Soil Physical Characteristics in Landslide-Affected Areas in Battang and Battang West Sub-District, Palopo City, Indonesia

Abstract

Battang and West Battang sub-districts are buffer areas for Palopo City with protected forest areas, biodiversity, and drinking water sources for the people of Palopo City. They are also a link between Palopo City and Toraja Land. This potential requires special attention because landslides often occur and are affected by flooding in urban areas. The occurrence of landslides is influenced by several factors, one of which is the conversion of forest land and the physical condition of the soil. This study aimed to determine the soil's physical characteristics at several landslide points in Battang and West Battang Villages, Palopo City. The method used is a field survey to take disturbed and undisturbed soil samples and then analyze soil characteristics such as soil texture, permeability, porosity and organic matter in the laboratory. The results of this study obtained soil textures, namely dusty clay loam, dusty clay, clay and clayey loam, soil permeability of slow to moderate (0.65-2.90 cm/hour), soil plasticity properties ranging (from slightly plastic to very plastic) with low C-organic content to moderate (0.50-1.66%).