Author(s)

Konan Kouakou Séraphin^1*, Gbamélé Kouassi Serge¹, Doffou Richard Jean Olive², Brou Loukou Alexis¹, Kouassi Kouakou Lazare¹, Dongui Bini Kouamé¹

¹Laboratory of Geosciences and Environment, University Jean Lorougnon Guede, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
²Departement of Geology, University Jean Lorougnon Guede, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.

The objective of this study is to assess the level of metal contamination of sediments and agricultural soils in the Ity-Floleu zone. The concentrations of trace elements (Fe, Mn, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) were measured in different seasons over two successive years. The sediment pollution index made it possible to note that the sediments and agricultural soils of the various stations studied are highly polluted in all seasons. The calculation of the geoaccumulation index indicates that surface water sediments most often experience extreme or moderate pollution in As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn in the dry or rainy season except in Pb in some cases. We observed that the sediments of the Cavally river present a serious pollution due to extreme anthropic activities carried out along the river. Over the entire region, the results of the potential ecological risk index (RI) indicate that all the sediments and agricultural soils analysed present a moderate ecological risk in terms of Pb and Zn in certain cases and an ecological risk is observed low bound to other metals in all seasons. This metallic pollution generated by human activities in this region can have consequences for the environment and biodiversity.

Anthropogenic Activities, Cavally River, Contamination Factors, Contamination Indices, Metallic Trace Elements, Sediments and Agricultural Soils

Séraphin, K. , Serge, G. , Olive, D. , Alexis, B. , Lazare, K. and Kouamé, D. (2020) Assessment of the Quality of Sediments and Agricultural Soils: Case of the Ity-Floleu Area in the Prefecture of Zouan-Hounien, Western Côte d’Ivoire. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 8, 255-275. doi: 10.4236/gep.2020.812016.