VULNERABILITE DES AQUIFERES DE LA PLAINE VOLCANIQUE DU NOUN AUX ACTIVITES AGRICOLES (CAMEROUN). VULNERABILITE OF THE NOUN VOLCANIC PLAIN AQUIFERS TO AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES (CAMEROUN)

• Published in: Journal of water and environmental sciences Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 359 - 379
• Main Authors: Oumar Farouk MOUNCHEROU, Amidou MOUNDI, Olivier NJIKEU, Aicha FOUPOUAGNIGNI, Zakari MFONKA, Oumar Farikou MFOCHIVE, Jean Claude TONGA, Jules Remy Ndam NGOUPAYOU, Appolinaire TAGNE
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institut Marocain de l’Information Scientifique et Technique 01.12.2018
• Subjects: aquifers; noun plain; pesticides; pyroclasts; water resources
• ISSN: 2509-0445

The Noun volcanic plain is a southern west entity of the Bamoun Plateau which was the site of various volcanic episodes. Aquifers distribution in this environment constitutes the principal water source of the area, intended to human consumption and agro-pastoral uses. Current observations indicate the prevalence of certain diseases and the disappearance of certain species not targeted by the farmers. Thus, an exploration of the agricultural system was undertaken in order to establish the link with water resources quality in this large agricultural basin of Cameroun. This brings us to explore the handling and nature of the agricultural entrants used and to analyze the hydrogeochemical data of the soil and water resources concern. Such knowledge will make it possible to establish the link between agriculture practice and water quality, which is a key point of ongoing reflections on agricultural systems durability in the large production basins. Beyond the Noun plain, the whole volcanic and wet zones for which the intensification of agricultural activities is fore seen like an adapted alternative to the territorial and environmental stakes, which would be concerned. This study proposes to contribute to the scientific and operational challenges evoked. Located between longitudes 10°30'-10°45'E and latitudes 5°26'-5°39'N the Noun plain covers a surface of approximately 900 km2 on which pyroclastic projections and volcanic ash settled partly. With an average altitude of 1200 meters, it is roughcast of three aligned volcano-plutonic massif from north to south (Mbam, 2335m, Nko-Gam, 2268m; Mbatpit, 1988m) (Fig. 1) and about forty more recent Strombolian cones. The South is particularly characterized by volcanic rocks of various origins. The thickness of these lava flows varies 10 cm (at Ngouodam) to 50m (at Nkouondja and Nkouotlouom) The Noun plain enjoys an equatorial climate of moderated monsoon by altitude. The seasonal variations are very weak. During the rainy season, maximum precipitations are observed from August to September and one can count approximately 185 of rainy days per year. There are two distinct seasons, a dry season going from November to March and a rainy season from April to October. The data from the weather Center at Koutaba and the Hydroelectric dam of Bamendjin, obtained over 10 years, show that the Noun plain has an annual average pluviometry of 2500 mm. 65% of annual relative moisture and 25°C of average annual temperature. These climatic conditions are contributing to the extension of agro-pastorals activities. These last years, climate has been characterized by strong temperature variation which accelerate evaporation and evapotranspiration. For this study, six localities were targeted with three types of sampling corresponding to surface water, wells and boreholes. The multi-disciplinary approach adopted in this study includes field observations and chemical analyses which constitute the traditional mode of investigation in hydrology and in environmental science. Sampling points selected on topographic maps and aerial photographs were readjusted on the field. Water samples retained come from 9 sources; 5 crater lakes, 18 wells (6 in Foumbot, 6 in Baïgom and 6 in Bamkouop) and 12 boreholes (5 in Foumbot, and 7 in Mbamkouop), with water depths going from 6 to 25 m. A rainy event was also sampled in Foumbot. The samples treated are from strongly enthropized wetlands. The localization and the altitude of the selected sampling sites were given by the use of Garmin GPS. Water of wells were drawn using plastic buckets attached with ropes, while water of boreholes was collected by pumping during 5-15 min before sampling.Water of collector was filled in plastic bottles of 500 ml after being rinsed with sample and was preserved from air in order to avoid evaporation.Physical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and temperature of water samples from stream were measured in situ by using pH/EC/Temperature DKK TOA-meter and photometer HACH. Nitrates and similar components that are nitrites and ammoniac nitrogen were determined by molecular spectrophotometry absorption to respective wave lengths of 585 Nm, 500 Nm, and 655 Nm. For pesticides, water samples stabilized on the field were analysed at the Hydrological Research center (CRH) of Cameroun and at the Agricultural research Institute for Development by the GC-ECD method (Gas Chromatography with Electron Captures Detector) with the precision that the distinction of the various residues of pesticides was done by retention time. The measured parameters were treated