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Salt Content Determination for Bentonite Mine Spoil: Saturation Extracts Versus 1:5 Extracts

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The reliability of estimating salt content in saturated extracts from 1:5 (1spoil:5water) extract levels for bentonite mine spoil was examined by regression analyses. Nine chemical variables were examined that included pH, EC, Ca++, Mg++, Na+, K+, HCO3-, SO4-, and Cl-. Ion concentrations from 1:5 extracts were estimated with high predictability for Ca++, Mg++, Na+, SO4-, HCO3-, and EC conductivity. Overall, calculated ion concentrations from 1:5 extracts show significant relationships with saturation extracts, except for Cl- and K+. The significant relationships we found suggest that 1:5 extracts can be used to reliably estimate salinity of bentonite mine spoils with less effort and expense.

Publication Web Site:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs/rmrs_rn018.html

Keywords

bentonite, mine spoil, salt content, salinity, saturation extracts, 1:5 extracts, ion concentrations

Citation

Voorhees, Marguerite E.; Uresk, Daniel W. 2004. Salt Content Determination for Bentonite Mine Spoil: Saturation Extracts Versus 1:5 Extracts. Res. Note RMRS-RN-18. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 7 p.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/6950