Long-Term Influence of Coal Mining Activities on Physico-Chemical and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Tropical Soils
Long-term surface coal mining near agricultural zones can degrade arable land and reduce soil productivity. This study evaluated the effects of extended coal mining on sandy soil properties in three mining areas of Ankpa LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria—Okaba-Odagbo (55 years), Okobo-Enjema (12 years), and...
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Society for AgroEnvironmental Sustainability
2025-06-01
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| Series: | AgroEnvironmental Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://www.sagens.org/journal/agens/article/view/142 |
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| author | Paul Omaye Joseph Lois Ekwuojo Abraham Chika Mike Jidere Chioma Lilian Ugwuoju Sunday Ewele Obalum |
| author_facet | Paul Omaye Joseph Lois Ekwuojo Abraham Chika Mike Jidere Chioma Lilian Ugwuoju Sunday Ewele Obalum |
| author_sort | Paul Omaye Joseph |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Long-term surface coal mining near agricultural zones can degrade arable land and reduce soil productivity. This study evaluated the effects of extended coal mining on sandy soil properties in three mining areas of Ankpa LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria—Okaba-Odagbo (55 years), Okobo-Enjema (12 years), and Onupi (9 years). Soil samples were collected from both mining sites and adjacent fallow (arable) lands and analyzed using standard methods. Statistical comparisons were made using t-tests and Pearson correlation. Across all locations, mining significantly influenced (p < 0.05) soil pH and bulk density. Mining sites showed lower pH (t = –2.49) and higher bulk density (t = 2.35) compared to fallow lands. Site-specific analysis revealed pronounced effects only at Okaba-Odagbo, where the longest mining history corresponded with increased clay content and bulk density (t = 5.00 and 5.69, respectively). No significant differences were observed at Okobo-Enjema and Onupi. When averaged across locations, mining sites had slightly higher values for clay content (10.68%), soil organic carbon (1.81%), exchangeable sodium (0.38 cmol/kg), porosity (0.44), water holding capacity (20.94%), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (56.66 cm/h) compared to fallow lands. The reduced pH at mining sites was linked to sodium and clay enrichment and loss of base-forming elements, while higher bulk density was attributed to decreased macro-aggregation. The findings suggest that coal mining alters the physical and chemical properties of tropical sandy soils, leading to acidification and compaction, which can impair soil quality, permeability, and long-term agricultural productivity.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c541eae07de54a0099e49b1d6e554d4c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2583-942X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Society for AgroEnvironmental Sustainability |
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| series | AgroEnvironmental Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-c541eae07de54a0099e49b1d6e554d4c2025-08-20T03:45:19ZengSociety for AgroEnvironmental SustainabilityAgroEnvironmental Sustainability2583-942X2025-06-013210.59983/s2025030204Long-Term Influence of Coal Mining Activities on Physico-Chemical and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Tropical SoilsPaul Omaye Joseph0Lois Ekwuojo Abraham1Chika Mike Jidere2Chioma Lilian Ugwuoju3Sunday Ewele Obalum4Department of Soil & Environmental Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, PMB 1008 Anyigba, Kogi State, NigeriaDepartment of Soil & Environmental Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, PMB 1008 Anyigba, Kogi State, NigeriaDepartment of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, NigeriaDepartment of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, NigeriaDepartment of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria Long-term surface coal mining near agricultural zones can degrade arable land and reduce soil productivity. This study evaluated the effects of extended coal mining on sandy soil properties in three mining areas of Ankpa LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria—Okaba-Odagbo (55 years), Okobo-Enjema (12 years), and Onupi (9 years). Soil samples were collected from both mining sites and adjacent fallow (arable) lands and analyzed using standard methods. Statistical comparisons were made using t-tests and Pearson correlation. Across all locations, mining significantly influenced (p < 0.05) soil pH and bulk density. Mining sites showed lower pH (t = –2.49) and higher bulk density (t = 2.35) compared to fallow lands. Site-specific analysis revealed pronounced effects only at Okaba-Odagbo, where the longest mining history corresponded with increased clay content and bulk density (t = 5.00 and 5.69, respectively). No significant differences were observed at Okobo-Enjema and Onupi. When averaged across locations, mining sites had slightly higher values for clay content (10.68%), soil organic carbon (1.81%), exchangeable sodium (0.38 cmol/kg), porosity (0.44), water holding capacity (20.94%), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (56.66 cm/h) compared to fallow lands. The reduced pH at mining sites was linked to sodium and clay enrichment and loss of base-forming elements, while higher bulk density was attributed to decreased macro-aggregation. The findings suggest that coal mining alters the physical and chemical properties of tropical sandy soils, leading to acidification and compaction, which can impair soil quality, permeability, and long-term agricultural productivity. https://www.sagens.org/journal/agens/article/view/142coal miningdisturbed soilfallow landsoil propertiesundisturbed soil |
| spellingShingle | Paul Omaye Joseph Lois Ekwuojo Abraham Chika Mike Jidere Chioma Lilian Ugwuoju Sunday Ewele Obalum Long-Term Influence of Coal Mining Activities on Physico-Chemical and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Tropical Soils AgroEnvironmental Sustainability coal mining disturbed soil fallow land soil properties undisturbed soil |
| title | Long-Term Influence of Coal Mining Activities on Physico-Chemical and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Tropical Soils |
| title_full | Long-Term Influence of Coal Mining Activities on Physico-Chemical and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Tropical Soils |
| title_fullStr | Long-Term Influence of Coal Mining Activities on Physico-Chemical and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Tropical Soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Long-Term Influence of Coal Mining Activities on Physico-Chemical and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Tropical Soils |
| title_short | Long-Term Influence of Coal Mining Activities on Physico-Chemical and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Tropical Soils |
| title_sort | long term influence of coal mining activities on physico chemical and hydraulic properties of sandy tropical soils |
| topic | coal mining disturbed soil fallow land soil properties undisturbed soil |
| url | https://www.sagens.org/journal/agens/article/view/142 |
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