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dilute the samples prior to analyses in order to reduce the effects of <br />interferences (primarily, high salinity). <br />Elevated levels of iron may be attributed to natural (i.e., not mining <br />related) conditions, since elevated levels for that parameter are not <br />normally found in spoil wells at the adjacent Seneca II Mine. The two <br />bedrock wells (WW14 and WTC201) that often exhibit high levels may have <br />higher than usual concentrations of iron pyrite in the rock. Well WTC201 <br />(Trout Creek Sandstone, shop well) often displays high iron values, but <br />does not display an increasing trend. Wadge coal well WW14 started <br />displaying high iron values in 1998 and displays an increasing trend. <br />The high levels of iron displayed in the one alluvial well (WHAL7-2) may <br />be the result of organic matter and plant debris present in the alluvium <br />(Hem, 1989, pg. 77). Iron values at this well are not increasing. All <br />wells with high iron values exist within the Seneca II-W permit <br />boundary. <br />High manganese values may, in part, be due to recharge from the spoil <br />aquifer, although high values are often common, especially in alluvial <br />material (Hem, 1989, pgs. 86-89). It should be noted that, while the <br />CDOH uses a standard o£ 0.2 mg/1, the EPA states that this standard is <br />used to protect crops grown in soils with a pH value lower than 6.0. The <br />CDOH has recently revised their surface water agricultural standard to <br />reflect this pH qualifier. In soils with a higher pH (as are found in <br />the Seneca II-W region), a more appropriate standard would be 10 mg/1 <br />(EPA, 1976). This year, none Of the Seneca II-W wells displayed a value <br />higher than 3.42 mg/1. <br />One well, WW14, exhibited boron values, 820 and 970 ug/1, which exceeded <br />the CDOH standard of 750 ug/1. According to the CDOH, the 750 ug/1 <br />standard is set for sensitive crops (CDOH, Reg. 41, 1999), and that the <br />limit otherwise is 5000 ug/1. None of these sensitive plant species are <br />grown commercially in this area. <br />At the Seneca II-W shop well, Well 201TC, CDOH drinking water standards <br />were used to determine its suitability. No human health standards were <br />I1 <br />