Physico-chimie des pluies du sud Cameroun forestier

Physicochemical of Rains in Southern Forest Cameroon. This paper is a contribution to the physicochemical knowledge of the rains of the humid tropical forest area of Southern Cameroon. Rain water were sampled at Nsimi area in 2001/2002. The chemistry of rain waters can detect important atmospheric inputs under soluble form. The contents of major cations are relatively high (TZ+= 140 μeq/l). The major anions are less represented (TZ-= 51 μeq/l). Total dissolved salt (TDS= 5.76 mg/l) is above average characteristic of TDS (3.60 mg/l) of tropical region rain waters. The dissolved organic matter (COD= 1.20 mg/l) is low, but relatively high for the region. The levels of sodium and chloride ions are decreasing, reflecting their marine origin, while those for potassium and calcium increase. This increase and a significant correlation between these factors underline other potential sources. The bush fires and deforestation would make part of these sources that cause the change in atmospheric inputs and climatic variations. Qualitative aspects of rainfall (acid rain, important atmospheric inputs under soluble form of some elements) is likely to influence agricultural production