Acid Sulphate Soils

Acid sulphate soils are the nastiest soils in the world. They generate sulphuric acid that leaks into drainage and floodwaters,
dissolves aluminium, heavy metals and
arsenic from soil minerals, and corrodes steel and concrete.

Dissolved aluminium kills vegetation and aquatic life.  In sub-lethal doses it stunts growth and breaks down defences against disease.

Generations of people depending on these soils have been impoverished and probably poisoned by their drinking water.

This Web site describes Acid Sulphate Soils, explains why they can be a problem, and introduces a new set of tools to help professionals identify and manage environments where Acid Sulphate Soils are an actual or a potential problem.

Contacts:

Dr David Dent
ISRIC World Soil Information
PO Box 353,
6700 AJ Wageningen,
the Netherlands

Dr Bryan Dawson
Professional Development
Loughborough University
Loughborough
LE11 3TU    U.K.

Web site designed by Bryan Dawson