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NLS§.1:1, 1:2. As the noted on the A&L Laboratory Soil Analysis Reports found in Appendix B, chemical_analyses of the retrieved soil samples from the two test;Locations quantify several constituents-that will influence nitrate loading from this.project. The important parameters for nitrate loading:assessment are the organic matter,pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), clay content percentage, along with nitrate-nitrogen content. VAs noted the organic matter in the.soil is low in all the samples. This-suggests.a medium potential for future nitrate-nitrogen loading from indigenous nitrogen soil content as illustrated in the estimated nitrogen release -:ENR. It may also suggest-a slight increase in.denitrification potential since organic matter is needed to promote denitrification. Organic matter at the tested depths is most likely decomposing organic matter from previous propping:-patterns. . Since septic effluent is composed predominately of ammonium (NH4), the pH, along with the CEC, - are significant influences.on ammonium molecules. The pH of the deeper soils below 20 inches are slightly-to-medium alkaline which may inhibit ammonium formation and stability, and may create a propensity for ammonia(NH,) formation. The CEC measures the ability of the soil to theoretically trap and hold ammonium molecules. Cation Exchange Capacities of the soil samples are low, and medium at the 36-40 inch depths. This suggests there is some.potential'for the retention of - ammonium molecules for microbial uptake, and suppression of nitrification. The clay content percentages for the west side disposal area soil show clay content percentages in the low-to-mid teens. These are beneficial clay content percentages for biological activity within the soil environment. These activities include effluent treatment such as-the destruction of bacteria and viruses, and the promotion of denitrification capabilities: Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations within the soil profile from both the east and west soil sample locations illustrate much higher concentrations within the east soils,than in the west soils. The east soils have two horizons at medium concentration;two horizons at high concentration and one horizon at very high nitrate-nitrogen concentration. The west soils have three horizons at low concentrations and two horizons at medium concentrations. These differences in soil f concentrations have also apparently led to differences in water table nitrate concentrations, as discussed below. By installing the new disposal area in soils containing lower nitrate-nitrogen concentrations, this will alleviate increases of nitrate in the water table_from-migration of nitrate forced downward by percolating effluent. /SSS§.5.3. Table 1 below summarizes the subsurface soil characteristics encountered from the two east and west sample locations: 4 Chesney Consulting