Laserfiche WebLink
transplant shock. Survival and growth in the third year would enhance long term survival. <br />Growth and survival of natural sprouts and potted plants were also examined in the third <br />year to provide an indication of possible long -term survival. <br />Differences in soils: <br />There were rather dramatic differences between the two soil types for many of the <br />attributes measured in 2005. As such, it was important that differences between the two <br />soil treatments be fully described. Soil samples from the two treatments were collected <br />and analyzed for organic matter and nutrient content, water holding capacity, chemical, <br />and physical properties. Since the soils were mixed and soil horizons present in normal <br />soils were missing, integrated samples were collected through the entire surface soil <br />profile, approximately 0.75 to 1 in depth. Soils were analyzed for soil texture and fertility <br />(organic matter, pH, N, P, K, CEC). Bulk soil samples were periodically collected and <br />oven -dried for soil moisture determination. <br />Given the growth differences observed on the two soil types in 2005, it was important to <br />quantify how the replaced soil differs from natural soils on the Seneca II -W Mine. <br />Samples of undisturbed soil were collected under aspen stands in undisturbed areas of the <br />mine and subjected to the same analysis described above. In addition, differences in soil <br />conditions between reclaimed soils in the <br />study area and those under nearby undisturbed aspen clones were quantified by <br />comparing physical and nutrient characteristics of soil samples from both the normal and <br />augmented reclaimed soils to those of the natural soils. Sampling of the soils under <br />nearby native undisturbed aspen stands were extended to the same depth investigated in <br />the reclaimed soils on the study plot. Effects of reclamation on soil moisture regimes <br />were investigated by monitoring soil moisture during the growing season in undisturbed <br />clones to that of un- irrigated portions of the study site. <br />Discussions with Seneca Coal Company document that the roto - cleared soils had been <br />moved directly from its original site to the plot site; while the dozer - cleared soil placed at <br />the experimental site was from a soil storage site where it had been stored for several <br />months. The difference in response of aspen tree growth between the two soils types was <br />expected to be primarily due to storage rather than to method of tree removal. Stored soils <br />were observed to be anaerobic. <br />Water Chemistry: <br />White salt deposits were observed around some of the irrigated treatments in 2005, <br />particularly those trees receiving the high irrigation treatment, leading to the question of <br />whether these salts were leached from the re- deposited topsoil, or were present in the <br />irrigation water. The soil chemistry tests conducted included a salinity analysis. Soils <br />analyses confirmed that the soils with the highest rate of irrigation were indeed saline, <br />likely the result of irrigation with saline water. Only clean water was used to irrigate the <br />trees during 2007 to avoid further decline and to see if the trees irrigated with saline <br />0 <br />