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<br />20 <br />chemical constituents could potentially be toxic to vegetation or herbivores. <br />Soils were sic~ificantly higher in saturation percentage (SAT), organic matter <br />(O.M.), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) (in 1979), and iron (Fe) than 1:ailing, <br />which reflects more fertile conditions in soil as a plant growth medi.un. <br />Tailing would not, therefore, make an acceptable plant growth median without <br />some nutrient inputs. <br />Car~arison of Soil Chemical Constituents for 1976. 1979, and 1!85 <br />A caparison of soil data collected from the six locations in 1976, 1979, <br />and 1985 was made (Table 5). Although soil pH varied fran 5.1 to 5.9, only <br />small changes occurred in pH at various locations between 1976 and 1985, and <br />there were few significant differences among locations. However, pH level at <br />the control site was more consistent through time than were those found at <br />most other locations. Electrical conductivity (DC) increased sanewhat at mast <br />areas between 1976 and 1979. However, differences in DC among the sin <br />locations were not significant. Saturation percentage (SAT) and orga~zic <br />matter (O.M) usually did not change aver the nine-year time period, but there <br />were differences among the six locations. The control area (No. 6) had higher <br />saturation percentage and organic matter than did other locations. TJus was <br />anticipated as soil is better developed an the Ute Pass control area. Nitrate <br />(N03-N) levels were highly variable among years airl locations. This was to be <br />expected, but again the control area usually had higher nitrate levels than <br />did the other five locations. Phosphorus (P) levels showed little change <br />between years or among sampling locations; whereas, potassium (R) levels were <br />variable among the six locations. <br />