Oben Mbeng, Z.S.Folefac, R.S. Ebonji, K.F.Togue, G.N.Ajonina and D.Mboglen
The paper presents the results of an evaluation of solid wastes, physico-chemical parameters and tidal variations in the mangrove ecosystem of Wouri estuary in the localities of “Village” and “Bois des Singes” in Douala. The methodology consisted of a survey, direct observation and a waste composition study. Interviews were conducted to determine the prevailing ecological and human health problems, their causes and impacts. Water samples collected during high and low tides from four sites designated as (S1, S2, S3, S4) in both case study areas, analyzed and tested in the laboratory for physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, pH, salinity, conductivity, biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, nitrates and phosphates. Waste composition analysis reveals that the mangroves of “Village” were heavily contaminated with plastic waste packaging’s (51, 3%), followed by plastic bottles (40, 3%) while “Bois des Singes”, was contaminated with plastic bottles (22, 6%), and domestic waste (22, 6%). The average readings of some physico-chemical parameters during the low and high tides for S1-S4 for “Village” and “Bois des Singes” were either within the normal range with no significant difference p>0.05 or with a significant difference (p<0.5). Typhoid and malaria were the most prevalent diseases while contamination from fecal coliform and streptococcus increased during high tides for both study areas.
Solid Waste, Waste Composition, Mangroves, Contamination, Tidal Variations