U.S. Geological Survey RASS Geochemical Data for Alaska

Metadata also available as

Frequently-anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

    Title: U.S. Geological Survey RASS Geochemical Data for Alaska
    Abstract:
    This dataset contains geochemical data for Alaska produced by the analytical laboratories of the Geologic Division of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These data represent analyses of stream-sediment, heavy-mineral-concentrate (derived from stream sediment), soil, and organic material samples. Most of the data comes from mineral resource investigations conducted in the Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program (AMRAP). However, some of the data were produced in support of other USGS programs. The data were originally entered into the in-house Rock Analysis Storage System (RASS) database. The RASS database, which contains over 580,000 data records, was used by the Geologic Division from the early 1970's through the late 1980's to archive geochemical data. Much of the data have been previously published in paper copy USGS Open-File Reports by the submitter or the analyst but some of the data have never been published.

    Over the years, USGS scientists recognized several problems with the database. The two primary issues were location coordinates (either incorrect or lacking) and sample media (not precisely identified). This dataset represents a re-processing of the original RASS data to make the data accessible in digital format and more user friendly. This re-processing consisted of checking the information on sample media and location against the original sample submittal forms, the original analytical reports, and published reports. As necessary, fields were added to the original data to more fully describe the sample preparation methods used and sample medium analyzed. The actual analytical data were not checked in great detail, but obvious errors were corrected.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    U.S. Geological Survey, 1999, U.S. Geological Survey RASS Geochemical Data for Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-433 99-433, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: +172
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -130
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 72
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 51

  3. What does it look like?

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Beginning_Date: 1966
    Ending_Date: 1988
    Currentness_Reference: Publication date

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular data

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • Entity point

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 10.0 seconds. Longitudes are given to the nearest 10.0 sseconds. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Field names (columns) for the table of geochemical data
    The field names consist of information about each sample and its chemical composition (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    SUBNAME
    Submitter's name, name of the individual(s) who submitted the samples to the laboratory for analysis.

    JOBNUMBER
    Laboratory job number assigned by the analytical laboratory. A given job may have between one and several hundred samples. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    SUBDATE
    Date sample was submitted to the laboratory for preparation and analyses

    ValueDefinition
    YYMMDD2-digit year, month, and day of the month

    Range of values
    Minimum:660719
    Maximum:881001

    FIELDNO
    Field number assigned by the submitter designated in the SUBNAME field. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    TAGNUMBER
    Unique identification number assigned by the laboratory (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    LATITUDE
    North latitude of sample site reported in decimal degrees. (NAD27, Clarke 1866) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:54.0000
    Maximum:70.0000
    Units:Decimal degrees

    LONGITUDE
    West longitude of sample site reported in negative decimal degrees. (NAD27, Clarke 1866) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:-130.0000
    Maximum:-169.0000
    Units:Decimal degrees

    STATE
    State in which sample was collected. For this dataset STATE will always be AK (Alaska) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    ValueDefinition
    AK2-letter state abbreviation

    QUAD
    Name of 1:250,000 scale quadrangle in which sample was collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    PROJECT
    The name of the U.S. Geological Survey project for which the sample was collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    SMPLTYPE
    Sample type, nature of material collected for sample. For this dataset only B (unconsolidated sediment), C (organic material), D (soil), and F (other) are used

    ValueDefinition
    Arock
    Bunconsolidated sediment
    Corganic material
    Dsoil
    Ewater
    Fother
    Ggas

    METHCOL
    Sample collection method, character of sample

    ValueDefinition
    Asingle/grab
    Bcomposite
    Cchannel
    Dother

    SMPLSOURC
    Source of sample

    ValueDefinition
    Aoutcrop
    Bmine
    Cdump/prospect pit
    Dfloat
    Edrill hole, well
    Fmarine
    Gother
    Hstream
    Ispring
    Jlake
    Kaqueduct, canal, irrigation ditch
    Latmosphere

    ROCKTYPE
    Codes used for rock type of sample or of sample setting

    ValueDefinition
    Aunidentified
    Bsedimentary rock
    Cmetamorphic rock
    Digneous rock
    Eunconsolidated sediment
    Fconglomerate
    Gsandstone
    Hsiltstone
    Iclaystone
    Jshale
    Klimestone or dolomite
    Lcarbonate
    Mgneiss
    Nschist
    Oquartzite
    Pmarble
    Qskarn
    Rphyllite or slate
    Sfelsic igneous
    Tintermediate igneous
    Umafic igneous
    Vultramafic igneous
    Wfeldspathoidal
    Xchert or jasperoid
    Yother

