Physico-Chemical Analysis of Water Quality of Springs in Bafia-Muyuka, North-Eastern Flank of Mount Cameroon (South West Region, Cameroon Volcanic Line)

Wotchoko P^1, , Tita M.A², Kouankap N.G.D¹, Alice M¹, Nkemnji J.Z¹, Guedjeo C.S³ and Kamgang K.V^{3, 4}

¹Department of Geology, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

²Department of Biology, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

³Department of Earth Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

⁴Laboratory of Geology, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

Cite this paper

Wotchoko P, Tita M.A, Kouankap N.G.D, Alice M, Nkemnji J.Z, Guedjeo C.S and Kamgang K.V. Physico-Chemical Analysis of Water Quality of Springs in Bafia-Muyuka, North-Eastern Flank of Mount Cameroon (South West Region, Cameroon Volcanic Line). American Journal of Water Resources. 2016; 4(5):111-120. doi: 10.12691/AJWR-4-5-2

Abstract

Bafia-Muyuka is situated at the foot of the North Eastern flank of Mount Cameroon. The rock types of this area are mainly basaltic with minerals such as; pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase and opaque minerals. Samples collected from five (5) different springs during the rainy and dry seasons were analysed. The Physico-chemical analysis for both seasons were compared with WHO (2004) standard and were found to fall within the acceptable limit but for the exception of high temperature values in all the spring waters and NH₄⁺ during the rainy season. All the spring waters yielded pH values above 6.5 and were classified as barely acidic to neutral water. Electrical conductivity ranged between 180-302µs/cm. The relative abundance of major ions (mg/l) were as follows; Ca²⁺> Mg²⁺> K⁺> Na⁺> NH₄⁺ for cations and HCO₃‾ > Cl‾ > NO₃‾ > SO₄²‾> HPO₄²‾ for anions. These results suggested an influence of natural processes mainly from rock weathering. The Piper’s plot showed that, these springs are characterized by the Calcium-Magnesium Bicarbonate facie (Ca-Mg-HCO₃ water type). The results indicate that the springs are non-polluted chemically and are fairly portable and suitable for domestic purposes.

Keywords

Bafia, spring waters, Piper’s plot, basaltic, WHO standard

Copyright

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