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3.18 Nickel • <br />Nickel levels in overburden range from<0.3 to 13.1 ppm while concentrations <br />in the underburde~n range from <0.3 to 6.0 ppm. Generally, levels range <br />between I and 4 ppm. Nickel levels are lowest in coal seams and highest in <br />shale layers which occur near carbonaceous zones and coal strata. No rec- <br />lamation problems are anticipated from nickel concentrations in this range. <br />3.19 Zinc <br />Zinc levels in the overburden range from<I.0 to 129.6 ppm while cancentra- <br />Lions in the underburden range from 1.3 to 21.7 ppm. Generally, concentro- <br />Lions are between 3 and 15 ppm. Levels of zinc are highest in shale strata <br />and lowest in coal strata. Extractable zinc levels commonly range from I to <br />40 ppm (CSMRI, 1977). Zinc toxicities are overcome by liming the soil and <br />decreasing the solubility. Zinc deficiencies have been reported at concen- <br />trations less than 8 ppm. The Seneca sample levels are considered adequate <br />for good reclamation and are nontoxic. <br />3.20 Nitrate Nitrogen • <br />Nitrate nitrogen ranges from<3.0 to 3,570 ppm in the overburden and from <br />X3.0 to 203.9 ppm in the underburden. Concentrations are predominantly less <br />than 3 ppm. Improper sample handling caused excessive nitrate levels near <br />cores 2034E, 2613E, and 2614E (atl 1981 cores). Somples from these cores <br />were shipped in a wet condition to the laboratory. This procedure resulted in <br />nonrepresentative nitrate values. For comparison, no elevated nitrate levels <br />occurred in core number 2096E. This was a dry hole when sampled in 1981. <br />Generally, nitrogen levels are considered adequate at 40 ppm. No recla- <br />mation problems (toxicities) are anticipated from nitrate levels at Seneca. <br />3.21 Potassium -Soluble and Exchangeable <br />Soluble potassium levels range from<0.1 to l.6 meg/I in the overburden and <br />from <0.1 to 2.0 meg/I in the underburden. The exchangeable potassium <br />levels range from < 10.0 to 357.9 ppm in the overburden and from 19.7 to <br />323.3 ppm in the underburden. The highest levels are associated with shale <br />(200 ppm) and topsoil (300 ppm) strata. The lowest concentrations (30 ppm) <br />occur in the coal strata. Potassium deficiencies often occur at concentro- • <br />lions less than 150 ppm (CSMRI, 1977). No reclamation problems are antici- <br />paled from potassiumr at Seneca ll. Noy 2 S 1981 <br /> <br />