Acid Sulfate Soil Assessment
Acid Sulfate Soil Assessment is often conducted as a component of Contaminated Land Assessment for the Development Application process, or for soil disposal.
CSTS can provide Acid Sulfate Soil Assessment Reports and Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plans which are compliant with NSW EPA and Council requirements.
Acid Sulfate Soils are naturally occurring soils and sediments which contain iron sulfides. When they come into contact with oxygen, they react to produce sulfuric acid, which can pose a threat to building structures and the environment. To name a few of the major issues, acid sulfate soils can corrode concrete and steel, affect plant growth, and degrade waterways. Acid Sulfate Soils have been found in every coastal estuary and embayment in NSW.
Acid Sulfate Soils can be divided into two categories:
Actual Acid Sulfate Soils:
Actual Acid Sulfate Soils (AASS) are soils where the sulfidic ores have reacted with oxygen to produce sulfuric acid. General characteristics of AASS include a pH reading of less than 4, a sulfuric (rotten egg) smell or the presence of yellow mottles and jarosite coatings.
Potential Acid Sulfate Soils:
Potential Acid Sulfate Soils (PASS) are soils that contain sulfidic ores which have not come in contact with oxygen, and have not yet reacted. The pH of PASS is generally above pH4, and can sometimes be neutral or slightly alkaline. General soil compositions affected by PASS often contain shell and may include waterlogged soils and unripe muds, or sands and silty sands associated with watercourses.
Our Service
Compaction & Soil Testing Services Pty Ltd is experienced in conducting acid sulfate soil assessments including aggressiveness to concrete and steel, waste management, and residential development approval. We can cater these assessments for a number of purposes as described below in the “Our Experience” section.
Our range of services includes consultation, site investigation and the recovery of samples by a team of practiced samplers who have knowledge in sampling techniques and sampling patterns. Recovered samples are sent to an independent laboratory, which provides added assurance that the results obtained are impartial. Details of the investigation, analysis of results and any recommendations are included as standard for all acid sulfate soil investigations. Compaction & Soil Testing Service Pty Ltd also can prepare associative management plans to meet legislative, regulatory or project requirements.
Our Experience
Compaction & Soil Testing Pty Ltd recognises that there are many reasons which can trigger an acid sulfate soil assessment. Our company has experience in providing services for the purposes listed below. For purposes not listed please contact our office to discuss tailored services to suit your needs.
Major Development Projects:
- Assessment to determine the aggressiveness of the soil to concrete and steel,
- Assessment for environmental risk assessments,
- Assessment for waste management and classification,
- Determine presence or absence of acid sulfate soils in an area of unknown acid sulfate soil risk,
- Assessments to meet project management plan requirements,
- Prepare an acid sulfate soil management plan to meet legislative, regulatory and project requirements.
Residential Development:
- Assessment required for development application,
- Assessment required to assist in determining whether a site is a designated or non-designated development,
- Assessment for environmental risk assessments,
- Assessment for waste management and classification,
- Prepare an acid sulfate soil management plan to meet legislative and regulatory requirements.
