Acid sulfate soils are naturally occurring soils and sediments containing iron sulfides, most commonly pyrite. When acid sulfate soils are exposed to air the iron sulfides in the soil react with oxygen and water to produce a variety of iron compounds and sulfuric acid.
Initially a chemical reaction, the process is accelerated by soil bacteria. The resulting acid can release other substances, including heavy metals, from the soil into groundwater and the surrounding environment.
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