Overview of Conference

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are typically viewed as soil types that contain metal sulfides which can oxidize to generate acidity upon exposure to atmosphere and moisture. ASS are widely distributed around the world and can cause severe agricultural, engineering and environmental problems if they are not properly managed.

Following the first international conference on acid sulfate soils (ASS) held in Wageningen (The Netherlands) in 1972, the second, third, fourth, and fifth ASS international conferences took place in Bangkok (Thailand), Dakar (Senegal), Ho Chi Minh City ( Vietnam ), and Tweed Heads ( Australia ) in 1981, 1986, 1992 and 2002, respectively.  This international ASS conference provides a platform for researchers and industry to highlight new developments and identify directions for future research on ASS-related issues.

Traditionally, the use of the term “acid sulfate soil” was confined to coastal soils evolved from sulfidic estuarine and marine sediments. In recent years, inland soils that contain metal sulfides are increasingly referred to as acid sulfate soils. Inland ASS are especially widespread in mine sites that are associated with sulfide-containing geological formations. There are also many areas of inland acid sulfate soils that have been made by highway and other construction activities, including the deposition of dredged materials from shipping channels at upland sites etc.

Acid rock drainage (ARD) or acid mine drainage (AMD) has attracted substantial management and research efforts from mining industry and scientific communities. Both, ASS and ARD share similar mineralogical and geochemical properties and they can be treated using similar control measures and remediation technologies. It is expected that a gathering of researchers and industry practitioners in both of these areas will be to the benefit of each other by allowing information exchanges between the two parties.

The joint conference of the 6 th International Acid Sulfate Soil Conference and the Acid Rock Drainage Symposium will be held in Guangzhou , China during the period from September 16 to 20, 2008. The conference is jointly organized by the South China Agricultural University and the Acid Sulfate Soils Working Group of International Union of Soil Sciences .