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<br /> i i <br />8 1 d i <br />12 <br /> The water extract pH ng <br />decreased from weather n 1 <br />of the samples <br />2 an <br />n <br /> of the 21 samples for pH in 0.01 M CaC12 solution. Most of the changes in pH <br /> appear to be due to the reaction of C02 with soluble carbonates. An increase <br /> in soluble salts was observed in every sample. This change would also increase <br /> the pH. Weathering probably released soluble salts because the larger particles <br /> broke down into smal ler particles, increasing surface area and Ereeing mechani- <br /> cally trapped ions. <br />The pH values for all overburden strata averaged 7.7 with a range of 6.3 to 8.4. <br />This indicates that the pH falls well within the Class A range of 6.0 [0 8.5 in <br />all strata. Therefore, no problems are anticipated with this parameter. <br />Specific conductance (soluble salts extract conductivity in m,nhos/cm and electri- <br />cal conductivity in svohos/cm) (Tables 2.7-6, 2.7-7 and <br />2.7-8) <br />• Specif-ic or electrical conductivity (EC) is a measurement used for determining <br />soluble salt concentration. A high soluble salt level increases [he external <br />osmotic pressure near the root zone and may adversely affect growth by reducing <br />[he intake of water by the root system in plants. If there is an occurrence of <br />high soluble salts in an area, it may be desirable to plant salt tolerant species <br />or cover the material with a more suitable plant growth medium. <br />A maximum electrical conductivity has been suggested for vegetation of road cuts <br />in Utah of 4 mmhos/cm (Cook et.al., 1970). Wyoming Department of Environmental <br />Quality (1976) states that an EC under 4 mmhos/cm indicates good soil suitabi- <br />lity. This level is therefore a realistic maximum desirable level for evaluating <br />the drill core samples. <br />In samples from the drill cores, [he EC had a mean value of 0.56 mmhos/cm for all <br />strata. The range of values was from 0.10 to a high of 1.51 mmhos/cm which <br />occurred in two strata in holes CR216 and CR218. Given these statistics on E.C., <br />all strata found have values significantly below the maximum desirable limit. <br />. Soluble sal[ concentrations aze therefore, not high enough to create a problem <br />for reclamation efforts. <br />2-387 <br />