Soil quality and soil fertility status in major soil groups at the Tombel area, South-West Cameroon

Open Access Journal; Published online: 27 Feb 2020Among the greatest challenges of Sub-Saharan Africa is the need for more crop production for supplying the increasing demand of its growing population. For this purpose, knowledge on soil resources and their agricultural potentials is important for defining proper and appropriate land use and management. We thus investigated on the status of soil fertility in Tombel area, in order to produce such knowledge through understanding and monitoring the impact of physicochemical properties of soil. Diverse analyses performed on various datasets demonstrated the direct impact of physicochemical properties of soil and derived soil fertility parameters on major constraints for plant growth and optimal crop production such as water retention capacity, roots development, soils aeration, nutrients availability, nutrients abundance and cations balance. Based on physicochemical soil properties, fertility parameters and Soil Quality Index (SQI), four soil fertility classes were identified in the area: (i) very good fertility soils (66 km2) that corresponds to Dystric Vitric Andosols (Melanic) above 500m asl; (ii) good fertility soils (506 km2), grouping Dystric Vitric Andosols (Melanic) below 500m asl and Leptic Fragic Umbrisols; (iii) fairly good fertile soils (787 km2) including Dystric Fragic Cambisols (Humic), Rhodic Acrisols (Cutanic Humic), Fragic Umbrisols (Arenic), and Mollic Ferralsols (Eutric Humic); (iv) poorly fertile soils (375 km2) including Umbric Andosols (Fragic) and Umbric Pisoplinthic Plinthosols (Haplic Dystric). The principal indicators controlling soil quality in the Tombel area as derived from ANOVA and PCA analyses, are: Ca, Mg, pH water, organic matter (OM), available P, total Nitrogen and CEC. Four of the seven indicators (Ca, pH, OM, P) were also identified as important indicators for assessing the fertility status of the different soils groups in the Tombel area

Pollution des eaux superficielles et des nappes en milieu urbain : cas de la zone industrielle de Douala-Bassa (Cameroun)

Une étude a été menée dans la zone industrielle de Douala-Bassa afin d'évaluer l'ampleur de la pollution des cours d'eau et des nappes superficielles et de prédire la vulnérabilité de ces dernières. L'étude est basée sur l'analyse des eaux issues de deux campagnes de terrain portant chacune sur 7 prélèvements dans les eaux de surface et 8 dans les eaux souterraines. Outre les analyses physico-chimiques de base, la particularité de l'étude a porté sur la caractérisation de la matière organique et la dynamique de métaux lourds, notamment le plomb, lenickel et le cuivre. Les résultats montrent que les eaux de surface sont neutres (pH 6,2), peu minéralisées (conductivité moyenne 262 mS/cm) et peu turbides (7 NTU) à l'amont. Elles s'enrichissent ensuite dans leréseau où elles deviennent acides (pH 5,8), plus minéralisées (623 à 818 mS/cm) suite aux apports générés par les activités industrielles et domestiques. Les eaux de surface sont polluées (carbonique organique total, 13,0 mg/l ; turbidité 168 NTU). Une source potentielle de pollution au nickel et en matière organique est observée dans les eaux souterraines qui compromet l'exploitation durable de cette ressource en eau

Behavior and Impact of Zirconium in the Soil–Plant System: Plant Uptake and Phytotoxicity

Because of the large number of sites they pollute, toxic metals that contaminate terrestrial ecosystems are increasingly of environmental and sanitary concern (Uzu et al. 2010, 2011; Shahid et al. 2011a, b, 2012a). Among such metals is zirconium (Zr), which has the atomic number 40 and is a transition metal that resembles titanium in physical and chemical properties (Zaccone et al. 2008). Zr is widely used in many chemical industry processes and in nuclear reactors (Sandoval et al. 2011; Kamal et al. 2011), owing to its useful properties like hardness, corrosion-resistance and permeable to neutrons (Mushtaq 2012). Hence, the recent increased use of Zr by industry, and the occurrence of the Chernobyl and Fukashima catastrophe have enhanced environmental levels in soil and waters (Yirchenko and Agapkina 1993; Mosulishvili et al. 1994 ; Kruglov et al. 1996)

Differentiated Neogene bauxitization of volcanic rocks (western Cameroon): morpho-geological constraints on chemical erosion

