title: Spring water quality and usability in the Mount Cameroon area revealed by hydrogeochemistry.
abstract: Groundwater is the only reliable water resource for drinking, domestic, and agricultural purposes for the people living in the Mount Cameroon area. Hydrogeochemical and R-mode factor analysis were used to identify hydrogeochemical processes controlling spring water quality and assess its usability for the above uses. Main water types in the study area are Ca-Mg-HCO(3) and Na-HCO(3). This study reveals that three processes are controlling the spring water quality. CO(2)-driven silicate weathering and reverse cation exchange are the most important processes affecting the hydrochemistry of the spring waters. While tropical oceanic monsoon chloride-rich/sulfate-rich rainwater seems to affect spring water chemistry at low-altitude areas, strong correlations exist between major ions, dissolved silica and the altitude of springs. In general, the spring waters are suitable for drinking and domestic uses. Total hardness (TH) values indicate a general softness of the waters, which is linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Based on Na %, residual sodium carbonate, sodium adsorption ratio, and the USSL classification, the spring waters are considered suitable for irrigation. Though there is wide spread use of chemical fertilizers and intense urban settlements at the lower flanks of the volcano, anthropogenic activities for now seem to have little impact on the spring water quality.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University-Japan, Kurokami 2-29-1, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan. akoandrewako@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Andrew Ako
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ako
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hosono
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kagabu
authors.forename: Akoachere Richard
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ayuk
authors.forename: George Elambo
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Nkeng
authors.forename: Gloria Eneke Takem
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Eyong
authors.forename: Alain L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fouepe Takounjou
mesh_terms: D057914:Agricultural Irrigation / Q000592:standards; D002163:Cameroon; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical