Determination of the Susceptibility of Soils to Erosion: A Case Study of Okigwe Zone of Imo State, Nigeria
Authors: Iwuchukwu EI, Onukwugha ER, Ibearugbulem OH
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6726604
ABSTRACT
The problem of susceptibility of soil to erosion is one of the most important factors affecting the Okigwe zone of Imo State, Nigeria. This problem is affecting the infrastructural development because houses, roads and many others are being destroyed yearly. The agricultural farmlands are also not spared. To tackle this problem there is need to evaluate some factors of soil that affects erosion. This study was carried out to determine the susceptibility of soils in Okigwe zone which comprises of Obowo, Ihitte-Uboma, Ehime-Mbano, Isiala-Mbano, Onuimo and Okigwe Local Government Areas using modified clay ratio (MCR). The MCR of the soil in Ehime-Mbano (sample C) was greater than that in Isiala-Mbano (sample D), Obowo (sample A), Okigwe (sample F), Ihitte-Uboma and (Sample B) and Onuimo (Sample E) which has the lowest MCR. The susceptibility of soils to erosion in terms of MCR followed this trend in Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Okigwe zone, Ehime-Mbano (87.95%) > Isiala-Mbano(29.32%) > Obowo(28.69%)> Onuimo (27.55%) > Okigwe (22.16%) > Ihitte-Uboma (14.42%). The result indicates that Erosion challenge in the Okigwe zone is more pronounced in the following order thus: Ehime-Mbano, Isiala- Mbano, Obowo, Onuimo , Okigwe. and Ihitte-Uboma LGAs respectively. However, soil erosion should be controlled by agronomic engineering and biological practices like soil mulching, use of manure and re-vegetation.
Affiliations: Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria.
Keywords: Carbon, Clay, Erodibility, Erosion, Organic, Silt, Soil
Published date: 2022/06/30
