IMIS | Lifewatch regional portal

You are here

IMIS

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Ecological status and sources of anthropogenic contaminants in mangroves of the Wouri River Estuary (Cameroon)
Fusi, M.; Beone, G.M.; Suciu, N.A.; Sacchi, A.; Trevisan, M.; Capri, E.; Daffonchio, D.; Din, N.; Dahdouh-Guebas, F.; Cannicci, S. (2016). Ecological status and sources of anthropogenic contaminants in mangroves of the Wouri River Estuary (Cameroon). Mar. Pollut. Bull. 109(2): 723-733. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.104
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Author keywords
    Mangrove; Contaminants; Macrobenthos; Cameroon; Wouri Estuary; Sediment

Authors  Top 
  • Fusi, M.
  • Beone, G.M.
  • Suciu, N.A.
  • Sacchi, A.
  • Trevisan, M.
  • Capri, E.
  • Daffonchio, D.
  • Din, N.
  • Dahdouh-Guebas, F., more
  • Cannicci, S.

Abstract
    Mangroves are critically threatened by human activities, despite the important ecosystem functions and services they provide. Mangroves in Cameroon represent no exception to the worldwide trend of mangrove destruction, especially around Douala, on the Wouri river estuary. In two sites around Douala, we assessed the presence of sterols, PAHs, PCBs, DEHP, DDT and its metabolite p,p'-DDE and potentially toxic metals in sediment samples. As a proxy of ecological quality, we measured the diversity and abundance of macrobenthos assemblages. We detected p,p'-DDE contamination, with concentrations higher than 3 μg kg− 1 in 16 out of 26 samples which were attributed to recent widespread use of DDT. The detection of sterols revealed faecal contamination. Significant sensitivity of the macrobenthos to contaminants was revealed, with possible implications on the overall mangrove vulnerability to climate change and on the provision of ecosystem services to local populations.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors