Heavy Metal Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessment in Soils of the Pawara Gold Mining Area, Eastern Cameroon

Pawara area is a mining district in the eastern region of Cameroon. Mining generally artisanal and semi-mechanized, practiced by local miners immigrants from neighboring African countries China. The lack strict regulations control activities permits to use illegal substances, especially Hg gold separation. These expose toxic heavy metals pollution. This study highlights source concentration soils potential adverse effects on separation environment health. Three sites one site were investigated, namely Site A, B C. 0 (background) an where no agricultural have taken place. Soil samples collected at depth 20 cm, with six each (24 samples). Samples analyzed for Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Cd Zn content using atomic absorption spectrophotometry graphite furnace. metals, except show high values all three exceeding background levels soils. shows highest A value 1590 mg kg−1. Pb 12,274 contamination degree was assessed help indices (Igeo—index geo-accumulation; PLI—pollution load index; RI—potential ecological risk; Eri—ecological Pi—single pollution CF—contamination factor) parameters compared site. Cr Cu as single pollutants risk intense taking absence industrial large-scale area, nonexistence contaminants presence C farming low jointly that discharge mine wastes onto stream channels are main environment.