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SOIL ANALYTICAL TEST RESULTS <br /> TEST PIT SOIL NITROGEN CONTENT <br /> DOWNGRADIENT FROM FILTER BED 5 ppm m NO,-N <br /> UPGRADIENT FROM FILTER BED 6 ppm w NO3 N <br /> DOWNGRADIENT FROM PROPOSED44 ppm as NOTN <br /> TRUCK STOP - - - <br /> The nitrate-nitrogen concentrations with the soil profile illustrate the variability found in <br /> virtually every agricultural environment. The filter bed area of the downgradient soil sample <br /> location has not been farmed for many years; consequently,the nitrate-nitrogen concentration <br /> was understandably low. The upgradient soil sample was taken from the edge of cropland that <br /> has been planted in pasture grasses for the last several years, but the soil nitrate-nitrogen <br /> concentrations are only slightly higher than what would be considered a "baseline" concentration <br /> of 5 ppm NO3-N. <br /> The soil nitrate-nitrogen concentration under the parcel south of SR 132; however, is very high. <br /> In determining the cause of this concentration,we must look at the past cropping history of this <br /> soil. It is currently planted in alfalfa and has been for the past three years. It is known that <br /> alfalfa "fixes" its own nitrogen and can in fact, produce excess nitrogen which is exuded from the <br /> plant and into the soil environment. Prior crops include wheat, tomatoes, beans and peaches. Of <br /> these crops, tomatoes were probably the most heavily fertilized with nitrogen, which could also <br /> be contributing to the high residual nitrate-nitrogen concentrations. <br /> Additional chemistry on these soil samples was done to analyze several constituents that will <br /> influence nitrate loading under this parcel. The important parameters for nitrate loading <br /> assessment are the organic matter,pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and nitrate-nitrogen <br /> content. As noted,the organic matter in the soil profile is low for agronomic purposes, and low <br /> for providing a substrate carbon source for denitrification. <br /> Since septic effluent is composed predominately of ammonium nitrogen(NH4), the pH, along <br /> with the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), have significant influence on ammonium molecules. <br /> The pH of the soil profile is slightly alkaline, which would only minimally inhibit ammonium <br /> formation and stability, and therefore nitrification. The CEC measures the ability of the soil to <br /> theoretically trap and hold ammonium molecules. CEC test results of 18.9 suggests there is <br /> potential for the retention of ammonium molecules for microbial uptake, and therefore, <br /> nitrification suppression. <br /> C. PERCOLATION TEST RESULTS FOR SOIL SUITABILITY STUDY REQ'S. <br /> LLOnuly 29, 2002, one perc test boring of 42 inches in depth was prepared in the location <br /> trated on the attached site map for parcel 255-026-13. The 42 inch boring represents the <br /> imum depth of standard leachline trenches. After drilling the test borings, the bottom and <br /> 4 <br /> Chem Connkinq <br />