摘要
Safe and reliable drinking water availability constitutes a nightmare in many towns of developing countries and is usually appreciated from its physical appearance without prior knowledge of its chemical and biological properties. This study investigates the suitability of groundwater for domestic and irrigational purposes through physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses in the Northern part of Bamenda Town (Cameroon). Thus, 20 groundwater samples were collected from hand-dug wells and spring sources in September 2018 (rainy season) and February 2019 (dry season) and physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics were determined. The results revealed that pH ranged from 5.5 to 6.6, thus enabling the classification of the water as slightly acidic. Electrical conductivity varied between 0.01 - 0.06 μS/cm. The relative abundance of ions was such that Ca<sup>2+</sup> > K<sup>+</sup> > Mg<sup>2+</sup> > Na<sup>+</sup> for cations and <span style="white-space:nowrap;">HCO<sup>-</sup><sub style="margin-left:-7px;">3</sub></span> > Cl<sup>-</sup> > <span style="white-space:nowrap;">NO<sup>-</sup><sub style="margin-left:-7px;">3</sub></span> > <span style="white-space:nowrap;">SO<sup>-</sup><sub style="margin-left:-7px;">4</sub></span> for anions. The water types were Ca-Mg-NO<sub>3</sub> in both dry and rainy seasons. The results revealed that the mechanisms controlling groundwater chemistry are rock weathering and atmospheric precipitation. Indicator bacteria such as <em>E. coli</em>, <em>Shigella</em>, <em>Enterobacteria</em>, <em>Vibrio</em>, <em>Streptococcus</em> and <em>Staphylococcus</em> were detected in the studied groundwater samples, thus the water sources may pose a threat to public health.
Safe and reliable drinking water availability constitutes a nightmare in many towns of developing countries and is usually appreciated from its physical appearance without prior knowledge of its chemical and biological properties. This study investigates the suitability of groundwater for domestic and irrigational purposes through physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses in the Northern part of Bamenda Town (Cameroon). Thus, 20 groundwater samples were collected from hand-dug wells and spring sources in September 2018 (rainy season) and February 2019 (dry season) and physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics were determined. The results revealed that pH ranged from 5.5 to 6.6, thus enabling the classification of the water as slightly acidic. Electrical conductivity varied between 0.01 - 0.06 μS/cm. The relative abundance of ions was such that Ca<sup>2+</sup> > K<sup>+</sup> > Mg<sup>2+</sup> > Na<sup>+</sup> for cations and <span style="white-space:nowrap;">HCO<sup>-</sup><sub style="margin-left:-7px;">3</sub></span> > Cl<sup>-</sup> > <span style="white-space:nowrap;">NO<sup>-</sup><sub style="margin-left:-7px;">3</sub></span> > <span style="white-space:nowrap;">SO<sup>-</sup><sub style="margin-left:-7px;">4</sub></span> for anions. The water types were Ca-Mg-NO<sub>3</sub> in both dry and rainy seasons. The results revealed that the mechanisms controlling groundwater chemistry are rock weathering and atmospheric precipitation. Indicator bacteria such as <em>E. coli</em>, <em>Shigella</em>, <em>Enterobacteria</em>, <em>Vibrio</em>, <em>Streptococcus</em> and <em>Staphylococcus</em> were detected in the studied groundwater samples, thus the water sources may pose a threat to public health.
作者
Alice Magha
Margaret Tita Awah
Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono
Primus Azinwi Tamfuh
Pierre Wotchoko
Mercy Adoh
Veronique Beyala Kamgang Kabeyene
Alice Magha;Margaret Tita Awah;Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono;Primus Azinwi Tamfuh;Pierre Wotchoko;Mercy Adoh;Veronique Beyala Kamgang Kabeyene(Department of Geology, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon;Department of Biology, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon;Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon;Department of Mining and Mineral Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon;Department of Earth Sciences, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Ngaoundere, Bertoua, Cameroon)
