Characterization of Groundwater Zones and Salinity Assessment in Aquifers of the Campo District, South Cameroon Using the GIS, AHP and PCA Approach.

Abstract

In the Campo region, groundwater is critical for human consumption and social activity. Groundwater potential is influenced by a region's geological, geophysical, and hydrogeological factors. The major goals of this research are to determine which regions are ideal for productive groundwater drilling and to assess the source of salinity in the study area's coastal aquifers. The groundwater potential map was created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Hierarchical Analysis Process (AHP). The process of groundwater mineralization was studied using principal component analysis (PCA). Six variables were taken into account, and weights were assigned to them based on their impact on groundwater recharge. In a GIS environment, spatial integration and a combination of theme layers were conducted. Campo's groundwater potential map was divided into four zones: low 14.4% (389.6 km²), moderate 53.3% (1484.5 km²), high 28.3% (783.3 km²), and extremely high 4.1% (110.9 km²). The results of the PCA reveal a mechanism of water-rock interaction, as a result of geological alteration and a salinization process caused by the intrusion of seawater and human activity The source of salinity in groundwater is manmade (agricultural and residential activities) rather than seawater intrusion. Seawater infiltration is not greatly aided by the low lineament density found near the beaches.