by statistical methods and were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO). The Noun plain is covered with hard rocks (10%) and pyroclastic projections (90%). Volcanic ash and graded lapilli reaches locally 10 cm to 50 m thickness the peneplain (Martin and Sieffermann, 1966; Mouncherou et al., 2011); lapilli, blocks and bombs at strombolians cones level and ponds. These formations lie on a Precambrian granito-migmatitic base carrying diaclases and other lineaments oriented according to SW-NE and N10-20E direction (Njonfang, 1998). The hydrographic network fit observed features in this basin (Fig. 2). The exploration of the agricultural production system has made it possible to identify fertilizers, 21 commercial names which gather mineral fertilizer as ammonium sulphate (9%), calcic Cyanamide (9%), Urea (26%), various (14%). manures of animal origin (17%) and vegetable (15%) (Fig. 4). With regard to pesticides, 91 commercial products were identified with 67 active matters. Organophosphorus pesticides (37 %) are used. Organochlorite pesticides (11 %) are the less used among the most significant chemical classes (organophosphorus, organochlorites, pyrethrinoid, carbanates) (Fig. 6). These represent about 112 of fertilizer products used for about 10 gardening products (tomato, salad, water melon, spotted sweet pepper…). Pesticides cause serious damages on environment because of the combined effects of their anarchic and abusive method of application, as well as their persistence and toxicity. The Results of the analyses carried out in the study area holds that 80% of the water resources is contaminated. The contamination level exceeds the standards prescribed by WHO in 1986. This standard stipulates that water quality intended for household use should not contain more than 0.1ug/l of a distinct active matter and 0.5µg/l of total active matters. Whereas in analyzed wells, active matters like lindane, difocol and endosulfan has concentrations higher than 0.1µg/l. This water contamination generates serious public health dangers. Several discomforts, namely nauseas, giddiness, vomiting and intoxications are related to water use. The observed signs predict of a strong disturbance of the nervous system and especially of endocrine according to studies of Berryman & Giroux (1994). In the study area, transfers of suspended material are limited in spite of the visible signs of erosion on the field. We noted a more significant nitrate concentration in early rains in April, whereas in February the concentrations are weak. This indicates infiltration and transfer starting from surrounding sources. As a matter of facts, nitrogen flux arises at 95 % in nitrates forms; organics and ammoniac forms being negligible. The reduced shape of nitrogen comes from natural protein decomposition (animal and vegetable), as well as domestic or agricultural industrial wastes. In natural water, its concentration can vary from 0.1 to 10 mg/L (Chevery, 2001). Presence of natural Nitrates in water comes from organic nitrogen degradation. Meanwhile, agricultural activities contribute to raise this rate. Thus, nitrates content of the various sites (Fig. 8) during heavy rainfall period shows contamination with acceptable limits. Similar results were obtained by Nikolaidis & al. in 2008 at Evros in Greece on ground water of an intensive agricultural zone where Nitrate contents are in the background range and allowable values (Lital et al., 2008). The geological characteristics of Noun plain structures, as well as the tectonic deformations, joints, fractures, shearing and other discontinuities offer a potential asset for the agricultural production and fluids movement in this large basin. This is what is important and attractive towards the zone and the vulnerability of water resources. This system put forward the use of very varied fertilizers ranging from organic waste and less valorized plants. Results show disproportion of parasites eradication measures and the use of prohibited product. The using mode of these products in the locality of Kouparé, Mbamkouop, Koufen and Foumbot is not convenient. Applicators and residents are thus subject to various troubles (nauseas, vomiting, dizzy spell…). Species like butterflies, bees and certain edible insects are disappearing. The remark done here is that damage goes beyond the agricultural and concerned zones. Certain water bodies are invaded by vegetable species (algae) probably linked to nitrate excesses. As for pesticides, the situation is hardly more brilliant; residues of phytosanitary molecules are observed in half of the rivers and in one third of the ground water's (wells). Analyses results show that nitrates rate varies between 10 and 38.25mg/L on average (Fig. 8) and is close to the threshold of portability as indicated by WHO. Whereas pesticides active matters (the Malathion, the chlorpyrifos ethyl and methyl, lindane, the endosulfan, the cypermétrine and the deltaméthrine…) (Fig.8), largely exceed the allowed concentration standard defined by WHO (2004). On sites, pollution is more marked at Mféchiéya with a total average concentration of 1.80µg/l which is 6 times higher than the value guides; followed by Mfossett where the total average concentration is 1.58µg/l being 5 times the standard. Sites of Koufen and Koupare total average concentrations are re