Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Evaluation of the Fertilizing Power of Sludge from Physicochemical Water Purification Stations: Case of the Yato Station, Littoral-Cameroon

Received: 12 January 2024    Accepted: 5 February 2024    Published: 27 February 2024
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

The Yato physicochemical water purification station is located in the commune of Dibombari in the Littoral-Cameroon region. It is one of the largest drinking water production stations in the Central African sub-region. This work aims to evaluate the agronomic power of the sludge from this drinking water production station. To achieve this objective, mixed samples of sludge from sludge treatment basins (taken according to the technique described in GIDS-A003 point 6 as explained in the Solid and pasty waste sampling strategy of the Code of Good Practice No. 2). and primary settling basins (collected in transparent 1.5L polyethylene terephthalate bottles) were analyzed. Likewise, three soil samples (marsh, Point 1 and Point 2) were taken and then sent to the laboratory where physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The characteristics of the samples that were analyzed are: particle size, texture (sand, silt, clay) and physicochemistry (organic matter, CEC, sum of exchangeable bases, calcium, nitrogen, potassium and magnesium). The results obtained show that the soils exposed to contamination from the sludge of the station have better agronomic properties both on a physical level with a stable structure favorable to plant growth and good aeration unlike the soils far from the station which presented a high risk. degradation; that on the chemical level with an optimal cationic balance, a high reserve of exchangeable bases, a strong CEC but average limitations in assimilable phosphorus and pH unlike the soil far from the station which presented an insufficiency of potassium which did not facilitate a balance cationic, a low CEC but a pH above 5.5 which is the value recommended in agronomy. Biochemically, organic matter is above 2% in all soils, a mineralization rate less than 20 favoring the rapid mineralization of carbon and a release of nitrogen available to the plant. These results obtained allow us to conclude that the sludge from the Yato station can be used in agronomy as an organic fertilizer in order to correct the soil structure, the CEC, the cationic balances and also provide the soil with a good base reserve. However, treating this sludge with lime could regulate the pH of the soil and reduce the mobility of heavy metals in the soil.

Published in Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14
Page(s) 25-36
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Yato, Sludge, Fertilizing Power, Polluting, Drinking Water

