Presence of acid sulfate soils in Väröbacka, southwestern Sweden

Abstract

Acid sulfate soils are a global problem that can have negative environmental effects such as surface-water acidification and leaching of toxic metals. To prevent this, it is important to map and investigate where and how these soils are formed. This thesis reveals three sample sites with acid sulfate soils in Väröbacka, southwest Sweden. These sites are located in low elevations, in soil mapped as postglacial fine-grained sediments. Inductively Coupled Plasma Sector Field Mass Spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) analyses confirmed high levels of sulfur in the soil samples. A reconstruction of postglacial landscape suggests that the acid sulfate soils were developed in sediment during the Tapes Transgression. Further mapping of the presence, distribution, and formation of acid sulfate soils in southwest Sweden is necessary.