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SOILS REPORT <br />GRAND MESA COAL COMPANY <br />SEPTEMBER 26, 1988 <br />Fifteen soil samples were presented to this laboratory for analysis in <br />September, 1988. The soils were air-dried and ground to pass through a 1 mm <br />sieve. About 50 grams of the soils were withheld from the grinding process <br />for subsequent textural analysis. Fragments of rock and shale were removed <br />from this sub-sample. The remainder of the samples were subjected to accepted <br />chemical and physical analyses. <br />FERTILITY RESULTS <br />The fertility levels of the soils qre typical for those soils developed <br />in western Colorado over or near marine shale formations. The shale usually <br />weathers into a fine-textured soil whch will support varied and abundant <br />vegetation when precipitation is adequate. The nitrogen levels were varied, <br />but low, overall. Phosphorus was quite low, and potassium was surprisingly <br />low. Generally, potassium levels are sufficient for plant growth in these <br />soils, but exceptions may be found. The micronutriente are present in <br />sufficient quantities to support vegetative growth. Table 1 shows the nutrient <br />levels for each soil. <br />SALINITY RESULTS <br />The salinity levels of the soils are in the medium to medium-high range. <br />More salt susceptible species of plants may be somewhat affected by the soils <br />represented by sample numbers 3, 6, 7, and 8. The pH of the soils is acceptable <br />and should not require any adjustment by adding ammendments to the soils. <br />The sodium adsorption ratios of the soils are acceptable, and indicate that <br />