Seepage scald : a case study in southeastern New South Wales

Abstract

Dryland salinity in Australia is usually subdivided into two categories, scald and saline seepage, however, the use of these terms has not been consistent. The existence of a groundwater discharge condition should form the basis for distinguishing different areas of dryland salinity, but areas both with and without this condition have been labelled as ‘scalds’. It is suggested that ’seepage scald’ and ‘dry scald’ be used to distinguish scalds with a groundwater discharge condition from those scalds without while retaining the descriptive qualities of the term ‘scald’. Further, it is suggested that soils labelled as saline seepages fall into the seepage scald category. This study addresses the problem of seepage scald in southeastern New South Wales. There is very little information concerning the soil and hydrological properties of these areas and a case study of the Yarralaw seepage scald was undertaken to answer questions concerning the scald’s location, the threat of scald expansion, possible offsite effects and the scald’s origin. The results of this study have application to a number of similar sites in southeastern New South Wales.