Biogeohydrodynamic in the forested humid tropical environment; the case study of the Nsimi small experimental watershed (South Cameroon)
This paper summarizes a six-year study of the Nsimi Small Experimental Watershed (SEW), considered as a model for the South Cameroon humid tropical ecosystem. When this small watershed was set up, no similar survey of input/output hydrobiogeochemical fluxes in granitoid rocks in stable cratonic envi...
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creator | Braun, Jean-Jacques Dupré, Bernard Viers, Jérôme Ndam Nagoupayou, Jules Rémy Bedimo Bedimo, Jean-Pierre Sigha-Nkamdjou, Luc Freydier, Rémi Robain, Henri Nyeck, Brunot Bodin, Jacques Oliva, Priscia Boeglin, Jean-Loup Stemmler, Sébastien Berthelin, Jacques |
description | This paper summarizes a six-year study of the Nsimi Small Experimental Watershed (SEW), considered as a model for the South Cameroon humid tropical ecosystem. When this small watershed was set up, no similar survey of input/output hydrobiogeochemical fluxes in granitoid rocks in stable cratonic environment was available, to our knowledge, on any site close to the Equator. Moreover, this is the first attempt, world-wide, to combine different approaches in hydrology, (bio) geochemistry, mineralogy, crystallography, microbiology, geophysics and pedology. Research is based on (1) regular hydrobiogeochemical surveys in various water reservoirs of the SEW ecosystem (atmospheric deposits, groundwater and stream), (2) surveys related either to the organisation and composition of different reservoirs in the superficial layers (basement rocks, saprolite, soils) or to various hydrological, biological and geochemical processes. These surveys aim at (1) finding the main parameters involved in the chemical and physical erosion processes of the humid tropical ecosystem, (2) understanding the source of a particular chemical composition in groundwater and rivers, (3) documenting accurately the different exportation processes of chemical elements in water and soil (4) investigating the possible relation between the biodegradation of soil organic matter and the leaching of metals (especially iron) and (5) comparing the long and short term weathering rates using mass balance calculations. An other important objective of this study is to provide a new scientific and engineering database for the future development of South Cameroon, which is still nowadays a relatively preserved ecosystem. One of the major results is the essential role played by the biological cycle (vegetation and soil organic matter) in the fractionation, exportation or storage of the chemical elements in humid tropical environments. Moreover we are able to propose a model of the current erosion for this SEW from the database obtained on (1) the mineralogy of the basement rocks and the soil layers, (2) the geochemistry of the soluble and colloidal phases of waters and (3) the hydrology within the different reservoirs of the hydrosystem. This model has been confirmed and extended on a regional scale (Nyong river basin). It emphasized the behaviour of the main elements of the tropical soil layers (Fe, Al,Si), the nutrients (C, Ca, Mg, K, Sr) and specific tracers of the weathering processes either with strong mo |
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When this small watershed was set up, no similar survey of input/output hydrobiogeochemical fluxes in granitoid rocks in stable cratonic environment was available, to our knowledge, on any site close to the Equator. Moreover, this is the first attempt, world-wide, to combine different approaches in hydrology, (bio) geochemistry, mineralogy, crystallography, microbiology, geophysics and pedology. Research is based on (1) regular hydrobiogeochemical surveys in various water reservoirs of the SEW ecosystem (atmospheric deposits, groundwater and stream), (2) surveys related either to the organisation and composition of different reservoirs in the superficial layers (basement rocks, saprolite, soils) or to various hydrological, biological and geochemical processes. These surveys aim at (1) finding the main parameters involved in the chemical and physical erosion processes of the humid tropical ecosystem, (2) understanding the source of a particular chemical composition in groundwater and rivers, (3) documenting accurately the different exportation processes of chemical elements in water and soil (4) investigating the possible relation between the biodegradation of soil organic matter and the