Published online: 30 May 2020Lateritic weathering of Miocene volcanic rocks from western Cameroon highlands formed duricrusted bauxitic profiles. Two weathering profiles on ca. 14 Ma basalt and ca. 16 Ma trachyte were studied using geochemical mass balance functions. Less mobile elements Ti and Zr were used as references to quantify volumetric change (strain, ε), element transfer rate (τ) and geochemical mass transfers during the bauxitization process of basalt and trachyte. Conversion of parent rocks to kaolinite and goethite rich saprolites evolved to Al-Fe rich bauxites, mostly composed of gibbsite and iron oxy-hydroxides (goethite and hematite). However, formation of Al-Fe bauxitic profiles required higher Si leaching on trachyte than on basalt. Our results document that chemical weathering of a larger thickness of trachyte than basalt has been required to form a unit meter of weathering profile, implying differential rates of rock chemical erosion and topographic decay of landscapes. Rates of chemical erosion and formation of lateritic weathering profiles in western Cameroon have been mostly controlled by drainage conditions and volcanic rocks composition (mostly SiO2 content differences), that also resulted in contrasted landscapes evolution during the Neogene

Mineral and geochemical characterization of a leptic aluandic soil and a thapto aluandic-ferralsol developed on trachytes in Mount Bambouto (Cameroon volcanic line)

Mineral and geochemical investigations were carried out on soil samples and fresh rock (trachytes) from two selected soil profiles (TM profile on leptic aluandic soils and TL profile on thapto aluandic-ferralsols) from Mount Bambouto to better understand geochemical processes and mineral paragenesis involved in the development of soils in this environment. In TM profile, the hydrated halloysites and goethite occur in the weathered saprolite boulders of BC horizon while dehydrated halloysite, gibbsite and goethite dominate the soils matrices of BC and A horizons. In TL profile, the dehydrated halloysites and goethite are the most abundant secondary minerals in the weathered saprolites of C and BC horizons while gibbsite, hematite and kaolinite occur in the soil matrices of BC, B and A horizons. The highest gibbsite content is in the platy nodules of B horizon. In both soil profiles, organo-metal complexes (most likely of AI and Fe) are present in the surface A horizon. Geochemically, between the fresh rock and the weathered saprolites in both soils, SiO2, K2O, CaO, Na2O and MgO contents decrease strongly while Fe2O3 and Al2O3 tend to accumulate. The molar ratio of SiO2/Al2O3 (Ki) and the sum of Ca, Mg, K and Na ions (TRB) also decreases abruptly between fresh rocks and the weathered saprolites, but increases significantly at the soil surface. The TM profile shows intense Al enrichment whereas the TL profile highlights enrichment in both AI and Fe as the weathering progresses upwards. Both soil profiles are enriched in Ni, Cu, Ba and Co and depleted in U, Th, Ta, Hf, Y, Sr, Pb, Zr and Zn relative to fresh rock. They also show a relatively low fractionation of the rare earth elements (REE: La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb and Lu), except for Ce which tends to be enriched in soils compared to CI chondrite. All these results give evidence of intense hydrolysis at soil deep in Mount Bambouto resulting in the formation of halloysite which progressively transforms into gibbsite and/or dehydrated halloysite. At the soil surface, the prominent pedogenetic process refers to andosolization with formation of organo-metal complexes. In TL profile, the presence of kaolinite in soil matrices BC and B horizons is consistent with ferralitization at soil deep. In conclusion, soil forming processes in Mount Bambouto are strongly influenced by local climate: (i) in the upper mountain (>2000 m), the fresh, misty and humid climate favors andosolization; whereas (ii) in the middle lands (1700-2000 m) with a relatively dry climate, both andosolization at the soil surface and ferralitization at soil deep act together. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Mapping bauxite indices using Landsat ETM+ imageries constrained with environmental factors in Foumban area (West Cameroon)

