Redistribution of Intrinsic Soil Properties and Aggregate Stability: Management Implications on Beach Ridge Sands in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The research was conducted to assess specific soil characteristics and aggregates of the beach ridge sand parent material in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Soil samples were gathered and examined for physical, chemical characteristics and aggregate stability. The statistical method employed was analysis of variance, and the means were differentiated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). Correlation analysis was employed to assess the relationships among soil characteristics. The results revealed that Sand, bulk density, total porosity and pH showed low variation (CV  15 %), saturated hydraulic conductivity shows strong variance (36 %). Organic matter Av. P and silt had moderate coefficient of variation (CV = 15 – 35%), while Exchangeable acidity ranged from 2.8 – 9.10 cmolkg-1, with mean value of 10.01 ± 1.92 Cmolkg-1 (CV = 2.01 %), Skewness 1.71, while kurtosis was 2.96. Effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) ranged from 6.18 to 14.89 cmolkg-1 with the mean value of 4.57 ± 3.24 Cmolkg-1 (CV = 32.37 %), skewness 0.34, while kurtosis was -1.57. ECEC was moderate. Mean-Weight Diameter Wet ranged from 7.55 to 16.78 with mean value of 10.90 ± 2.63 mm (CV = 2.13 %). The result of soil chemical properties showed high mean value for base saturation (53.77 %). Aggregate stability result showed that potential structural deformation index (30.22) have dominated other aggregates indices. The locations studied   required conservative practices and more efficient management to ensure greater aggregate stability.