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