SMEC has expertise in the assessment and management of acid sulfate soils, including:

field assessment of potential and actual acid sulfate soils; handling treatment and disposal of acid sulfate spoil; assessment and management of water quality impacts; management of areas affected by acid sulfate soils and remediation of affected sites; and development of acid sulfate soil environmental management plans.

SMEC has undertaken acid sulfate soil investigations on the north coast of NSW and is currently involved in the acid sulfate soil management aspects of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Project.

SMEC recently acquired the licence for PASSFinder, an instrument and software-based technology allowing rapid appraisal of acid sulfate soil conditions.  PASSFinder introduces cost savings and enhanced confidence in ASS environmental assessments by directly mapping potential acid sulfate soils in situ, thus reducing the time and expense of extensive drilling and sampling.  The technique uses a special purpose probe, with measurements made at regular depth intervals using a precision electrochemical instrument. 

SMEC use satellite imagery to assess the horizontal extent of acid sulfate soils.  The company also has a range of field equipment available for investigations, with close working relationships with universities, researchers and laboratories.