Investigating the Pollution of Lake Mofole (Cameroon) Using Field Studies, It’s Water, Sediments, Fish Content and Nearby Well Water

摘要

The pollution of lake Mofole, the main water source for the entire village was evaluated byconducting a field study on surrounding population, evaluating the physico-chemical properties of water andsediments from the lake and nearby well water and identifying the presence of heavy metals on the lake andnearby well waters, lake sediments and on five parts of the fish (head, bones liver, skin and flesh) by qualitativeanalysis. Results show a decrease in volume of this lake, extinction of many fish species and a rise in bilharziaand filarial in the community due to intense agricultural, occupational and domestic activities on the lake.All physico-chemical properties were within standards, except for temperature and EC of well water that werehigher. High temperatures recorded for all the media studied probably enhanced the growth of microorganisms.Pb and Cd were present in lake water; As, Cd and Fe in well water; Fe, Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn present in sedimentsand Cd, Hg, Zn in all organs of the fish with Fe present in bone alone and Zn absent on the skin. This showsfish feeds directly from sediments and the combined effect of two or more poisons (Fe, Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn) mayprobably have contributed to extinction of some fish species. Proper management of this lake is necessary toavoid epidemics and improved economics of the community.