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• Total Sulfur, NP, and ABP. The sulfur content of overburden and interburden is determined to predict the acid -producing potential of this material. In conjunction with potential acidity, the neutralization potential from alkaline carbonates, exchangeable bases, and weatherable silicates is measured. Sulfur fractionation (i.e., pyritic, sulfate, and organic) analyses are generally performed when potential acidity exceeds the neutralization potential and/or when the total sulfur content is greater than 0.5 percent. Amore accurate determination of potential acidity is obtained when only pyritic sulfur values are utilized (Sobek et al., 1987) After the potential acidity and the neutralization potential are determined, an acid base balance is determined by subtracting the potential acidity from the neutralization potential. An acid-base potential (ABP) balance indicates whether acid or base producing elements are in the sample and to what degree (Smith et al., 1974). This balance reveals whether the material will become acidic or basic after being blasted, spoiled, and weathered. A positive ABP indicates the spoiled material will have an increase in pH when basic elements (carbonates) become soluble during the induced weathering process. A negative ABP indicates the spoiled material will have a decrease in pH when acid producing components (pyrites and carbonic acid) become soluble during the induced weathering process. Copper. Copper is important in root metabolism, ammonium and protein utilization, • oxidation-reduction reactions, and enzyme activation (USDA, 1957). Copper deficiencies are generally not a problem (Traynor, 1980). Naturally occurring excesses of extractable copper have not been reported in the soil literature (Munshower, 1983). Nickel. This is anon-essential (to plant and animal life) heavy metal that could induce plant toxicity symptoms if present in excess quantities. Nickel toxicity problems are restricted to poorly drained, very acid soils, soils derived from serpentine parent materials or soils that have been contaminated near smelters (Traynor, 1980; Munshower, 1983; and Barth et al., 1981). Normal plant available nickel concentrations in soil are slightly less than 2 ppm (Barth et al., 1981). Zinc. Zinc is a necessary component of several enzyme systems which regulate various metabolic activities within plants. Adequate zinc levels are essential far normal cell division, root growth, seed production, protein metabolism, and auxin formation (Tiedemann and Lopez, 1982). For normal growth, most plants generally require a minimum zinc concentration of 1 ppm while zinc related toxicity occurs at about 70 ppm. The potential for zinc deficiency is increased by many factors including but not limited to high pH, high lime rates, high phosphorous levels, and high • Revised 27 Aug 2002 1$