leaching of metals (especially iron) and (5) comparing the long and short term weathering rates using mass balance calculations. An other important objective of this study is to provide a new scientific and engineering database for the future development of South Cameroon, which is still nowadays a relatively preserved ecosystem. One of the major results is the essential role played by the biological cycle (vegetation and soil organic matter) in the fractionation, exportation or storage of the chemical elements in humid tropical environments. Moreover we are able to propose a model of the current erosion for this SEW from the database obtained on (1) the mineralogy of the basement rocks and the soil layers, (2) the geochemistry of the soluble and colloidal phases of waters and (3) the hydrology within the different reservoirs of the hydrosystem. This model has been confirmed and extended on a regional scale (Nyong river basin). It emphasized the behaviour of the main elements of the tropical soil layers (Fe, Al,Si), the nutrients (C, Ca, Mg, K, Sr) and specific tracers of the weathering processes either with strong mobility (Cl, Na) or on the contrary with an extremely low mobility (Zr, Th, REEs). On the SEW scale, a strong geochemical contrast occurs between the different groundwater zones flooding (1) the hill slope lateritic profiles, (2) the weathering front (interface between the saprolite and the basement rocks), and (3) the swampy zone in which the Mengong brook flows. High DOC contents (15 mg/L) but also high Fe, Th, Al, Zr contents characterize the swampy zone waters. Na and Si have mainly a deep origin (exfiltration), Al, Th, Zr and REEs are strongly linked with colloidal organic matter located in the upper horizons of the swamp. Fe has a much more complex behaviour due to its change of redox state which can be independent of organic matter complexation. Concerning the major base cations, their origin can be constrained by the biological cycle (storage or leaching). K is typically influenced by the biological cycle. During the floods, Cl annual budget is balanced. These characteristics can be understood as the consequence of the weathering the minerals present in the saprolite (kaolinite, goethite, goethite, zircon, Th-oxide). This chemical weathering allows the leaching of base cations and also Al and Fe. It has been demonstrated that the microbial populations of the swampy zone can play an important role in the mobilization of transition metals (e.g. Fe). This study point out the role of humic acids in the transport and the weathering budget of elements usually considered as immobile in the superficial cycle (e.g. Al, Th, Zr, Fe). It must be mentioned that worldwide the SEW and even the Nyong network waters are among the least concentrated river waters. It means that even if the organic matter plays an important role in the mobilization and transport of some elements in the swampy zone, its action is limited in term of major cation fluxes on the SEW scale. The reason invoked is that the cation fluxes are directly linked to the pedological history and the geomorphology of the watershed. The presence of thick soil layers composed of saprolite and latosol on the hillsides and of hydromorphic soils in the swampy zone with constant mineralogy lead to isolating the bedrock. The long residence time of water close to the weathering front plays a major role in preserving the parent rock from the hydro-chemical outputs. Moreover, the topsoil layers are stabilized by the vegetation cover, which limits mechanical erosion. This should be taken into account for the carbon mass balance calculation because of the wide areas on stable shields concerned by the humid tropical ecosystems. Moreover, comparison between long and short-term weathering allows us to suggest that paleo-climatic conditions did not change since the Miocene (6-20 Ma) in this part of the world.</description><identifier>ISSN: 0037-9409</identifier><identifier>EISSN: 1777-5817</identifier><identifier>DOI: 10.2113/173.4.347</identifier><identifier>CODEN: BSGFAE</identifier><language>eng</language><publisher>Paris: Société Géologique de France</publisher><subject>Africa ; biogenic processes ; Cameroon ; carbon ; case studies ; catchment hydrodynamics ; chemical weathering ; clastic rocks ; dissolved organic carbon ; drainage basins ; Earth sciences ; Earth, ocean, space ; Exact sciences and technology ; experimental studies ; field studies ; forests ; geochemistry ; Geomorphology, landform evolution ; ground water ; humid environment ; Hydrogeology ; hydrology ; laterites ; Nsimi Cameroon ; Nyong River basin ; organic carbon ; organic compounds ; physical weathering ; saprolite ; sedimentary rocks ; soils ; solutes ; southern Cameroon ; surface water ; Surficial geology ; terrestrial environment ; tropical environment ; vegetation ; watersheds ; weathering ; West Africa</subject><ispartof>Bulletin de la Société géologique de France, 2002-01, Vol.173 (4), p.347-357</ispartof><rights>GeoRef, Copyright 2022, American Geosciences Institute.