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Two other sources of nitrogen are associated with the mining operation. First, an ammonium- <br />based foam which is a sodium-tree-alcohol fatty acid is used during exploration drilling and <br />overburden core drilling, when absolutely necessary, to maintain better circulation of water and <br />cuttings (Peabody Coal Company, 19871. Second, ammonium nitrate is mixed with fuel oil and <br />the mixture is used to load blasting holes ahead of the mining operation (Reeder and Sabey, <br />19871. <br />Boron. This essential plant micronutrient serves as an activator in numerous enzyme systems <br />IDonahue, et al., 1977). Boron is needed by plants in only very minute amounts and the range <br />between boron deficiency and boron excess is not great. If present in excess concentrations, <br />plant toxicity symptoms may appear. Also as pH decreases, the solubility end the potential for <br />boron toxicity increases. Elevated boron levels ere frequently found in arid soils where salts <br />have accumulated near the surface. High levels of calcium in the soil decrease the severity of <br />boron toxicity (Traynor, 19801. <br />Molybdenum and Selenium. Some native plants tend to accumulate high levels of molybdenum <br />and selenium in their tissues. High levels of selenium are often associated with primary and <br />secondary indicator plants (USDA, 19571. Elevated molybdenum levels often occur in legumes <br />(especially white sweet clover) which require it for nitrogen fixation (Neuman and Munshower, <br />19831. Although these elements are essential for animals, when overingested by the grazing <br />animals, molybdenum or selenium toxicity may occur IDonahue et al., 19771. Molybdenosis is <br />especially acute at low copper concentrations and is felt by some to be molybdenum induced <br />copper deficiency. It is usually corrected by supplementing feed rations with copper. <br />Manganese and Iron. Manganese with the aid of iron are catalysts in the synthesis or <br />production of chlorophyll (Tiedemann end Lopez, 19821. Manganese and iron deficiencies are <br />of major concern in reclamation situations where soils are calcareous or have an alkali pH llime- <br />induced chlorosisl. Iron deficiencies are also induced by high concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, <br />and Ni in acidic soils. Manganese toxicity is more common than manganese deficiency. <br />Manganese toxicities have been documented in poorly-drained soils and extremely acid soils <br />with pH levels below 5.0. Liming the soil causes a lowering in the solubility of manganese and <br />presumably brings the iron and manganese into better balance in relation to plant requirements. <br />Documented cases of iron toxicity are rare and appear to be limited to flooded soils (Barth et <br />al., 19811. Extremely high levels of iron often are not toxic but cause imbalances or interfere <br />with the uptake of other essential nutrients. <br />u <br />13 Revised 9/98 <br />