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 1.400.17gcm-3, 1.25± 0.17gcm-3 and 1.400.17gcm-respectively. The mean soil conductivities were 2922μScm-1; 5722μScm-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
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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.
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