    DESCRIPT1
    Sample description

    ValueDefinition
    BCBulk panned concentrate
    BSBeach Sediment
    Cpan or other concentrate of undetermined nature
    C1pan concentrate, identified as highly magnetic fraction
    C2pan concentrate, identified as moderately magnetic fraction
    C3pan concentrate, identified as weakly magnetic fraction
    C4Concentrate, C2+C3 fraction
    CLclay
    CVcolluvium
    GVgravel
    LOloess
    MDmud
    MSmarine sediment
    OZooze
    PBpebbles
    PSpond or lake sediment
    SDstream sediment
    SIsilt
    SNsand
    TItill
    ALalgae
    ANanimal part
    FRidentified as fir
    GSgrass
    HLidentified as hemlock
    HUhumus
    LTidentified as Labrador tea
    PNidentified as pine
    PTpeat
    SUshrub
    TEtree, conifer
    TDtree, non-conifer
    WLwillow
    Ssoil
    BNbentonite
    BXbauxite
    LAlaterite

    DESCRIPT2
    Additional sample description information

    ValueDefinition
    CPleaves and twigs combined
    FLflowers, cones, or pods
    LVleaves or needles
    MImill tailings
    MLidentified as mull
    MPmoose pellets
    MTmoss-trapped sediments
    NBNo bromoform density
    OAoxalic acid leachates
    PLplacer gold particles, these were collected at various placer gold operations in Alaska to examine trace element compositions of placer gold particles
    SCsediment core
    SPidentified as spruce

    MESH_SIZE
    Codes used to describe mesh size that sample was sieved to prior to analysis

    ValueDefinition
    01unknown, assumed to be -80 mesh
    02identified as +10 mesh
    03identified as -10 to +18 mesh
    04identified as -10 to +25 mesh
    05identified as -10 to +25 mesh
    06identified as -10 to +35 mesh
    07identified as -10 to +60 mesh
    08identified as -10 to +80 mesh
    09identified as -10 to +230 mesh
    10identified as -18 mesh
    11identified as -18 to +35 mesh
    12identified as -20 mesh
    13identified as -20 to +80 mesh
    14identified as -24 mesh
    15identified as -30 mesh
    16identified as -30 to +80 mesh
    17identified as +35 mesh
    18identified as -35 mesh
    19identified as -35 to +60 mesh
    20identified as -35 to +120 mesh
    21identified as -35 to +170 mesh
    22identified as -35 to +230 mesh
    23identified as -40 mesh
    24identified as +45 mesh
    25identified as -45 to +60 mesh
    26identified as +60 mesh
    27identified as -60 mesh
    28identified as -60 to +80 mesh
    29identified as -60 to +120 mesh
    30identified as -60 to +200 mesh
    31identified as -60 to +230 mesh
    32identified as -60 to +250 mesh
    33identified as +80 mesh
    34identified as -80 mesh
    35identified as -80 to +120 mesh
    36identified as -80 to +150 mesh
    37identified as -80 to +230 mesh
    38identified as -80 to +250 mesh
    39identified as -100 mesh
    40identified as +120 mesh
    41identified as -120 mesh
    42identified as -120 to +170 mesh
    43identified as -120 to +230 mesh
    44identified as -150 mesh
    45identified as -150 to +230 mesh
    46identified as -170 mesh
    47identified as -170 to +230 mesh
    48identified as -180 mesh
    49identified as -200 mesh
    50identified as -230 mesh
    51identified as -230 to +325 mesh
    52identifed as -250 mesh
    53identified as -325 mesh
    54identified as unsieved

    MODIFIER
    Sample modifier code (additional sample description information)

    ValueDefinition
    +metamorphosed
    2quartz
    3mica

    FORMATION
    Name of geologic formation hosting sample as reported by submitter (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    IGNEOUSFM
    Igneous form

    ValueDefinition
    Aplutonic
    Bextrusive
    Cdike/sill
    Dintrusive
    Epyroclastic

    STRUCTURL
    Structural setting of sample site

    ValueDefinition
    Afracture/joint
    Bshear or fault
    Cother

    MATRIX
    Sample matrix

    ValueDefinition
    Asilica
    BFe/Mn
    Ccarbonate
    Dclay
    Eother

    OXIDATION
    Oxidation state

    ValueDefinition
    Aoxidized
    Bpartially oxidized
    Cunoxidized

    ALTERATN
    Type of alteration noted in sample by submitter

    ValueDefinition
    Apropylitic
    Bargillic
    Csiliceous
    Dsericitic
    Efeldspathic
    Fother
    Gzeolitic
    Firon/manganese
    Isupergene

    ORE/MINAL
    Ore minerals noted in sample at time of collection by submitter

    ValueDefinition
    Abase metals
    Bprecious metals
    Cmixed base and precious metals
    Dother
    Eradioactive
    Frare earths

