Résumé
Douala, Cameroon has been experiencing repeated cholera epidemics due to contaminated groundwater. The present study is to characterize the sedimentary aquifer system of Douala using time domain electromagnetic sounding (TDEM) and magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) for better understanding of the aquifer system to explore cleaner groundwater resources in the region. The TDEM and MRS results show good agreement of aquifer structure with the observed water tables from nearby wells and spring water. The existence of a deeper aquifer from the survey may provide a solution to develop a new fresh groundwater well field for the prevention of future cholera outbreaks in the region. As part of the Geoscientists Without Borders project, the present study also emphasizes capacity building of geophysical applications in the region. The project successfully trained eight African graduate students to master the TDEM and MRS techniques with involvement of undergraduate students from the St. Jerome Catholic University of Douala.