Acid Sulfate Soils
What are Acid Sulfate Soils?
Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS) are naturally occurring soils containing iron sulfides, commonly pyrite. These soils are most commonly found in low-lying land bordering the coast or estuarine and saline wetlands, and freshwater groundwater dependent wetlands.
When these soils are disturbed, exposing them to oxygen during activities such as during earthworks or dewatering, the iron sulfides oxidise causing the production of sulfuric acid. This results in lowering of pH conditions, significant environmental and economic impacts including fish kills and loss of biodiversity in wetlands and waterways, the release of toxic quantities of metals from soil, particularly arsenic, iron and aluminium, contamination of groundwater resources, loss of agricultural productivity, and can cause corrosion of metals, such as buried steel and concrete structures.
The Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) Acid Sulfate Soils Guideline Series provides a comprehensive statutory and policy framework for the identification, assessment and management of acid sulfate soils in Western Australia.
360 Environmental and Acid Sulfate Soils
360 Environmental provides expert advice and regulatory compliance for the identification, assessment and management of ASS in planning, construction and operational phases of proejcts. Services provided by 360 Environmental include:
- Field sampling and laboratory testing of ASS in accordance with guidelines.
- Assessments of the site-specific risks associated with ASS and their potential impediments for proposed developments.
- Preparation of Acid Sulfate Soil Investigation Reports and Management Plans based on project and regulatory requirements.
- Obtaining regulatory approvals on behalf of our clients for the management of dewatering and ASS.
-
ASS and dewatering management plans, site management, monitoring and reporting.
Experience
360 Environmental has proven expertise to manage ASS under all environmental conditions. In order to ensure compliance and environmental due diligence in the field of ASS, our personnel can seamlessly integrate into project or operational teams, or operate as independent advisers to construction team or project managers.
Project Profile
Examples of key projects include:
- Belgravia Central
- Water Corporation Southern Source Integration Assets
-
Bunbury Port Expansion Project – Inner Harbour ASS assessments
Contact
We would be pleased to discuss our skills and expertise in this area. Please contact:
Email: admin@360environmental.com.au
Telephone: +61 8 9388 8360