    GEOAGE
    Geologic age of sample, if known

    ValueDefinition
    APrecambrian undifferentiated
    BEarly Precambrian
    CMiddle Precambrian
    DLate Precambrian
    EPaleozoic undifferentiated
    FCambrian
    GOrdovician
    HSilurian
    IDevonian
    JMississippian
    KPennsylvanian
    LPermian
    MMesozoic undifferentiated
    NTriassic
    PJurassic
    QCretaceous
    RTertiary undifferentiated
    SPaleocene
    TEocene
    UOligocene
    VMiocene
    WPliocene
    XQuaternary undifferentiated
    YPleistocene
    ZHolocene

    MINERALDP
    Mineral deposit form

    ValueDefinition
    Avein
    Breplacement
    Cdisseminated
    Dother
    Emagmatic segregation
    Fcarbonatite
    Ggreisen
    Hpegmatite
    Icontact metamorphic
    Jporphyry/stockwork
    Kmassive sulfide
    Llithophile metals in volcanic rocks
    Mstratiform
    Nsandstone uranium
    Ochemical sediments
    Phot springs
    Qplacer
    Rresidual

    ANACOM
    Analyst's comments

    ValueDefinition
    INAinsufficient sample, data reported are qualitative only
    INSinsufficient sample for analysis

    SUBCOM
    Submitter's comments

    ValueDefinition
    HGhigh organic content
    NUreanalyzed NURE sample
    RSreplicate sample
    TS1 of 2 samples from same site
    VGvisible gold in sample

    ASH%
    Percent ash in sample after combustion

    S_FE%
    Iron concentration in percent, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_MG%
    Magnesium concentration in percent, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_CA%
    Calcium concentration in percent, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_TI%
    Titanium concentration in percent, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_MN_PPM
    Manganese concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_AG_PPM
    Silver concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972; for values >10,000 ppm, Mosier, 1975)

    S_AS_PPM
    Arsenic concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_AU_PPM
    Gold concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_B_PPM
    Boron concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_BA_PPM
    Barium concentration in parts per million determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_BE_PPM
    Beryllium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_BI_PPM
    Bismuth concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_CD_PPM
    Cadmium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_CO_PPM
    Cobalt concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_CR_PPM
    Chromium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_CU_PPM
    Copper concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_LA_PPM
    Lanthanum concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_MO_PPM
    Molybdenum concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_NB_PPM
    Niobium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_NI_PPM
    Nickel concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_PB_PPM
    Lead concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_SB_PPM
    Antimony concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_SC_PPM
    Scandium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_SN_PPM
    Tin concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_SR_PPM
    Strontium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_V_PPM
    Vanadium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_W_PPM
    Tungsten concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_Y_PPM
    Yttrium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_ZN_PPM
    Zinc concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectroscopy (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_ZR_PPM
    Zirconium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972)

    S_TH_PPM
    Thorium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968)

    S_GA_PPM
    Gallium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961)

    S_GE_PPM
    Germanium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961)

    S_PD_PPM
    Palladium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961)

    S_PT_PPM
    Platinum concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961)

    S_IN_PPM
    Indium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961),

    S_NA%
    Sodium concentration in percent, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972; Myers and others, 1961)

    S_LI_PPM
    Lithium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961; Sutley and Mosier, pers. comm.)

    S_TL_PPM
    Thallium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1972; Myers and others, 1961; Sutley and Mosier, pers. comm.)

    S_RB_PPM
    Rubidium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Sutley and Mosier, pers. comm.)

    S_CS_PPM
    Cesium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Sutley and Mosier, pers. comm.)

    S_SI_PPM
    Silicon concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961)

    S_TA_PPM
    Tantalum concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961)

    S_TE_PPM
    Tellurium concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Mosier, 1975; Myers and others, 1961)

    S_HG_PPM
    Mercury concentration in parts per million, determined by optical emission spectrography (Mosier, 1975)

    S_P%
    Phosphorus concentration in percent, determined by optical emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Myers and others, 1961)

    INST_HGPPM
    Mercury concentration in parts per million, determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (Vaughn and McCarthy, 1964)

    AA_AU_PPPM
    Gold concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a; Thompson and others, 1968)

    AA_AU_SWGR
    Weight of sample in grams used for analysis; if not given assumed to be 10 grams

    AA_AG_PPPM
    Silver concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_AS_PPPM
    Arsenic concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_BI_PPPM
    Bismuth concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_CD_PPPM
    Cadmium concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_CU_PPPM
    Copper concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_MO_PPPM
    Molybdenum concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_PB_PPPM
    Lead concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_SB_PPPM
    Antimony concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_ZN_PPPM
    Zinc concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_TE_PPPM
    Tellurium concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Chao and others, 1978)

