article · Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals
Agricultural soils in Wabane, Cameroon, were examined to determine the levels, origins, and risks of trace metal contamination using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The soils showed high levels of aluminium and iron oxides, which act as primary carriers facilitating trace metal enrichment. Concentrations of cobalt, copper, chromium, nickel, mercury, manganese, lanthanum, tin, and zinc exceeded geochemical baseline thresholds. Assessment indicators confirmed soil contamination and metallic pollution. However, potential ecological risk, toxic risk indices, and toxicity unit analyses revealed low overall toxicological and ecological effects on the local ecosystem. Statistical evaluations showed that while several metals derive strictly from geological sources, others such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and manganese stem from combined geological and human activities. Recommended responses include monitoring and mitigation interventions such as biochar application and the cultivation of low-metal-accumulating crop varieties.
Identifying the levels and sources of heavy metals in farmland is essential for protecting agricultural soil health and long-term food safety. By clarifying whether pollutants stem from natural geology or human practices, this research helps environmental managers target appropriate interventions, such as soil amendments and crop selection, before metal accumulation reaches toxic thresholds.
The findings point towards applied interventions for agricultural managers and environmental consultants, specifically highlighting the potential use of biochar amendments and low-metal crop cultivars to manage soil pollution. As this work is an early-stage baseline assessment, further applied field testing would be required to evaluate and deploy these proposed mitigation techniques locally.
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This study seeks to evaluate the origins, ecological implications, and ecotoxicological risks of trace metals using single and cumulative pollution indicators as well as mitigation strategies in the agricultural soils of Wabane, Cameroon. The soil samples were analyzed by ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry). The agricultural soil samples exhibit high levels of Al 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 , which have high adsorption capacity for trace metals and are important carriers of trace metal migration and enrichment. The results highlight significant concentrations of Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Hg, Mn, La, Sn and Zn above the geochemical threshold values, sourced from mixed provenance. Contamination assessment indicators: contamination factor (CF: 1–6), pollution load index (PLI: 0.02–1.23), and enrichment factor (EF: 0.21–604.80) suggest soil contamination and metallic pollution. The potential ecological risk indicators show minimal ecological effect of trace metals on the soil ecosystem. Toxic risk index (TRI: 0.36–7.60) and toxicity unit analysis (TUs: 0.004 to 0.96) indicates low toxicity, suggesting low toxicological effects of trace metals on the soil ecosystem. According to Pearson correlation matrix and principal component analysis, while Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn and V were obtained from geogenic provenance, As, Cd, Pb, Hg and Mn originate from geogenic as well as anthropogenic input sources. Lithogenic processes and anthropogenic practices contribute to contamination and metallic pollution of the soil ecosystem. Concrete monitoring and mitigation measures (low metal cultivars, biochar, etc.) must be taken to reduce trace metal accumulation from point and non-point sources entering agricultural soils. This research acts as a baseline study to potential soil contamination and metal toxicity in soils within the vicinity of Mount Bamboutos.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100218
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