Extreme biogeochemical effects following simulation of recurrent drought in acid sulfate soils

Droughts are increasing in frequency and severity in many regions of the world and there are uncertainties how recurrent drought will impact acid sulfate soils, which can undergo extreme and persistent acidification (pH < 4) following oxidation. Using column experiments, we induced a 9 week drought/drying and 9 week rewetting phase in two acid sulfate soil profiles with sulfuric (pH < 4) and hypersulfidic materials from the Lower River Murray region of Australia's largest river system. These soils had not yet recovered from the extreme period of the 'Millennium Drought' between 2007 and 2010. pH, redox potential, dissolved metals and greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O) were measured at multiple depths in each column every 3 weeks during the drying and rewetting phases. The solid phase of the Sulfuric and Hypersulfidic clay soil profiles in both column experiments were analysed for complete acid-base accounting (actual and retained acidity, potential acidity in the form of pyrite, and acid neutralising capacity) and reactive metals at the beginning and end of the experiment. Residual pyrite, present in high concentrations in the Sulfuric clay soil column, oxidised during the drying period, further lowering the pH (<4) and mobilising dissolved metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn). More reactive Fe and Al phases were formed during the drying-rewetting cycle while reactive Mn decreased. The soil pH did not recover (i.e. increase) during the rewetting phase in both the Sulfuric and Hypersulfidic clay soils, likely due to barriers to microbial reduction reactions, although Fe-oxidising bacteria were likely still active as CO2 was released. Acid sulfate soils may not recover in inter-drought periods and more severe impacts can be expected following recurrent droughts.

Automated summary

The study examined the impact of drought on acid sulfate soils, finding that residual pyrite oxidation during drought lowered soil pH and mobilized dissolved metals in soils with high concentrations of pyrite. The lack of pH recovery during the rewetting phase may be due to barriers to microbial reduction reactions, while iron-oxidizing bacteria remained active.