Acid Sulfate Materials (ASM) are naturally occurring soils, sediments and rock that are acidic by nature. They contain sulfides, which if exposed to air oxidate and can form sulfuric acid.
Although Acid Sulfate Soils are concentrated in coastal environments, there is potential for other ASM to have widespread distribution in the landscape. If disturbed, all forms of ASM can cause unacceptable environmental impacts, including acidification of waterways, major fish kills, habitat destruction, loss of agricultural productivity, geotechnical instability and corrosion of concrete and steel structures.
Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) Guidelines for the Management of Acid Sulfate Materials: Acid Sulfate Soils, Acid Sulfate Rock and Monosulfidic Black Ooze provide procedures for the environmental impact assessment, identification, investigation and management of Acid Sulfate Materials. This Guideline is for use by Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) personnel, project consultants and contractors in conjunction with the NSW Acid Sulfate Soil Manual. It also draws upon more recent texts, particularly with respect to Acid Sulfate Rock and Monosulfidic Black Ooze. The Guideline replaces two previous documents - the Acid Sulphate Soil Guidelines and the Acid Sulphate Soil Policy and Procedures.