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Total Sulfur, NP, and ABP. The sulfur content of overburden is determined to predict tt~e acid - <br />producing potential of this material. In conjunction with potential acidity, the neutralization <br />potential INPI from alkaline carbonates, exchangeable bases, and weatherable silicates is <br />measured. Sulfur fractionation li.e., pyritic, sulfate, and organic) analyses are generally <br />performed when potential acidity exceeds the neutralization potential and/or when t'ie total <br />sulfur content is greater than 0.5 percent. Amore accurate determination of potentia acidity <br />is obtained when only pyritic sulfur values are utilized (Sobek et al., 1987) After the potential <br />acidity end the neutralization pot~:ntial are determined, an acid base balance is determined by <br />subtracting the potential acidity from the neutralization potential. An acid-base potential <br />IABPI balance indicates whether acid or base producing elements are in the sample and to what <br />degree (Smith et al., 19741. This balance reveals whether the material will become acidic or <br />basic after being blasted, spoiled, and weathered. A positive ABP indicates the spoiled material <br />will have an increase in pH when basic elements (carbonates) become soluble during the <br />induced weathering process. A negative ABP indicates the spoiled material will have a <br />decrease in pH when acid producing components (pyrites and carbonic acid) become soluble <br />during the induced weathering process. <br />Copper. Copper is important in root metabolism, ammonium and protein utilization, oxidation- <br />reduction reactions, and enzyme activation (USDA, 19571. Copper deficiencies are generally <br />not a problem (Traynor, 19801. Naturally occurring excesses of extractable copper have not <br />been reported in the soil literature IMunshower, 19831. • <br />Nickel. This is anon-essential Ito plant and animal life) heavy metal that could induce plant <br />toxicity symptoms if present in excess quantities. Nickel toxicity problems are restricted to <br />poorly drained, very acidic soils, .soils derived from serpentine parent materials, or soils that <br />have been contaminated near smelters (Traynor, 1980; Munshower, 1983; and Barth et al., <br />19811. Normal plant available nickel concentrations in soil are slightly less than 2 ppm (Barth <br />et al., 19811. <br />Zinc. Zinc is a necessary component of several enzyme systems which regulate various <br />metabolic activities within plants. Adequate zinc levels are essential for normal cell d'vision, <br />root growth, seed production, protein metabolism, and auxin formation ITiedemann and <br />Lopez, 19821 . For normal growth, most plants generally require a minimum <br />• <br />14 fievised P~/98 <br />