Distribution and accumulation of trace metals in cultivated Lithomorphic Vertisols of Kaele Far North Cameroon

Authors

  • Elisabeth Yaboki Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
  • Simon Djakba Basga Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Yaoundé, Cameroon
  • Maurice Bienvenu Dibangue Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Buea, Cameroon
  • Amraou Aminatou Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Yaoundé, Cameroon
  • Jean Temga University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
  • Arafat Gove Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Garoua, Cameroon
  • Denis Tiki Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Yaoundé, Cameroon
  • Bethlehem Ignatchimbie Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
  • Mamdem Lionnelle Bitom University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
  • Jean Pièrre Nguetnkam University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundere, Cameroon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2281-4485/22934

Keywords:

Trace metal elements, Lithomorphic vertisols, agricultural activities, Kaele, Far North Cameroon

Abstract

Lithomorphic Vertisols of Kaélé (Far North Cameroon) are intensively cultivated during the dry season for onion and sorghum production. This study aimed to assess the distribution patterns and controlling factors of trace metal elements (TME) in cultivated Vertisol profiles developed on granite and gneiss. Four soil profiles were described according to the World Reference Base (WRB, 2022), and samples were collected from each master horizon (A–B–C) for physicochemical and geochemical analyses. The soils are clayey to sandy clay loam, moderately to strongly alkaline (pH 6.75–9.70), with moderate to high cation exchange capacity (14.40–39.84 cmol kg⁻¹). Trace metal concentrations followed the order: Ba > Sr > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd. Barium exhibited the highest concentrations (30.42–426.87 mg kg⁻¹). Pearson correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between Ba and Ni (r = 0.95), Ba and Cu (r = 0.87), and Ba and Cr (r = 0.85), suggesting similar geochemical behavior. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that trace metal distribution is mainly controlled by parent material and soil physicochemical properties (clay content, CEC, pH). The results suggest that lithology and soil characteristics play a major role in controlling trace metal distribution in these Vertisols, while anthropogenic influence appears limited. These findings provide baseline data for sustainable soil management in the Sudano-Sahelian region.

References

AMINATOU A., YABOKI E., ZING ZING B., MFO-POU M.Y.V., NDO E. (2023) Assessment of heavy metals concentrations in tropical agroecosystem (Wakwa, Adamawa, Cameroon): An Index Analysis Approach. International Journal of Research in Agriculture, Biology and Environment, 4(2):1-14. https://doi.org/10.47504/IJAGRI.2023.4.2.1

AYDINALP C. (2010) Some important properties and classification of vertisols Under Mediterranean climate. African. Journal of. Agricultural. Research. 5(6):449-452. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR09.376

BASGA S.D., TEMGA J.P., TSOZUÉ D., GOVE A., SALI B., NGUETNKAM J.P. (2020) Erodibility of vertisols in relation to agricultural practices along a toposequence in the logone floodplain. Soil and Environment, 39(1):1-12. https://doi.org/10.25252/SE/2020/101855

FACHINELLI A., SACCHI E., MALLEN L. (2001) Mul-tivariate statistical and GIS, based approach to identify heavy metal source in soils. Environmental Pollution, 114:313-324. https//doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(00)00243-8

GOUBAN H., BITOM-MAMDEM L.E., TEMGA J.P., SABABA E., AZINWI P.T., BASGA S.D., YABOKI E., NGUETNKAM J.P., BITOM D.L. (2022) Pedo-geochemistry of Vertisols under tropical seasonally contrasted climate, Northern Cameroon: Implications for Vertisolization. Earth Sciences, 4:171-193. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20221104.14

MASSOURA ST., ECHEVARRIA G., BECQUER T., GHANBAJA J., LECLERC-CESSAC E., MOREL JL. (2006) Control of nickel availability by nickel bearing minerals in natural and anthropogenic soils. Geoderma, 136: 28-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2006.01.008

NGUETNKAM J.P., KAMGA R., VILLIERAS F., EKO-DECK G.E., YVON J (2008). Altération différentielle du granite en zone tropicale. Exemple de deux séquences étudiées au Cameroun (Afrique Centrale).Compte-rendu Géoscience, 340:451-461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2008.02.002

SALVARREDY-ARANGUREN M., PROBST A., ROU-LET M., ISAURE M. (2008) Contamination of surface waters by mining wastes in the Milluni valley (Cordillera real, Bolivia): Mineralogical and hydrological influences. Applied Geochemistry, 23:1299-1324. https://doi.org/101016/j.apgeochem.2007.11.019

SENESI G.S., BALDASSARE G., SENESI N., RADINA B. (1999) Trace element inputs into soils by anthropogenic activities and implications for human health. Chemosphere, 39:343. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535 (99) 00115-0

SIGG L., BEHRA P., STUMM W. (2006). Chimie des milieux aquatiques. Chimie des eaux naturelles et des interfaces dans l’environnement. 4e édition, Dunod, Paris, 564p.

