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Predicting Effects of Sulfuric Acid on Qualities of Irrigation and Drainage Waters in Calcareous Soils¹

ABSTRACT

Considerable quantities of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) are being utilized in the southwestern United States for soil and water treatment. Future acid production may exceed demand and thus require disposal in some manner. Acid application or disposal to soils and water raises a question concerning effects on water quality. A numerical method is thus presented for predicting the effects of H₂SO₄ on qualities of irrigation and drainage waters, excluding trace elements, in calcareous systems. The method is based on known relations between ion equilibria and the solubility of calcite, magnesite, and gypsum. Computed results are presented for acid applied to waters or to soils under several hypothesized conditions, and compared with some reported laboratory or lysimeter data. Results indicate: (i) the numerical method is a promising tool, but requires further experimental verification; (ii) acid effects on water quality depend strongly on CO₂ partial pressure and properties of soils and water, besides application rates; and (iii) the assumption that acid application produces equivalent amounts of soluble salts is an oversimplification.

Key Words: smelter acid • mine acid water • irrigation water treatment • sodic soil reclamation • computer simulation model

¹ Contribution from the Dep. of Soils, Water, and Eng. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 as J. Pap. No. 2589. Supported by a grant from the Arizona Mining Assoc.

² Former Research Associate, currently Assistant Professor, Texas A&M Univ. Agric. Res. Center, El Paso, 1380 A&M Circle, El Paso, TX 79927.

Received for publication March 22, 1976.