Physico-chemical and bacteriological characterisation of water resources for food crop cultivation in the Santa Agrarian Basin, Cameroon
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Water quality is central to sustainable agricultural production and ensuring food security. This study assessed the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of water resources in the Santa Agrarian Basin, Cameroon, to determine their suitability for food crop irrigation. Twenty sampling points, comprising ten surface water and ten groundwater sources across five communities, were sampled during the dry (January–March 2024) and rainy (June–August 2024) seasons and analyzed for pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, iron, manganese, ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, and fecal coliforms, with results compared against FAO irrigation water quality guidelines. The surface water pH ranged from 5.2 to 6.75, while electrical conductivity, iron, and manganese exceeded FAO thresholds in several communities, particularly Baba and Pinyin. Ammonium and nitrate concentrations rose sharply in the rainy season, exceeding the FAO limits by wide margins. The phosphate levels remained within acceptable limits. Bacteriological analysis detected fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in 60% of the surface water samples, exceeding the FAO and Agriculture Organization safety thresholds for irrigation. These findings indicate localized but recurring water quality concerns linked to agricultural and sanitation practices. This study recommends integrated water resource management, farmer education, and low-cost treatment to safeguard irrigation water quality and food safety in the basin.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
FAO. (2020). The state of food and agriculture 2020: Overcoming water challenges in agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/publications/sofa/2020/en/
Fomenky, N. N., Tening, A. S., Asongwe, G. A., Mbene, K., & Nka-Folep, F. F. (2019). Seasonal variations of some physico-chemical properties of water sources that feed Rivers Wouri and Meme of Cameroon. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 13(10), 425–438. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST2019.2737
Hammani, B., Abubakar, I., Danlami, A., Gimba, A. M., Abdulkadir, M., & Muhammad, Z. (2022). Assessment of physicochemical properties of groundwater for irrigation purposes from Difa, Dadinkowa and Gwani communities of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 26(10), 1693–1699. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v26i10.4
Kwekam, M., Liégeois, J.-P., & Njonfang, E. (2010). Geochemical and isotopic evidence for the origin of iron-rich basaltic rocks in Cameroon. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 58(4), 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2010.04.002
Magha, A., Awah, M. T., Kouankap Nono, G. D., Tamfuh, P. A., Wotchoko, P., Adoh, M., & Kabeyene, V. B. K. (2021). Assessment of groundwater quality for domestic and irrigation purposes in Northern Bamenda (Cameroon). Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 13(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2021.131001
Mateo-Sagasta, J., Zadeh, S. M., & Turral, H. (2017). Water pollution from agriculture: A global review. FAO Water Reports, 106. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Menti, A. N., Wotany, E. R., Christopher, A., Wirmvem, M. J., & Ngai, N. J. (2023). Hydrogeochemical characterization of ground and surface water in the eastern part of the Adamawa-Yade domain, Bertoua-Cameroon. Discover Water, 3, Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-023-00034-0
Mfonka, Z., Nap Njiemessa, F. N., Nsangou, D., Kouassy Kaledje, P. S., Kpoumie, A., Emvoutou, H. C., Nlend, B. I., Nkoue Ndondo, R. G., Ngo Boum Nkot, S., Mvondo Owono, F., Etame, J., Ndjigui, P. D., & Ndam Ngoupayou, J. R. (2026). Water supply and spring discharges assessment in the Foumban locality, Western Highlands of Cameroon. Hydrology, 14(2), 22–36. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hyd.20261402.11
Mufur, A. M., Awah, M. T., Kouankap Nono, G. D., Tamfuh, P. A., Wotchoko, P., & Kamgang Kabeyene, V. B. (2021). Physico-chemical and bacteriological characterisation of surface water in Bamenda (North West Cameroon). Applied Water Science, 11, Article 189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01512-3
Tedontsah, V. P. L., Mbog, M. B., Ngon Ngon, G. F., Edzoa, R. C., Tassongwa, B., Bitom, D., & Etame, J. (2022). Physicochemical properties and fertility assessment of soils in Foumban (West Cameroon). Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7889430
Nguetnkam, J. P., & Bitom, D. L. (2020). Hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in the highlands of Cameroon. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 162, 103710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2019.103710
Takoutsing, B., Weber, J., Aynekulu, E., Rodríguez Martín, J. A., Shepherd, K., Sila, A., Tchoundjeu, Z., & Diby, L. (2016). Assessment of soil health indicators for sustainable production of maize in smallholder farming systems in the highlands of Cameroon. Geoderma, 276, 64–73.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.04.027
Tamfuh, P. A., Temgoua, E., Wotchoko, P., Boukong, A., & Bitom, D. (2018). Soil properties and land capability evaluation in a mountainous ecosystem of North-West Cameroon. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 6(7), 15–33. https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2018.67002
Tiwari, A., Singh, A. K., & Mahato, M. K. (2019). Assessment of groundwater quality and its suitability for irrigation in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 191(8), 489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7660-2
UNEP. (2021). Africa water vision 2025: Equitable and sustainable use of water for socioeconomic development. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/africa-water-vision-2025
WWAP (World Water Assessment Programme). (2018). The United Nations world water development report 2018: Nature-based solutions for water. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://www.unesco.org/reports/wwdr/2018/en
Yengoh, G. T., Ardö, J., & Boon, E. (2010). Fertilizer use and nitrate leaching in highland farming systems of Cameroon. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 139(1-2), 150–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2010.08.002