References
[1] Ako A. A, Eyong, G. E. T., Shimada, J., Koike, K., Hosono, T., Kimpei, I. et al. (2014). Nitrate Contamination of Groundwater in Two Areas of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (Banana Plain and Mount Cameroon Area). Applied Water Science, 4, 99-113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-013-0134-x
[2] Alexandre F. and Genin A. (2012) Geography of terrestrial vegetation. Legacy models, perspectives, concepts and methods. Collection U. 304 pp.
[3] Beernaert, F. & Bitondo, D. (1992) Sample and practical methods to evaluate analytical data of soil profiles. CUDs Dschang Soil Sciences Department, Belgium Cooperation, Dschang.
[4] Bipfubusa M., N'Dayegamiye A. and Antoum H. (2006): Evaluation of the effects of fresh mixed sludge and their compost on crop yield and their mineral nutrition. Agrosolutions; Vol 17 No. 1: 65-72.
[5] Boyer M., Patry M., Tremblay P. J. (1999) La gestion déléguée de l’eau: les enjeux. CIRANO, Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal. 60 p.
[6] Capowiez: beneficial effects of sludge composts on soil glasses. End-to-end stores N°14, December 2009.
[7] Carrega, P. & Morschel J. (2008) Risk and constraint linked to extreme rainfall; return duration, mechanism of these rains, statistical relationship and process.
[8] Culot M, 2005. Sectors of agricultural valorization of organic materials. 73p technical report.
[9] Dabin, B. (1961) Soil fertility factors in tropical regions under irrigated cultivation. Bull. French Association for Soil Studies (AFES), special issue, pp 108-130. 532p.
[10] Demolon A. (1954) Soil dynamics. Journal of traditional agriculture and applied botany. Pp 934-940.
[11] Delvaux, B. Characterization of a weathering sequence of soils derived from volcanic ash in Cameroon. Taxonomic, mineralogical and agronomic implications. Geoderma. Volume 45. Issues 3-4, December 1989, Pages 375-388. http://doi.org/101016/j.jclepro2018.3.319/0016-7061(89)90017-7
[12] Djuikom E., Temgoua E, Jugnia L. B., Nola M and Baane M. Pollution bactériologique des puits d’eau utilisés par les populations dans la Communauté Urbaine de Douala – Cameroun. nt. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 3(5): 967-978, October 2009. http://ajol.info/index.php/ijbcs
[13] Doucet, R. (2006). Climate and agricultural soils. Edition, Berger, Eastman, Quebec. Vol 15, 443 p. Domínguez M. T. • C. Aponte • I. M. Pérez-Ramos • L. V. García • T. Marañón, (2012) «Relationships between leaf morphological traits, nutrient concentrations and isotopic signatures for Mediterranean woody plant species and communities» Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla, Spain.
[14] Dreschel, P. & Reck, B. (1997) Composted shrub prunings and other organic manures for smallholder farming systems in southern Rwanda. Agroforestry Systems 39, 1-12.
[15] Dudkowski A., (2000): Agricultural spreading of sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants. INRA-MES. 96p.
[16] Dumanski, J. & Pieri, C. (2000) Land quality indicators: Research plan, Agriculture, Ecosystems and environment. Pp 93-102.
[17] Elzein, Balesdent, 1995. Management of the organic heritage of wine-growing soils, 2008, ENTAV-ITV. Agricultural Ed., France, 242 p.
[18] Forestier, J. (1960) Fertility of coffee plantation soils in CAR. Agron. Too much. XIV, n°3, pp. 306.
[19] Girard MC, Walter C., Rémi JC, Berthelin J. and Morel JL (2005): soil and environment. Chapter 11. Recycling of waste on the ground, agronomic value and environmental impact: 262-281.
[20] Hieng I. O. Study of compressivity and shear parameters of sandy clay in the Douala region in Cameroon. Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences (2003).
[21] Houot S., (2009): Organic waste products: quality, impact and future: the soil, INRA file. January 2009. 106-113.
[22] Kjeldahl, “New method for determining nitrogen in organic bodies,” Éditions C W Kreidelsverlag, 366p, 1883.
[23] Kopa I. T, Meddi M, Ammari A. Influence of mulches on soil moisture and water infiltration in the tomato crop. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 119/4, 1–16, Ljubljana 2023. http://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2023.119.4.15748
[24] Koull, N and Halilat, N, T. (2016) Effects of organic matter on the physical and chemical properties of sandy soils in the Ouargla region (Algeria). The Revue des Sciences de Gestion Management and Management, 23, 9-20.
[25] Lal R (1994) Sustainaible Land Use Systems and Soils Resilience. In Greenland, D. J. and Szabolcs, I., Eds., Soil Resilience and Sustainable Land Use, CAB International Publishers, 41-67.
[26] Le Bissonnais, Y. & Le Souder, C. (1995) Measuring the structural stability of soils to assess their sensitivity to soil erosion. Soil Study and Management, 2, 1, pp 43-56.
[27] Lemercier B, (2002): the soil ecosystem. Magazine, simplified cultural technique No. 20. 8-22.
[28] Lotse Tedontsah VP, Mbog MB, Ngon Ngon GF (2022), “Physicochemical properties and fertility assessment of soils in foumban (west Cameroon),” Applied and Environmental Soil Science, vol. 2022, Article ID 7889430, 14 pages.
[29] MAAARO (2006). Soil Fertility Handbook. Publication 611F.
