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especially acute ai low copper concentrations and is felt by some to be molybdenum induced <br />copper deficiency. It is usually corrected by supplementing feed rations with copper. <br />Manganese and Iron. Manganese with the aid of iron are catalysts in the synthesis or <br />production of chlorophyll (Tiedemann and Lopez, 19821 Manganese and iron deficiencies are <br />of major concern in reclamation situations wheie soils are calcareous or have an alkali pH Ilime- <br />induced chlorosisl. Iron deficiencies are also induced by high concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, <br />and Ni in acidic soils. Manganese toxicity is more common than manganese deficiency. <br />Manganese toxicities have been documented in poorly-drained soils and extremely acid soils <br />with pH levels below 5.0. Liming the soil causes a lowering in the solubility of manganese and <br />presumably brings the iron and manganese into better balance in relation to plant requirements. <br />Documented cases of iron toxicity are rare and appear to be limited to flooded soils (Barth et <br />al., 1981). Extremely high levels of iron often are not toxic but cause imbalances or interfere <br />with the uptake of other essential nutrients. <br />Total Sulfur, NP, and ABP. The sulfur content of overburden is determined to predict the acid - <br />producing potential of this material. In conjunction with potential acidity, the neutralization <br />potential (NP) from alkaline carbonates, exchangeable bases, and weatherable silicates is <br />measured. Sulfur fractionation li.e., pyritic, sulfate, and organic) analyses are generally <br />performed when potential acidity exceeds the neutralization potential andlor when the total <br />sulfur content is greater than 0.5 percent. Amore accurate determination of potential acidity <br />is obtained when only pyritic sulfur values are utilized (Sobek et al., 1987) After the potential <br />acidity and the neutralization potential are determined, an acitl base balance is determined by <br />subtracting the potential acidity from the neutralization potential. An acid-base potential <br />(ABP( balance indicates whether acid or base producing elements are in the sample and to what <br />degree (Smith et al., 19741. This balance reveals whether the material will become acidic or <br />basic after being blasted, spoiled, and weathered. A positive ABP indicates the spoiled material <br />will have an increase in pH when basic elements (carbonates) become soluble during the <br />induced weathering process. A negative ABP indicates the spoiled material will have a <br />decrease in pH when acid producing components (pyrites and carbonic acid) become soluble <br />during the induced weathering process. <br />Copper. Copper is important in root metabolism, ammonium and protein utilization, oxidation- <br />reduction reactions, and enzyme activation (USDA, 19571 Copper deficiencies are generally <br />not a problem (Traynor, 19801 Naturally occurring excesses of extractable copper have not <br />been reported in the soil literature (Munshower, 19831. <br />Nickel. This is anon-essential Ito plant and animal life) heavy metal that could induce plant <br />toxicity symptoms ifi present in excess quantities. Nickel toxicity problems are restricted to <br />poorly drained, very acidic soils, soils derived from serpentine parent materials, or soils that <br />have been contaminated near smelters (Traynor, 1980; Munshower, 1983; and Barth et al., <br />PR03 13 Revised 01(02 <br />