Acid sulfate soils research projects
As part of the CLLMM Recovery Project acid sulfate soils research is being undertaken to better understand acid sulfate soils and their impacts to inform management of the CLLMM site for variable lake levels and if low inflows return.
Research questions include:
- What are the major processes related to the formation of acid sulfate soils in the CLLMM region?
- How does acidification affect key aquatic organisms?
- What are the rates of recovery of acidic sediments and what is driving recovery?
- What are the minimum water levels required to protect key species?
Several long term research projects that include field work, laboratory work and computer-driven modelling have been instigated to address these and other related questions.
During 2013/14, research was undertaken in the Lower Lakes to further fill critical knowledge gaps about acid sulfate soils to inform management. This research focused on:
- the toxicological and synergistic effects of acidification on key aquatic organisms, focusing on metal bioaccumulation
- determining the rates of recovery of acidic sediments and what is driving recovery in different sediment types and locations
- the medium and longer term consequences of different bioremediation techniques/processes.
2013/14
- Investigations into the Factors Affecting the Rates of Recovery of Acid Sulfate Soils in the Lower Lakes
- The Influence of Acidified Sediment and other Environmental Factors on Aquatic Invertebrates in the Lower Lakes
2012/13
- Recovery of acid sulfate sediments in the Lower Lakes
- Lower Lakes Acid Sulfate Soil Detailed Conceptual Models
- Measurement of Sediment Acidity Fluxes to Boggy and Hunters Creeks
2011/12
- Modelling of Acidic Solute Fluxes from Sediments to the water Column in the Lower Lakes of South Australia
- Lower Lakes Phase 1 Sulfate Reduction Monitoring Project
- Lower Lakes Benthic Ecosystem Toxicity Assessment (BETA) Pilot Study
- The Characterisation of metal and metalloid contaminants in re-flooded Acid Sulfate Soils of Lakes Alexandrina, South Australia
2010/11
- Lower Lakes Water Quality Recovery Dynamics
- Physical properties of soils/sediments of Lower Murray Lakes and modelling of acid fluxes
- Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert: Analysis of Groundwater Measurements and Estimation of Acid Fluxes
- Lower Lakes Sulfate Reduction Study 2011.
2009/10
For more information about acid sulfate soils in the Coorong and Lower Lakes, download the report 'Ecological consequences of managing water levels to prevent acidification in Lakes Alexandrina and Albert':
Further resources
- Acid sulfate soil assessment in Finniss River, Currency Creek, Black Swamp and Goolwa Channel
- Management of acid sulfate soils in the Lower Murray Lakes (572kb pdf)
- Preliminary assessment of acid sulfate soil materials in Currency Creek, Finniss River, Tookayerta Creek and Black Swamp region
- Management options for acid sulfate soils in the Lower Murray Lakes - preliminary assessment of treatment options (703kb pdf)
- Management options for acid sulfate soils in the Lower Murray Lakes - preliminary assessment of prevention, control and treatment options (2.62mb pdf)
- Acid sulfate soils in subaqueous, waterlogged and drained soil environments of nine wetlands below Blanchetown (Lock 1): properties, distribution, genesis, risks and management
- Acid, metal and nutrient mobilisation following rewetting of acid sulfate soils in Lower Murray
- Community monitoring of Acid Sulfate Soils in the Lower Lakes, South Australia: Four surveys between August 2009 and June 2010
- Monitoring and Assessment of Reflooded Acid Sulfate Soil Materials in Currency Creek and Finniss River Region, South Australia
- Lower Lakes Carbon Project October 2012 (6.23mb pdf)