[30] Martin D., (1979). Chemical fertility of soils on a farm in Congo. Cah. ORSTOM. Ser. Pedol., vol, XVII. No. 1, pp. 47-64.
[31] Agronomist's Memento (1991) French Republic, Ministry of Cooperation, reprint, fourth edition. Collection “rural techniques in Africa”, 1604 p.
[32] Mérelle, F. (1998) Land analysis today. Nantes, France: GEMAS edition (Methodological Study Group for Soil Analysis), 184p.
[33] Meriaux A., (1953). Contribution to the study of particle size analysis. INRA thesis, Paris, 118 p.
[34] Meyim SL, (2000). Effect of various fallows on the evolution of the fertility of a ferralitic soil around Yaoundé (Cameroon). Application to land evaluation for the main crops grown in the region: Peanuts, Plantains, Corn, Cassava. Same. DEA Fac. Sci. Univ. Yaoundé I, 60 p.
[35] Mpundu Mubemba Mulambi, Useni Sikuzani Yannick, Mwamba Mulembo Theodore, Kateta Malangisha Guy, Mwansa Muyembe, Ilunga Kampanyi, Kamengwa Kissi Ckeface, Kyungu Kalilo, Nyembo Kimuni Luciens, (2013) “Contents of metallic trace elements in the soils of different vegetable gardens of the mining town of Lubumbashi and risks of contamination of vegetable crops”, Journal of Applied Biosciences 65: 4957–4968. ISSN 1997–5902.
[36] Nguemezi, C., Tematio, P., Yemefack, M., Tsozue, D. & Silatsa, TBF, (2020) Soil quality and soil fertility statuses in major soil groups at the Tombel area, South-West Cameroon. Heliyon, volume 6. 14 pages.
[37] Omoko, M. (1996) Elements of applied soil science. Distance learning, course no. DE 09SS.
[38] Ouest-France Communication for Suez Published on 12/30/2020, ouest.france.fr). 009.
[39] Pieri CJMG. 1992. Fertility of Soils: A Future for Farming in the West African Savannah. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 348 p.
[40] Programme National de Développement Participatif. 2015. Dibombari Communal Development Plan. https://www.google.com/url. Page Consulted on 07/10/2022
[41] Quemada, M., Cabrera, ML (1995) CERES-N model predictions of nitrogen mineralized from cover crop residues. SSSA (Soil Science Society Amendment) Journal 1059-1065 (59).
[42] Robert (1996). Introduction to geography. U. In Collection: Men and Northern Lands 1996/4 Strategies, Territories and Local Development. Pp 250-251.
[43] Scholz RW (2012) “Feebates for dealing with trade-offs on fertilizer subsidies: A conceptual framework for environmental management”. Journal of cleaner production Vol 189, 10 July 2018 Pages 898-909. http://doi.org/101016/j.jclepro2018.3.319
[44] Schofield R. K. and Taylor A. W., “The measurement of soil pH,” Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 19: 164-167, 1955.
[45] Tematio, P., Nyama, AB, Kengni, L., & Bitom, D. (2001) Influence of cultivation on soil fertility in the humid tropical forest region of Southern Cameroon. Bull. Soc. Vaud. Sc. Nat. 87, 4, pp. 321-335.
[46] UNICEF, WHO, (2004). Achieve the MDG on drinking water and sanitation: mid-term progress assessment target. Geneva, 36 p.
[47] Walkley A., and Black I. A., “An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method,” Soil Sci. 37, pp29-37, 1994.
[48] Wendling Z. (2020) Environmental performance Index 2020. In Environmental performance Index 2020: Global metrics for the Environment: Ranking country performance on sustainable issues. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21182.51529
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Djougo-Jantcheu, Y., Ndongo, B., Njila, R. N., Djatsa, K. N. (2024). Evaluation of the Fertilizing Power of Sludge from Physicochemical Water Purification Stations: Case of the Yato Station, Littoral-Cameroon. Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, 8(1), 25-36. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Djougo-Jantcheu, Y.; Ndongo, B.; Njila, R. N.; Djatsa, K. N. Evaluation of the Fertilizing Power of Sludge from Physicochemical Water Purification Stations: Case of the Yato Station, Littoral-Cameroon. J. Chem. Environ. Biol. Eng. 2024, 8(1), 25-36. doi: 10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Djougo-Jantcheu Y, Ndongo B, Njila RN, Djatsa KN. Evaluation of the Fertilizing Power of Sludge from Physicochemical Water Purification Stations: Case of the Yato Station, Littoral-Cameroon. J Chem Environ Biol Eng. 2024;8(1):25-36. doi: 10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14,
      author = {Yolande Djougo-Jantcheu and Barthélémy Ndongo and Roger Ntankouo Njila and Kevin Nguedia Djatsa},
      title = {Evaluation of the Fertilizing Power of Sludge from Physicochemical Water Purification Stations: Case of the Yato Station, Littoral-Cameroon},
      journal = {Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering},
      volume = {8},
      number = {1},
      pages = {25-36},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jcebe.20240801.14},
