Occurrence of trace element, pollution and health risks assessment of aquifers in Foumban, Bamoun plateau, western Cameroon

Abstract Assessing groundwater quality is of utmost importance in areas where local populations depend on this resource on which anthropogenic activities such as agriculture thrive. In this study, multivariate statistics and multiple graphical models were integrated for the assessment of trace element pollution potentials using health and pollution risk indices of the groundwater in Foumban, West Region of Cameroon, during the wet season. Groundwater from 128 wells, 10 boreholes, 1 river and 3 streams was sampled across the study area and field-tested for 4 physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, EC, and TDS) following standard procedures. 10 representative water samples were collected and annalysed for trace elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). 6 pollution and 4 health hazard risks were determined. Results indicated that all the physicochemical parameters were within limits set by the WHO (21.8 °C and 27.9 °C for temperature, 1–39 µS/cm for electrical conductivity, and 0.67–26.13 mg/L for total dissolved solids), except pH (4.4 to 7.5), which was acidic to peralkaline, the mean values being acidic for both seasons. All the values of trace elements were within the permissible limits. Health hazards and pollution risk indices were all within the recommended limits, indicating that the groundwater is safe for consumption without adverse effects and will have no effect on the environment. Furthermore, results revealed that all the trace metals in the water originated from natural processes, with the most enriched element being iron.