Basics of Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plan.

Environmental Management Plan is defined as an environmental management system or tool which aims to ensure reduction of avoidable or undue harnessing of the environment for the purpose of construction, operation or infrastructure building thus reducing overall human intervention on natural resources and thereby increasing the positive aspects of the project undertaken.

Even small and medium scale industries also need to establish environment impact reduction goals for overall benefit to natural resources. 

Thus, steps undertaken by companies to successfully implement EMP are illustrated below: 

• Define organizations goals for a financial year and to lay down the measures in details it would take to implement the EMP scheme.
• Secure top level commitment to the EMP agreement signed and submitted to the authorities.
• Build a team who would look into the implementation of EMP.
• Hold regular meetings to evaluate impact of daily activities on environment.
• Conduct reviews regularly and prepare budget accordingly.
• Involve employees and workers for fast progress.
• Daily monitoring and communication essential for steady environment protection task.

Acid-sulfate soil contains have a low pH of 4.0 and is abundant in sulfuric acid formed due to oxidation of pyrites in the soil. The acidic soil neutralizes all essential elements required for plant growth and is deficient in major plan nutrients killing many plants and necessary soil microorganisms. This is largely affecting our agricultural sector creating large patches of barren land which is of no use. 

Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plan is necessary to manage these contaminated patches of land. The plan involves minimizing disturbances and human intervention through routine identification around patches of sensitive area. Treatment options include neutralizing acid in soil with an alkali like calcium carbonate. Since, treatment is cumbersome and difficult, minimizing formation of contaminated soil should be our initial look out.