</rights><lds50>peer_reviewed</lds50><woscitedreferencessubscribed>false</woscitedreferencessubscribed><citedby>FETCH-LOGICAL-a347t-7a6a0203ad79997e5bfbe471471f963bacc32a7b05e3cb4d98ee7fc3c7ef1a6f3</citedby></display><links><openurl>$$Topenurl_article</openurl><openurlfulltext>$$Topenurlfull_article</openurlfulltext><thumbnail>$$Tsyndetics_thumb_exl</thumbnail><link.rule.ids>314,780,784,27923,27924</link.rule.ids><backlink>$$Uhttp://pascal-francis.inist.fr/vibad/index.php?action=getRecordDetail&idt=14313913$$DView record in Pascal Francis$$Hfree_for_read</backlink></links><search><creatorcontrib>Braun, Jean-Jacques</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Dupré, Bernard</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Viers, Jérôme</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Ndam Nagoupayou, Jules Rémy</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Bedimo Bedimo, Jean-Pierre</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Sigha-Nkamdjou, Luc</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Freydier, Rémi</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Robain, Henri</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Nyeck, Brunot</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Bodin, Jacques</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Oliva, Priscia</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Boeglin, Jean-Loup</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Stemmler, Sébastien</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Berthelin, Jacques</creatorcontrib><title>Biogeohydrodynamic in the forested humid tropical environment; the case study of the Nsimi small experimental watershed (South Cameroon)</title><title>Bulletin de la Société géologique de France</title><description>This paper summarizes a six-year study of the Nsimi Small Experimental Watershed (SEW), considered as a model for the South Cameroon humid tropical ecosystem. When this small watershed was set up, no similar survey of input/output hydrobiogeochemical fluxes in granitoid rocks in stable cratonic environment was available, to our knowledge, on any site close to the Equator. Moreover, this is the first attempt, world-wide, to combine different approaches in hydrology, (bio) geochemistry, mineralogy, crystallography, microbiology, geophysics and pedology. Research is based on (1) regular hydrobiogeochemical surveys in various water reservoirs of the SEW ecosystem (atmospheric deposits, groundwater and stream), (2) surveys related either to the organisation and composition of different reservoirs in the superficial layers (basement rocks, saprolite, soils) or to various hydrological, biological and geochemical processes. These surveys aim at (1) finding the main parameters involved in the chemical and physical erosion processes of the humid tropical ecosystem, (2) understanding the source of a particular chemical composition in groundwater and rivers, (3) documenting accurately the different exportation processes of chemical elements in water and soil (4) investigating the possible relation between the biodegradation of soil organic matter and the leaching of metals (especially iron) and (5) comparing the long and short term weathering rates using mass balance calculations. An other important objective of this study is to provide a new scientific and engineering database for the future development of South Cameroon, which is still nowadays a relatively preserved ecosystem. One of the major results is the essential role played by the biological cycle (vegetation and soil organic matter) in the fractionation, exportation or storage of the chemical elements in humid tropical environments. Moreover we are able to propose a model of the current erosion for this SEW from the database obtained on (1) the mineralogy of the basement rocks and the soil layers, (2) the geochemistry of the soluble and colloidal phases of waters and (3) the hydrology within the different