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Alteration of Mineral Balances in Groundwater and Surface Waters of Mangalmé: Correlation Matrix and Heterogeneous Critical Anomaliese

Received: 21 August 2026     Accepted: 4 September 2026     Published: 27 September 2026
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Abstract

This study focuses on a semi-arid area of Chad—the Mangalmé department—where access to drinking water remains a major concern. The population relies primarily on groundwater (wells) and surface water (ponds/reservoirs) for drinking and domestic use. These resources are affected by climate change, notably through declining water table levels, the disappearance of water bodies, drought, and the degradation of vegetation cover. Compounding these issues are anthropogenic pressures linked to agriculture, livestock farming, and sanitation. The aim of this study is to assess the physicochemical quality of these waters, identify critical anomalies, and determine the sources of contamination in order to provide data useful for health and environmental management. To this end, ten (10) localities were monitored over a three-month period (March, April, and May). Water samples from wells and ponds were collected, georeferenced using GPS, stored in cool boxes, and analyzed in the laboratory. In situ measurements included pH at 25°C, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and turbidity. Chemical analyses covered total hardness (CaCO3), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), bicarbonates (HCO3−), chlorides (Cl−), sulfates (SO42−), nitrates (NO3−), fluorides (F−), iron (Fe), and ammonium (NH4+). The methods employed included volumetry, flame photometry, and HACH 2800 spectrophotometry. A correlation matrix and a normalized multiparameter comparison were used to interpret the relationships between parameters. The results reveal heterogeneous mineralization. Some water sources exhibit high conductivity and dissolved solids, very high turbidity, iron and fluoride concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines, and alarming ammonium levels. pH values vary, reflecting distinct geological and anthropogenic conditions. The correlation matrix reveals a strong interdependence among conductivity, dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, and sulfates, suggesting a common origin or similar chemical interactions. In conclusion, none of the ten sources analyzed fully meet potability criteria without treatment. The contamination is twofold: natural—linked to the weathering of sedimentary rocks (sandstone, carbonates, fluorite) that release fluoride and iron—and anthropogenic, involving ammonium from domestic, agricultural, and livestock waste. These findings necessitate regular monitoring, appropriate treatment, and measures to protect water resources.

Published in American Journal of Physical Chemistry (Volume 15, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12
Page(s) 72-82
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Water, Mangalmé, Wells, Basins, PH, Conductivity

References
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Cite This Article
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    Mahamat, H. S., Adannou, H. A., Yaya, Y. Y., Adam, B. M., Mohagir, A. M., et al. (2026). Alteration of Mineral Balances in Groundwater and Surface Waters of Mangalmé: Correlation Matrix and Heterogeneous Critical Anomaliese. American Journal of Physical Chemistry, 15(3), 72-82. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12

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    ACS Style

    Mahamat, H. S.; Adannou, H. A.; Yaya, Y. Y.; Adam, B. M.; Mohagir, A. M., et al. Alteration of Mineral Balances in Groundwater and Surface Waters of Mangalmé: Correlation Matrix and Heterogeneous Critical Anomaliese. Am. J. Phys. Chem. 2026, 15(3), 72-82. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12

