Geochemical balance of the mineral fraction and statistical analyzes of the Ebolowa municipal lake’s sediments (central Africa): Implication for early diagenesis process
Akono Daniel Florent,
Bokanda Ekoko Eric,
Bisse Salomon Bertrant,
Belinga Belinga Cedric,
Menanga Tokouet Renaud,
Tonye Marie-Diane,
Nzesseu Nandjou Valentino,
Biani Nya Estelle Diane,
Kouakam Cedric,
Ngono Anaba Leon Vital,
Mouhamed Amin Nsangou,
Ekomane Emile
Affiliations
Akono Daniel Florent
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon; Corresponding author.
Bokanda Ekoko Eric
Department of Geology, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
Bisse Salomon Bertrant
School of Geology and Mining Engineering, PO Box 115, Meiganga, Cameroon
Belinga Belinga Cedric
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
Menanga Tokouet Renaud
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
Tonye Marie-Diane
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
Nzesseu Nandjou Valentino
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
Biani Nya Estelle Diane
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
Kouakam Cedric
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
Ngono Anaba Leon Vital
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
Mouhamed Amin Nsangou
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
Ekomane Emile
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, PO Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon
The Ebolowa Municipal Lake (EML) (South Cameroon) in order to identify the early diagenesis processes taking place in the lake and the factors influencing them. To this end, 21 samples were collected. In situ, hydrogen potential, redox potential, conductivity, dissolved oxygen content, and turbidity were measured. In the laboratory, the samples were subjected to mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffraction, geochemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence and ICP-MS, and statistical analysis. The coefficient of variation (Qi) was calculated from the geochemical data. In the water column, OD > 2 mg/L, pH > 7 and Eh 1 for Al, Fe, Mn, Mg, K, Na, P, Ni, Co, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ba, and V, and Qi < 1 for Si; Qi = 1 for Ca. The hierarchical cluster analysis shows two groups: the first one includes the samples from the central and western parts, while the second one includes those from the eastern and southern parts of the lake. The water column is subject to oxic conditions, while the sediments are anoxic. The rapid consumption of oxygen is due to organic mineralization, which is the main diagenesis observed in the lake. This phenomenon is more accentuated in the western part of the lake.
