TITLE:
Distribution, Mobility, and Health Risks Assessment of Trace Metals in River Sediments from Intense Agricultural Activity Areas in West Africa
AUTHORS:
Ahbeauriet Ahmed Ouattara, Maley-Pacôme Soro, Albert Brou Kouadio, Horo Koné, Albert Trokourey
KEYWORDS:
River Sediment, Trace Metal (Loid)s, Multivariate Analysis, Potential Ecological Risk Assessments, Sequential Extraction, Geochemical Indices
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.12 No.8,
August
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: The economy of West African countries is mainly based on agriculture. However, the trace metal(loid)s contamination status in rivers is relatively unknown in the region. In this work, 45 surface sediments collected from the Bandama, Comoé, and Bia Rivers in south and south eastern Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa), were analyzed for total metal concentrations and chemical speciation. The results showed that the river sediments were considerably contaminated by Cd and moderately contaminated by As, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Significant spatial variations were observed among the stations but not between the rivers. Metals Cd and Cu were likely to cause more ecological risks. The speciation analysis unravelled that the metal(loid)s partitioned mainly in the residual fraction, with the potential mobile fraction varying from 14% to 28%. The study calls for establishment of strict policies relative to the application of fertilizers and agrochemicals and mining activities to protect the environment and human health risks.