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C02 from organic compounds, and C02 from the atmosphere and soil. The presence of <br />bicarbonate verses carbonate is usually determined by the pH. Above a pH of 8.2, bicarbonate <br />ions dissociate to carbonate ions. Below a pH of 4.5, most of the bicarbonate ions are <br />converted to carbonic acid IH2C031. Between these two values, carbonate ions will normally <br />add H+ ions to become bicarbonate ions (Dollhopf et al., 19811. <br />Carbonates and bicarbonates also increase the sodium buildup hazard in soils by precipitating <br />calcium and magnesium as carbonates which have an extremely low solubility. Elevated levels <br />of bicarbonate in soils li.e., 10 meg/II can also adversely atfect sensitive crops (Traynor, <br />19801. <br />Nitrate Ammonium-Nitrogen. Three major forms of soil nitrogen are typically found in the soil <br />environment: 11 organic nitrogen associated with soil humus, 21 ammonium nitrogen <br />associated with clay minerals and organic matter, and 31 soluble nitrate compounds. Most of <br />the soil nitrogen is in the organic form and is slowly released, through microbial action, as <br />ammonium and nitrate. This nitrification process requires nitrifying bacteria, a carbon source, <br />oxygen, water, and favorable soil temperatures. Nitrate and ammonium analyses are generally <br />determined on overburden material which will serve as a growth or aquifer medium. Nitrogen <br />levels influence soil productivity as well as ground water quality. <br />Two other sources of nitrogen are associated with the mining operation. First, an ammonium- <br />based foam which is a sodium-free-alcohol fatty acid is used during exploration drilling and <br />overburden core drilling, when absolutely necessary, to maintain better circulation of water and <br />cuttings fPeabody Coal Company, 19871. Second, ammonium nitrate is mixed with fuel oil and <br />the mixture is used to load blasting holes ahead of the mining operation (Reeder and Sabey, <br />19871. <br />Boron. This essential plant micronutrient serves as an activator in numerous enzyme systems <br />(Donahue, et al., 19771. Boron is needed by plants in only very minute amounts and the range <br />between boron deficiency and boron excess is not great. If present in excess concentrations, <br />plant toxicity symptoms may appear, Also as pH decreases, the solubility and the potential far <br />boron toxicity increases. Elevated boron levels are frequently found in arid soils where salts <br />have accumulated near the surface. High levels of calcium in the soil decrease the severity of <br />boron toxicity (Traynor, 19801. <br />Molybdenum and Selenium. Some native plants tend to accumulate high levels of molybdenum <br />and selenium in their tissues. High levels of selenium are often associated with primary and <br />secondary indicator plants (USDA, 19571. Elevated molybdenum levels often occur in legumes <br />(especially white sweet clover) which require it for nitrogen fixation (Neuman and Munshower, <br />19831. Although these elements are essential for animals, when overingested by the grazing <br />animals, molybdenum or selenium toxicity may occur (Donahue et al., 19771. Molybdenosis is <br />PR03 12 Revised 01/02 <br />