Physico–chemical and mechanical properties of soils of owukpa lower coal measure geological formation of anambra basin-Nigeria

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the physico – chemical and mechanical properties of soils of Owukpa Lower Coal Measure Geological Formation of Anambra Basin, Nigeria. The study was conducted using composite of the three land uses from different locations viz., forested, cultivated and residential. The physico – chemical and mechanical properties vary from one location to another. Soil moisture content ranges 11.84% to 16.82%, soil organic carbon 0.58% to 0.72%, which translated to organic matter content of 1.00% to 1.24% respectively, dry bulk density 1.25g/cm 3 to 1.34g/cm 3 , particle density 2.49g/cm 3 to 2.77g/cm 3 , porosity 46.93% to 52.81%, specific gravity 2.43 to 2.63 and hydrogen ion concentration 5.88 to 6.78 while permeability ranges from 9.45cm/h to 12.33cm/h with moderate permeability class and code 3. The soil grain size distribution were in the ranges of 45% to 65% for sand, 28% to 44% for silt, while clay soil percentages ranges from 8% to 16%. The mechanical properties such as Liquid limit was in range of 9.33% to 22%, Plastic limit 3.80% to 12.84%, shrinkage limit 1.19% to 3.33%, plastic index 2.43% to 8.45%, cohesion 9.67KN/M 2 to 73.67KN/M 2 , angle of internal friction of 11 0 to 18.33 0 , and shear strength of 33.89 N to 185.70 N. The results show that Ipiga does not exhibit any of the mechanical properties carried out. The soils from the study area were classified as Loam and sandy loam suitable for all kinds of crops cultivation. This data on soils of Owukpa Lower Coal Measure Geological Formation of Anambra Basin area will be useful for land use classification and developing appropriate soil tillage practices, erosion control design criteria and geotechnical parameter for the study area.