Authors:
Rousseau Djouaka
, Francis Zeukeng, Murielle Farrelle Eurydice Soglo1, Razack Adeoti
,
Omolacho Merdie Zinsou Ahoukpo
, Taira Sarah Tamou-Tabe
, Armand Paraiso
, Innocent
Djegbe, Manuelle Tamo
, Victor Manyong
, Sali Atanga Ndindeng |
Abstract:
Water used for irrigation always contains measurable quantities of dissolved substances that may
accumulate in the soil with serious consequences on human health and the environment. A
descriptive study was carried out on market gardeners in Cotonou and Parakou in Benin and
Yaounde in Cameroon to assess the presence of coliforms and heavy metals contamination in
water used for irrigation and their fresh produces on the farm fields. Ninety structured
questionnaires were administered on farmers to get information on market gardening practices
(water sources used for irrigation, watering systems and cultivated fresh produces), consumption
of fresh produces, and human health risks. Waters used for irrigation and vegetables were
carefully collected to assess the heavy metals contamination (Pb, Cd, As, Cu) and faecal
coliforms using the new advanced Metalyser Pro HM3000 and the membrane filtration methods
respectively. Heavy metals concentrations which are below the WHO threshold limits in both
irrigation water sources and fresh produces ranged as Cu>Pb>As>Cd from the study sites in
Cameroon and Benin. The average concentrations of faecal coliforms found in both irrigation
water sources and their fresh produces were harmful when compared to WHO threshold limits.
The study site of Baouera in Benin had the highest level of harmful contaminants in irrigation
water sources (F = 18.78; P = 0,003) and the corresponding fresh produces (F = 5.16; P =
0.049). The results also revealed that the health risks awareness of these contaminants might
impact the consumption of fresh produces in market gardeners in Baouera. Regular monitoring
for safe market gardening practices is strongly recommended in order to break down the harmful
levels of contaminants found in consumed fresh produces. |