    AA_CO_PPPM
    Cobalt concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_NI_PPPM
    Nickel concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_LI_PPPM
    Lithium concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    AA_MG_%
    Magnesium concentration in percent determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    AA_CA%
    Calcium concentration in percent determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    AA_K%
    Potassium concentration in percent determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    AA_NA%
    Sodium concentration in percent determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    AA_AU_TPPM
    Gold concentration in parts per million determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Hubert and Chao, 1985)

    AA_IN_TPPM
    Indium concentration in parts per million determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Hubert and Chao, 1985)

    AA_TE_TPPM
    Tellurium concentration in parts per million determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Hubert and Chao, 1985)

    AA_TL_TPPM
    Thallium concentration in parts per million determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Hubert and Chao, 1985)

    AA_AG_TPPM
    Silver concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_AS_TPPM
    Arsenic concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_BI_TPPM
    Bismuth concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined followed by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_CD_TPPM
    Cadmium concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_CU_TPPM
    Copper concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_PB_TPPM
    Lead concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_SB_TPPM
    Antimony concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_ZN_TPPM
    Zinc concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986b; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969)

    AA_SN_TPPM
    Tin concentration in parts per million determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    AA_FE%
    Fe concentration in percent determined by atomic absorption spectrometry

    AA_MN_PPPM
    Manganese concentration in parts per million determined by atomic absorption spectrometry

    SI_FPPM
    Fluorine concentration in parts per million determined by specific ion electrode (Ficklin, 1970)

    AS_AU_PPB
    Gold concentration in parts per billion determined by fire-assay emission spectroscopy (Cooley and others, 1976; Adrian and Carlson, pers. comm.)

    AS_AG_PPB
    Silver concentration in parts per billion, determined by fire-assay emission spectroscopy

    AS_PT_PPB
    Platinum concentration in parts per billion determined by fire-assay emission spectroscopy (Cooley and others, 1976; Adrian and Carlson, pers. comm.)

    AS_PD_PPB
    Palladium concentration in parts per billion determined by fire-assay emission spectroscopy (Cooley and others, 1976; Adrian and Carlson, pers. comm.)

    AS_RH_PPB
    Rhenium concentration in parts per billion determined by fire-assay emission spectroscopy (Cooley and others, 1976; Adrian and Carlson, pers. comm.)

    AS_RU_PPB
    Ruthenium concentration in parts per billion determined by fire-assay emission spectroscopy (Cooley and others, 1976; Adrian and Carlson, pers. comm.)

    AS_OS_PPB
    Osmium concentration in parts per billion determined by fire-assay emission spectroscopy (Cooley and others, 1976; Adrian and Carlson, pers. comm.)

    AS_IR_PPB
    Iridium concentration in parts per billion determined by fire-assay emission spectroscopy (Cooley and others, 1976; Adrian and Carlson, pers. comm.)

    SAM_WT_GR
    Sample weight in grams used for fire-assay emission spectroscopy analysis

    ICP_FE%
    Iron concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_MG%
    Magnesium concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_CA%
    Calcium concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_TI%
    Titanium concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_MN_PPM
    Manganese concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_AG_PPM
    Silver concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_AS_PPM
    Arsenic concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_AU_PPM
    Gold concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984)

    ICP_B_PPM
    Boron concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984)

    ICP_BA_PPM
    Barium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_BE_PPM
    Beryllium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_BI_PPM
    Bismuth concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_CD_PPM
    Cadmium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_CO_PPM
    Cobalt concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_CR_PPM
    Chromium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_CU_PPM
    Copper concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_LA_PPM
    Lanthanum concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_MO_PPM
    Molybdenum concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_NB_PPM
    Niobium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_NI_PPM
    Nickel concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_PB_PPM
    Lead concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_SB_PPM
    Antimony concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_SN_PPM
    Tin concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_SR_PPM
    Strontium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_V_PPM
    Vanadium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_W_PPM
    Tungsten concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_Y_PPM
    Yttrium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_ZN_PPM
    Zinc concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_ZR_PPM
    Zirconium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984)

    ICP_AL%
    Aluminum concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_NA%
    Sodium concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984)

    ICP_K_PPM
    Potassium concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984)

    ICP_P%
    Phosphorus concentration in percent, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_CE_PPM
    Cerium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984; Motooka and Sutley, 1982)

    ICP_LI_PPM
    Lithium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984)

    ICP_TH_PPM
    Thorium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984)

    ICP_YB_PPM
    Ytterbium concentration in parts per million, determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (Church, 1981; Mosier and Motooka, 1984)

    CM_CX_CUPM
    Cold-acid-extractable copper concentration in parts per million, determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963; O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    CM_CX_HPPM
    Cold ammonium citrate extractable heavy metals in parts per million, determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963; O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    CM_AS_TPPM
    Arsenic concentration in parts per million, extracted by multi-acid dissolution of the sample and determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963)

