CAUSES OF GULLY EROSION, IMPACTS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS IN EKOSODIN AREA BEHIND UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

This research delves into the elements that lead to the creation of gullies, with a particular emphasis on the soil attributes at the gully location of the University of Benin. Soil samples were extracted from three distinct points at the site. A series of examinations were performed on these samples to ascertain their soil properties, encompassing sieve analysis, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction, and triaxial tests. The results of the various tests reveals that soil samples had a medium liquid limit and relatively low plasticity for the Atterberg limits. There is a specific gravity range of 2.61 to 2.64 for the soil samples classifying them as organic soils according to classification system proposed by Bowles (2012). The compaction test revealed that soil retains a significant amount of moisture even when compacted to its densest state. The triaxial test revealed that the soil exhibits a relatively low friction angle coupled with substantial cohesion. And finally the sieve analysis shed light on the particle size distribution in the soil samples, which exhibit a reddish-brown coloration and are located below the A-line on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) chart, classifying them as silts. Known for their moderate infiltration rates, these silts contribute to increased surface runoff, which is a key factor in gully development.