acid sulphate soils - Community Over Mining

MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSOur understanding of acid sulfate soil chemistry and its effects hasincreased rapidly over the past five years, but there is still muchto be learnt about management and rehabilitation of these soils.AvoidanceThe best technique for managing acid sulfate soils is to avoiddisturbing or draining the iron sulfide layer in the first place. Ironsulfides are harmless while covered by water.To avoid disturbing the iron sulfide layer, it isimportant to know where it is likely to be found, and some statesproduce maps for this purpose. It is necessary to take soil coresto find out the exact location and depth of the iron sulfide layer ona particular site.RecognitionIt is useful to know what the iron sulfide layer looks like so that ifit is uncovered accidentally it can be re-covered with waterimmediately.The photograph below shows excavated iron sulfidesoil – dark grey and wet.Photography: Stuart Naylor21