Modelling soil properties from horizon depth functions and terrain attributes: An example with cation exchange capacity

Year 2020, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 10 - 17, 01.01.2020

Jude C. Obi İfiok B. Udoh İnnocent C. Obi

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.623325

Abstract

The objective of this study was to, through the
distribution of some soil properties, model cation exchange capacity (CEC) in
soils formed on gently undulating coastal plain sands of southeastern Nigeria
using genetic horizon functions and terrain attributes. A total of 19 profile
pits were prepared, described and 104 genetic horizons were identified and
sampled, processed and analysed in the laboratory. Data were generated on the
soil characteristics, including particle size fractions, hydraulic
conductivity, bulk density, organic carbon, pH and electrical conductivity.
Terrain attributes that were generated from digital elevation model include
aspect, compound topographic index (CTI), Flow direction, curvatures, slope and
stream power index (SPI). Data generated were analysed using descriptive
statistics, correlation and regression. The terrain attributes were modified
with genetic horizon depths, bulk density and clay content for the modelling
process.  Sand content, bulk density and cation
exchange capacity possess geogenic rather than pedogenic characteristics and
were normally distributed. The indication is that the two groups of terrain
attributes depended on the mass per unit area of soil and clay content in their
influence on these ultisol profiles. Paired comparison, root mean square error
and normalized root mean square error indicated that the model was a good fit
and could be useful in the prediction of soil properties and management of
coastal plain sands.

Keywords

terrain attributes, Pedogenesis, geogenesis, exchange complex, profile characteristics

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