Laserfiche WebLink
• Sodium Adsorptiou Ratio -The average of the 20 samples analyzed was 16.9 with a range of 10.3 to 30. At face <br />value these values appear to indicate a great potential for a sodium spoil material: however, one must consider that the <br />salinity hazard, as predicted by the electrical conductivity test, was very low. Due to the apparent discrepancy <br />between the salinity potential, as measured by the sodium adsorption ratio and electrical conductivity, and their <br />conflicting results, we consulted with Dr. Sterling Olsen, a soils scientist, with the USDA Agricultural Research <br />Service at Colorado State University. <br />Results of the data show the po~ntial of the sodium hazard is due to the incompatibility of applying the sampling <br />techniques developed for surface agricultural soils to unweathered overburden. According to Dr. Olsen, the calcium <br />values obtained from our analysis are abnormally lower that[ would be expected. The average calcium concentration <br />was found to be 1.58 meq/I and, according to Dr. Olsen, the solubility of calcium is correlated with the amount of <br />carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. The concentration of calcium when it is h equilibrium with air, at a pH of <br />7, should equal 7 meq/I. <br />Dr. Olsen informed us that once this overburden material is exposed to the atmosphere, the concentration of calcium <br />will increase and the potential hazard of sodium will decrease due to the competition of these two cations for the same <br /> <br />• <br />APP:[®V~~ J~~Td 2 P. ~GC~C <br />PR-OS 2.04-17.1 5/26/00 <br />