Pedosphere 9(1): 53--59, 1999
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©1999 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Could acid sulfate soils be a potential environmental threat to estuarine ecosystems on the South China coast? |
| C. LIN |
| School of Geography, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052 (Australia) |
| ABSTRACT |
| Acid sulfate soils (ASS) contain considerable amounts of reduced sulfur compounds (mainly pyrite) which produce sulfuric acid upon their oxidation. ASS-derived environmental degradation widely occurs in the coastal lowlands around the world, especially in the tropical and subtropical areas. The presence of ASS in the South China has been recognized but their distribution may be largely underestimated because the soil survey data concerning ASS are based on unreliable methods and techniques. ASS in the South China have been traditionally used for rice cultivation and this practice has been proved sustainable if appropriate improvement measures are adopted. Recently, the rapid economic growth in the region has resulted in intensified coastal development which frequently involves activities that may disturb ASS. Construction of roads, foundations and aquaculture ponds may cause the exposure of ASS to air and bring about severe environmental acidification. There is currently insufficient awareness of the problems among the researchers, policy-makers and land managers in the South China. More attention must be paid to the possible ASS-derived environmental degradation in order to ensure a sustainable development of the coastal lowlands in the South China region. |
| Key Words: acid sulfate soils, environmental degradation, Pyrite |
| Citation: Lin, C. 1999. Could acid sulfate soils be a potential environmental threat to estuarine ecosystems on the South China coast?. Pedosphere. 9(1): 53-59. |
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