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<p>Stream sediments are widely recognised as indicators of environmental change, reflecting both natural geochemical inputs and human activities. The Mbanga–Loum area (4° 27 − 4° 45’N, 9° 30’–9° 45’ E), located in Cameroon’s Littoral Region, is a rapidly transforming tropical zone with a population exceeding 150,000, characterized by intensive banana and palm oil agriculture, expanding industrial activity, and accelerating urbanization. This study investigated heavy metal contamination in stream sediments using ICP-MS to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, La, Ni, Pb, Sc, Th, V, and Zn) from 32 stream sediment samples. The results show a strong enrichment of Cr, V, Zn, Ni, and Pb compared to the reference values. Loum sediments are affected by extreme Pb contamination (CF &gt; 100; PLI &gt; 13), while Mbanga showed enrichment in La and Th. Statistical source apportionment, based on Pearson correlation and principal component analysis, identifies three main factors: Factors 1 and 2 indicate lithogenic inputs, while Factor 3 suggests anthropogenic contributions likely from fertilizers and industrial or urban effluents. A 20-year land use/land cover assessment (2004–2024) was integrated with geochemical data and reveals 6.3% decline in vegetation and 5.18% increase in built-up areas, both closely aligned with contamination hotspots. Ecological risk assessments indicate that Zn, Cr, and Ni consistently exceed the standards, posing hazards to aquatic organisms, while the severe Pb contamination represents an acute toxicological risk to ecosystem integrity. These findings highlight the environmental consequences of uncontrolled farming and urban expansion in tropical regions and emphasize the need for integrated management and regulation strategies in the Mbanga–Loum area.</p>

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Source apportionment, pollution and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in stream sediments using geochemical and remote sensing approaches in the Mbanga–Loum area, Littoral Region, Cameroon

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月8日

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  • Emmanuel Eseya Mengu Junior,
  • Mboudou Germain Marie Monespérance,
  • Ndema Mbongué Jean-Lavenir,
  • Fuanya Christopher,
  • Bala Ateba Christian,
  • Nsangou Ngapna Moussa,
  • Okpara David Dicken,
  • Penn Emile Nkeng,
  • Pierre Calvin Mudika,
  • Tankeu Ngounoue Hristo Karel,
  • Owona Sebastien

摘要

Stream sediments are widely recognised as indicators of environmental change, reflecting both natural geochemical inputs and human activities. The Mbanga–Loum area (4° 27 − 4° 45’N, 9° 30’–9° 45’ E), located in Cameroon’s Littoral Region, is a rapidly transforming tropical zone with a population exceeding 150,000, characterized by intensive banana and palm oil agriculture, expanding industrial activity, and accelerating urbanization. This study investigated heavy metal contamination in stream sediments using ICP-MS to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, La, Ni, Pb, Sc, Th, V, and Zn) from 32 stream sediment samples. The results show a strong enrichment of Cr, V, Zn, Ni, and Pb compared to the reference values. Loum sediments are affected by extreme Pb contamination (CF > 100; PLI > 13), while Mbanga showed enrichment in La and Th. Statistical source apportionment, based on Pearson correlation and principal component analysis, identifies three main factors: Factors 1 and 2 indicate lithogenic inputs, while Factor 3 suggests anthropogenic contributions likely from fertilizers and industrial or urban effluents. A 20-year land use/land cover assessment (2004–2024) was integrated with geochemical data and reveals 6.3% decline in vegetation and 5.18% increase in built-up areas, both closely aligned with contamination hotspots. Ecological risk assessments indicate that Zn, Cr, and Ni consistently exceed the standards, posing hazards to aquatic organisms, while the severe Pb contamination represents an acute toxicological risk to ecosystem integrity. These findings highlight the environmental consequences of uncontrolled farming and urban expansion in tropical regions and emphasize the need for integrated management and regulation strategies in the Mbanga–Loum area.