TITLE:
Effects of Charcoal Production on Soil Physicochemical Properties in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Abdulrasheed Abidemi Adio, Abiola Omolewa Saliu, Mariam Abiola Akanbi-Gada, Bolaji Abiodun Najeemdeen
KEYWORDS:
Charcoal Production, Earth Kiln, Soil Properties, Guinea Savanna, Soil Properties
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.13 No.2,
February
18,
2022
ABSTRACT: Charcoal production is a major economic activity in rural Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. Given that it generally involves the use of traditional earth kilns, this study was designed to investigate the effects of charcoal production on the physical and chemical properties of soil. Replicate soil core samples were collected within a depth of 0 - 20 cm from 19 charcoal kiln sites (CKS) and 19 adjacent control sites (ACS) across five administrative districts in the study area. These samples were subjected to laboratory analysis to determine their physical and chemical qualities and then t-test was used to statistically compare the CKS and ACS soils. There was no significant difference in soil texture between both sites. However, CKS soil pH and electrical conductivity significantly increased (p 0.05) due to charred biomass introduced to soils by the process of charcoal production. The CKS cation exchange capacity, Ca and Mg increased significantly (p