Evaluation of Water Pollution in the Locality of Mbang-Foulbe, Adamawa, Cameroon

Abstract

The exponential growth of the cattle herd in the locality of Mbang – Foulbe, is not correlated the expansion of the pastoral space. Compared to a normal exploitation, the study area may characterize an overgrazing pattern which is combined with a significant accumulation of cattle manure, leading to a serious environmental problem. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the pollution of water in the study area. In this regard, two samplings campaigns were carried out, and consisted of surface and groundwater sample. The first sampling campaign was doing in the dry season and the second sampling campaign in the raining season. In those sampling campaign, we quantify the level of pollution by nutriments, such as: OM, NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, PO42- in the water. Volumetric and spectrophotometric analysis methods were used to quantify the levels of these pollutants in our various surface and groundwater samples. The well located on the cattle market (P1) has the highest nitrate and orthophosphates content 41.864±0.152 mg/L and 9.21±0.66 mg/L respectively. The well located on slaughterhouse (P2) records the highest levels of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen 7.14±0.12 mg/L and 2.583±0.003 mg/L respectively. Principal component analysis shows that the P1 and P2 wells have nitrate and nitrite concentrations exceeding the standards for water for human and bovine consumption. Pastoral activity has an impact on the quality of the environment and, by extension, on human health.