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The extraction data conclusively show the dissolved • <br />salt concentrations in 1:1 extracts are comparable to or less <br />than concentrations found in streams of the Axial Basin. As <br />such, the levels of dissolved salts found in the extracts are <br />believed to be comparable to the concentrations found in sur>_sce <br />water runoff. It is further concluded the exposure of disturbed <br />interburden to t•~eathering, during mining, swill not generate a <br />hazardous water quality condition in the Axial Basin on a shurt- <br />term basis. <br />pH and electrical conductivity tests indicate the salt <br />contents of 1:1 extracts from overburden are comparable to the <br />amounts of salts found in surface water and streams of the <br />Axial Basin. Such an interpretation leads one to conclude surface <br />runoff of disturbed soil or interburden, at the Colowyo mine, <br />will not constitute a hazard to local stream quality. <br />Maximum extracted sodium (Na}) concentrations in 1:1 extracts <br />(7.1 meq/L) are comparable to Val levels found in Good Spring • <br />Creek during U.S.G.S. reconnaissance period from 1975-1977. <br />Furthermore, extractable sodium levels found in A and B <br />horizon soils and the interburden do~,m to a depth of 28 feet, on <br />drill hole G-59, are definitely not a hazard to water quality in <br />the Axial Basin. <br />Potassium levels found in extracts from two interburden <br />samples, betcaeen 28 and 54 feet, are approximately t~oice that <br />found in Axial Basin streams (0.33 meq/L). However, this level <br />of K+ in water runoff is not considered great•enough to appreciably <br />increase the salinity of water in Axial Basin. <br />Calcium and magnesium levels extracted from interburden <br />are one third to one half that found in U.S.G.S. data for the <br />U.S.G.S. reconnaissance period (1975-1977). <br />Bicarbonate contents found in .(1:1) extracts range from <br />an insignificant amount (0.79 meq/L) to maximum concentrations • <br />found in Axial Basin streams (8.56 meq/L) during the 1975-1977 <br />period. Bicarbonate levels arc not expected to reach a critical <br />