Rainwater Quality in Some Urban and Rural Sites of Cameroon (Central Africa)

Seventy-two rainwater samples were investigated in some rural and urban sites across Cameroon for their chemical content. The objectives were to assess the potability of rainwater and the possible source of atmospheric inputs and to understand the biogeochemical cycles of the major ionic species. Rainwater in most of the sites was acidic (pH ranging from 4.92 to 6.41). A significant contribution of Ca2+ was observed in all sites, due mainly to the incorporation of soil dust in the precipitation. The K+ and NO3− contributions to the ionic load of rainwater in rural sites are a reflection of the dominant agricultural activities across Cameroon. High Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42−, and K+ to Na+ enrichment ratios relative to seawater ratios indicated the significant terrigenous influence on water chemistry, mainly from the Sahara dusts. About 62.5% of the samples were Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl−-SO42− water type. Based on TDS, major ion, and trace metal contents, rainwater is considered suitable for human consumption.