2015-08-31_PERMIT FILE - C1981010A ‎(23)‎

• Permit No: C1981010A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 8/31/2015
• Doc Name: pages 2-346 to 2-424 ‎(2-392 to 2-401 confidential)‎
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.7 Hydrology
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

The pH values for all overburden strata averaged 7.7 with a range of 6.3 to 8.4.
This indicates that the pH falls well within the Class A range of 6.0 to 8.5 in
all strata. Therefore, no problems are anticipated with this parameter.
Specific conductance (soluble salts extract conductivity in mmhos/cm and electri—
cal conductivity in mmhos/cm) (Tables 2.7-6, 2.7-7 and
2.7-8)
•
Specific or electrical conductivity (EC) is a measurement used for determining
soluble salt concentration. A high soluble salt level increases the external
osmotic pressure near the root zone and may adversely affect growth by reducing
the intake of water by the root system in plants. If there is an occurrence of
high soluble salts in an area, it may be desirable to plant salt tolerant species
or cover the material with a more suitable plant growth medium.
A maximum electrical conductivity has been suggested for vegetation of road cuts
in Utah of 4 mmhos/cm (Cook et.al., 1970). Wyoming Department of Environmental
Quality (1976) states that an EC under 4 mmhos/cm indicates good soil suitabi—
lity. This level is therefore a realistic maximum desirable level for evaluating
the drill core samples.
In samples from the drill cores, the EC had a mean value of 0.56 mmhos/cm for all
strata. The range of values was from 0.10 to a high of 1.51 mmhos/cm which
occurred in two strata in holes CR216 and CR218. Given these statistics on E.C.,
all strata found have values significantly below the maximum desirable limit.
. Soluble salt concentrations are therefore, not high enough to create a problem
for reclamation efforts.
2-387
in
The water extract pH
decreased from weathering
in 18 of the
21 samples
and 12
of the 21 samples for pH in 0.01 M CaCl2 solution. Most of the changes in pH
appear to be due to
the reaction of CO2 with
soluble carbonates. An
increase
in soluble salts was
observed in every sample.
This change
would also
increase
the pH. Weathering
probably released soluble
salts because
the larger
particles
broke down into smaller
particles, increasing
surface area
and freeing
mechani—
cally trapped ions.
The pH values for all overburden strata averaged 7.7 with a range of 6.3 to 8.4.
This indicates that the pH falls well within the Class A range of 6.0 to 8.5 in
all strata. Therefore, no problems are anticipated with this parameter.
Specific conductance (soluble salts extract conductivity in mmhos/cm and electri—
cal conductivity in mmhos/cm) (Tables 2.7-6, 2.7-7 and
2.7-8)
•
Specific or electrical conductivity (EC) is a measurement used for determining
soluble salt concentration. A high soluble salt level increases the external
osmotic pressure near the root zone and may adversely affect growth by reducing
the intake of water by the root system in plants. If there is an occurrence of
high soluble salts in an area, it may be desirable to plant salt tolerant species
or cover the material with a more suitable plant growth medium.
A maximum electrical conductivity has been suggested for vegetation of road cuts
in Utah of 4 mmhos/cm (Cook et.al., 1970). Wyoming Department of Environmental
Quality (1976) states that an EC under 4 mmhos/cm indicates good soil suitabi—
lity. This level is therefore a realistic maximum desirable level for evaluating
the drill core samples.
In samples from the drill cores, the EC had a mean value of 0.56 mmhos/cm for all
strata. The range of values was from 0.10 to a high of 1.51 mmhos/cm which
occurred in two strata in holes CR216 and CR218. Given these statistics on E.C.,
all strata found have values significantly below the maximum desirable limit.
. Soluble salt concentrations are therefore, not high enough to create a problem
for reclamation efforts.
2-387