Melbourne Water’s A1–A4 soil specifications play an important role in ensuring soils used within landscaping, civil and water-sensitive urban design projects are suitable for their intended purpose. The specifications establish acceptable physical and chemical parameters for soils used across wetlands, native planting areas, turf zones and subsoils, with a focus on long-term drainage performance, vegetation establishment, structural stability and resistance to erosion and compaction. Each...

SESL Australia’s inhouse laboratory has recently added the analysis of free iron (Fe) oxide to its testing suite, which can be used to determine if a soil is a Ferrosol (containing a free iron oxide content >5% Fe). Free iron oxide refers to ‘pedogenic iron’ which is formed through weathering of ferrous-containing volcanic basalt, which is also responsible for the deep red and brown shades that we see in Ferrosol soils. Ferrosols are particularly prominent across Australia’s eastern coast,...

SESL Australia has recently undertaken an experimental trial on a recyclable construction material which appears to improve air quality. Durra Panel is a building material made from reclaimed, compressed, and thermally treated waste straw. They are used as structural and insultation components in ceilings and walls. Our client approached us wanting to know whether the panels had any benefits in terms of air quality and SESL Australia’s R&D team got to work! Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)...