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rrNLS§ 1.1, 1.2 As the noted on the A&L Laboratory Soil Analysis Reports, chemical analyses of the <br /> soil samples quantify several constituents that will influence nitrate loading from this project. The <br /> important parameters for nitrate loading assessment are the organic matter,pH, cation exchange <br /> capacity(CEC), clay content percentage, along with nitrate-nitrogen content and Total Kjeldahl <br /> Nitrogen(TKN)content. TKN measures the organic and ammonia fractions of nitrogen. <br /> The TKN was tested for two reasons: 1.) To determine the TKN concentrations under areas that were <br /> either intensely farmed, or had chicken manure applied or stored in the specific tested areas, and 2.) <br /> To establish a baseline in the event soil under the future filter beds is tested under a monitoring <br /> program. There was no significant difference among the TKN soil samples than what is normally <br /> observed under typical agricultural soils. <br /> As noted, the organic matter in the soil is low in all the samples except at the 15 foot depth under the <br /> WLF. This suggests a medium potential for future nitrate-nitrogen loading from indigenous nitrogen <br /> soil content. It may also suggest an increase in denitrification potential since organic matter is <br /> needed to promote denitrification. Organic matter at this depth could be from a number of sources, <br /> but is most likely decomposing organic matter from geological processes. Since septic effluent is <br /> composed predominately of ammonium (NH4),the pH, along with the CEC, are significant <br /> influences on ammonium molecules. The pH of the soil is alkaline which may inhibit ammonium <br /> formation and stability, and may create a propensity for ammonia(NH3) formation. The CEC <br /> measures the ability of the soil to theoretically trap and hold ammonium molecules. Cation <br /> Exchange Capacities of the soil samples for the ELF are comparatively low, while the WLF has <br /> higher capacities. This suggests there is some potential for the retention of ammonium molecules for <br /> microbial uptake, and suppression of nitrification. <br /> Standard Penetration Test (SPT) results are also illustrated below in Table 1. The SPT is the number <br /> of blows required to drive a standard two-inch O.D. split spoon sampler one foot into undisturbed <br /> soil with a 140-pound weight falling 30 inches. Relative condition of the on-site sand and silt soils <br /> from this procedure can be classified as loose,medium, dense and very dense. As observed, the <br /> intervening soil strata are composed of medium to dense density soil strata. <br /> Ss5 <br /> PASS§5.3 Table 1 below summarizes the subsurface soil characteristics encountered from the three <br /> sample locations: <br /> 4 <br /> Chesney Consulting <br />