Chemical composition and nutrient loading by precipitation in the Trachypogon savannas of the Orinoco llanos, Venezuela

Samples of bulk precipitation were collected in the Trachypogon savanna, Calabozo, Venezuela, during three consecutive years. In the first year, rain samples were taken daily; in the following years the samples were grouped on a monthly basis. In addition, samples of dry deposition were collected during the dry seasons. All samples were analyzed for the following water soluble cations and anions: P0₄-P, S0₄-S, N0₃-N, NH₄-N, Ca⁺², Mg⁺², K⁺, Na⁺ and H⁺. The mean annual input rate of chemical constituents (Kg ha^-1 year^-1) was: PO₄-P (0.42); SO₄-S (2.62); NO₃-N (0.21); NH₄-N (2.03); Ca₊₂ (3.50); Mg⁺² (11.31); K⁺ (3.60); Na⁺ (5.93) and H⁺ (0.03). The total mean input of particulate material to the savanna during the dry season was 2.06 Kg ha^-1 year^-1, with a soluble fraction of 30%. Possible sources of nutrients input were analyzed.