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• The auunonium form of nitrogen is not particularly mobila and is <br />generally converted to the nitrate form through microbial action prier <br />to plant absorption. The nitrate form of nitrogen is mobile and can be <br />readily leached from surficial materials. Nitrite is an intermediate <br />stage in the conversion of ammonium to nitrate. Fiald reports of <br />nitrite toxicity are uncommon (Traynor, 1980). <br />Total nitrogen (nitrate plus ammonium) has been determined on overburden <br />and interburden material from four Phase I locations at Nucla ~~tine <br />(Tables 6-o and 6-7). In all instances, mean nitrogen values were in <br />the deficiency zone (Figures 6-3 and 6-9). Therefore, leaching of <br />nitrogen will not be a problem. However, postmine plant coinniunities niay <br />show nitrogen deficiency signs. The nitrate and ammonium analyses will <br />be performed on regraded spoil and topsoil samples but these analyses <br />were not justified for the Phase II overburden and interburden samples. <br />Potassium and Phosphorous. These plant essential nutrients are not <br />specifically included on Colorado's guideline list. However, since <br />these anal~~ses were performed on Phase I samples collected from Wucla <br />Mine, a summary is presented. <br />Potassium is a relatively abundant plant nutrient, but deficiencies do <br />occur in coarse textured acid material that is subject to leaching. <br />Excessive concentrations of potassium are rarely encountered (Sutton et <br />al „ 1981). Mean overburden and interburden potassium levels were <br />suitable ranging from 79.7 to 187.1 ppm (Tables 6-6 and 5-7, Figures 6-3 <br />and 6-9). The lower levels of potassium were associated with sandstone <br />and/or acidic strata. Potassium analyses are not justifiable at Nucla <br />Mine. <br />Adequate phosphorous levels are required for the development of deap <br />er,tensive rooting systems. I.1ean overburden and interburden phosphorous <br />concentrations ranged from 3.0 to 11.5 ppm (Tables 6-6 and 6-7). The <br />majority of mean phosphorous values are in the deficiency zone (Figures <br />. 6-3 and 5-9). Phosphorous analyses will be determined on replaced <br />topsoil and spoil in Kline Areas 1 through 5 at Nucla Mine. <br />6-37 Revised 3/5/87 <br />