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` ^, _ 4• • <br />FINALYSIS OF CHEMICAL ELEMEN'P CONTENT OF <br />SOIL IMPORTANT TO PLANT GR0~9TH ~ <br />Bio-SVStems Research <br />I. Purpose: It is the purpose of this investigation to evaluate <br />the soil to the east and west of the U.S. Soil quarry for re- <br />establishing native vegetation. Vegetative reconstruction is <br />necessary due to the disturbance or distruction of tt~e '~ood- <br />land Shrub community surrounding the quarry site. The physiog- <br />nomy of t]Ze ;4oodland Shrub area is defined as an open stand <br />of deciduous or evergreen trees covering 25 to 60 per cent of <br />the ground an:3 with undergrowth of grassland or desert vegeta- <br />tion. <br />'Phis environment is being profoundly changed by the <br />mining activities in the area. In order to study this alter- <br />ation in physical characteristics of the local environment it <br />is necessary to evaluate ttie degree of change the environment <br />`1as undergone during tlt•~ mining operations. This is first <br />accomplished b}• analyzing the soils involved for chemical <br />d ements that are known to be important to establish and <br />maintain plant growth. A comparison of the composition of <br />soils that was undisturbed and the overburden that was placed <br />over the surface are the basis for evaluating the change in <br />soil e~ivironment. <br />From these results, and an evaluation of the envi- <br />ronmental characteristics of the Woodland Shrub area generally, <br />a reasonable expectation of re-establishment of the native <br />vegetation on the modified soil zones is presented. <br />II, t4ethods: Several analytical methods are employed in the <br />evaluation of chemical element composition of the soil. <br />They are as Follows: - <br />1) Kjeldahl method for evaluation of total nitrogen present <br />in. sample. <br />DO NOT DRY YOUR SAMPLE. Weigh triplicate samples of .5 y. <br />each on qualitative filter paper. Wrap the samples well and <br />drop each into a clean, dry 800 ml Kjeldahl flask. <br />DIGESTION. Add to tha flask 15 g of powderer] anhydrous <br />K2SO4 and a small crystal of CuSOq. Support the flask at an <br />angle on a ring stand IN THE HOOD. Add 25 ml conc H2SOq, DO <br />:~`OT SWIRL. Insert a Hengar tube in the neck (clean Flenuar <br />tube with avatar and dry it beforehand). Heat the mixture <br />over a Tirril burner flame. Continue the heating and turning <br />until the liquid is clear, and heat for an additional hour. <br />Allow the flasks to cool to room temperature in the hood. <br />