    CM_AS_PPM
    Arsenic concentration in parts per million, determined by colorimetry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    CM_SIO2%
    Silicon concentration (reported as the oxide, SIO2) in percent, determined by colorimetry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    CM_MO_PM
    Molybdenum concentration in parts per million, determined by colorimetry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    CM_NI_PPPM
    Nickel concentration in parts per million, extracted by fusion then HCl dissolution of the sample and determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963)

    CM_P%
    Phosphorus concentration in percent, determined by colorimetry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    CM_SB_PPM
    Antimony concentration in parts per million, determined by colorimetry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    CM_TH_TPPM
    Thorium concentration in parts per million, extracted by total digestion and determined by colorimetry

    CM_U_PPPM
    Uranium concentration in parts per million, extracted by HNO3 dissolution of the sample and determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963)

    CM_W_PPM
    Tungsten concentration in parts per million, determined by colorimetry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    CM_W_PPPM
    Tungsten concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963)

    CM_CU_PPPM
    Copper concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963)

    CM_PB_PPPM
    Lead concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963)

    CM_ZN_PPPM
    Zinc concentration in parts per million, extracted by partial dissolution and determined by colorimetry (Ward and others, 1963)

    S%
    Sulfur concentration in percent (O'Leary, 1990)

    CO2%
    Carbonate carbon as carbon dioxide (CO2) in percent

    GR_C
    Total carbon in percent; thermal release of carbon as carbon dioxide followed by gravimetric determination of carbon

    SCINTLR
    Scintillometer reading in counts per second

    U_INST
    Uranium concentration in parts per million, determined by fluorometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    EQUIV_U
    Equivalent uranium in parts per million

    DNA_TH_PPM
    Thorium concentration in parts per million, determined by delayed neutron counting (McKown and Knight, 1990)

    DNA_U_PPM
    Uranium concentration in parts per million, determined by delayed neutron counting (McKown and Knight, 1990)

    AU_PPB_T
    Gold concentration in parts per billion, extracted by total digestion and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Watterson, 1976)

    TE_PPB_T
    Tellurium concentration in parts per billion, extracted by total digestion and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (Watterson, 1976)

    INST_SEPPM
    Selenium concentration in parts per million, determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry (O'Leary and Meier, 1986a)

    F%
    Fluorine concentration in percent (Ficklin, 1970)

    AG_AG
    Silver concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_AS
    Arsenic concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_CD
    Cadmium concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_CO
    Cobalt concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_CU
    Copper concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_CR
    Chromium concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_FE
    Iron concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_MN
    Manganese concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_MO
    Molybdenum concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_NI
    Nickel concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_PB
    Lead concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_SB
    Antimony concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_SR
    Strontium concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    AG_ZN
    Zinc concentration (water samples) in MG/L, determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1977)

    BR_MG/L
    Bromide concentration in MG/L (water samples), determined by ion-selective electrode or ion chromatography

    CL_MG/L
    Chloride concentration in MG/L (water samples), determined by ion-selective electrode or ion chromatography (Fishman and Pyen, 1979; Smee and Hall, 1978)

    F_MG/L
    Fluoride concentration in MG/L (water samples), determined by ion-selective electrode or ion chromatography (Fishman and Pyen, 1979; Smee and Hall, 1978)

    NO2_MG/L
    Nitrite concentration in MG/L (water samples), determined by ion-selective electrode or ion chromatography

    NO3_MG/L
    Nitrate concentration in MG/L (water samples), determined by ion-selective electrode or ion chromatography (Fishman and Pyen, 1979; Smee and Hall, 1978)

    SO4_MG/L
    Sulfate concentration in MG/L (water samples), determined by ion-selective electrode or ion chromatography (Fishman and Pyen, 1979; Smee and Hall, 1978)

    PO4_MG/L
    Phosphate concentration in MG/L (water samples), determined by ion-selective electrode or ion chromatography

    CHRGBAL
    The difference between the number of milliequivalents of analyzed cations and the number of milliequivalents of analyzed anions (water samples). If all cationic and anionic species have been analyzed, CHARGBAL will be zero, indicating that positive charges and negative charges are equal. Deviation from zero indicates that there are charged species in the sample that have not been analyzed

    ALK_MG/L
    Alkalinity concentration as bicarbonate in milligrams per liter, determined by Gran's plot titration with H2SO4 (Orion Research Inc., 1975)

    SP_COND
    Specific conductance in microSiemens per centimeter, determined using a conductivity bridge (Skougstad and others, 1979)

    PH
    pH in pH units, determined using a pH electrode (Skougstad and others, 1979)

    TEMP_C
    Temperature in degrees Celsius, measured at the sample collection site

