Elemental soil composition of Aguata, Dunukofia and Oyi local government areas of Anambra State and their effects on gully erosion

Soil samples collected from the three Local Government Areas of Anambra State were analyzed for their elemental composition using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Anions such as CL-, PO43-, NO3-, SO42-, CO3 2- and SiO2 were also assayed using tritimetric and quantitative and qualitative methods. Some specific physiochemical characteristics such as pH, particle size, porosity index/water holding capacity, moisture content and organic carbon/matter were also determined. Result on the cation concentrations in mg/kg of the soils in Aguata A, Dunukofia D and Oyi Y, Local Government Areas were in order: Ca(D>A>Y); K(Y>A>D); Na(D>A>Y); Cr(A>D>Y); Mg(D>A>Y); Ni(D>A>Y); Cu(Y>D>A); Zn(D>Y>A); Cd(A>Y>D); Pb(D>A>Y); Fe(D>Y>A); Al(Y>D>A). Anion concentrations in mg/kg were as follows Cl-(Y>A>D); PO4 3-(Y>D>A); NO3–(D>A>Y); SO4 2- (A>D=Y); CO3 2-(Y>D>A); %SiO2(Y>D>A). Other physiochemical characteristics showed that Aguata soils were acidic, pH (5.26), Dunukofia pH (5.95) moderately acidic and Oyi, pH (7.42) slightly above neutral. Aguata area had more sandy particles (92.52%) whereas Oyi area had more of clay particles (27.49%). Statistical studies reveal that silicate, phosphate, and carbonate including metals such as Cd, Cu, Pb, and iron oxides were significant factors in the incidence of erosion in Aguata area

Author(s): E. N. Ojiako , A. N. Eboatu and A. I. E. Ajiwe

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