PERMFILE59493

• Permit No: C1981010
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 12/11/2001
• Doc Name: OVERBURDEN CHARACTERISTICS
• Section_Exhibit Name: APPENDIX I Section 1.0
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• ATTACFlAtENT 6
2.21 pH
The pH of all the topsoils fell in a range associated with normal,
fertile soils. Two soils derived from residual shale had pH values above 8
which indicates some moderate influence of exchangeable Na.
2.22 Soluble salts
The topsoils contained low concentrations of soluble salts typical
for fertile soils.
2.23 Available potassium
If this value is 200 or more ppm the soil contains adequate supplies
of K for normal plant growth. Only those surface samples derived from
residual sandstone or shale had less than 200 ppm K. Four subsoil samples
contained less than 200 ppm K. Since many of the topsoils in the loessial
areas had large amounts of available K and mixing with poorer layers is
likely, the overall K supply of the topsoil is considered adequate.
2.24 Available phosphorus
When the t7aHC03 - soluble P is 12 or more ppm the soil is adequately
• supplied with P for most crops. Eleven of the 27 soil samples, mostly from
the loessial area, contained 12 or more ppm P. The average value was 33 ppm
for the surface samples derived from loess and 12 ppm for the subsoil samples.
The average value was 11 ppm for the surface samples derived from residual
materials and 5 ppm for the subsoil samples.
2.25 Available micronutrients
Analyses of Cu, Fe, Pin, and Zn extractable in DTPA (an organic com-
plexing agent) solution indicate the nutrient status of these elements. If
the levels for Fe and Zn are above 4.5 and 0.6 to 0.8 ppm, respectively, a
response to additions of these nutrients is unlikely. These standards indi-
cate that ample supplies of Fe are present but three subsoil samples have low
supplies of available Zn. Nine other samples closely approach the level of
Zn associated with a low supply. In subsequent years the status of available
Zn in these soils should be checked [o determine whether Zn becomes limiting
for normal growth of plants especially when the surface and subsoil layers
become mixed during the mining operation.
Molybdenum levels in table 1 indicate ample supplies of this nutrient
in all samples.
2.26 Organic matter
The surface soils in this area contain larger amounts of organic matter
than most cultivated soils. Organic matter of the surface and subsoil was 5.8
• and 2.9%, respectively, for the soils derived from loess, and 4.3 and 1.7% in
[he surface and subsoil layers, respectively, for the soil derived from residual
materials. The organic matter in these topsoils has imparted excellent physical
properties to the soils such as good soil structure and high rates of water
8