Application of Alcl3, Mgcl2, Cacl2, Ca(OH)2 and Caco3 For Stabilizing Erosive Soil of Oraukwu Gully, in Anambra State
- October 24, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Chemistry, IJRSI
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue IX, November 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705
Okoye, O.N.N.1*, Onwuka S.U.2, Onwukeme, V.I.3, Oli, C.C.4 and Eboatu, A.N.5
1Department of Industrial Chemistry, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
2, 3, 4, 5 Department Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Author
Abstract: Soil erosion is one of the natural disasters that have greatly affected Anambra State; for it has affected the welfare and wellbeing of different communities in the State. This research therefore aims at stabilizing an erosive soil in Oraukwu (a town in Anambra State) with the use of the solutions of some inorganic chemicals such as AlCl3, CaCl2, MgCl2, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3. Laboratory analyses to determine the percentage of the particle size distribution was carried out; after which 10g and 15g each of the erosive soil sample was applied with 2 mL solution each of the AlCl3, CaCl2, MgCl2, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 salt solutions. From the result of their particle size distribution, it was obtained that the erosive soil sample has a high percentage of sandy soil particles compared to the clay and the silt soil particles. After the different masses of the soil sample was stabilized with the use of the salt solutions, it was discovered that MgCl2, AlCl3, CaCl2 gave the highest stabilizing power while Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 gave the least stabilizing power. This was found out by using a pocket penetrometer. This then means that MgCl2, AlCl3 and CaCl2 will be very useful in stabilizing erosive soil samples when the applied to the soil sample in the right proportion.
Keyword: Chemicals, Gully, Erosion, Penetrometer, Soil, Stabilization
I. INTRODUCTION
Gully erosion is a global phenomenon. It is an enormous category of environmental denudation which leads to loss of land mass valuable for agricultural, domestic, industrial and aesthetic uses, and can also lead to loss of lives and properties (Obiadi et al. 2011). Soil erosion is a well-known environmental problem in south eastern Nigeria (Nwobodo et al. 2018); and of all the natural menaces being reported in various regions around the world, gully erosion and mass wasting are peculiar to several areas of Nigeria (Egueri and Igwe, 2020).
