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• Sampling Procedures. Geophysical and geochemical analysis of all strata above the lowest coal seam to be mined (Wedge overburden) and the stratum immediately below the lowest coal seam to be mined (Wedge underburdenl were performed in 1974, 1960, 1981, and 1992. The sampling program consisted of drilling a total of 17 2-1/8-inch diameter continuous core holes and 2 4-3/4-inch diameter combination rotary drilled chip and continuous core sample holes at various locations to be disturbed by mining. Survey information for these 19 sites is listed in Table 6-1. The locations of these holes are shown on Exhibits 6-6 and 6-6A and the lithologic logs are presented in Appendix 6-1. Two drilling mediums, a bentonite-water solution and air, were used to lift cuttings from the borehole during core collection. Zinc and copper base drill stem joint lubricants were used during 1974, 1980, and 1981 to reduce excessive drill stem wear and torque. A KOPR-KOTE drill collar ~ and tool joint lubricant (lead (reel produced by Jeb-Cube, Houston, Texas, was used during 1991. These compounds were necessary for trouble-free core and bore hole drilling, but may have unavoidably contaminated a portion of the samples. Overburden cuttings (chip samples) were collected exclusively with air from sites 3080C and 315X. Chip samples were collected on two-foot vertical increments from the soil surface to the top of the coal. Core samples were collected below the Wedge coal seam. Chip samples were collected with sampling buckets by using a 4-3/4-inch Tricone rock bit. Chip samples were composited in the field according to the lithologic and stratigraphic descriptions prepared by the soil scientist. The core samples were packaged in four•mil polyethylene by two-foot increments and placed in standardized boxes for shipment to the lab. Once all chip samples and cores were drilled, sampled, described, and boxed, they were shipped by truck to Peabody Central Laboratory in Freeburg, Illinois or InlerMountain Lab in Sheridan, Wyoming. Analytical Procedures. At the lab, cores were air dried, split and composited according to lithologic and stratigraphic sequence, crushed to pass a 10-mesh sieve, and bagged for storage. Detailed field procedures used for logging and sampling the overburden cares are listed in Appendix 6.2. Overburden chip samples were collected from two-foot vertical increments. Adjacent two-foot chip samples of similar strata were composited into four-, six-, eight-, or ten-foot vertical increments in the field before shipment to the laboratory. The chip samples were air dried, crushed to pass a 10 and/or 20 mesh sieve, and bagged for storage. All core samples collected prior to 1982 were chemically and physically analyzed at Peabody Central Laboratory using the procedures listed in Table 6-2. The parameter and procedure list was developed by Peabody's soil scientist IG. Wendt) in consultation with reclamation specialists from CMLRD, OSMRE, and • 17 Revised 9/98