      abstract = {The Yato physicochemical water purification station is located in the commune of Dibombari in the Littoral-Cameroon region. It is one of the largest drinking water production stations in the Central African sub-region. This work aims to evaluate the agronomic power of the sludge from this drinking water production station. To achieve this objective, mixed samples of sludge from sludge treatment basins (taken according to the technique described in GIDS-A003 point 6 as explained in the Solid and pasty waste sampling strategy of the Code of Good Practice No. 2). and primary settling basins (collected in transparent 1.5L polyethylene terephthalate bottles) were analyzed. Likewise, three soil samples (marsh, Point 1 and Point 2) were taken and then sent to the laboratory where physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The characteristics of the samples that were analyzed are: particle size, texture (sand, silt, clay) and physicochemistry (organic matter, CEC, sum of exchangeable bases, calcium, nitrogen, potassium and magnesium). The results obtained show that the soils exposed to contamination from the sludge of the station have better agronomic properties both on a physical level with a stable structure favorable to plant growth and good aeration unlike the soils far from the station which presented a high risk. degradation; that on the chemical level with an optimal cationic balance, a high reserve of exchangeable bases, a strong CEC but average limitations in assimilable phosphorus and pH unlike the soil far from the station which presented an insufficiency of potassium which did not facilitate a balance cationic, a low CEC but a pH above 5.5 which is the value recommended in agronomy. Biochemically, organic matter is above 2% in all soils, a mineralization rate less than 20 favoring the rapid mineralization of carbon and a release of nitrogen available to the plant. These results obtained allow us to conclude that the sludge from the Yato station can be used in agronomy as an organic fertilizer in order to correct the soil structure, the CEC, the cationic balances and also provide the soil with a good base reserve. However, treating this sludge with lime could regulate the pH of the soil and reduce the mobility of heavy metals in the soil.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Evaluation of the Fertilizing Power of Sludge from Physicochemical Water Purification Stations: Case of the Yato Station, Littoral-Cameroon
    AU  - Yolande Djougo-Jantcheu
    AU  - Barthélémy Ndongo
    AU  - Roger Ntankouo Njila
    AU  - Kevin Nguedia Djatsa
    Y1  - 2024/02/27
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14
    T2  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
    JF  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
    JO  - Journal of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering
    SP  - 25
    EP  - 36
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2640-267X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jcebe.20240801.14
    AB  - The Yato physicochemical water purification station is located in the commune of Dibombari in the Littoral-Cameroon region. It is one of the largest drinking water production stations in the Central African sub-region. This work aims to evaluate the agronomic power of the sludge from this drinking water production station. To achieve this objective, mixed samples of sludge from sludge treatment basins (taken according to the technique described in GIDS-A003 point 6 as explained in the Solid and pasty waste sampling strategy of the Code of Good Practice No. 2). and primary settling basins (collected in transparent 1.5L polyethylene terephthalate bottles) were analyzed. Likewise, three soil samples (marsh, Point 1 and Point 2) were taken and then sent to the laboratory where physicochemical analyzes were carried out. The characteristics of the samples that were analyzed are: particle size, texture (sand, silt, clay) and physicochemistry (organic matter, CEC, sum of exchangeable bases, calcium, nitrogen, potassium and magnesium). The results obtained show that the soils exposed to contamination from the sludge of the station have better agronomic properties both on a physical level with a stable structure favorable to plant growth and good aeration unlike the soils far from the station which presented a high risk. degradation; that on the chemical level with an optimal cationic balance, a high reserve of exchangeable bases, a strong CEC but average limitations in assimilable phosphorus and pH unlike the soil far from the station which presented an insufficiency of potassium which did not facilitate a balance cationic, a low CEC but a pH above 5.5 which is the value recommended in agronomy. Biochemically, organic matter is above 2% in all soils, a mineralization rate less than 20 favoring the rapid mineralization of carbon and a release of nitrogen available to the plant. These results obtained allow us to conclude that the sludge from the Yato station can be used in agronomy as an organic fertilizer in order to correct the soil structure, the CEC, the cationic balances and also provide the soil with a good base reserve. However, treating this sludge with lime could regulate the pH of the soil and reduce the mobility of heavy metals in the soil.
    
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Rural Engineering, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

  • Department of Rural Engineering, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

  • Department of Rural Engineering, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

  • Department of Rural Engineering, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

  • Sections