Hydrochemical and isotopic studies providing a new functional model for the coastal aquifers in Douala Coastal Sedimentary Basin (DCSB)/Cameroon.

A new conceptual model of the hydrogeological systems in Cameroon's Douala Coastal Sedimentary Basin (DCSB) was constructed. The model is based upon the basin's known geology, plus data from recent field campaigns that allowed the collection of rainwater and groundwater samples for analyses of stable isotopes (δ2H, δ18O, δ13C), radiogenic isotopes (3H, 14C), and water chemistry. Aquifer characteristics that were thereby deciphered include recharge, isotopic distributions, residence times, and mixing processes. Rainfall samples (mean δ18O = -2.0 ‰; mean δ2H = -6.80 ‰; weighted mean = -2.4 ‰ δ18O, -9.85 ‰ δ2H) scatter along two distinct lines, thus indicating that local rainfall events undergo processes during convective events, variability in humidity, amount effects, and seasonal variations. Stable isotope values of river water samples are close to the weighted mean of local precipitation, with some downstream enrichment. The Quaternary/Mio-Pliocene superficial aquifer system (depth < 70 m) and the intermediate Oligocene/Upper Eocene aquifer system (depth: 70 to 200 m) exhibit evidence of similar fractionation processes through an enrichment gradient of δ-values. The enrichment is more pronounced at the top of the superficial aquifer, which is very exposed to direct rainfall water infiltration, evaporation, and amount effects. The depth profiles of δ-values coupled to water chemistry and tritium contents, evidence leakage between (i) the superficial system's Quaternary alluvium sands and Mio-Pliocene sands; and (ii) the superficial and intermediate systems. Thus, the aquifers that contain modern, post nuclear groundwater are characterized by flow exchanges and direct recharge from rainfall events. In contrast, the Upper Eocene system has depleted δ-values and lower bicarbonate contents, suggesting not only that this system was recharged by rapid infiltration (with limited effect of evaporation), but that this recharge occurred during a cooler time in the past. The residence times (computed from 14C dates) indicate uncorrected ages ranging from hundreds to thousands of years.

Case report of a lithopedion of tubal location, in a young woman.

Lithopedion is a rare situation, corresponding to an ectopic pregnancy which evolves beyond the first trimester toward death and fetal calcification. This ectopic pregnancy is most often abdominal in location. Through this case report, we report the case of a lithopedion of left tubal localization in a young woman, diagnosed on CT scan following abdominal pain and confirmed by laparotomy with excision.

Water quality decline in coastal aquifers under anthropic pressure: the case of a suburban area of Dakar (Senegal).

In recent years, the unregulated increase of the population in coastal areas of developing countries has become source of concern for both water supply and quality control. In the region of Dakar (Senegal), approximately 80% of water resources come from groundwater reservoirs, which are increasingly affected by anthropogenic pressures. The identification of the main sources of pollution, and thus the aquifer vulnerability, is essential to provide a sound basis for the implementation of long-term geochemically based water management plans in this sub-Saharan area. With this aim, a hydrochemical and isotopic survey on 26 wells was performed in the so-called Peninsula of Cap-Vert. Results show that seawater intrusion represents the main process affecting groundwater chemical characteristics. Nitrates often exceed the World Health Organization drinking water limits: stable isotopes of dissolved nitrate (δ¹5N and δ¹8O) indicate urban sewage and fertilizers as a major source of contamination. Results depict a complex situation in which groundwater is affected by direct and indirect infiltration of effluents, mixing with seawater and freshening processes from below. Besides the relevance of the investigation at a regional level, it represents a basis for decision-making processes in an integrated water resources management and in the planning of similar monitoring strategies for other urban coastal regions.

Isotope evidence of palaeorecharge and palaeoclimate in the deep confined aquifers of the Chad Basin, NE Nigeria.

Groundwaters from the Quaternary and Continental Terminal Formations in the Nigeria sector of the Chad Sedimentary Basin (CSB) together with rain and surface waters have been chemically and isotopically analyzed in order to investigate sources and ages of waters, possible modern renewal and mixing of the deep groundwaters, and to infer palaeoclimate incidences. Most of the waters are slightly to moderately mineralized and are of Na-HCO(3) type induced mainly by Na-feldspar weathering and ion exchange reactions. The wide range of the delta(18)O and delta(2)H values and (3)H contents in the upper aquifer indicate replenishment with modern meteoric water. However, the deep system (middle and lower aquifers) with a narrow range of depleted stable isotope values and low (14)C activities indicates that these waters have a palaeometeoric origin. The period of infiltration was within the humid and cooler period (35 to 40 ka BP) prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. In addition, the isotope compositions of the deep system show no mixing with modern waters. These results are in agreement with other palaeorecord studies in the Sahel zone during this period.

Groundwater salinization in the Saloum (Senegal) delta aquifer: minor elements and isotopic indicators.

The hydrochemistry of minor elements bromide (Br), boron (B), strontium (Sr), environmental stable isotopes (18O and 2H) together with major-ion chemistry (chloride, sodium, calcium) has been used to constrain the source(s), relative age, and processes of salinization in the Continental Terminal (CT) aquifer in the Saloum (mid-west Senegal) region. Seventy-one groundwater wells which include 24 wells contaminated by saltwater and three sites along the hypersaline Saloum River were sampled to obtain additional information on the hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater defined in previous studies. Use of Br against Cl confirms the Saloum River saline water intrusion up to a contribution of 7% into the aquifer. In addition to this recent intrusion, a relatively ancient intrusion of the Saloum River water which had reached at least as far as 20 km south from the source was evidenced. The high molar ratio values of Sr/Cl and Sr/Ca indicate an additional input of strontium presumably derived from carbonate precipitation/dissolution reactions and also via adsorption reactions. The variable B concentrations (7-650 microg/L) found in the groundwater samples were tested against the binary mixing model to evaluate the processes of salinization which are responsible for the investigated system. Sorption of B and depletion of Na occur as the Saloum river water intrudes the aquifer (salinization) in the northern part of the region, whereas B desorption and Na enrichment occur as the fresh groundwater flushing displaces the saline waters in the coastal strip (refreshening). In the central zone where ancient intrusion prevailed, the process of freshening of the saline groundwater is indicated by the changes in major-ion chemistry as well as B desorption and Na enrichment. In addition to these processes, stable isotopes reveal that mixing with recently infiltrating waters and evaporation contribute to the changes in isotopic signature.