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be in error because it is greater than the increase in TDS concentration. Sulfate • <br />concentrations in the Flume Gulch wells have fluctuated from approximately 500 to 1100 <br />mg/I. <br />3.3 pH <br />Field pH is an important parameter to monitor because some coal spoils have the <br />potential to increase acidity of the ground water which increases the mobility of most heavy <br />metals. A pH of less than 5 would generally be needed to greatly increase the mobility of <br />most heavy metals. <br />Available pH data is tabulated in Table B-1 of Appendix B. Field pH was 7.4 in <br />1996 for water from well GA-1. These variations are well within the natural range of <br />fluctuation. • <br />Water from well GB-2 has generally been near 7 with 1996 values of 7.5 and 7.8. <br />The pH values from well GB-5 have been above 7. The pH values for well GB-5 have been <br />higher than normal since June of 1984. The pumped sample for the third quarter of 1996 <br />was significantly below the other 1996 values. The results from the non-pumped samples <br />from this well should be used with caution. <br />The field pH of water from the GC wells have generally been near 7.0 and are <br />within expected limits, except for some high pH values in 1976 and 1977 from well GC-2. <br />Well GD-1 had a significant increase in pH in 1984. Field pH values are presently <br />back to levels that are expected and that were present for the first several years from this <br />well. The recent field pH values are thought to be more representative of the aquifer water <br />3-8 <br />