The acid flux dynamics of two artificial drains in acid sulfate soil backswamps on the Clarence River floodplain, Australia
S. G. Johnston A , P. Slavich B and P. Hirst AA NSW Agriculture, Grafton Agricultural Research Station, PMB 2, Grafton, NSW 2460, Australia.
B NSW Agriculture, Wollongbar Agricultural Institute, Bruxner Highway, NSW 2477, Australia.
Australian Journal of Soil Research 42(6) 623-637 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR03069
Submitted: 19 May 2003 Accepted: 10 December 2003 Published: 17 September 2004
Abstract
The export of acidity, iron, aluminium, and sulfate to an estuary from 2 drains in acid sulfate soil backswamps was monitored over 18 months. The backswamps had similar geomorphology, stratigraphy, and drainage density, and comparable soil and groundwater acidity. However, the flux rates, temporal dynamics, and export pathways of acid and other sulfide oxidation products varied greatly and were controlled to first order by (i) the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) of sulfuric horizons and (ii) the tidally influenced groundwater gradients. The site with very high K and large tidally influenced groundwater gradients had high acid flux rates (5300 mol H+/ha.year), chronic acid discharge, high drain water acid and metal concentrations, and the primary flux pathway was direct groundwater seepage (interflow/bypass flow) to the drain. The site with lower K and smaller groundwater gradients displayed low acid flux rates (50 mol H+/ha.year), infrequent, highly episodic discharge, and the primary flux pathway was dilute surface runoff following dissolution of sulfide oxidation products accumulated on the soil surface. Importantly, the majority of acid export at both sites occurred while the backswamp groundwater level was within a very narrow elevation range.
Additional keywords: hydraulic conductivity, macropores, interflow, groundwater seepage, tidal, estuary.
Acknowledgments
We thank the Blanches and Maloneys landowners for their assistance and cooperation. We thank several anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions with the manuscript. We also thank Clarence River County Council and the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources for assistance and access to data. This study was funded by Land and Water Australia, Acid Soil Action, Sugar Research and Development Cooperation, Acid Sulfate Soils Program, and NSW Agriculture.
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