    AA_AL_MG/L
    Aluminum concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_CA_MG/L
    Calcium concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_CR_PPM
    Chromium concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_FE_MG/L
    Iron concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_K_MG/L
    Potassium concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_LI_MG/L
    Lithium concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_MG_MG/L
    Magnesium concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_MN_MG/L
    Manganese concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_NA_MG/L
    Sodium concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)

    AA_SIOMG/L
    Silicon concentration (water samples) in milligrams per liter, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Perkin-Elmer, 1976)


Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    Christine M. Murphy, Richard M. O'Leary, Wendy Speckman, Steve McDanal, Jim Colvin

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Bailey, Elizabeth A.
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Chemist
    4200 University Drive
    Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4626
    United States of America

    1-907-786-7442 (voice)
    1-907-786-7401 (FAX)
    <eabailey@usgs.gov>


Why was the data set created?

These data may be useful both in exploring for mineral deposits and in establishing regional geochemical baseline information for the various sample media analyzed.


How was the data set created?

  1. Where did the data come from?

  2. What changes have been made?

    Date: 1998 (change 1 of 1)
    The data were generated by the analytical laboratories of the U.S. Geological Survey over several years, beginning about 1966 and ending about 1987. Upon completion of the sampling and analysis, the data were keypunched and stored in the Rock Analysis Storage System (RASS) database. In 1998 re-processing of the database was initiated to correct errors in sample locations, to add sample locations when missing, and to correctly identify the sample media of each record. This was done by checking the information on the original sample submittal forms, the original analytical reports, and published reports, and discussions with submitters. New fields have been added to the database to more accurately describe sample media and sample preparation methods used. Analytical data fields were changed to include the reporting units.


How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    The samples in this dataset were chemically analyzed by a variety of techniques over a period of time from the mid-1960's to the late 1980's. For some elements, the methods of chemical analysis were the same throughout the study, while for others, the methods changed as analytical technology improved. The accuracy of the data varies with the analytical methodology and with the concentration of the element being analyzed. A qualifier such as N, L, G, H, and B accompanies some analytical data values. These qualifiers are defined as follows:

    N = the element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is often given in the accompanying data field

    L = the element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lowest reportable lower limit of determination for the method. The value is of the lower limit of determination is often given in the accompanying data field

    G = the element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper limit of determination for the method

    H = an analytical value could not be determined due to physical, chemical, or spectral interference

    B = an analytical value was not determined

    These qualifying values appear in this dataset as a separate field preceding each element. The attribute, or field name, for the qualifying values field always ends with a Q. For example S_FE_Q would be the name of the field containing and N, L, G, H, or B qualifiers for iron analyzed by optical emission spectroscopy.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Sample locations were determined from USGS topographic maps of various scales. The accuracy is dependant on the scale of the map from which the determination was made as well as the care taken by the individual who made the determination. When submitters reported locations as degree, minutes, and seconds of latitude and longitude the accuracy should be within a few seconds. When submitters only reported locations as degrees and minutes the accuracy is only to the nearest minute. The latitude and longitude degrees, minutes, and seconds have been converted to decimal degrees for this dataset. The base maps, from which latitude and longitude coordinates were determined, use the 1927 North American Datum (NAD27) based on the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    This dataset provides information on up to 30 descriptive fields for each sample. Not all the descriptive fields contain a value for a particular sample either because it was not recorded by the submitter or not appropriate for the sample media. The samples were analyzed by a variety of methods resulting in up to 170 data fields. Not all samples were analyzed by every single method. Analytical methods were generally selected by the submitter based on the sample media and the goals of the project. The predominant analytical methods used for samples in this dataset are:

    Emission spectrography: Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Fe, Mg, Ca, Ti, Mn, Ag, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Sr, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr, Th, Ga, Ge, Pd, and Pt

    Atomic absorption spectrometry, partial extraction: O'Leary and Meier, 1986; O'Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969: Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn

    The complete references for most of the analytical methods used are given below. It was not possible to determine the exact technique used or find a reference for a small number of the analytical data fields.

    Adrian, B.A., and Carlson, R.R., personal communication, Platinum-group elements and gold by nickel-sulfide fire assay separation and optical emission spectroscopy.

    Alminas, H., and Mosier, E.L., 1976, Oxalic-acid leaching of rock, soil, and stream-sediment samples as an anomaly-accentuation technique: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-275, 26 p. (oxalic acid leachates derived from rock, soil, or steam-sediment samples analyzed for 30 elements by the emission spectrographic method of Grimes and Marranzino, 1968)

    Chao, T.T., Sanzolone, R.F., and Hubert, A.E., 1978, Flame and flameless atomic absorption determination of tellurium in geologic materials: Analytica Chimica Acta, v. 96, p. 251-257.

    Church, S.E., 1981, Multi-element analysis of fifty-four geochemical reference samples using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry: Geostandards Newsletter, v. 5, p. 133-160.

