A study of the effect of acid treatment practice on the geoenvironmental properties of muds in the Ariake Sea tidal mud

is carried out. The results of the field tests undertaken at the Iida tidal flat site and Higashiyoka tidal flat site of the Ariake Sea and the laboratory infiltration test results are presented. It is found that as a consequence of the sea laver acid treatment practice

considerable reduction of salt concentration and pH of the muds has taken place. Furthermore

the measured increased sulfide content of the muds indicates that the acid treatment practice in the tidal flats of the Ariake Sea have produced serious consequences for some benthos inhabiting at the shallow depth of the mud. Finally

the mechanism of the observed change in geoenvironmental properties induced by the sea laver treatment practice is discussed.