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series. Sorting by map unit was used as a guide to map unit <br />composition and types of inclusions. Tne sorted lists are in appendix <br />C. <br />For several reasons, the map units in this inventory are mostly <br />complexes (see glossary). The study area terrain is deeply incised in <br />stratitied sandstones, shales, coals and burned zones creating <br />exceptionally complex soil patterns. Most of the soils are chemically <br />and physically suitable for use in reclamation from their surface to <br />the bedrock contact and the complexes are composed of soils that are <br />similar. For these reasons the map units are mostly complexes with a <br />few consociations (see glossary). Uf the 21 map units designed for <br />tnls project, twelve are complexes, five are consociations, and four <br />are miscellaneous land types (see glossary). <br />One typical pedon of each major component series was described in <br />detail and sampled. Descriptions were made in 4U inch deep pits with <br />auger holes to 6U inches or bedrock, whichever was shallower. <br />Profiles were sampled by horizon (see glossary). For example,.a <br />detailed description of the Northwater series was made at typical" <br />pedon location number 5, shown on the soil maps as a large solid <br />circle (#.5 ®). Detailed typical pedon descriptions and photos of the <br />typical pedon sample boxes are in appenidx A. <br />ADOUt 32U grab samples from 55 locations were collected for <br />• composite sampling according to the specifications of CMLRB. Samples <br />to be composited were taken of the mayor soil series at four locations <br />shown on the soft map as numbered squares (~$$~). Subsamples were <br />collected at six inch intervals to a depth of 36 inches. Subsamples <br />were paired on the basis of similarity and composited on a weight <br />basis in the lab. 'for example, the Northwater was observed at many <br />places throughout the site, but at four locations (observation hole <br />numbers 35, 77, 135, and 165) samples were collected of the top 36 <br />inches of the soil at 6 inch intervals. In the laboratory the U to 6 <br />inch interval from holes 35 and 77 were composited into one sample, <br />the U to 6 inch interval from 135 and 165 were composited into <br />another. The 6 to 12, 12 to lti, 18 to 24, 24 to 3U and 3U to 36 inch <br />intervals were handles in the same manner. The composite sample <br />numbers are indicated as 35/77 and 135/165 etc. <br />Samples from the typical pedons and the composite samples were <br />analyzeG by Agricultural Consultants, Inc., Brighton, Colorado. <br />Methods used and lab results are presented in appendix B. The 2'13 <br />samples were analyzed for the tollowiny parameters: <br />o pH o textural analysis <br />o saturation percent (~Sn, Si, C1, VF S) <br />0 organic matter o sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) <br />o electrical conductivity (EC) o exchangeable Ca, Na, hty <br />The laboratory classitied the soil into a texture class based on <br />the textural analysis and calculated K-factors (erodibility) from the <br />data. Eight samples from three profiles were also tested for selenium. <br />due to the scattered occurrence of a selenium indicator species <br />(Astragalus bisulcatus). Those soils tested were shallow soils over <br />3 <br />