    Cooley, E.F., Curry, K.J., and Carlson, R.R., 1976, Analysis for the platinum-group metals and gold by fire-assay emission spectroscopy: Applied Spectroscopy, v. 30 p. 52-56.

    Ficklin, W.H., 1970, A rapid method for the determination of fluoride in rocks and soils, using an ion-selective electrode: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 700-C, p. C186-C188.

    Fishman, M.J., and Pyen, G., 1979, Determination of selected anions in water by ion chromatography: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations 79-101, 30 p.

    Grimes, D.J., and Marranzino, A.P., 1968, Direct-current arc and alternating-current spark emission spectrographic field methods for the semiquantitative analysis of geologic materials: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 591, 6 p.

    Hubert, A.E., and Chao, T.T., 1985, Determination of gold, indium, tellurium and thallium in the same sample digest of geological materials by atomic-absorption spectroscopy and two-step solvent extraction: Talanta, v. 32, no. 7, p. 568-570.

    McKown, D.M., and Knight, R.J., 1990, Determination of uranium and thorium in geologic materials by delayed neutron counting, in Arbogast, B.F., editor, Quality assurance manual for the Branch of Geochemistry, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-668, p. 146-150.

    Mosier, E.L., 1972, A method for semiquantitative spectrographic analysis of plant ash for use in biogeochemical and environmental studies: Applied Spectroscopy, v. 26, no. 6, p. 636-641.

    Mosier, E.L., 1975, Use of emission spectroscopy for the semiquantitative analysis of trace elements in silver and native gold, in Ward, F.N., editor, New and refined methods of trace analysis useful in geochemical exploration: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1408, p. 97-105. (used for a special study on gold particles collected from several placer gold operations throughout Alaska)

    Mosier, E.L., and Motooka, J.M., 1984, Induction coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry-Analysis of subsurface Cambrian carbonate rocks for major, minor, and trace elements, in Proceedings volume of international conference on Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits, Oct. 11-14: Rolla, MO, University of Missouri-Rolla, p. 155-165.

    Motooka, J.M., and Sutley, S.J., 1982, Analysis of oxalic acid leachates of geologic materials by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy: Applied Spectroscopy, v. 36, no.5, p. 524-533.

    Myers, A.T., Havens, R.G., and Dunton, P.J., 1961, A spectrochemical method for the semiquantitative analysis of rocks, minerals, and ores: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1084-I, p. I207-I229.

    O'Leary, R.M., 1990, Determination of sulfur in geologic materials by iodometric titration, in Arbogast, B.F., editor, Quality assurance manual for the Branch of Geochemistry, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-668, p. 136-138.

    O'Leary, R.M., and Meier, A.L., 1986a, Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration in 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 948, 48 p.

    O'Leary, R.M., and Meier, A.L., 1986b, Bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, silver, and zinc, organic extraction method, in Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration, 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 948, p. 11-13.

    O'Leary, R.M., and Viets, J.G., 1986, Determination of antimony, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, molybdenum, silver, and zinc in geologic materials by atomic absorption spectrometry using a hydrochloric acid-hydrogen peroxide digestion: Atomic Spectroscopy, v. 7, no. 1, p. 4-8.

    Orion Research, Inc., 1975, Orion Research Analytical Methods Guide, 7th edition: Cambridge, MA, 20 p.

    Perkin-Elmer Corporation, 1976, Analytical methods for atomic absorption spectrophotometry: Norwalk, CT, Perkin-Elmer Corp., 586 p.

    Perkin-Elmer Corporation, 1977, Analytical methods for atomic absorption spectrophotometry, using the HGA graphite furnace: Norwalk, CT, Perkin-Elmer Corp., 286 p.

    Skougstad, M.W., Fishman, M.J., Friedman, L.C., Erdman, D.E., and Duncan, S.S., eds., 1979, Methods for the determination of inorganic substances in water and fluvial sediments: Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey, Book 5, Chap. A1, 626 p.

    Smee, B.W., and Hall, G.E.M., 1978, Analysis of fluoride, chloride, nitrate, and sulphate in natural waters, using ion chromatography: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 10, no. 3, p. 245-258.

    Sutley, S.J., and Mosier, E.L., personal communication, Rb, Cs, Li, Tl by modification of emission spectrography method of Grimes and Marranzino, 1968.

    Thompson, C.E., Nakagawa, H.M., and VanSickle, G.H., 1968, Rapid analysis for gold in geologic materials: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 600-B, p. B130-B132.

    Vaughn, W.W., and McCarthy, J.H., Jr., 1964, An instrumental technique for the determination of submicrogram concentrations of mercury in soils, rocks, and gas: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 501-D, p. D123-D127.

    Viets, J.G., 1978, Determination of silver, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in geologic materials by atomic absorption spectrometry with tricaprylyl methyl ammonium chloride: Analytical Chemistry, v. 50, no. 8, p. 1097-1101.

