Trace Element Soil Quality Status of Mt. Cameroon Soils

Abstract

The concentrations of Cu, Co, Zn, Ni, V, and Cr in topsoils at six sites located along the lower slopes of Mt. Cameroon were assessed for their potential toxicity to humans and the ecosystem. Soils were collected from horizons down to a depth of 70 cm and analysed for trace element concentration by ICP-MS technique. The Dutch soil quality standards which use %clay/silt and organic matter content to derive target values were used to assess the contamination levels of the soils. The content of these soils was also compared to the United Kingdom ICRCL “soil trigger” values. Zinc and Cu values were persistently below the normal value (A) and occurred in the lower elevation, the region of extreme weathering, while Cr and V values were above the intervention (C) values. The high content of Cr in common fertilisers poses a potential risk in toxicity in the higher elevations experiencing lower weathering rates, where soil Cr levels are elevated.

Trace Metals in Groundwater of the South Eastern Piedmont Region of Mount Cameroon: Quantification and Health Risk Assessment

“…Although other studies around Mt. Cameroon postulated anomalous concentrations of arsenic in water on the plains of the leeward side of Mount Cameroon [2] and another determined high concentrations in the soils [3] on the windward side of Mt. Cameroon respectively, this study has found no anomalous concentration of any trace metal in the groundwater.…”

“…Thus a plethora of health risks associated with elevated trace metals concentrations in groundwater and soils around Mt. Cameroon respectively would arise if the trace metal concentrations of groundwater in this area is high [2] [3].…”

Physichochemical Properties and Trace Elements of Soils in Mambilla Plateau of Northeastern Nigeria

“…Other studies that established levels of vanadium above threshold includes, Rasheed et al [50] reported 490 µg/g, Jayawardana et al gave 820 µg/g [51], and Hernandez and Rodriguez stated 645 µg/g of vanadium accordingly [52]. Manga et al stated 654 µg/g [53] Kabata-Pendias wrote 460 µg/g as highest vanadium level in metal soil investigation studied. [54].…”

Phosphorus Speciation by 31P NMR Spectroscopy in Leaf Litters and Crop Residues from Para Rubber, Cocoa, Oil Palm, and Banana Plantations in the Humid Forest Zone of Cameroon

“…The exact locations of the fields are presented in Table 1. The study area (Fako division) has humid tropical climatic conditions and rich volcanic soils with two distinctive seasons, a long rainy season which ranges from midMarch to mid-November and a short four-month dry season expanding from mid-November to mid-March [21,22]. In cocoa farms the main source of organic waste is the cocoa pod husk which is left in the fields after bean harvest.…”