Treatment Services
Acid Sulfate Soil (ASS) Treatment Services
Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are a significant environmental concern across Western Australia, particularly in low-lying coastal regions and wetlands. Naturally occurring, these soils can acidify to produce sulfuric acid and trigger a range of environmental and structural challenges.
To mitigate these risks, early identification is crucial. Once identified, a comprehensive and well-considered treatment plan must be implemented to protect your site and its surroundings.
At West Soil & Water, we specialise in creating tailored ASS treatment solutions designed to suit the unique conditions of each site. Our team of environmental consultants root their approach in practical experience, an understanding of local and state government regulations and a commitment to long-term environmental health.
Understanding Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS)
ASS are naturally occurring soils and sediments that contain iron sulfides such as pyrite. When these soils are exposed to oxygen the sulfides oxidise to produce sulfuric acid. This is often a consequence of works such as excavation, drainage or construction.
Acidification can prove to be a significant danger, possibly leading to environmental and structural issues including:
Soil Degradation: Lowered soil pH reduces fertility and can mobilise toxic metals, adversely affecting plant growth.
Water Contamination: Acid runoff can pollute water bodies, harming aquatic ecosystems and degrading water quality.
Infrastructure Damage: Sulfuric acid can corrode concrete and steel structures, compromising the integrity of buildings, pipelines and other infrastructure.
Early identification of ASS is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure environmental and structural safety. Once these soils have been identified and assessed, a robust treatment plan must be implemented.
How Our Soil Treatment Services Work
At WSW, we are fortunate to have an experienced team of environmental consultants with a thorough understanding of the Western Australian environment. They are able to tailor ASS treatment to site-specific conditions, ensuring that your plan is effective and reliable. Our services include:
Chemical Solutions
Neutralising Agents: We apply alkaline products, such as agricultural lime (calcium carbonate), to neutralise soil acidity. The choice and application rate of neutralising agents are tailored to the specific characteristics of your site.
In Situ Soil Mixing: Our team utilises specialised equipment to thoroughly mix neutralising agents into the soil, ensuring uniform treatment and effective pH adjustment.
Biological Solutions
Organic Amendments: We incorporate organic materials to encourage microbial activity that can help neutralise acidity and improve soil health.
Phytoremediation: We employ specific plant species known for their ability to uptake and stabilise contaminants, aiding in the natural remediation of ASS-affected areas.
Groundwater Management
Dewatering Plans: We design and implement dewatering strategies that minimise the oxidation of sulfides, reducing the risk of acid generation.
Treatment of Acidic Water: Our team treats acidic groundwater or surface water resulting from ASS disturbance, ensuring that any discharge meets environmental standards.
You can view some of the other strategies we often use here.
Our team pairs their own expertise with the most advanced and respected remediation methods available. This means that they are always seeing what is changing and how they can improve. Read more about some of the emerging ASS treatment methods we are keeping our eye on.
West Soil & Water: Leaders in Acid Sulfate Soil Treatment in Western Australia
If left untreated and ignored, ASS have the potential to cause significant damage to your project and its surrounding environment. Early identification, robust management and effective treatment are necessary to protect your site and its occupants.
Backed by over a decade of experience in environmental consulting, WSW’s solutions have helped businesses across Australia avoid costly repair work and countless compliance issues.
Our treatment solutions complement our other ASS services:
Baseline Investigations: We carries out investigations to determine the presence, extent and severity of ASS on your site. This information is used as a foundation for future planning and mitigation.
Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plans (ASSMPs): We develop and implement ASSMPs to ensure potential risks are identified and managed proactively. These plans outline strategies for soil handling, treatment and ongoing assessments throughout the lifecycle of a project.
During and after a treatment programme, we conduct soil monitoring across Western Australia to ensure the efficacy and reliability of our solutions.
If you require expert assistance in managing acid sulfate soils, you can contact West Soil & Water at sam@westsoilandwater.com.au or on 0424 021 264.
FAQs
How Can I Spot ASS?
Across their 13 years of experience, our team have formed a list of the most reliable indicators of ASS on your site.
These signals, such as Titratable Actual Acidity (TAA) and Potential Sulfidic Acidity (PSA) are particularly useful in WA’s unique environment. You can read more about them here.
What Do I Have to Consider When Creating a Treatment Plan?
For an ASS treatment plan to be successful, it must begin with a thorough understanding of the site itself. There are many site-specific conditions that can decide the way you treat ASS, including:
Ground Composition and Properties
Land Use and Disturbance History
Ecological Sensitivity
Click here to read our full list of site-specific conditions and how they affect ASS treatment.
