Evaluation of the impact of gold mining activities on the waters and sediments of Lom River, Wakaso, Cameroon and the restorative effect of Moringa Oleifera seeds

Mouhamed Ayiwouo Ngounouno; Luc Leroy Mambou Ngueyep; Sifeu Takougang Kingni; Sirri Neba Nforsoh; Ismaila Ngounouno

doi:10.1007/s13201-021-01445-x

Applied Water Science (Jun 2021)

Evaluation of the impact of gold mining activities on the waters and sediments of Lom River, Wakaso, Cameroon and the restorative effect of Moringa Oleifera seeds

Mouhamed Ayiwouo Ngounouno,
Luc Leroy Mambou Ngueyep,
Sifeu Takougang Kingni,
Sirri Neba Nforsoh,
Ismaila Ngounouno

Affiliations

Mouhamed Ayiwouo Ngounouno: Department of Mining Engineering, School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere
Luc Leroy Mambou Ngueyep: Department of Mining Engineering, School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere
Sifeu Takougang Kingni: Department of Mechanical, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Faculty of Mines and Petroleum Industries, University of Maroua
Sirri Neba Nforsoh: Department of Mining Engineering, School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere
Ismaila Ngounouno: Department of Mining Geology, School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01445-x
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 7
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

Read online

Abstract The impact of gold mining activities on the Lom River in Wakaso (Adamawa Cameroon) and the potential of Moringa Oleifera seeds for the removal of pollutants from wastewater is evaluated on this paper. Water samples were collected for physicochemical (hydrogen potential, electrical conductivity, turbidity and suspended solids) and chemical (major ions and heavy metals) analyses. To evaluate the effect of mining activities on waters and sediments, a combination of multivariate statistical analysis (MSA) and methods to assess the sediment quality was used. The restorative effect of Moringa oleifera seeds was studied with the determination of the maximum removal efficiencies and the maximum adsorption capacities. The results of the physicochemical characterization of waters showed that these waters were slightly acidic to slightly basic (6.12–8.12), weakly conductive (185.8–584.1 μS cm−1), turbid (345–801NTU) and had high content of suspended solids (167–700 mg L−1). The average concentrations of studied heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Fe, Mn, As and Hg) in waters exceeded the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Physicochemical characterization of sediments revealed that they were acidic to neutral (5.95–6.80) and organic matter (OM) content ranged from 11.11 to 15.78%. The concentrations of studied trace metals (Ni, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn and As) in sediments were below the limits recommended by the WHO except for Cd and Hg. The study of the capacity of Moringa oleifera seeds to remove pollutants in waters showed that 54% of the electrical conductivity, 80% of turbidity and 94% of suspended solids were reduced. The maximum removal efficiency of 91.66, 92.30 and 24.48 and the maximum adsorption capacity of 2.4, 2.6 and 16.6 mg g−1were observed for Cd (II), Hg (II) and Fe (II), respectively. Thus, the Moringa oleifera seeds which are locally available natural bio-adsorbent exhibit attractive property to treat wastewater.

Published in Applied Water Science

ISSN: 2190-5487 (Print); 2190-5495 (Online)
Publisher: SpringerOpen
Country of publisher: Germany
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes
Website: http://www.springer.com/13201

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords