PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND ELEMENTAL ABUNDANCES OF THE NIGERIAN SAVANNAH SOILS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND ELEMENTAL ABUNDANCES OF THE NIGERIAN SAVANNAH SOILS
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Date
2007-08
Authors
KARANS, SHILLINGFORD ABUBAKAR
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Abstract
In this work investigations of physical properties, Colour, conductivity, bulk-density and
pH, of the Nigerian savannah soils (Sahel, Sudan and Guinea), Mean soil bulk-densities
determined for the Sudan, Sahel and Guinea savannah were 1.400.17gcm-3, 1.25±
0.17gcm-3 and 1.400.17gcm-respectively. The mean soil conductivities were
2922μScm-1; 5722μScm-1 and 66±2μScm-1, while the measured soil pH were in the
range of 4.72 -5.73, 5.00 -6.05, and 5.40 for the Sudan, Guinea and Sahel savannah
respectively. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) was used for the
determination of the concentration of elements from these soils sampled at twenty-two
sites within the savannah. Elements determined include Al, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr
Cs, Dy, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Th, Ti, V, and Yb.
Some of the essential elements determined for the three savannahs were in the range of
1.20 – 2.46% (Fe), 1.37-2.67 %( K); 0.24-0.32 %%( Mg) and 322.61ppm (Mn). The
large data sets of elements determined by INAA were subjected to multi-variant
statistical analysis using the cluster procedure and Ward Method. This procedure using
squared Euclidean distances showed segregation of the element data for the Sudan
savannah from the Guinea and Sahel savannah. This statistical result confirms the
reliability of the data sets and uniqueness of element data for each of the savannahs
investigat
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF THE AWARD OF THE
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (PHYSICS)
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AHAMDU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
AUGUST, 2007
Keywords
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES,, ELEMENTAL ABUNDANCES,, THE NIGERIAN,, SAVANNAH SOILS.