Журнал геологии и геофизики
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Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Groundwater Quality, East of Mount Cameroon and West of the Penda Mboko River, Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation Use

Ngai N Jude*, Engome Regina Wotany, Christopher Agyingi, Franck Eitel Kemgang Ghomsi, Maffo Kankeu Gisele Aurore, Menti Agbor Nelson, Armel Zacharie Ekoa Bessa

Source water physicochemical properties and impacts on water quality were evaluated in volcanic and sedimentary aquifer systems in the study area for management and sustainable development. From hand-dug wells, boreholes, rivers, and springs, fifty (50) samples were taken. The major ions were examined, and physicochemical parameters were measured in-situ. The samples' Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Hardness (TH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and pH all fell within the WHO-permitted range. Twenty-nine (58%) samples were classified as excellent water quality (rank I) according to the Drinking Water Quality Index (DWQI). At the same time, 13 (26%) samples had drinking water of good quality (rank II). In the research area, the distribution of groundwater physicochemical indicators and Drinking Water Quality Index (DQIQ) was shown. The Ca-Cl type is the most prevalent hydrochemical facies, according to the results of the Piper plot. The rock dominance zone in Gibbs plots contained 86% of the samples and 14 fell in the precipitation dominance zone. According to the Wilcox diagram connecting sodium percentage with total concentration, all of the samples fell in the good to permissible for irrigation. Based on Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) and Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), the results indicated that the majority of the groundwater samples were suitable for irrigation.