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Th <br />f <br />h il i <br />d <br />d <br />ill h <br />i <br /> ere <br />ore [ <br />e spo <br />pr n the area represente <br />r <br />oduced <br />by th <br />s <br />ole will <br /> probably have a fairly high ESP value. Two solutions are feasible for the situa- <br /> tion. One wo uld be [o cover any such areas with extra topsoil [o ensure that <br /> plants do not need the spoil for a rooting medium. The second alternative would <br /> be to plate t he spoil with less sodic spoil from a nearby area and then retop- <br /> soil. <br />Trace Elements Analyses (Tables 2.7-6, 2.7-7 and 2.7-8) <br />A common characteristic of trace elements and micronutrients is that they are <br />required in very small amounts for plant nutrition. Also a vast majority of the <br />trace elements required for plant growth can be toxic if [hey occur at excessive- <br />ly high levels. Trace element availability and toxicity is often directly relat- <br />ed to the pH in the soil or overburden. Commonly, a low pH (acidic condition) <br />increases the abundance and availability of micronutrients and may lead to a <br />toxic condition from certain elements. The maintenance of an intermediate pH in <br />• soil is most desirable, [hereby assuring adequate levels of trace elements but <br />not to the point of toxicity (Buckman and Brady, 1960). However, as previously <br />mentioned, pH related toxicity should not be a problem in the permit area. <br />In [he western portion of the mine permit area, copper (Cu) concentrations are <br />within the expected range for this element, i.e., <0.5 to 3 ppm whereas 40 ppm <br />and above is considered unsuitable for plant growth (Table 2.7-6). Olsen (1974) <br />concluded that this element was not Iikely to cause any problems in plant <br />growth. <br />Iron (Fe) concentrations in the lower geological strata were somewhat lower in <br />the western portion (42-296 ppm) than in the eastern portion of the proposed per- <br />mit area (68 [0 372 ppm)(Tables 2.7-6 and 2.7-7). The rapid conversion of Fe to <br />insoluble, unavailable compounds suggests little likelihood of Fe toxicity prob- <br />lems. Therefore, no problems are expected with this element. <br />Manganese (Mn) concentrations were all lower (4 to 43 ppm) than the 60 ppm level <br />[hat is considered unsuitable for plant growth (Table 2.7-6)(Tisdale, 1980). <br />Therefore, Mn should present no problems for plan[ establishments. <br />2-390 <br />