Mineralogical properties of soils developed from colluvial deposits of Southern Nigeria (original) (raw)
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Characterisation of soils derived from different parent rocks from north central Nigeria
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, 2021
Mineralogy and geotechnical properties of residual lateritic soils derived from sandstone and migmatite-gneiss (MG) were compared. The aim was to determine the influence of the parent rock geology of sandstone and MG on their engineering properties. This was done using the statistical method of Student's t-test. Thin sections show that the MG samples are rich in feldspars and micas with up to 45 and 23% modal estimates, respectively. The dominant clay mineral in the two soils was kaolinite, while the dominant oxides were silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide and ferric oxide. The silica/sesquioxide ratio of the MG-derived soils (MGS) ranged from 1•7 to 3•2 while those of sandstonederived soils (SS) were 2•9-6•6. SS samples which contained essentially quartz grains exhibited better compaction characteristics, higher California bearing ratio and lower plasticity than MGS. Better engineering properties exhibited by SS can be attributed to the high quartz content present in the parent rock. Feldspars and micas present in MG are weathered into plastic and hydrophilic clay minerals. These are likely to have a negative impact on the engineering properties of the derived soils. Statistical treatment of all determined engineering parameters showed significant differences in all cases except in relation to specific gravity, permeability and compressibility. 1 Cite this article Owoyemi OO and Adeyemi GO Characterisation of soils derived from different parent rocks from north central Nigeria.
Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 1990
Three soil profiles located along a toposequence in a sub-humid climatic zone of southeastern Nigeria were examined and described. Fifteen soil samples collected from them were characterized in order to evaluate their agricultural potentials. The soils were moderately weathered, with strong to medium acidity. Effective cation exchange capacity (eCEC) varied from low to medium. Total N, available P, and organic C were low. Pedons 1 and 2, sited at the crest and middle slope respectively, were well-drained, with dark brown to brown surface/sub-soil colors while profile 3 in the valley bottom was poorly drained, with light brownish grey to light grey colors. The soils showed a mixed mineralogical composition consisting of kaolinite (predominant), mica, goethite, and quartz. Smectite occurred in small amounts in pedon 3. Under the U.S. Soil Taxonomy, the soils were classified as Orthic plinthustalf, coarse, loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic (crest and middle slope), and Typic tropaqualf, coarse, loamy, mixed isohyperthermic (valley bottom). Constraints to higher crop productivity identified included high sub-surface quartz gravel concentrations, presence of argillic horizons, low organic matter, total N, and available P contents. The principal pedogenic processes affecting the properties of these soils were ferrugination, leaching, and lessivage.
A semi-detailed survey was conducted to characterize some physical and chemical properties of soils of Teaching and Research Farm University of Maiduguri, Borno State. Three sites were selected on the basis of land forms and surface texture and their description were taken using two soil profile pits at each sites. The soils collected were subjected to laboratory analysis using standard procedure. The colour of the soils changes at both surface and subsurface layers within each layer due to reduction in organic matter content down the profile, majority of the topsoil layer were brown while light yellowish orange were found in the subsoil layer.The consistency of the soil changed from hard at the surface layers to soft at subsurface layers. Soil reaction ranged from6.72 to 7.36which is neutral to slightly alkaline at both surface and subsurface layer and the electrical conductivity shows no salinity effect at both surface and subsurface layers. Cation Exchange Capacacity ranged from 10.09 to 15.97 Cmol/kg which was very low. Organic carbon content was generally low to moderate which ranged from 0.2 to 0.60 % due to poor return in organic matter content. The soil texture of the surface and subsurface was predominately sandy loam. Sand content of P2 ranged from 537 g/kg to 762 g/kg, silt ranged from 141 (P4) to 441 (P1) g/kg and clay from 72 (P2) and 147 (P4) g/kg. Available phosphorus and potassium tend to be low while sodium was high, magnesium showed to be medium to high, while calcium was also low to medium. Bulk density of the soils, increases with increase in depth and the hydraulic conductivity decreases with increase in depth. The chemical and physical properties of the soil are good for crop production except for sodium that is high, which need some management practices for optimum crop production and as such evaluation on the capability and suitability of the area should be conducted.
