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<br />Discussion and Conclusions <br />Analysis of the three types of material of concern in notice of violation C-96-013 <br />showed that for five of seven physical and chemical parameters analyzed (pH, EC, <br />texture, boron, and molybdenum), the coal refuse was suitable for use as a plant <br />growth medium. In the case of selenium, both the refuse and SCM sample values were <br />above the suspect levels for use as a plant growth medium. For the parameter SAR, <br />the refuse sample value is slightly above the suspect level for use as a pant growth <br />medium. <br />The assertion that the contact and mining of refuse and SCM degraded the physical and <br />chemical properties of the SCM is not supported by the physical and chemical analyses <br />performed on the separate and mixed materials. In no case did the mixture of refuse <br />and SCM result in a chemical or physical parameter value which exceeded <br />recommendations for use as a plant growth medium. In one case (selenium), the <br />mixture of refuse and SCM actually decreased the parameter value to a level below the <br />suspect level. <br />Summary <br />An on-site investigation and subsequent physical and chemical analysis of parameters <br />linked to suitability of material as a plant growth medium, revealed that a mixture of <br />coal refuse from the Lower Refuse Pile and suitable construction material at the West <br />Elk Mine did not detrimentally affect the chemical and physical nature of the mixture <br />for use as a plant growth medium. <br />-3- <br />