The Effect of Rainfall on Aggregate Stability and Splash Erosion on Some Agricultural Soils of Borno State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Bala B. Jingi Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Usman D. Danladi Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Abdulkadir S. Ahmed Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Yahaya Abubakar Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Clay, sand, moisture content, amount of splash, aggregate stability, rainfall duration

Abstract

The amount of splash and aggregate stability of some agricultural soils were investigated with respect to rainfall duration. The soil samples were graded in aggregate sizes of 2.36, 3.35 and 6.70 mm, respectively. Energy in the form of water drops (3 mm diameter) falling from a height of 2.65 m was applied, using rainfall simulators with rainfall intensity of 228.6 m/hr at an interval of 5 min. The amount of splash was found to vary for clay soil from 3.06 to 4.46 g/cm (2.36 mm), 4.08 to 5.38 g/cm2 (3.35 mm), and 6.03 to 7.43 g/cm 2 (6.70 mm), while for sandy clay, it varies from 2.72 to 4.02 g/cm2 (2.36 mm), 3.09 to 4.48 g/cm 2 (3.35 mm) and 5.06 to 6.62 g/cm2 (6.70 mm), respectively. Aggregate stability was found to vary for clay at 11.02% moisture content from 4.44 to 3.04% (2.36 mm), 3.42 to 2.12%. (3.35 mm) and 1.47 to 0.07% (6.70 mm), while it varies for sandy clay at 10.68% moisture content from 4.78 to 3.48% (2.3 mm), 4.41 to 3.02% (3.35 mm) and 2.44 to 0.88% (6.70 mm), respectively.

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Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2011): July 2011

Section

Articles