Erodibility Potential of a Sand Dredging Site in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study aims at determining sand erodibility potential using sand properties of the wetland, comprising different soil groups or types. Mathematical formation, tables and charts were used for the evaluation. Investigated soil properties included Sand Organic Matter (SOM), granulometry of sand, soil structure and permeability. The determined erodibility factors, hence soil erodibility potentials were significantly high. Percentage of soil organic matter was significantly low. Percentage of sand was generally high (99.33 on sieve number 4) and (95.44 on sieve number 8) using the MIT/British standard classification. However, the study provided baseline information on wetland erodibility for the reduction of soil susceptibility to erosion when considering any appropriate wetland development projects. To dredge sand and other materials for use in construction industry, principally for use in concrete, it is recommended that dredging activity may be carried out on the site.

Keywords: Erodibility; Soil susceptibility; Permeability; Wetland; Dredging; Soil properties