CHAPTER ONE
1.0INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of the Study
Soil is the naturally occurring, unconsolidated or loose covering or broken rock particles and decaying organic matter on the surface of the earth, capable of supporting life. Soil is also known as earth; it is the substance from which our planet takes its name. it consists of sand, clay, sit and organic matters. The important of foil is too many to mention. For instance, the life we are living today depend on soil. Soil is a critical component in the mining and construction industries. Soil serves as a foundation for most construction projects. Massive volumes of soil can be involved in surface mining, road construction, and construction of other structures. Soil is critical to the environment, as well as food and fiber production. Soil provides plants with minerals and water. Soil absorbs rainwater and releases through evaporation preventing and controlling both flood and drought respectively. Soil is also the natural dwelling place for earth micro and macro organisms. Also houses water for mans use.
Today, one of the most serious environmental problems facing our nation and the world on general is the loss of top soil layer through the process of detachment and transportation caused by the impact of raindrop and the resulting overland flow. Soil erosion is the process by which the surface of the land is attacked, resulting to gullies, in valleys, cliffs and hills and it is completely washed into water bodies. It is composed of many factors the most basic if it is the soils and rainfall factors which is a function of intensity, duration, infiltration, susceptibility including soil detachability and transportability.