PERMFILE125186

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 12/11/2001
• Doc Name: Sylvester Gulch Facilities Area
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 27A Baseline Soil Study ‎(1996)‎
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Elemental
Plant
Macronutrient Within Plant
Concentration
(ppm) Culture Solution
Concentration
( m) SGFA Range
Concentration
(ppm)
Nitrogen (N) 12,000 2l0 2-171
Phos horns (P) 2,500 30 1.2-23.7
Potassium (K) 10,000 195 28-455
With one notable exception, SGFA soils aze very low in the concentration of nitrogen
when compared to the satisfactory concentrations required for a plant growth solution
in the laboratory. In all but one sample, nitrate nitrogen concentrations were below 17
ppm. The notable exception was the Beenom-Absazokee(1) A horizon. Noted prior,
this horizon also contained the highest concentration of organic matter (conifer
needles). Since nitrogen concentrations are correlated with plant growth activity and
decay, this is a logical correlation.
Phosphorus concentrations are more widely distributed than nitrogen concentrations.
The same horizon (Beenom-Absazokee(1) A) contains the highest concentration of
phosphorus. The lowest concentration is found within the Torriorthent(3) B/C horizon
found in the sedge meadow inclusion. Phosphorus concentrations are slightly to
moderately lower than the laboratory optimal requirements.
S Potassium concentrations in the SGFA soils were above the laboratory culture
concentration in 16 of the 23 samples. A significant trend of decreasing potassium
concentration with depth was observed in all of the soil types.
SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO (SAR)
The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), with texture, clay mineralogy, soluble salt
concentration in rainwater, and other factors impacts the infiltration rate and hydraulic
conductivity of soils. With high SAR values, the structure of a soil may be
compromised, with accompanying decreases in hydraulic conductivity; leaving plants
unable to procure necessary nutrients from the soil, unable to penetrate cemented soils
with roots, or exposed to toxic concentrations of sodium. Soils within the SGFA
exhibit low SAR values, ranging from 0.3 to 6.3. The highest SAR value came from
the Tomorthent(3) sedge meadow inclusion, and the lowest value was found in the
Work loam A horizon and the Beenom-Absazokee(1) A horizon.
CATIONS (Ca, Ivig, Na, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Se, Mo, B)
The majority of cations provide essential micronutrients to plants during their growth
and reproduction cycle. In general the concentrations of these cations required for
plant nutrition is very small, and they are not generally limiting. In the western United
• States, selenium, molybdenum, and boron may be found in concentrations, which
though not generally detrimental to plant growth, may affect livestock or other grazers
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