Apport de l’hydrochimie et de l’isotope de l’environnement à la connaissance des ressources en eaux souterraines de Yaoundé, Cameroun

Introduction : L’eau souterraine constitue la principale source d’approvisionnement en eau potable de la population de la région de Yaoundé. Cependant, le manque de suivi de l’évolution de la qualité de cette eau et la méconnaissance des caractéristiques hydrochimiques est à noter.Objectif : Cette étude se propose d’améliorer les connaissances sur ces ressources en eaux les plus exploitées. Il est question de déterminer l’origine de la minéralisation des eaux souterraines et le mécanisme de recharge de la nappe à partir d’une combinaison des méthodes hydrochimiques et isotopiques.Méthodologie et résultats : Les travaux ont nécessité des campagnes d’échantillonnages, des mesures in situ, des dosages des éléments chimiques et isotopiques et enfin des analyses statistiques. Les résultats montrent que les eaux sont acides (pH= 4,9 ± 0,2) et faiblement minéralisées. Le faciès chimique est chloruré sodique et potassique. Les principaux ions à l’origine de la minéralisation des eaux seraient issus de l’hydrolyse des minéraux silicatés, du phénomène d’échange de base et de la pollution anthropique. Les fortes teneurs en CO2 dissous (8,6.10-4 ± 3,1 atm > 3,16.10-4 atm) dans les eaux souterraines témoignent qu’elles circulent ensystème ouvert par rapport au CO2 gazeux du sol. Les teneurs moyennes s’établissent pour l’oxygène-18 à -2,57 ± 0,23‰ et pour le deutérium à -10,93 ± 5,6 ‰ avec un excès en deutérium de 8,64± 5,2‰.Conclusion et application des résultats : La recharge de la nappe est récente et se fait directement par infiltration des précipitations sans aucune modification notable due à l'évaporation. Cet apport récent d’eau est confirmé par les faibles valeurs du bicarbonate. Les fortes teneurs en nitrate dans les eaux souterraines montrent que celles-ci sont chimiquement non appropriées à la consommation humaine et nécessite un traitement préalable.Mots clefs : Hydrochimie, isotope, recharge, minéralisation, Yaound

Mass balance of nitrogen and potassium in urban groundwater in Central Africa, Yaounde/Cameroon

AbstractMass flow of nutrients from innumerous latrines and septic tanks was assessed to best describe the groundwater quality situation in the urban environment of Yaounde. 37 groundwater samples were taken at the end of dry season 2012 and analysed for nutrient related (NO3−, NH4+, NO2−, K+, Cl−, HPO42− and TOC) and physico-chemical ambient parameters. A survey on waste water discharge close to water points constrained point sources from sanitation. The results showed that the median of nitrate concentration exceeds the WHO limit. We realized that EC increases from the geogenic background to very high levels in the urban area within short distance, suggesting anthropogenic input. Dug wells showed nitrate and ammonium in equivalent concentrations, indicating incomplete nitrification and mandating their inclusion into water type classification. The mass turnover of nutrients in urban groundwater scales high in comparison to national statistical figures on fertilizer import for 2012. A mass N,K balance for infiltration water overestimates observed concentrations by a factor of 4.5. The marked balance gap is attributed to dynamic non-equilibrium between input and output. Unresolved questions like a) urban sanitation, b) hygiene & health and c) environmental protection urgently call for closing the nutrient cycle. In the light of Cameroonian strategies on rural development, tackling the groundwater nutrient, urban agriculture, food — NEXUS might partially restore urban and periurban ecosystem services under economical constraints and thus improve living conditions

Acidification of shallow groundwater in the unconfined sandy aquifer of the city of Douala, Cameroon, Western Africa: implications for groundwater quality and use

The alluvial aquifer underlying the city of Douala comprises shallow Quaternary deposits where groundwater is the main source for domestic and drinking purposes. Shallow groundwater in the area show signs of acidification with average pH range of 3.8–6.8. Long-term groundwater chemistry data (1998–2013), hydrogeochemical and R mode factor analysis were used to establish the acidification process of shallow groundwater and also determine possible origin and implications for water quality and use in the area. Twenty-six groundwater sample points, three streams and three rain sample points were studied seasonally in the 2006–2008 and the 2010–2013 study periods. The data were compared with result of a study, 7 years earlier (1998–1999). The results show evidence of acidification manifested by depletion of HCO3, a decrease in the pH and increase in SO4 and NO3 concentrations of shallow groundwater. Average groundwater pH range is 3.94–7.70 (1998–1999), 3.8–6.91 (2006–2008), and 3.7–6.8 (2010–2013). Only approximately 16 % (1998–1999), 14 % (2006–2008) and 11.11 % (2010–2013) of water samples fall within the range of pH (6.5–8.5) for potable water according to WHO (1993). The alkalinity/acid neutralizing capacity of the shallow groundwater has decreased significantly coupled with increase in the number of zero alkalinities recorded in the 2010–2013. The shallow groundwater is generally undersaturated with common carbonate minerals (calcite, dolomite), therefore providing insufficient acid buffer. Principal component analysis in combination with hydrogeochemical studies revealed that four main factors are responsible for the groundwater chemistry and acidity: (1) acid atmospheric deposition, (2) anthropogenic activities (industrial effluent discharges and acid spill, (3) chemical weathering, and (4) coastal atmospheric deposition/cation exchange. In general, the shallow groundwater is not suitable for drinking and domestic purposes with respect to the low pH and elevated nitrate concentration. In view of the implications such as increase in corrosion and increased mobilization of toxic elements (e.g. Al, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn) as well as their possible harmful effect on health, it is recommended that the causes, rate of acidification and the mobility of trace elements be investigated with more details