Analysis on Selected Physical Properties in Soil Sample of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Nigeria
International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers (soil horizons) of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical and biological properties. Soil testing is the only way to determine the availability of moisture, texture, pH, and nutrient status in soil. Results of physical and chemical tests provide information about the capacity of soil to supply mineral nutrients. Soils in the garden may have been deposited some thousands of years ago by volcanoes, glaciers, floods, or other processes or were delivered to the site by truck or other mechanical device, but little or no research was carried out (no documents) to determine and ascertain the soil properties or nutrient elements found in the area. The aim of the study is to analyse some selected physical elements from soil samples obtained in the botanical garden of Department of Plant Science with objectives as to determine soil texture, moisture and pH of sa...
Physio-morphological Characteristics of Soil of Akure, Ondo State SW, Nigeria
International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 2020
Soil physical properties influence soil water infiltration rate, plant rooting depth, amount of available water, air and nutrients which are of utmost importance in agricultural production and, hence there is need to describe in-situ spatial organization and physical properties of soil in Akure. Sixteen profile pits were dug. The soils were characterized and described on the field and samples collected for textural analysis. The area occurs on level plain with little slope gradient, the surface horizons (A1 and A2) were weak medium crumby to moderate medium crumby structures while the subsurface horizons (Bt1 and Bt2) showed moderate medium blocky structure. The soils are generally deep and well drained at the top soil with coarse texture; the subsoils are characterized by prominent presence of mottles, which suggest that the subsoils are poorly drained. The distribution of clay content increased with soil depth for all pedons. Most of the Pedons had reddish gray colour (2.5YR 4/1) and dull reddish brown 2.5YR 4/3 at the surface horizons (A1 and A2), over brownish colour (7.5YR 4/4) and dull reddish brown (5YR 4/4) sub soil. The particle size distribution revealed that sand dominated the particle size fraction of the soil in all the profiles, which could be managed with appropriate organic manure.
IOSR Journals , 2019
Morphological features and Physico-Chemical Properties of twenty surface soils derived from five varied parent materials in Cross Rivers Sate, Nigeria were evaluated in relation to probable constraints to increase crop yields. Four replicate soil samples were collected from the top 15cm depth of each parent material for laboratory analyses using standard methods. Results showed that the colour notations, structure and texture of the soils were similar within Same Parent materials but varied widely across the locations. The particle size distribution showed that shale derived soils are finer in texture than those of other parent materials. Chemically, the soils are low in Plant nutrient elements and the reaction is acidic with pH values ranging from 4.1 to 5.8 units. Results also showed that shale and basaltic rock derived soils are more endowed with organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable bases than the soils derived from coastal plain sand, basement complex rocks and sandstone. There was positive and highly significant correlation among the soil properties. In order to improve the productive capacity of these soils to obtain high cropyields, remedial measures aimed at correcting the deficiencies will include liming to increase pH levels to near neutral and providing optimal levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and basic cations through organic manure combine with inorganic fertilization.
2019
Information on soil properties and distribution is critical for making decisions with respect to crop production and other land use types. A field survey, morphological description and laboratory analyses of the soil samples collected were carried out to characterize, classify and map out selected soils of Akure area, SouthWestern Nigeria. Five representative pedons (EA1 to 5) were opened and described across the study site. The result revealed variation in morphological, physical and chemical properties of the soils. The texture of the surface soil across the study area was sandy loam overlying gravely sandy clay loam in pedons EA1 and 3, and sandy clay loam in the other pedons. The soils are sandy loam overlying sandy clay loam in texture with silt/clay ratios greater than 0.25, indicating a low degree of weathering. They were strongly - slightly acid (4.9 to 6.2) and had very low (subsurface) to high (surface) organic carbon (2.54 to 20.0 gkg-1). Three soil types, Plinthic Kandiu...
