.2009.00402.x⟩. ⟨hal-01486274⟩
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