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    AMA Style

    Mahamat HS, Adannou HA, Yaya YY, Adam BM, Mohagir AM, et al. Alteration of Mineral Balances in Groundwater and Surface Waters of Mangalmé: Correlation Matrix and Heterogeneous Critical Anomaliese. Am J Phys Chem. 2026;15(3):72-82. doi: 10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12,
      author = {Hassan Souleymane Mahamat and Haroun Ali Adannou and Yaya Youssouf Yaya and Balkis Mahamoud Adam and Ahmed Mohammed Mohagir and Mohammedain Adam Allhgabo Belal},
      title = {Alteration of Mineral Balances in Groundwater and Surface Waters of Mangalmé: Correlation Matrix and Heterogeneous Critical Anomaliese},
      journal = {American Journal of Physical Chemistry},
      volume = {15},
      number = {3},
      pages = {72-82},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajpc.20261503.12},
      abstract = {This study focuses on a semi-arid area of Chad—the Mangalmé department—where access to drinking water remains a major concern. The population relies primarily on groundwater (wells) and surface water (ponds/reservoirs) for drinking and domestic use. These resources are affected by climate change, notably through declining water table levels, the disappearance of water bodies, drought, and the degradation of vegetation cover. Compounding these issues are anthropogenic pressures linked to agriculture, livestock farming, and sanitation. The aim of this study is to assess the physicochemical quality of these waters, identify critical anomalies, and determine the sources of contamination in order to provide data useful for health and environmental management. To this end, ten (10) localities were monitored over a three-month period (March, April, and May). Water samples from wells and ponds were collected, georeferenced using GPS, stored in cool boxes, and analyzed in the laboratory. In situ measurements included pH at 25°C, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and turbidity. Chemical analyses covered total hardness (CaCO3), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), bicarbonates (HCO3−), chlorides (Cl−), sulfates (SO42−), nitrates (NO3−), fluorides (F−), iron (Fe), and ammonium (NH4+). The methods employed included volumetry, flame photometry, and HACH 2800 spectrophotometry. A correlation matrix and a normalized multiparameter comparison were used to interpret the relationships between parameters. The results reveal heterogeneous mineralization. Some water sources exhibit high conductivity and dissolved solids, very high turbidity, iron and fluoride concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines, and alarming ammonium levels. pH values vary, reflecting distinct geological and anthropogenic conditions. The correlation matrix reveals a strong interdependence among conductivity, dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, and sulfates, suggesting a common origin or similar chemical interactions. In conclusion, none of the ten sources analyzed fully meet potability criteria without treatment. The contamination is twofold: natural—linked to the weathering of sedimentary rocks (sandstone, carbonates, fluorite) that release fluoride and iron—and anthropogenic, involving ammonium from domestic, agricultural, and livestock waste. These findings necessitate regular monitoring, appropriate treatment, and measures to protect water resources.},
     year = {2026}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Alteration of Mineral Balances in Groundwater and Surface Waters of Mangalmé: Correlation Matrix and Heterogeneous Critical Anomaliese
    AU  - Hassan Souleymane Mahamat
    AU  - Haroun Ali Adannou
    AU  - Yaya Youssouf Yaya
    AU  - Balkis Mahamoud Adam
    AU  - Ahmed Mohammed Mohagir
    AU  - Mohammedain Adam Allhgabo Belal
    Y1  - 2026/09/27
    PY  - 2026
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12
    T2  - American Journal of Physical Chemistry
    JF  - American Journal of Physical Chemistry
    JO  - American Journal of Physical Chemistry
    SP  - 72
    EP  - 82
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2327-2449
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpc.20261503.12
    AB  - This study focuses on a semi-arid area of Chad—the Mangalmé department—where access to drinking water remains a major concern. The population relies primarily on groundwater (wells) and surface water (ponds/reservoirs) for drinking and domestic use. These resources are affected by climate change, notably through declining water table levels, the disappearance of water bodies, drought, and the degradation of vegetation cover. Compounding these issues are anthropogenic pressures linked to agriculture, livestock farming, and sanitation. The aim of this study is to assess the physicochemical quality of these waters, identify critical anomalies, and determine the sources of contamination in order to provide data useful for health and environmental management. To this end, ten (10) localities were monitored over a three-month period (March, April, and May). Water samples from wells and ponds were collected, georeferenced using GPS, stored in cool boxes, and analyzed in the laboratory. In situ measurements included pH at 25°C, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and turbidity. Chemical analyses covered total hardness (CaCO3), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), bicarbonates (HCO3−), chlorides (Cl−), sulfates (SO42−), nitrates (NO3−), fluorides (F−), iron (Fe), and ammonium (NH4+). The methods employed included volumetry, flame photometry, and HACH 2800 spectrophotometry. A correlation matrix and a normalized multiparameter comparison were used to interpret the relationships between parameters. The results reveal heterogeneous mineralization. Some water sources exhibit high conductivity and dissolved solids, very high turbidity, iron and fluoride concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines, and alarming ammonium levels. pH values vary, reflecting distinct geological and anthropogenic conditions. The correlation matrix reveals a strong interdependence among conductivity, dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, and sulfates, suggesting a common origin or similar chemical interactions. In conclusion, none of the ten sources analyzed fully meet potability criteria without treatment. The contamination is twofold: natural—linked to the weathering of sedimentary rocks (sandstone, carbonates, fluorite) that release fluoride and iron—and anthropogenic, involving ammonium from domestic, agricultural, and livestock waste. These findings necessitate regular monitoring, appropriate treatment, and measures to protect water resources.
    VL  - 15
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Exact and Applied Sciences, Higher Teacher Training College of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad;Physic and Engineering Science Department, African Laboratory for Sustainable Development Research, N'djamena, Chad

  • Department of Exact and Applied Sciences, Higher Teacher Training College of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad;Physic and Engineering Science Department, African Laboratory for Sustainable Development Research, N'djamena, Chad

  • Department of Exact and Applied Sciences, Higher Teacher Training College of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad

  • Department of Exact and Applied Sciences, Higher Teacher Training College of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad

  • Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad

  • Faculty of Pure and Applied Science; University of Kordofan, Kordofan, Sudan

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