Water chemistry of lakes Nyos and Monoun, Cameroon

Abstract

In the middle of 1980s, the explosive discharges of CO2 gas (= limnic eruption) at Lake Nyos and Monoun killed about 1800 of resident around the lakes. The cause of the limnic eruption was the CO2 gas dissolved in lake water. The CO2 gas is originated in a degassing magma. A thermal water containing CO2 gas is expected to be discharged on the floor of lake bottom. The accumulation of the dissolved CO2 gas is brought by the strongly stratified lake water. The investigation on the water chemistry and the elucidation on the formation of stratification is important for the prediction of next limnic eruption.