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of major concern in reclamation situations where soils are calcareous or have an alkali pH <br /> (lime-induced chlorosis). Iron deficiences are also induced by high concentrations of Mn, <br /> Cu, Zn, and Ni in acidic soils. Manganese toxicity is more common than manganese <br /> deficiency. Manganese toxicities have been documented in poorly-drained soils and <br /> extremely acid soils with pH levels below 5.0. Liming the soil causes a lowering in the <br /> solubility of manganese and presumably brings the iron and manganese into better balance <br /> in relation to plant requirements. Documented cases of iron toxicity are rare and appear <br /> to be limited to flooded soils (Barth et al ., 1981). Extremely high levels of iron often <br /> are not toxic but cause imbalances or interfere with the uptake of other essential <br /> nutrients. <br /> Total Sulfur, NP, and ABP. The sulfur content of overburden and interburden is determined <br /> to predict the acid - producing potential of this material. In conjunction with potential <br /> acidity, the neutralization potential from alkaline carbonates, exchangeable bases, and <br /> weatherable silicates is measured. Sulfur fractionation (i.e., pyritic, sulfate, and <br /> organic) analyses are generally performed when potential acidity exceeds the <br /> neutralization potential and/or when the total sulfur content is greater than 0.5 percent. <br /> A more accurate determination of potential acidity is obtained when only pyritic sulfur <br /> values are utilized (Sobek et al., 1987) After the potential acidity /and the <br /> neutralization potential are determined, an acid base balance is determined by subtracting <br /> the potential acidity from the neutralization potential. An acid-base potential (ABP) <br /> balance indicates whether acid or base producing elements are in the sample and to what <br /> degree (Smith et al., 1974). This balance reveals whether the material will become acidic <br /> or basic after being blasted, spoiled, and weathered. A positive ABP indicates the <br /> spoiled material will have an increase in pH when basic elements (carbonates) become <br /> soluble during the induced weathering process. A negative ABP indicates the spoiled <br /> material will have a decrease in pH when acid producing components (pyrites and carbonic <br /> acid) become soluble during the induced weathering process. <br /> Copper. Copper is important in root metabolism, ammonium and protein utilization, <br /> oxidation-reduction reactions, and enzyme activation (USDA, 1957). Copper deficiencies <br /> are generally not a problem (Traynor, 1980). Naturally occurring excesses of extractable <br /> copper have not been reported in the soil literature (Munshower, 1983). <br /> Nickel . This is a non-essential (to plant and animal life) heavy metal that could induce <br /> plant toxicity symptoms if present in excess quantities. Nickel toxicity problems are <br /> 6-1-20 Revised 04/11/88 <br />