Research Output
Ecological status and sources of anthropogenic contaminants in mangroves of the Wouri River Estuary (Cameroon)
  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.

  • Type:

    Article

  • Date:

    06 July 2016

  • Publication Status:

    Published

  • Publisher

    Elsevier BV

  • DOI:

    10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.104

  • Cross Ref:

    S0025326X16305094

  • ISSN:

    0025-326X

  • Library of Congress:

    TD193.5 Environmental pollution

  • Dewey Decimal Classification:

    363.7 Environmental pollution

  • Funders:

    Cameroon Oil Transportation Company (COTCO); SP3-People (Marie Curie) IRSES Project CREC

Citation

Fusi, M., Beone, G. M., Suciu, N. A., Sacchi, A., Trevisan, M., Capri, E., …Cannicci, S. (2016). Ecological status and sources of anthropogenic contaminants in mangroves of the Wouri River Estuary (Cameroon). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 109(2), 723-733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.104

Authors

Keywords

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

Monthly Views:

Available Documents