reservoirs of the hydrosystem. This model has been confirmed and extended on a regional scale (Nyong river basin). It emphasized the behaviour of the main elements of the tropical soil layers (Fe, Al,Si), the nutrients (C, Ca, Mg, K, Sr) and specific tracers of the weathering processes either with strong mobility (Cl, Na) or on the contrary with an extremely low mobility (Zr, Th, REEs). On the SEW scale, a strong geochemical contrast occurs between the different groundwater zones flooding (1) the hill slope lateritic profiles, (2) the weathering front (interface between the saprolite and the basement rocks), and (3) the swampy zone in which the Mengong brook flows. High DOC contents (15 mg/L) but also high Fe, Th, Al, Zr contents characterize the swampy zone waters. Na and Si have mainly a deep origin (exfiltration), Al, Th, Zr and REEs are strongly linked with colloidal organic matter located in the upper horizons of the swamp. Fe has a much more complex behaviour due to its change of redox state which can be independent of organic matter complexation. Concerning the major base cations, their origin can be constrained by the biological cycle (storage or leaching). K is typically influenced by the biological cycle. During the floods, Cl annual budget is balanced. These characteristics can be understood as the consequence of the weathering the minerals present in the saprolite (kaolinite, goethite, goethite, zircon, Th-oxide). This chemical weathering allows the leaching of base cations and also Al and Fe. It has been demonstrated that the microbial populations of the swampy zone can play an important role in the mobilization of transition metals (e.g. Fe). This study point out the role of humic acids in the transport and the weathering budget of elements usually considered as immobile in the superficial cycle (e.g. Al, Th, Zr, Fe). It must be mentioned that worldwide the SEW and even the Nyong network waters are among the least concentrated river waters. It means that even if the organic matter plays an important role in the mobilization and transport of some elements in the swampy zone, its action is limited in term of major cation fluxes on the SEW scale. The reason invoked is that the cation fluxes are directly linked to the pedological history and the geomorphology of the watershed. The presence of thick soil layers composed of saprolite and latosol on the hillsides and of hydromorphic soils in the swampy zone with constant mineralogy lead to isolating the bedrock. The long residence time of water close to the weathering front plays a major role in preserving the parent rock from the hydro-chemical outputs. Moreover, the topsoil layers are stabilized by the vegetation cover, which limits mechanical erosion. This should be taken into account for the carbon mass balance calculation because of the wide areas on stable shields concerned by the humid tropical ecosystems. Moreover, comparison between long and short-term weathering allows us to suggest that paleo-climatic conditions did not change since the Miocene (6-20 Ma) in this part of the world.</description><subject>Africa</subject><subject>biogenic processes</subject><subject>Cameroon</subject><subject>carbon</subject><subject>case studies</subject><subject>catchment hydrodynamics</subject><subject>chemical weathering</subject><subject>clastic rocks</subject><subject>dissolved organic carbon</subject><subject>drainage basins</subject><subject>Earth sciences</subject><subject>Earth, ocean, space</subject><subject>Exact sciences and technology</subject><subject>experimental studies</subject><subject>field studies</subject><subject>forests</subject><subject>geochemistry</subject><subject>Geomorphology, landform evolution</subject><subject>ground water</subject><subject>humid environment</subject><subject>Hydrogeology</subject><subject>hydrology</subject><subject>laterites</subject><subject>Nsimi Cameroon</subject><subject>Nyong River basin</subject><subject>organic carbon</subject><subject>organic compounds</subject><subject>physical weathering</subject><subject>saprolite</subject><subject>sedimentary rocks</subject><subject>soils</subject><subject>solutes</subject><subject>southern Cameroon</subject><subject>surface water</subject><subject>Surficial geology</subject><subject>terrestrial environment</subject><subject>tropical environment</subject><subject>vegetation</subject><subject>watersheds</subject><subject>weathering</subject><subject>West