Abstract
Morphology, mineral and geochemical investigations were carried out on two selected soil pedons (ZA and TO) developed on a late Quaternary-aged strombolian cone to better understand andosolization processes in Mount Bambouto, Cameroon. Both pedons have A-BC-C horizonation. They have thick surface (A) horizon with bulk density -3, Alo + 0.5Feo about 2% and P retention >90%. Mineral association consists predominantly of kaolinite, gibbsite, goe- thite, organometal complexes and trace amount of ferrihydrite and allophane. The Ki values between 1.1 and 1.6, the low TRB (45 to 67 mg kg-1), the important IMob (20% to 24%), the CIA between 60% and 70% and the EFs above 1.16 for Al and Fe, and below 0.6 for Si indicate sparingly hydrolysis process in subsoil during which released Al, Fe and Si form allophanic or ferrihydrite minerals undergo crystallization into kaolinite, gibbsite and goethite, respectively. At topsoil, part of released Al (and Fe) is organically bounded with organic acids to form organometal complexes.
Highlights
IntroductionThe Cameroon Volcanic Line extends 1600 km from the Gulf of Guinea (island of Pagalu) into western Cameroon
The Cameroon Volcanic Line extends 1600 km from the Gulf of Guinea into western Cameroon
The objectives of the study were to: 1) evaluate and quantify the andosolization mechanism prevailing on recent strombolian cone in Mount Bambouto by identifying the source of Fe and Al involved in the process; and 2) assess the weathering process and intensity operating in this environment as compared to andosolization process on ancient trachytic lava flows
Summary
The Cameroon Volcanic Line extends 1600 km from the Gulf of Guinea (island of Pagalu) into western Cameroon. Volcanic activity principally ranged from Tertiary to Quaternary in age, but is still on-going [1,2]. Mount Bambouto is a strato-volcano with a well-preserved collapse caldera that has developed from multiple volcanic events initiating with thick basalt lava flow sequences, followed by an eruption with trachytic (fine-grained alkali intermediate igneous rocks) lava flows, with other subsequent volcanic eruptions [1,3]. These volcanic deposits cover an area of about 500 km intensely used for annual crops and vegetable production. These studies showed that Andosols occur on both parent materials
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