The present study aims at mapping some western Cameroon bauxites combining results of digital processing of satellite data (ETM+ of LandSat) with the geological, structural, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Foumban area. Two categories of encrusted bauxitic surfaces have been identified: (i) discontinuous surfaces covering a total area of 11.13 km2, and (ii) continuous surfaces overlapping 2.41 km2. Field observations portray discontinuous surfaces with 5.5 m thick bauxitic mantle subdivided into 1.5 m thick discontinuous duricrust lying on 4.0 m thick continuous duricrust. The continuous surfaces are 4.1 m thick bauxitic duricrust. Mineralogical studies showed that the Foumban bauxites exhibit 78–86% of gibbsite, 7–22% of goethite and less than 7% of kaolinite. Geochemically, Al is the most abundant element with 45.6–58.7 wt.% of Al2O3; followed by Fe with 12.9–20.1 wt.% of Fe2O3 and Si with 1.0–3.7 wt.% of SiO2. Element mobility stated with enrichment factor (EF) allows differentiating three chemical elements: strongly depleted with EF < 1 (Si, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Mn, Zn); strictly enriched with EF > 1 (Al, Fe, Cr); and with irregular depletion and enrichment behavior with EF ± 1 (Nb, Sr, V, Zr). Based on mass-transport function (M), elements decrease as follows: Sr > Nb > Cr > Al > Zr > V > Zn > Fe > Cu > Si > Ca > K = Na > Mg > Mn. The Foumban encrusted bauxites are classified as laterite and iron-rich high grade orth-bauxites with 45.6–58.7 wt.% of Al2O3 and 1.0– 3.7 wt.% of SiO2, with bauxite reserves estimated to 75.8 million tons. The mapping approach has shown to be suitable for delineating encrusted bauxitic surfaces within loose laterites in tropical regions.The present study aims at mapping some western Cameroon bauxites combining results of digital processing of satellite data (ETM+ of LandSat) with the geological, structural, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Foumban area. Two categories of encrusted bauxitic surfaces have been identified: (i) discontinuous surfaces covering a total area of 11.13 km2, and (ii) continuous surfaces overlapping 2.41 km2. Field observations portray discontinuous surfaces with 5.5 m thick bauxitic mantle subdivided into 1.5 m thick discontinuous duricrust lying on 4.0 m thick continuous duricrust. The continuous surfaces are 4.1 m thick bauxitic duricrust. Mineralogical studies showed that the Foumban bauxites exhibit 78–86% of gibbsite, 7–22% of goethite and less than 7% of kaolinite. Geochemically, Al is the most abundant element with 45.6–58.7 wt.% of Al2O3; followed by Fe with 12.9–20.1 wt.% of Fe2O3 and Si with 1.0–3.7 wt.% of SiO2. Element mobility stated with enrichment factor (EF) allows differentiating three chemical elements: strongly depleted with EF < 1 (Si, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Mn, Zn); strictly enriched with EF > 1 (Al, Fe, Cr); and with irregular depletion and enrichment behavior with EF ± 1 (Nb, Sr, V, Zr). Based on mass-transport function (M), elements decrease as follows: Sr > Nb > Cr > Al > Zr > V > Zn > Fe > Cu > Si > Ca > K = Na > Mg > Mn. The Foumban encrusted bauxites are classified as laterite and iron-rich high grade orth-bauxites with 45.6–58.7 wt.% of Al2O3 and 1.0– 3.7 wt.% of SiO2, with bauxite reserves estimated to 75.8 million tons. The mapping approach has shown to be suitable for delineating encrusted bauxitic surfaces within loose laterites in tropical regions.The present study aims at mapping some western Cameroon bauxites combining results of digital processing of satellite data (ETM+ of LandSat) with the geological, structural, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Foumban area. Two categories of encrusted bauxitic surfaces have been identified: (i) discontinuous surfaces covering a total area of 11.13 km2, and (ii) continuous surfaces overlapping 2.41 km2. Field observations portray discontinuous surfaces with 5.5 m thick bauxitic mantle subdivided into 1.5 m thick discontinuous duricrust lying on 4.0 m thick continuous duricrust. The continuous surfaces are 4.1 m thick bauxitic duricrust. Mineralogical studies showed that the Foumban bauxites exhibit 78–86% of gibbsite, 7–22% of goethite and less than 7% of kaolinite. Geochemically, Al is the most abundant element with 45.6–58.7 wt.% of Al2O3; followed by Fe with 12.9–20.1 wt.% of Fe2O3 and Si with 1.0–3.7 wt.% of SiO2. Element mobility stated with enrichment factor (EF) allows differentiating three chemical elements: strongly depleted with EF < 1 (Si, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Mn, Zn); strictly enriched with EF > 1 (Al, Fe, Cr); and with irregular depletion and enrichment behavior with EF ± 1 (Nb, Sr, V, Zr). Based on mass-transport function (M), elements decrease as follows: Sr > Nb > Cr > Al > Zr > V > Zn > Fe > Cu > Si > Ca > K = Na > Mg > Mn. The Foumban encrusted bauxites are classified as laterite and iron-rich high grade orth-bauxites with 45.6–58.7 wt.% of Al2O3 and 1.0– 3.7 wt.% of SiO2, with bauxite reserves estimated to 75.8 million tons. The mapping approach has shown to be suitable for delineating encrusted bauxitic surfaces within loose laterites in tropical regions

