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Major ions, δD, δ18O and microbial characterization of drinking water sources along the West Coast of Cameroon

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Abstract

Hydrochemical data coupled to microbial content are required for a comprehensive understanding of water quality. Such knowledge is pertinent to the design of sustainable livelihoods related to water resources. Here we present physico-chemical, stable environmental isotopes and microbial characteristics of drinking water sources that were investigated during the dry and rainy seasons of 2015 and 2018, along the West Coast of Cameroon to assess potability, health impacts and impacts of climate change. Field work involved mapping, collection of water samples and measurement of physical parameters (pH, EC and temperature). Major ions and total coliform were analyzed using Ion Chromatography and the Violet Red Bile Lactose Agar, respectively. Microbial contaminated samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. bacteria using MacConkey agar and Salmonella Shigella Agar agar, respectively. The health impacts of the water on the population were assessed based on records of water borne diseases from health centers and a hospital within the study area. δ18O and δD isotopic ratios of 6 monthly rainfall samples and 12 samples from the different water sources were analyzed with the PICARRO made Cavity Ring Down Spectrometer, model L2120. The results revealed various seasonal dependent water chemistry with facies such as Ca+Mg-HCO3, Na+K-Cl and Ca+Mg-Cl+SO4, Ca+Mg-HCO3, Na+K-HCO3 for the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Furthermore, except for some rivers that showed slight evaporation effects, the waters in the springs and wells represent pristine rainwater, which shows δ18O depletion trend in the 1960s and enrichment between 1972 and 2017. 57% of the water sources were contaminated by either Escherichia coli and/or Salmonella spp., thus not potable as records from health centers indicated high prevalence of water borne diseases, caused by microbial contamination of the drinking water sources and inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Based on major ions content, 16% of the water sources were unsuitable for drinking. Factors that control water chemistry include water–rock interaction, anthropic inputs, and climate change driven seawater intrusion. Integrated water resources management would include among others, construction of drinking water treatment plants and implementation of climate change adaptation measures in the water sector.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of the staff of the “Laboratoire de Géochimie des Eaux” (LAGE) of the Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) that is located in Nkolbisson-Yaounde) for the major ions and isotope analysis, the Microbiology unit of the University of Buea for microbial analysis. Furthermore, the authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their comments that improved the manuscript. We are also grateful to the UBuea Consortium of the USAID Periperi U Grant for 2018/2019 for the financial support towards the realization of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

    Amban B. Sanga, Bijingsi Melisa & Samuel N. Ayonghe

  2. Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Wilson Y. Fantong

  3. Global Water Partnership, Central Africa, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Hycinth S. Banseka

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  1. Amban B. Sanga
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Correspondence to Wilson Y. Fantong.

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Sanga, A.B., Melisa, B., Fantong, W.Y. et al. Major ions, δD, δ18O and microbial characterization of drinking water sources along the West Coast of Cameroon. Environ Earth Sci 79, 106 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-8837-4

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