    Viets, J.G., Clark, J.R., and Campbell, W.L., 1984, A rapid, partial leach and organic separation for the sensitive determination of Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn in surface geologic materials by flame atomic absorption: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 20, p. 355-366.

    Viets, J.G., O'Leary, R.M., and Clark, J.R., 1984, Determination of arsenic, antimony, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, molybdenum, silver and zinc in geological materials by atomic-absorption spectrometry: The Analyst, v. 109, p. 1589-1592.

    Ward, F.N., Lakin, H.W., Canney, F.C., and others, 1963, Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration by the U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1152, 100 p.

    Ward, F.N., Nakagawa, H.M., VanSickle, G.H., and Harms, T.F., 1969, Atomic absorption methods useful in geochemical exploration: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1289, 45 p.

    Watterson, J.R., 1976, Determination of tellurium and gold in rocks to 1 part per billion: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-531, 3 p.

    Sample Preparation Methods:

    Various sample preparation methods were used depending on the sample media. Stream-sediment and soil samples were generally sieved to minus-80 mesh before pulverizing but other sieve sizes may have been used depending on the requirements of the submitter and the nature of investigation for which the samples were collected. Heavy-mineral-concentrate samples were usually sieved to minus-35 mesh prior to further separation but again other sieve sizes may have been used. Most of the heavy-mineral-concentrate samples were panned in the field and subjected to heavy liquid and magnetic separation in the laboratory prior to analysis. However there are some samples that were only panned in the field and then analyzed in the laboratory. Occasionally there are heavy-mineral-concentrate samples that were field panned, subjected to heavy liquid and magnetic separation, and then 2 or more of the magnetic separation fractions were combined for analysis. Each sample in the database has been coded in the DESCRIPT1, DESCRIPT2, and MESH_SIZE fields to describe the sample media and preparation methods used as accurately as possible. Sample preparation methods used and references are given below:

    Stream-sediment and soil samples are thoroughly dried, generally at less than 50 degrees C. The dried samples are disaggregated by hand as necessary and as much organic material as possible is removed. The samples are then sieved to the required particle size using stainless steel sieves. The sieved fraction is generally ground using a vertical pulverizer with ceramic plates, placed in a 3-ounce cardboard sample container, and mixed to ensure homogeneity.

    Heavy-mineral-concentrate samples are generally sieved through a minus-10 mesh (2 mm) screen into a 14-16 inch stainless-steel gold pan and then further reduced by panning. In the laboratory, the remaining sample is sieved through a minus-35 mesh screen. The minus-35 mesh fraction is separated into heavy and light fractions using bromoform with a specific gravity of 2.8. The heavy fraction, the sample material with specific gravity >2.8, is further separated magnetically using a Frantz Isodynamic Separator, into a highly magnetic (ferromagnetic, C1) fraction, a weakly magnetic (paramagnetic, C2) fraction, and a nonmagnetic (C3) fraction. Depending on the amount of material available, the heavy, nonmagnetic (C3) fraction is divided into an analytical split and a split used for mineralogical identification by the submitter. The analytical split is pulverized using an agate mortar and pestle.

    References for sample preparation methods:

    Peacock, T.R., and Taylor, C.D., 1990, Physical preparation of stream-sediment and soil samples, in Arbogast, B.F., editor, Quality assurance manual for the Branch of Geochemistry, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-668, p. 26-32.

    Taylor, C.D., 1990, Physical preparation of heavy-mineral concentrates by heavy liquid and magnetic separation, in Arbogast, B.F., editor, Quality assurance manual for the Branch of Geochemistry, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-668, p. 33-37.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    For some elements, the methods of chemical analysis were the same throughout the study, while for others, the methods changed as analytical technology improved. Some of the methods used were specifically designed to give a concentration value based on a partial digestion or extraction of the sample. For these methods elements tightly bound in the structure of silicates in the sample are not measured. Therefore, the analytical results from these partial extraction techniques may not be comparable with results from methods designed to measure the total concentration of an element in a sample.


How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints: None

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    Bailey, Elizabeth A.
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Chemist
    4200 University Drive
    Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4626
    United States

    1-907-786-7442 (voice)
    1-907-786-7401 (FAX)
    eabailey@usgs.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    These data are released on the condition that neither the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) nor the United States Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from authorized or unauthorized use. The USGS provides these data "as is" and makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in the data. The USGS further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter, whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user.

  4. How can I download or order the data?


Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 08-Mar-2000

Metadata author:
Bailey, Elizabeth A.
U.S. Geological Survey
Chemist
4200 University Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4626
United States

1-907-786-7442 (voice)
1-907-786-7401 (FAX)
eabailey@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)


Generated by mp version 2.4.38 on Wed Mar 08 12:58:04 2000