Climate-driven mobilisation of acid and metals from acid sulfate soils

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dc.contributor.authorSimpson, S.
dc.contributor.authorFitzpatrick, R.
dc.contributor.authorShand, P.
dc.contributor.authorAngel, B.
dc.contributor.authorSpadaro, D.
dc.contributor.authorMosley, L.
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractThe recent drought in south-eastern Australia has exposed to air, large areas of acid sulfate soils within the River Murray system. Oxidation of these soils has the potential to release acidity, nutrients and metals. The present study investigated the mobilisation of these substances following the rewetting of dried soils with River Murray water. Trace metal concentrations were at background levels in most soils. During 24-h mobilisation tests, the water pH was effectively buffered to the pH of the soil. The release of nutrients was low. Metal release was rapid and the dissolved concentrations of many metals exceeded the Australian water quality guidelines (WQGs) in most tests. The concentrations of dissolved Al, Cu and Zn were often greater than 100× the WQGs and strong relationships existed between dissolved metal release and soil pH. Attenuation of dissolved metal concentrations through co-precipitation and adsorption to Al and Fe precipitates was an important process during mixing of acidic, metal-rich waters with River Murray water. The study demonstrated that the rewetting of dried acid sulfate soils may release significant quantities of metals and a high level of land and water management is required to counter the effects of such climate change events.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityStuart L. Simpson, Rob W. Fitzpatrick, Paul Shand, Brad M. Angel, David A. Spadaro and Luke Mosley
dc.identifier.citationMarine and Freshwater Research, 2010; 61(1):129-138
dc.identifier.doi10.1071/MF09066
dc.identifier.issn1323-1650
dc.identifier.orcidFitzpatrick, R. [0000-0002-9235-0360]
dc.identifier.orcidMosley, L. [0000-0002-7446-8955]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/63797
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherC S I R O Publishing
dc.rights© CSIRO 2010
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1071/mf09066
dc.subjectadsorption
dc.subjectrelease
dc.subjectwater quality guidelines.
dc.titleClimate-driven mobilisation of acid and metals from acid sulfate soils
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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