Africa</subject><issn>0037-9409</issn><issn>1777-5817</issn><fulltext>true</fulltext><rsrctype>article</rsrctype><creationdate>2002</creationdate><recordtype>article</recordtype><recordid>eNpFkd1qGzEQhUVJoY6bi7yBbloawrora21Z9Cox-SmY9iLJtZjVjroKu5Ir7cb1G_SxM4kDgQEx4pvDnDOMnYpyNhdCfhdKzqqZrNQHNhFKqWKxEuqITcpSqkJXpf7EjnN-pHYpF2LC_l_6-Adju29SbPYBem-5D3xokbuYMA_Y8HbsfcOHFLfeQscxPPkUQ49h-PEKWsjI8zA2ex7d68-v7HvPcw8d4f-2mPwLTbM7GDDllkS_3cVxaPkaekwxhrPP7KODLuPJ2ztlD9dX9-vbYvP75uf6YlMAmRoKBUso56WERmmtFS5qV2OlBJXTS1mDtXIOqi4XKG1dNXqFqJyVVqETsHRyyr4edLcp_h3JoOl9tth1EDCO2YiVFiRXEXh2AG2KOSd0Zks2IO2NKM1L1oayNpWhtYj98iYKmSJyCYL1-X2gkkJqIYk7P3AUebYeg8VdTF1jHuOYAtk2c7qMoVtJ2uAZesGQIg</recordid><startdate>20020101</startdate><enddate>20020101</enddate><creator>Braun, Jean-Jacques</creator><creator>Dupré, Bernard</creator><creator>Viers, Jérôme</creator><creator>Ndam Nagoupayou, Jules Rémy</creator><creator>Bedimo Bedimo, Jean-Pierre</creator><creator>Sigha-Nkamdjou, Luc</creator><creator>Freydier, Rémi</creator><creator>Robain, Henri</creator><creator>Nyeck, Brunot</creator><creator>Bodin, Jacques</creator><creator>Oliva, Priscia</creator><creator>Boeglin, Jean-Loup</creator><creator>Stemmler, Sébastien</creator><creator>Berthelin, Jacques</creator><general>Société Géologique de France</general><general>Société géologique de France</general><scope>IQODW</scope><scope>AAYXX</scope><scope>CITATION</scope><scope>7UA</scope><scope>C1K</scope><scope>F1W</scope><scope>H96</scope><scope>L.G</scope></search><sort><creationdate>20020101</creationdate><title>Biogeohydrodynamic in the forested humid tropical environment; the case study of the Nsimi small experimental watershed (South Cameroon)</title><author>Braun, Jean-Jacques ; Dupré, Bernard ; Viers, Jérôme ; Ndam Nagoupayou, Jules Rémy ; Bedimo Bedimo, Jean-Pierre ; Sigha-Nkamdjou, Luc ; Freydier, Rémi ; Robain, Henri ; Nyeck, Brunot ; Bodin, Jacques ; Oliva, Priscia ; Boeglin, Jean-Loup ; Stemmler, Sébastien ; Berthelin, Jacques</author></sort><facets><frbrtype>5</frbrtype><frbrgroupid>cdi_FETCH-LOGICAL-a347t-7a6a0203ad79997e5bfbe471471f963bacc32a7b05e3cb4d98ee7fc3c7ef1a6f3</frbrgroupid><rsrctype>articles</rsrctype><prefilter>articles</prefilter><language>eng</language><creationdate>2002</creationdate><topic>Africa</topic><topic>biogenic processes</topic><topic>Cameroon</topic><topic>carbon</topic><topic>case studies</topic><topic>catchment hydrodynamics</topic><topic>chemical weathering</topic><topic>clastic rocks</topic><topic>dissolved organic carbon</topic><topic>drainage basins</topic><topic>Earth sciences</topic><topic>Earth, ocean, space</topic><topic>Exact sciences and technology</topic><topic>experimental studies</topic><topic>field studies</topic><topic>forests</topic><topic>geochemistry</topic><topic>Geomorphology, landform evolution</topic><topic>ground water</topic><topic>humid environment</topic><topic>Hydrogeology</topic><topic>hydrology</topic><topic>laterites</topic><topic>Nsimi Cameroon</topic><topic>Nyong River basin</topic><topic>organic carbon</topic><topic>organic compounds</topic><topic>physical weathering</topic><topic>saprolite</topic><topic>sedimentary rocks</topic><topic>soils</topic><topic>solutes</topic><topic>southern Cameroon</topic><topic>surface water</topic><topic>Surficial geology</topic><topic>terrestrial environment</topic><topic>tropical environment</topic><topic>vegetation</topic><topic>watersheds</topic><topic>weathering</topic><topic>West Africa</topic><toplevel>peer_reviewed</toplevel><toplevel>online_resources</toplevel><creatorcontrib>Braun, Jean-Jacques</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Dupré, Bernard</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Viers, Jérôme</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Ndam Nagoupayou, Jules Rémy</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Bedimo Bedimo, Jean-Pierre</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Sigha-Nkamdjou, Luc</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Freydier, Rémi</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Robain, Henri</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Nyeck, Brunot</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Bodin, Jacques</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Oliva, Priscia</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Boeglin, Jean-Loup</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Stemmler, Sébastien</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Berthelin, Jacques</creatorcontrib><collection>Pascal-Francis</collection><collection>CrossRef</collection><collection>Water