2012-01-06_PERMIT FILE - C1982057 ‎(18)‎

• Permit No: C1982057
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 1/6/2012
• Section_Exhibit Name: Tab 06 Geology and Overburden Assessment
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

were analyzed for parameters listed above, including additional parameters specified in the
CMLRD's Baseline Hydrology Data Gathering Guidelines (September 16, 19811 The additional
parameters are as follows:
- Sulfate (SO41
Nitrate-Nitrogen IN03-NI
Fluoride IFI
Sulfur: Pyritic Sulfur
Sulfate Sulfur
Total Sulfur
Carbonate and Bicarbonate
Total Combustible Solids ITCS1
Arsenic IAsI
Mercury IHgI
During 1991, Peabody began an exploration drilling program in the Seneca IIW South project
area. Two overburden sites were selected for sampling in addition to two sites that had
previously been sampled in 1974. Samples from the four sites were analyzed for a combination
of the parameters listed above based upon previous sample results from similar lithology at
Seneca II, Seneca IIW, and Yoast mines. Four additional parameters, ammonium-nitrogen,
chloride, chromium, and nickel were also tested.
The Seneca II-W geologic strata was analyzed for these parameters to document the physical
and chemical properties of the overburden and underburden, to compare these properties to
ground water quality, to develop effective and efficient overburden handling procedures, and to
determine potential reclamation success. The following discussion describes the importance
and applicability of each physical and chemical test that was completed. Since portions of the
overburden will be used as a root growth medium beneath the topsoil, the words soil and
overburden are used here interchangeably.
pH. Soil reaction for pH) of the growth medium significantly affects the availability of essential
nutrients in addition to the solubility of potentially toxic ions. Soils with a pH ranging from 7.5
to 8.4 contain alkaline earth carbonates and may be alkali. Soils with a pH greater than 8.5
are nearly always alkali and contain a large percentage of alkaline-earth carbonates (USDA,
1951 and USDA, 19691. Soils with pH less than 5.0 usually contain solubilized aluminum and
excessive amounts of other heavy metal trace elements which are soluble under acid
conditions. Total nutrient availability is greatest for neutral to slightly acid soils within a pH
range of 6.5 - 7.0 (Donahue at al., 1977; USDA, 1951; and Walsh, 19721 For these reasons,
soils with a pH less than 5.0 or greater than 8.5 are typically unsuitable for plant propagation.
Conductivity ISalinityl. Salinity is normally not measured directly as a soil test. The electrical
conductivity IECI of the soil solution is measured and taken as an indication of salt level.
Soluble salts influence the quantity of water available to plants and total dissolved solids
PR03 10 Revised 01/02