Year long variability of ground electrical conductivity in the sandy clay soil of Akure area, southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Ground electrical conductivity was measured continuously on a soil type in Nigeria for one year using the Model R-50 Soil Test Resistivity Meter Equipment. The Wenner arrangement of electrodes, which is one of the probe methods of ground resistivity measurement, was employed for the measurement. About 67% of all the values for the year lie within ±d of the mean. The mean ground electrical conductivity for the wet season is 5.98mS/m with a standard deviation of 0.28mS/m. The mean for the dry season is 5.60mS/m with a standard deviation of 0.33mS/m. The mean ground electrical conductivity for the year is 5.78mS/m with a standard deviation of 0.36mS/m. Soil moisture appears to be the only major factor responsible for the variations.

Ife Journal of Science Vol.6(2) 2004: 177-183