Acid sulfate soils
What are acid sulfate soils (ASS)?
When exposed to air after being disturbed, soils containing iron sulfides produce sulfuric acid and often release toxic quantities of iron, aluminium and heavy metals.
Where are ASS found?
Mangroves, salt marshes, floodplains, swamps, wetlands, estuaries, and brackish or tidal lakes, particularly in low-lying coastal areas, are ideal for acid sulfate soil formation.
Mapping ASS
Mapping of ASS enables affected parties to assess how significant the issue is to them, and to plan strategies to minimise and manage ASS disturbance.
Identifying ASS
Accurate and early identification is integral to developing sound strategies to manage ASS ‘hot spots’.
ASS impacts
Acid sulfate soils can have major environmental, economic, engineering, and health impacts, and can constrain development, construction and other activities in affected areas.
Investigation team (QASSIT)
The department's Queensland Acid Sulfate Soils Investigation Team (QASSIT) maps acid sulfate soils, and can give both general and technical advice on managing them.
Last updated: 01 July 2009