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10. Label vial with the sample identification shown on the field container. 11. Mix sample thoroughly by tumbling the vial end-over-end before subsampling for laboratory procedures (primarily chemical analyses). 3.2 CHEMICAL METHODS 3.2.1 S Chemical methods for characterizing overburdens and minesoils are given. For a particular parameter, more than one method may be listed. This will allow the user of the manual some freedom of choice. The determination of toxic or nontoxic materials due to acidity is over- riding in importance in the Appalachian and Eastern and Western Interior Coal Provinces. The methods for determining toxic or potentially toxic materials are given high priority and are listed at the very front of the chapter. Methods 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, and 3.2.6 are used to determine the acid-base balance of minesoils and overburdens. Next in importance is the nutrient status of the overburden materials. Nutrient status can be measured by using methods 3.2.5, 3.2.6, and 3.2.15. These methods give a measure of plant nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and nitrogen. A knowledge of what plant UV nutrients are contained in an overburden material enables the mine operator to efficiently plan the mining operation so that full advantage can be taken of these nutrients in the resulting minesoil. For more intensive study of minesoils and overburden materials, procedures for determining the cation exchange capacity (3.2.16 and 3.2.17) are given. Ways of estimating the lime requirement in minesols are presented in _ methods 3.2.7 through 3.2.10. Also, methods applicable to anid-and-semi and regions have been included. -- -3.2.2 -Paste PH - -r 3.2.2.1 Principle-- Perhaps the most commonly measured soil characteristic is pH. Soil pH was defined by Sorensen (1909) as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen--ion concentration. However, in actuality, hydrogen-ion activity is measured instead of hydrogen-ion concentration. Soil pH is measured by a glass electrode incorporated with a pH meter for - this-procedure." Water is 6 ed_ta_the sample Forming a paste. The electrode ____ is placed in the paste with pH being read directly from the meter. 3.2.2.2 Comments-- - Six factors affecting the measurement of pH are: (1) drying the soil sample during preparation; (2) soil:water ratio used; (3) soluble salts content; 45 i