HOME JOURNALS CONTACT

International Journal of Soil Science

Year: 2016 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 79-86
DOI: 10.3923/ijss.2016.79.86
Sealing Index, Air-filled Porosity and Hydrological Behaviour of a Tropical Ultisol as Affected by Incidental Flooding and Soil Disturbance
B.E. Udom and O.J. Kamalu

Abstract: Background: Soil sealing, surface runoff and soil erosion in friable soils are typical consequences of soil disturbances due to anthropogenic activities on the soil environment. The impacts of incidental flooding and soil disturbances on physical quality index of a sandy soil in the oil producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria were studied. Methodology: Ninety two bulk and core soil samples were collected at 0-25, 25-40 and 40-65 cm depths in 6 locations occupying a total of 12,000 ha. Results: Results showed that incidental flooding increased the soil Sealing Index (SI) in Obite 1, Obite 2 and Obagi locations; 4.94, 5.53 and 5.42, respectively. In Okwuzi soil increased in sealing index was due mainly to soil disturbances. Generally, low sealing index, higher air-filled porosity and macro-aggregate stability were found in soils that were not prone to flooding and excessive disturbances. Although total porosity was moderate high in most of the soils, air-filled porosity was significantly low in Obite1, Obite 2 and Obagi 1 soils occasioned by flooding and soil disturbance. This would have serious negative effects on soil quality for agricultural production. Air-filled porosity showed significant positive relationship with soil organic matter content (0.614, p<0.05) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (0.709, p<0.01). The high silt+clay content and low soil organic matter were linked to high susceptibility of the soil to sealing. Conclusion: High silt deposits during peak periods of rainfall reduced the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) of soil with possible deformation of soil structure and restricted aeration. With adequate soil and watershed management practices, large area of the land can be made available for agriculture.

Fulltext PDF Fulltext HTML

How to cite this article
B.E. Udom and O.J. Kamalu, 2016. Sealing Index, Air-filled Porosity and Hydrological Behaviour of a Tropical Ultisol as Affected by Incidental Flooding and Soil Disturbance. International Journal of Soil Science, 11: 79-86.

© Science Alert. All Rights Reserved