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Geochemical Behavior of REE in Stream Water and Sediments in the Gold-Bearing Lom Basin, Cameroon: Implications for Provenance and Depositional Environment

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Abstract

Stream water and associated bottom sediments were sampled within the Lom Basin, and their rare earth element (REE) concentrations have been used to decipher their provenance and environment of deposition. Stream waters in the lower Lom Basin have variable Post Archean Australian Shale-normalized REE concentrations (0.24–4978 ng/l), positive Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* ranges from 1.08 to 8.03), a general positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* varies from 0.9 to 15.2, average = 4.9) and are slightly enriched in the light rare earth elements (LREE/HREE varies from 1.7 to 10.3). Similarly, the sediments are slightly depleted in heavy rare earth elements (HREE), have a predominant negative Ce anomaly, but show a ubiquitous positive Eu anomaly. The dissolved REE content is controlled by the near-neutral pH of the stream water and adsorption onto Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides. The variable LREE/HREE ratios and Eu anomalies observed in the sediments indicate that these sediments are sourced mainly from felsic rocks with little mafic input. Moreover, Ce anomalies and redox-sensitive trace elemental ratios of Ni/Co, V/(V + Ni), V/Cr, Cu/Zn and V/Ni revealed the sediments were deposited under oxic to reducing conditions. Variations in the concentration of REE in the stream water and sediment indicate that Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides are important sinks for the HREE. The newly generated data will guide future studies and environmental policy makers.

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Acknowledgements

These results form part of the PhD thesis of the corresponding author under the Japanese Government (MONBUKAGAKUSHO) Scholarship from 2015 to 2018. We thank the Japan Agency of Science and Technology (JST), in particular, for their financial support. Transportation facilities made available by the Institute of Geological and Mining Research eased the field work. The two anonymous reviewers are sincerely appreciated for their comments which have greatly improved this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM), P.O. Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba, Wirmvem Mengnjo Jude, Salomon César Nguemhe Fils & Festus Tongwa Aka

  2. Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, 259-1292, Japan

    Nozomi Numanami & Takeshi Ohba

  3. School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 115, Meiganga, Cameroon

    Melvin Tamnta Nforba

  4. Department of Geology, Mining and Environmental Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon

    Cheo Emmanuel Suh

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  1. Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba
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Mimba, M.E., Wirmvem, M., Nguemhe Fils, S.C. et al. Geochemical Behavior of REE in Stream Water and Sediments in the Gold-Bearing Lom Basin, Cameroon: Implications for Provenance and Depositional Environment. Aquat Geochem 26, 53–70 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-019-09365-8

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