Multi-tracer (δ¹⁸O, δD, ³H, CFCs and SF₆) investigation of groundwater recharge and apparent age at the Bamenda Highlands along the Cameroon volcanic line

The Bamenda Highlands contains numerous dilute and soda springs of unknown hydrological provenance. These dilute springs are a vital source of drinking water to the inhabitants. As a contribution to water management, this study investigated the spring water recharge, residence time and sub-surface circulation using δ¹⁸O, δD, ³H, CFCs, SF₆ and TDS. A plot of both water types along the local meteoric water line indicated the meteoric origin and rapid recharge following precipitation. Dilute springs with a δ¹⁸O altitude effect of 0.27/100 m suggested recharge at different elevations. The CFC-12, CFC-11 and CFC-113 dating (complemented by ³H) showed reasonable young apparent ages of dilute springs ranging from 21 to > 52 (mean/median of 25) years and old soda springs (> 52 years). SF₆ concentrations in dilute springs revealed exceptionally young ages relative to CFCs modelled ages suggesting a terrigenous enrichment of the former. Thus, groundwater dating with SF₆ is unreliable in the area. Besides the old apparent ages of soda springs, their highly depleted δ¹⁸O and high TDS (mean of 1396 mg/l) indicated palaeo-recharge and high water–rock interaction, respectively. In contrast, the low TDS of dilute springs (< 140 mg/l) indicated low-water interaction. Most dilute springs showed exponential mixing models indicating heterogeneous recharge under unconfined aquifer conditions. Conversely, the old soda springs displayed piston flow and binary mixing models. The meteoric recharge and similar residence time of the shallow dilute springs suggested natural resilience to short-term changes in climatic conditions. Thus, low shallow groundwater abstraction is sustainable at the Bamenda Highlands.