Classification and acid sulfate soil detection at Ashfield, Western Australia

Soil core samples were collected at Ashfield to determine the extent of Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS), and pin-point hot spots. ASS are major problems to environmental health, to people and infrastructures, from acidity and the movement of toxic heavy metals. Field and laboratory testing were used; (Field pH), Chloride to Sulfate ratios (Cl:SO4), as well as the Suspension Peroxide Oxidation Combined Acidity and Sulfate (SPOCAS) suite. Statistics show that Field pH measurements are sufficient in the detection of ASS; SPOCAS tends to confirm the results of the conservative Field pH measurements. Cl:SO4 ratios do not detect ASS in the same way as SPOCAS and cannot be considered as surrogates for Field pH or SPOCAS techniques. A decision tree presents a basis for analysing ASS, which might be used by an Environmental Health Officer