Abstract:

An in-depth knowledge on variations in soil heat transfer under different land uses is essential for proper understanding of the variations in thermal energy transfer under different human activities and modifications on land. This paper presents an investigation on the variations in soil heat transfer under different land use types in Abia State. This study evaluates three land use types: forest land (FL), continuously cultivated land (CC) and excavation site (EX). The parameters investigated in this study include; particle size distribution, bulk density, volumetric moisture content, atmospheric temperature, soil temperature, soil thermal conductivity, soil heat flux, soil volumetric heat capacity and soil thermal diffusivity. The results show that the different land use types studied influenced the soil heat energy transfer and had a significant effect on soil thermal properties. The results revealed that excavation site recorded the highest soil bulk density (1.70 Mg m-3) and soil temperature (42.6oC) while forest land recorded the lowest bulk density (1.36 Mg m-3) and soil temperature (30.3oC). The transmission of heat through a unit length of soil per unit cross-sectional area (2.476 W mk-1) was higher in forest land than the other land use types studied. Soil under continuously cultivated land recorded the highest volumetric heat capacity (1.407 J (m3K)-1). This study will help farmers and land owners in terms of choice and management of different land use types for agricultural and industrial purposes.

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