A simplified incubation method using chip-trays as incubation vessels to identify sulphidic materials in acid sulphate soils

Abstract

Acid sulphate soils (ASS) can pose a significant hazard to natural ecosystems and developed areas situated within ASS landscapes. Management techniques used to minimize these hazards rely on methods that can classify ASS materials. These methods have traditionally required complex and time-consuming techniques. A new simplified incubation method, modified from existing ones, was therefore developed to classify ASS materials in a timely manner. The simplified incubation method was found to be a viable alternative where samples cannot be incubated to a stable pH because of logistical or time constraints, but where there is still a need to classify slowly acidifying sulphidic materials. The use of chip-trays as incubation vessels was also examined. Chip-trays offer many advantages in terms of transport, storage and analysis of soil samples compared with soil-slabs. This study establishes an acceptable level of precision (x ± 0.1 pH units with 95% confidence) for pH measurements in the incubation method and confirms that an acceptable level of precision is obtainable when using chiptrays in the pH incubation method.