The creation of acid and mobilisation of metals is the likely result when acid sulfate soils are disturbed within the landscape.
Contamination of sediment within an estuary may occur when metal-rich acidic water discharges into the pH-buffered waters and results in the precipitation of metals. Sediment from 20 sites within the Swan-Canning estuary, six sites within the Peel-Harvey estuary and 10 sites within the Leschenault Inlet were analysed for signs of contamination by acidic drainage from disturbed acid sulfate soils.