Rainfall Variability along the Southern Flank of the Bambouto Mountain (West-Cameroon)

This paper presents the rainfall variability along the southern flank of the Bambouto mountain. Data were collected from rain gauges, while spatial variability was estimated through daily recorded data. Monthly and annual data were used to draw isohyetes via the triangular method, with linear interpolations between observation points. Results show that rainfall is highly variable along the slope. Daily rainfall amounts range from 0.1 mm to 120 mm. Mean yearly rainfall is 1918.1 mm. Rainfall amount doesnot have a linear relationship with altitude. Dschang is characterised by abnormally high rainfall. Following a North-South direction, rainfall decreases from Dschang to a Melang-Loung-Djuttitsa axis. From this axis, the gradient reverses as rainfall increases rapidly towards the Mélétan mountain. The existence of the relatively dry zone within the hillside seems to be due to the influence of two air masses. The first is cold and very wet which moves from the Mamfe basin to the summit zone whereit starts to warm up as it flows towards Melang and Loung where temperature increases. The second comes from the south to south-east monsoon which is also impoverished during the ascension to higher altitudes. It is also likely that a third air mass from the dry harmattan is involved depending on the position of the ITCZ.Key words: rainfall, spatial variability, gradient, slope, mountai

Soils and their distribution on Bambouto volcanic mountain, West Cameroon highland, Central Africa

Morphological, physical and chemical studies were carried out on soils of Mount Bambouto, a volcanic mountain of the West Cameroon highland. These studies show that the soils of this region can be divided into seven groups according to Soils Taxonomy USA [Soil taxonomy: a basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soils surveys: USDA Agriculture Handbook 436: Washington, DC, US Government Pronting Office, 1975, 754]: lithic dystrandept soils, typical dystrandept soils, oxic dystrandept soils, typical haplohumox soils, typical kandiudox soils, tropopsamment soils and umbriaquox soils. A soils map of this region at scale 1:50,000 has been drawn up, using the seven soils groups above as soil cartography units. These soils are organised into of three main categories: soils with andic characteristics in the upper region of the mountain (lithic dystrandept soils, typical dystrandept soils and oxic dystrandept soils); ferrallitic soils in the lower part of the mountain (typical haplohumox soils and typical kandiudox soils) and imperfectly developed soils (tropopsamment soils and umbraquox soils)

New antimalarial hits from Dacryodes edulis (Burseraceae)--part I: isolation, in vitro activity, in silico "drug-likeness" and pharmacokinetic profiles.

The aims of the present study were to identify the compounds responsible for the anti-malarial activity of Dacryoedes edulis (Burseraceae) and to investigate their suitability as leads for the treatment of drug resistant malaria. Five compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate and hexane extracts of D. edulis stem bark and tested against 3D7 (chloroquine-susceptible) and Dd2 (multidrug-resistant) strains of Plasmodium falciparum, using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase method. Cytotoxicity studies were carried out on LLC-MK2 monkey kidney epithelial cell-line. In silico analysis was conducted by calculating molecular descriptors using the MOE software running on a Linux workstation. The "drug-likeness" of the isolated compounds was assessed using Lipinski criteria, from computed molecular properties of the geometry optimized structures. Computed descriptors often used to predict absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity (ADMET) were used to assess the pharmacokinetic profiles of the isolated compounds. Antiplasmodial activity was demonstrated for the first time in five major natural products previously identified in D. edulis, but not tested against malaria parasites. The most active compound identified was termed DES4. It had IC50 values of 0.37 and 0.55 µg/mL, against 3D7 and Dd2 respectively. In addition, this compound was shown to act in synergy with quinine, satisfied all criteria of "Drug-likeness" and showed considerable probability of providing an antimalarial lead. The remaining four compounds also showed antiplasmodial activity, but were less effective than DES4. None of the tested compounds was cytotoxicity against LLC-MK2 cells, suggesting their selective activities on malaria parasites. Based on the high in vitro activity, low toxicity and predicted "Drug-likeness" DES4 merits further investigation as a possible drug lead for the treatment of malaria