Resources Abstracts</collection><collection>Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management</collection><collection>ASFA: Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts</collection><collection>Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) 2: Ocean Technology, Policy & Non-Living Resources</collection><collection>Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) Professional</collection><jtitle>Bulletin de la Société géologique de France</jtitle></facets><delivery><delcategory>Remote Search Resource</delcategory><fulltext>fulltext</fulltext></delivery><addata><au>Braun, Jean-Jacques</au><au>Dupré, Bernard</au><au>Viers, Jérôme</au><au>Ndam Nagoupayou, Jules Rémy</au><au>Bedimo Bedimo, Jean-Pierre</au><au>Sigha-Nkamdjou, Luc</au><au>Freydier, Rémi</au><au>Robain, Henri</au><au>Nyeck, Brunot</au><au>Bodin, Jacques</au><au>Oliva, Priscia</au><au>Boeglin, Jean-Loup</au><au>Stemmler, Sébastien</au><au>Berthelin, Jacques</au><format>journal</format><genre>article</genre><ristype>JOUR</ristype><atitle>Biogeohydrodynamic in the forested humid tropical environment; the case study of the Nsimi small experimental watershed (South Cameroon)</atitle><jtitle>Bulletin de la Société géologique de France</jtitle><date>2002-01-01</date><risdate>2002</risdate><volume>173</volume><issue>4</issue><spage>347</spage><epage>357</epage><pages>347-357</pages><issn>0037-9409</issn><eissn>1777-5817</eissn><coden>BSGFAE</coden><abstract>This paper summarizes a six-year study of the Nsimi Small Experimental Watershed (SEW), considered as a model for the South Cameroon humid tropical ecosystem. When this small watershed was set up, no similar survey of input/output hydrobiogeochemical fluxes in granitoid rocks in stable cratonic environment was available, to our knowledge, on any site close to the Equator. Moreover, this is the first attempt, world-wide, to combine different approaches in hydrology, (bio) geochemistry, mineralogy, crystallography, microbiology, geophysics and pedology. Research is based on (1) regular hydrobiogeochemical surveys in various water reservoirs of the SEW ecosystem (atmospheric deposits, groundwater and stream), (2) surveys related either to the organisation and composition of different reservoirs in the superficial layers (basement rocks, saprolite, soils) or to various hydrological, biological and geochemical processes. These surveys aim at (1) finding the main parameters involved in the chemical and physical erosion processes of the humid tropical ecosystem, (2) understanding the source of a particular chemical composition in groundwater and rivers, (3) documenting accurately the different exportation processes of chemical elements in water and soil (4) investigating the possible relation between the biodegradation of soil organic matter and the leaching of metals (especially iron) and (5) comparing the long and short term weathering rates using mass balance calculations. An other important objective of this study is to provide a new scientific and engineering database for the future development of South Cameroon, which is still nowadays a relatively preserved ecosystem. One of the major results is the essential role played by the biological cycle (vegetation and soil organic matter) in the fractionation, exportation or storage of the chemical elements in humid tropical environments. Moreover we are able to propose a model of the current erosion for this SEW from the database obtained on (1) the mineralogy of the basement rocks and the soil layers, (2) the geochemistry of the soluble and colloidal phases of waters and (3) the hydrology within the different reservoirs of the hydrosystem. This model has been confirmed and extended on a regional scale (Nyong river basin). It emphasized the behaviour of the main elements of the tropical soil layers (Fe, Al,Si), the nutrients (C, Ca, Mg, K, Sr) and specific tracers of the weathering processes either with strong mobility (Cl, Na) or on the contrary with an extremely low mobility (Zr, Th, REEs). On the SEW scale, a strong geochemical contrast occurs between the different groundwater zones flooding (1) the hill slope lateritic profiles, (2) the weathering front (interface between the saprolite and the basement rocks), and (3) the swampy zone in which the Mengong brook flows. High DOC contents (15 mg/L) but also high Fe, Th, Al, Zr contents characterize the swampy zone waters. Na and Si have mainly a deep origin (exfiltration), Al, Th, Zr and REEs are