SOLDIER ANT MOUND CLAY (SAMC)

SOLDIER ANT MOUND CLAY (SAMC)

The source of soldier ant mound clay is from termite mound, and the mound is the accumulation of earth made by termite resembling a small hill. The plasticity of the mound is improved by the secretion from the termite which is being used in constructing the mound, (Mijinyewa et al., 2007).

However, it is a better material when compare to ordinary clay in terms of operation for moulding lateritic bricks (Odumodu 1999, Mijinyewa et al., 2007) and soldier ant mound clay has shown to perform better than ordinary clay in terms of dam construction,(Yohanna et al., 2003).

The clay obtain from the termite mound has the ability of maintaining its permanent shape even after moulding due to its plasticity.

It has less liable to crack by comparing it with ordinary clay. Therefore, the clay has low thermal conductivity and also decreases solar heat flow and temperature fluctuation in a closet space, (Mijinyewa et al., 2007).

It was reported that soldier ant mound clay material when combine with lime is used as partly substitution of cement in plastering and it was observed which compressive strength of the mortar cubes gains with age and reduces with gain % replacement of cement combine with lime together with (SAMC), (Olusola et aI., 2006).

Soldier ant mound clay (SAMC) is considered as one of the most visible figure of various tropical ecosystems, particularly in African savanna landscapes. The large soil builders are considered and giving out considerable amount of material in their building performance and strongly influence the clay properties, when compared to the ordinary clay, (review in Lee & Wood, 1971 and Lobry de Bruyn & Cornacher, 1990).

Soldier ant mound clay (SAMC) has high clay content when compare to the surrounding surface soil, F.O Adekajode and M.O Ogun Koya, (2009).

Properties of soldier ant mound clay

Physical and chemical properties of soldier ant mound clay.

An investigation was carried out on the soil on the soil obtained from soldier ant mound clay (SAMC) to determine the physical and also the chemical contents of the liquid constituents of the freshly built (SAMC) that was dry. In the soldier ant mound clay, the physical properties determined are the particles size distribution, liquid limit, plastic limit plastic index, and moisture content; Mijinyewa, (2007).

It was evaluated that the chemical composition of soil obtained from (SAMC) establish if the clay soil has been modified chemically by the termite to cement the particles and increase the resistance of the mound to erosion by rainfall, (Yohanna et al., 2003).

A research shows that in literature, the strength properties of soldier ant mound clay have high level of calcium, phosphorus and organic matter that attributed to better crop development, especially on the poor soils in the area. Plants also take up nutrients very easily from soldier ant mound clay and that is proven a viable option to local farmers, (Rupela et al., 2006).

According to Tathiane Santi Sarcinelli et al., (2009), chemical analysis showed that PH and the contents of organic carbon and nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium were significantly higher in soldier ant mounds clay compare to ordinary clay soil. The microbial biomass of (SAMC) material was about six times that of the surface soil, J.A.Hott, (1998).