Santos - UQ Large core project - Land amendment irrigation Phase III. Progress report 4

Coal seam (CS) water in Santos GLNG acreage is mostly saline, sodic, and alkaline, with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 2-15 dS/m, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of 80-150, and a pH of 8.5-9.5. Evidence this research indicates that land amendment irrigation (LAI) systems of CS water offer a robust, and cost-effective approach to use this water for irrigation. In LAI, the effects of unamended CS water on soil sodicity may be overcome by direct soil-application of gypsum to reduce the sodium absorption ratio (SAR) to a safe level and by the application of elemental sulfur to neutralize the alkalinity. In addition, the application of surplus water can reduce soil salinity through leaching.This report iddentifies soil types which are most suitable for LAI using CS water