The impact of hydrogeomorphological characteristics on gullying processes in erosion-prone geological units in parts of southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Hydrogeomorphic factors were suspected to contribute to the persistent gully erosion taking place in Nanka, Ogwashi and Benin formations underlying the southern Anambra State, Nigeria. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of hydrology and geomorphology on gully development and expansion in this area using integrated field survey, hydrological, geotechnical and geomorphological approaches. Field survey and hydrological results revealed that the study area is characterized by numerous surface water bodies and shallow groundwater systems. Both the surface waters and groundwater have a westward flow direction, from areas of high elevations on the Nanka Formation to areas of low elevations on the Ogwashi and Benin formations. Geotechnical results revealed that the soils are permeable, weak, easily dispersible and collapsible. Geomorphological analysis showed that the area is characterized by uneven badland topography, high gully slope gradients, concave slopes, poor land-use practices, and low vegetation cover. Generally, the results of this study indicated that hydrogeomorphology and soil engineering properties substantially influence the gullying processes in the area. However, areas underlain by the Nanka Formation have higher gullying intensity than in areas underlain by the Ogwashi and Benin formations due to variations in their hydrogeomorphological characteristics.

Keywords

• anambra state
• geoelectrical survey
• geotechnical
• gully erosion
• hydrogeomorphology