Characteristics and Source Identification of Environmental Trace Metals in Beach Sediments Along the Littoral Zone of Cameroon

Beach sediment samples collected along the central part of the Littoral zone of Cameroon were geochemically analyzed using ICP-MS to investigate the distribution characteristics and to identify trace metal concentrations. The textural characteristics of these sediments revealed that they are dominated by sand. Metal concentrations are distributed in the following decreasing order: Fe > Mn > Cr > V > Ni > Co > Cs. Indices of pollution, such as enrichment factor values are generally less than 1.5, except for Cr; index of geo-accumulation, where values of all metals in the sediments were < 0; contamination factor shows that in the Yoyo and Mouanko stations, values of elements, such as Co, Cs, Ni and V range between 0.1 and 0.3, while other elements have values between 0.3 and 0.6. At the Mbiako station, the values of all selected elements are between 0.1 and 0.3, except Fe and Mn, which are between 0.3 and 0.6. The degree of contamination and pollution load index shows low values in all stations, where values in all sampling sites are less than 1. The principal component analysis, cluster and correlation matrix indicate that the heavy metals maintained fair trends with both anthropogenic and natural sources. This study showed that this coastal area is not highly concentrated in heavy metals, and equally revealed that the central part of the Cameroon coastline is slightly polluted by trace metals. The results can be used for future investigations focusing on evaluation of heavy metals and their pollution sources especially in coastal regions.