Combining planted drying beds to maturation ponds at pilot scale for a comprehensive treatment of faecal sludge in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hight birth rate in developing countries generates huge amounts of faecal sludge to treat at a given time. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that 95% of households are not connected to a sewerage system for excreta disposal, and faecal sludge treatment of plants is almost absent, thus the necessity of developing cost-effective technologies to contain their harmful effect. In response to this preoccupation, pilot scale experiments combining drying beds with maturation ponds were conducted in Yaounde (Cameroon) for the treatment of faecal sludge.

Floristic surveys of some lowlands polluted of a tropical urban area: the case of Yaounde, Cameroon.

This study presents original results for field surveys in lowland sites polluted in Yaounde-Cameroon. The screening of 11 polluted lowlands compared to a natural lowland (unpolluted), made it possible to identify species which may exhibit the best capacities to adapt to environmental changes and to develop in contaminated areas, in particular heavy metals. This work can be a preliminary study around the species growing in contaminated lowlands.

Floristic surveys of hydrocarbon-polluted sites in some Cameroonian cities (Central Africa).

Soils pollution with hydrocarbons is on the increase, especially in developing countries like Cameroon. Identifying plant species capable of growing on hydrocarbon-polluted soils remains an essential step in phytoremediation, a low cost, solar energy driven clean up technique in which living green plants are used. Here, we report floristic surveys conducted in 4 cities of Cameroon to identify plants with phytoremediation capacities.

Use of Moringa oleifera seed extracts to polish effluents from natural systems treating faecal sludge.

The removal of pathogens in irrigation water is of great importance in developing countries. Indeed, wastewater generally reused for agriculture in countries such as Cameroon is associated with health and environmental concerns. Recent studies have shown a strong disinfectant action of the natural coagulant from the seeds of Moringa oleifera.