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~' SOIL SAMPLE ANALYSES <br />Soil samples were obtained from 3 pits on the proposed Gravel Mine area (see Exhibit I, Table <br />~' 1). Sample site S1 was from a meadow that had not been covered by gravel. Sample Sla was <br />obtained from a depth of 12 to 16 inches and consisted of dark loam (1 to 3 inches of sand <br />;~ occurred on the surface). Sample Slb was obtained from about 24 inches and consisted of dark <br />loam, although rocks were noted in the profile. Sample Site 2 occurred in a gravel- inundated <br />area and contained no topsoil. Sample Site 3 was located in a gravel outwash area and consisted <br />1 , of 1 to 6 inches of topsoil that had been covered by gravel. Sample 3a consisted of topsoil that <br />included an organic mat with roots. Sample 3b consisted mostly of sand and gravel with some <br />organic matter inclusions. <br />~:~ Soil sample analyses did not identify any parameters that would be problematic to revegetation. <br />,~ Soil pH is somewhat acidic (Brady, 1990), but was less than 5 only where the organic mat <br />occurred (Sample S3a, Table 1). Nitrogen (NO,) and available phosphorous are relatively low, <br />but this will be rectitied by adding commercial fertilizer to the soil after the seedbed has been <br />' prepared. Nitrogen which is typically considered plant-available is in the form of nitnte- <br />nitrogen (inorganic nitrogen) (Williams and Schuman, 1987). This analysis would provide a <br />~ conservatively low estimate of existing available levels of nitrogen. Assuming a minimum <br />' nitrogen level of 15 to 30 mg/kg (Redente, 1988) for reclamation, the sampled horizons are all <br />deficient in nitrate-nitrogen. <br />Phosphorous data were obtained by analysis for plant-available phosphorus (PAP). Assuming <br />a minimum PAP level of 7 mg/kg (Redente, 1988) for reclamation, the sampled horizons are <br />all deficient in PAP. <br />' Potassium data were obtained by analysis for plant-available potassium (PAK). Forms of <br />potassium considered available for plant uptake include both soluble and exchangeable <br />' potassium. The range of available potassium for horizons analyzed for PAK is 24 to 131 PPM. <br />Only the gravel samples were considered deficient in PAK, assuming a minimum PAK level of <br />60 mg/kg (Redente, 1988) for reclamation. <br /> <br /> <br />' ~I,~eals.u, <br />-~~~ l4 <br /> <br />