strongly linked with colloidal organic matter located in the upper horizons of the swamp. Fe has a much more complex behaviour due to its change of redox state which can be independent of organic matter complexation. Concerning the major base cations, their origin can be constrained by the biological cycle (storage or leaching). K is typically influenced by the biological cycle. During the floods, Cl annual budget is balanced. These characteristics can be understood as the consequence of the weathering the minerals present in the saprolite (kaolinite, goethite, goethite, zircon, Th-oxide). This chemical weathering allows the leaching of base cations and also Al and Fe. It has been demonstrated that the microbial populations of the swampy zone can play an important role in the mobilization of transition metals (e.g. Fe). This study point out the role of humic acids in the transport and the weathering budget of elements usually considered as immobile in the superficial cycle (e.g. Al, Th, Zr, Fe). It must be mentioned that worldwide the SEW and even the Nyong network waters are among the least concentrated river waters. It means that even if the organic matter plays an important role in the mobilization and transport of some elements in the swampy zone, its action is limited in term of major cation fluxes on the SEW scale. The reason invoked is that the cation fluxes are directly linked to the pedological history and the geomorphology of the watershed. The presence of thick soil layers composed of saprolite and latosol on the hillsides and of hydromorphic soils in the swampy zone with constant mineralogy lead to isolating the bedrock. The long residence time of water close to the weathering front plays a major role in preserving the parent rock from the hydro-chemical outputs. Moreover, the topsoil layers are stabilized by the vegetation cover, which limits mechanical erosion. This should be taken into account for the carbon mass balance calculation because of the wide areas on stable shields concerned by the humid tropical ecosystems. Moreover, comparison between long and short-term weathering allows us to suggest that paleo-climatic conditions did not change since the Miocene (6-20 Ma) in this part of the world.</abstract><cop>Paris</cop><pub>Société Géologique de France</pub><doi>10.2113/173.4.347</doi><tpages>11</tpages></addata></record> |
fulltext | fulltext |
identifier | ISSN: 0037-9409 |
ispartof | Bulletin de la Société géologique de France, 2002-01, Vol.173 (4), p.347-357 |
issn | 0037-9409 1777-5817 |
language | eng |
recordid | cdi_proquest_miscellaneous_18917144 |
source | Alma/SFX Local Collection |
subjects | Africa biogenic processes Cameroon carbon case studies catchment hydrodynamics chemical weathering clastic rocks dissolved organic carbon drainage basins Earth sciences Earth, ocean, space Exact sciences and technology experimental studies field studies forests geochemistry Geomorphology, landform evolution ground water humid environment Hydrogeology hydrology laterites Nsimi Cameroon Nyong River basin organic carbon organic compounds physical weathering saprolite sedimentary rocks soils solutes southern Cameroon surface water Surficial geology terrestrial environment tropical environment vegetation watersheds weathering West Africa |
title | Biogeohydrodynamic in the forested humid tropical environment; the case study of the Nsimi small experimental watershed (South Cameroon) |
url | https://sfx.bib-bvb.de/sfx_tum?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&ctx_tim=2025-01-11T17%3A20%3A09IST&url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_ctx_fmt=infofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rfr_id=info:sid/primo.exlibrisgroup.com:primo3-Article-proquest_cross&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Biogeohydrodynamic%20in%20the%20forested%20humid%20tropical%20environment;%20the%20case%20study%20of%20the%20Nsimi%20small%20experimental%20watershed%20(South%20Cameroon)&rft.jtitle=Bulletin%20de%20la%20Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9%20g%C3%A9ologique%20de%20France&rft.au=Braun,%20Jean-Jacques&rft.date=2002-01-01&rft.volume=173&rft.issue=4&rft.spage=347&rft.epage=357&rft.pages=347-357&rft.issn=0037-9409&rft.eissn=1777-5817&rft.coden=BSGFAE&rft_id=info:doi/10.2113/173.4.347&rft_dat=%3Cproquest_cross%3E18917144%3C/proquest_cross%3E%3Curl%3E%3C/url%3E&disable_directlink=true&sfx.directlink=off&sfx.report_link=0&rft_id=info:oai/&rft_pqid=18917144&rft_id=info:pmid/&rfr_iscdi=true |