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<br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />David H. Getches, Executive Director <br />MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION <br />DAVID C. SHELTON, Director <br />Richard D. Lamm <br />Governor <br />DATE: December 31, 1986 <br />T0: Dan Mathews <br />FROM: Cathy Begej <br />RE: GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLING FOR LITTLE MIDDLE CREEK TRAC7 AGRICULTURAL CONCERNS <br />Six parameters were evaluated for the overburden sampling at the Little Middle <br />Creek tract which have agricultural significance: Conductivity, SAR, nickel, <br />acid-base potential, neutralization potential and pH, It appears from <br />comparing the data with the standards that there may be problems with nickel <br />and possible acidity complications. <br />The 1976 Quality Criteria for Water indicates that toxic nickel effects on <br />oats occurre at rrigation water concentrations of 2.5 mg/1. Spoils spring <br />analyses show an average concentration of 0.028 mg/1. I suspect that the <br />standard may be inappropriate as nickel has not shown up in the water to <br />date. The operator indicated that nickel had limited solubility and that <br />impacts are exacerbated by acidic conditions. I have not found information <br />which confirms or invalidates their evaluation. <br />Statistical Compilation of Overburden Data (LMC) <br />Conductivity (mmhos/cm) <br />SAR <br />Nickel (mg/kg) <br />Acid Base Potential <br />(tons CaC03~1000 tons) <br />Neutralization Potential <br />(CaC03 %) <br />pH <br /> OBD <br />Average Min Max Std <br />1.82 0.24 5.61 4 <br />0.56 0.15 1.97 6 <br />2.2 0.02 6, 3 1 <br />20 -48.6 136.8 -5 <br />3.63 0.0 13.8 <br />6.6 3.0 8.3 <br />% Somplca <br />Std <br />6.6% <br />0.0% <br />75.4% <br />36.1% <br />NA NA <br />6-8.4 21.3% <br />423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (303) 866-3567 <br />