Abstract
The study evaluates the infiltration capacity of soils in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State. The double ring infiltrometer with inner ring of 30cm and outer ring of 50cm diameter with a height of 30cm above the ground was used by the researcher to measure infiltration rates on bare and crusted lands, sparsely vegetated and forested surfaces. Three runs were done at each location. Soil samples were collected from ten sampling points using a soil auger at a depth ranging from 0-15cm. Samples on soil types were collected because it was believed that soil type greatly influences the rate of infiltration in soil. The results revealed that the mean of sand, silt and clay was 70.3, 15.4 and 14.3 per cent respectively. This shows that the soil in the study area was dominated by sandy soil. The “crust factor” calculated for the area of study was 0.0530. Also the research revealed that the mean of infiltration rate for forested surface with value of 158.8mm/hr was higher than that of sparsely vegetal and bare surfaces which have values of 66.5 and 8.43mm/hr respectively. Wanton destruction of vegetal cover promotes surface sealing by direct raindrop impact on soil surface and it has inhibited rapid percolation of water on the bare surface of the study area. It is recommended that to improve physical properties and infiltration rate of soils in the study area afforestation should be encourage to cushion the effect of deforestation.
Highlights
Infiltration can be considered as the process by which water from the surface moves into the ground
Several factors affect infiltration rate of a given soil type, these include the nature of the soil layer, the moisture content of the soil, rainfall intensity, temperature, vegetation cover, hydraulic characteristics, permeability and moisture content (Amin, 2005)
Studies on infiltration rates of soils are required in solving many hydrological problems such as runoff estimation, soil moisture budgeting irrigation planning, landuse planning and management
Summary
Infiltration can be considered as the process by which water from the surface moves into the ground. Water in excess of infiltration capacity of the soil will flow overland as surface run-off once the minor undulations in the surface have been filled. Runoff occurs most frequently on degraded soils depending on topography and rainfall intensity. This phenomenon is common in tropical landscapes of the world, dominated by unwholesome landuse practices. Runoff resulting from low infiltration capacity of soil accelerate erosion process and contributes to the flooding of regional lowlands and streams. The occurrence of surface runoff and other problem associated with excess infiltration above the threshold value of soil is traceable to high intensity rainfall
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