SUCHEL J.B (1987) Les climats du Cameroun (Thèse d’Etat). Université de Bordeaux III, 1186P

SUCHEL J.B (1972) La repartition des pluies et les régimes pluviometriques au Cameroun. Doc. Géographie tropicale, no 5. CEGET-CNRS, Talence, P.287.

TIPPING E., LAWLOR A.J., SHOTBOLT L. (2006) Simulating the long-term chemistry of an upland UK catchment: Heavy metals. Environmental Pollution, 141 (1): 139-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2005.08.019

TIKI D., MAMDEM L.E., IBRAHIM A., ABOUBAKAR A., DANALA S., MOUNOUNECK P., YABOKI E., - A., LEUMBE L.O., NGOME F. (2025) Assessement of soil erosion susceptibility in Maga, Sudano-Sahelian zone (Far North Cameroon): contribution of RUSLE model coupled with a GIS. Geoderma Regional, (42). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2025.e00982.

TEMGA J.P., AZINWI T.P., BASGA D.S, ZO'O Z.P., GOUBAN H., ABOSSOLO M., NGUETNKAM J.P., BITOM D.L. (2019) Characteristics, classifiation and genesis of vertisols under seasonally contrasted climate in the Lake Chad Basin, Central Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 150: 176-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2018.11.003

TRAORE A., KARIM T., BOUBIE V.B., NACRO B.H., SEDOGO M.P. (2015) Effet des précédents culturaux et de différents niveaux d’azote sur la productivité du riz pluvial strict sur sols ferrugineux tropicaux de la zone Sud souda-nienne du Burkina Faso. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, (9)6: 2847-2858. http://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v9i6.25

TUDI M., WANG L., WEI B., YANG L., YU J., JIANG F., XUE Y., LI H., WANG F., LI L., YU Q.J., RUAN H.D., CONNELL D. (2024) Effects of drip and flood irrigation on soil heavy metal migration and associated risks in China. Journal of Ecological Indicators, 161. https//doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.111986

VRIEND S.P., OOSTERON M.G., BUSSINK R.W., JANSEN J.B.H. (1985) Trace element behavior in the W-Sn granite of Regoufe, Portugal. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 23:13-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6742(85)90013-5

WALKLEY A. AND BLACK I.A. (1934). Determination of organic matter in soil. Soil Science, 37: 549-556

WENTAO J., WEIPING C., CHANG A.C., PAGE A.L. (2012) Environmental risks of trace elements associated with long-term phosphate fertilizers applications: A review. Jour-nal of Environmental Pollution, 168:44-53. https://doi.org//101016/j.envpol.2012.03.052

YABOKI E., TEMGA J.P., SABABA E., BASGA S.D., NGUETNKAM J.P. (2021) Geochemical characterization of vertisols developed on granites from Kaele, North Came-roon, implications for REE exploration. World Journal of Agriculture and Soil Science, 6(5) : 1-19. https:// doi.org/10.33552/WJASS.2021.06.000647

YAN L’HOTE. (2000) Climatologie. In Atlas de la province de l’extreme Nord-Cameroun. IRD.MINREST, Paris, pp 27-33.

YERIMA B.P.K., VAN RANST E., VERDOODT A. (2009) Use of correlation relationships to enhance under-standing of pedogenic processes and use potential of vertisols and vertic inceptions of the Bale Mountain area of Ethiopia, Triculture 27(4): 223-232,

YERIMA B.P.K., VAN RANST E., SERTSU S., VERDO-ODT A. (2013) Pedogenic impacts on the distribution of total and available Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Co contents of Vertisols and vertic inceptisols of the Bale Mountain area of Ethiopia”. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(44): 5429-5439. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR09.1

YERIMA B.P.K, WILDING L.P., HOSSNER L.R. (2003) Micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) status of selected Vertisols and associated Alfisols of northern Cameroon and their relationship with soil physico-chemical properties. Sciences Agronomiques et Developpement 3(1):11-25.

Downloads

Published

2026-05-05

How to Cite

Yaboki , E., Djakba Basga , S., Dibangue, M. B., Aminatou , A., Temga, J., Gove, A., … Nguetnkam, J. P. (2026). Distribution and accumulation of trace metals in cultivated Lithomorphic Vertisols of Kaele Far North Cameroon. EQA - International Journal of Environmental Quality, 73, 85–94. https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2281-4485/22934

Issue

Vol. 73 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Elisabeth Yaboki , Simon Djakba Basga , Maurice Bienvenu Dibangue, Amraou Aminatou , Jean Temga, Arafat Gove, Denis Tiki, Bethlehem Ignatchimbie, Mamdem Lionnelle Bitom, Jean Pièrre Nguetnkam

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.