Method of inhibiting the biological acidification of water in contact with materials containing sulfur

The invention relates to storage and handling of elemental sulfur and sulfur containing materials and particularly to a method for inhibiting the biological acidification of water in contact with materials containing sulfur in reduced form or with elemental sulfur, susceptible to oxidation on the part of Thiobacilli. The method comprising putting said materials in contact with soluble inorganic salts at concentrations ranging from 0.4 normal to saturation. The inorganic salt is preferably sodium chloride (NaCl). The sulfur may be immersed in a solution of inorganic salts. The sulfur may be deposited below groundwater level or in waterproofed lagoons. In non-submerged systems, the elemental sulfur is spread with inorganic salts and protected by a cover consisting of granular materials such as sand, breccia, pozzolan, soil or excavation materials.