GeoJournal, 2002
On the Jos Plateau, soils derived from basalt and volcanic ash are much more intensively and extensively utilized for agricultural purposes than the granite soils. This study was carried out to determine the differences that may have contributed to this discrimination. Twenty four soil profiles were dug and described in two separate catchment areas that really portray the variance. Soil samples were analysed using standard procedures. The results show that basalt and volcanic ash-derived soils have relatively deeper profiles, lower bulk density, higher contents of clay, organic matter, exchangeable bases, micronutrients (Cu & Zn) and weatherable minerals. They are also higher in their CEC and base saturation percentage while available water capacity, hydraulic conductivity and natural water content are more adequate in them. Hence, the basalt and volcanic ash soils are more favourable for crop growth while the deficiencies in granite soils present more constraints to agricultural land use. Consequently, there are differences between the soil types in their crop-yielding capacities. These differences constitute a reflection of soil parent material influence. Agriculture in the area is mainly low-input. There is the need for improved management practices for the enhancement of soil conditions of granite areas in particular and the whole area in general.
Characterization and Classification of Soils along Otamiri Watershed in Umuagwo Southeastern Nigeria
The study was carried out near the research farm of Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo Imo State Nigeria to investigate the variability as well as classify soils along Otamiri watershed. Three pedons were dug at about 100m apart in the study area. Samples collected were subjected to laboratory analyses while coefficient of variation (CV) was used to assess the variability of soils within the pedons. Clay content had no particular trend in pedons 1 and 2 (1. 76 -4.48, 8.76 -10.48 % respectively) and increased consistently in pedon 3 (11.76 -17.76 %) although it decreased sharply in Bt2 horizon due to argillation that occurred at Bt1. The Suit Clay Ratio were low as all values recorded were less than 1. This suggests that soils investigated have attained advanced stage of weathering, and highly leached which characterized most soils in the southeastern Nigeria. The texture of the three pedons investigated ranged from sandy to loamy sand and sandy loam. Soil pH was moderately acidic (5.85, 5.74 and 5.87 in pedons 1, 2 and 3 respectively), organic matter was also low having the following means-0.52, 0.73 and 0.46 % in the respective pedons. Exchangeable cations were low indicating means of 0.51, 0.73 and 0.68 g/kg Ca, 0.15, 0.36 and 0.50 g/kg Mg, while K and Na were < 0.02 g/kg all in pedons 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Soil pH, bulk density, porosity, CN ratio and sand exhibited low variability (CV < 15%). Total nitrogen, total exchangeable bases, organic matter, Na, H and Ca varied moderately (CV>15≤35%) while Al, Al saturation, Available P, ECEC, K, Mg, TEA, clay, silt/clay ratio and silt had high variability (CV>35%). Pedons 1 and 2 were therefore classified as Arenic Hapludults and pedon 3 classified as Typic Kandiudults.
Spatial Variability of Soil Properties in the Obudu Mountain Region of Southeastern Nigeria
Abstract This study examined the spatial variability of soils in the Obudu Mountain regions of southeastern-Nigeria. Data for this study were obtained from direct field measurements, topographic maps and laboratory analysis of the area. Twelve soil samples were collected from six topographic gradients (2.5, 27.5, 22.5, 17.5, 12.5 and 7.5 per cent) located within the study area. The soil samples were collected with a soil auger at depths of 0-15 and 15- 30cm, parceled, labeled and taken to the laboratory for analysis of selected physico-chemical properties. The different topographic gradients were deduced from the topographic map of the area and ground-truthed with an abney level. Soil texture ranged from sandy loam to loamy sand with per cent sand having means of 63 and 66 respectively. The soil in the area is dominated with sand fraction. Soil reaction is slightly acidic, with moderate distribution of organic carbon and low total nitrogen contents (mean values for 0-15 and 15-30cm depths; 6.20 and 5.90, 0.80 and0.70, and 0.10). Available phosphorus is also low being less than 8 ppm in all the slope gradients. Percentage base saturation was high (>50% across the sample points) across the sampled slope positions. The coefficient of variation indicated that chemical properties were more variable than the physical properties with exchangeable calcium being the most variable (57.1 per cent) for surface layers and exchangeable sodium (88.9 per cent) for subsurface layers. The result revealed variations in soil properties among the landscape segments which were probably due to the topo-sequence characteristics in soils. However, there was no consistence in the sequence of distribution of particle size fractions from the crest to the valley floor. Slope position and gradients influence the distribution of soils in the area but its spread was not consistent from the crest to the valley floor. Hence, it is recommended that farming activities on the slope should be reduced to minimize the risk of environmental hazards.