The Geochemical Landscape of Northwestern Wisconsin and Adjacent Parts of Northern Michigan and Minnesota (Geochemical Data Files)

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Frequently-anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:

The Geochemical Landscape of Northwestern Wisconsin and Adjacent Parts of Northern Michigan and Minnesota (Geochemical Data Files)

Abstract:

This report contains geochemical data gathered in the Ashland and Rice Lake 1 degree x 2 degree quadrangles in northern Wisconsin and adjacent parts of northern Michigan and Minnesota. The data, in part, is focused on the Chequamegon National Forest. Nine files are presented which contain more than 2,600 multi-element analyses of soils, stream sediments, and lake-bottom sediments.

Data include a mixture of newly acquired data by the USGS and previously reported data from the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program. The report thus provides a single-source summary in similar and consistent format of a majority of currently available analyses of surficial materials in this region. Files are presented in DBF format which can be readily imported to GIS programs such as Arcview, and as MS-Excel spreadsheets.

The files include:

 
A_soil--326 analyses of A-horizon soils (new USGS data)
B_soil--44 analyses of B-horizon soils (new USGS data)
C_soil--455 analyses of C-horizon soils (new USGS data)
E_soil--35 analyses of E-horizon soils (new USGS data)
USGS_ls--96 analyses of lake-bottom sediments (new USGS data)
NURE_ls--361 analyses of lake-bottom sediments (NURE data)
NURE_original--913 analyses of stream sediments (NURE data)
NURE_rean--400 reanalyses of NURE stream sediments (new USGS data)
NUREss_adj--913 stream sediment analyses from the NURE data recalculated based on comparison with NURE_rean results

Together, these data serve to describe the complexity of the surficial geochemical landscape of the glaciated terranes of this part of the Lake Superior region. Both graphic displays, as in Arcview, and statistical analyses can be conducted to meet a variety of end-user needs and address a multitude of environmental and resource issues.

Supplemental_Information:

 
This data set consists of the following dBase and equivalent MS Excel spreadsheets:
A_soil.dbf:  326 multi-element chemical analyses of A-horizon soils
B_soil.dbf:  44 multi-element chemical analyses of B-horizon soils
C_soil.dbf:  455 multi-element chemical analyses of C-horizon soils
E_soil.dbf:  35 multi-element chemical analyses of E-horizon soils
NURE_original.dbf:  913 multi-element chemical analyses of stream sediments
NURE_rean.dbf:  400 multi-element chemical analyses of stream sediments
NUREss_adj.dbf:  913 recalculated chemical analyses of stream sediments
USGS_ls.dbf: 96 multi-element analyses of lake-bottom sediments
NURE_ls.dbf: 361 multi-element analyses of lake-bottom sediments
  1. How should this data set be cited?

Cannon, William F. , and Woodruff, Laurel G. , 2003, The Geochemical Landscape of Northwestern Wisconsin and Adjacent Parts of Northern Michigan and Minnesota (Geochemical Data Files): U.S. Geological Survey open-file report 03-xx, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston VA.

2.      What geographic area does the data set cover?

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -92.0000

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -90.0000

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.0000

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.0000

3.      What does it look like?

Sample location map (jpeg)

Map showing the location of study area and distribution of soil, stream sediment and lake sediment samples for which analyses are reported.

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

Beginning_Date: 1978

Ending_Date: 2000

Currentness_Reference:

Data were acquired over a span of more than 20 years. Data in NURE_original and NURE_ls are analyses done in 1978-79 on samples collected those same years. Data in A_soil, B_soil, C_soil, an E_soil are analyses done from 1997-2000 on samples collected from about 1985-1990 for Forest Service samples and from 1996-2000 for USGS samples. Data in NURE_rean are analyses conducted in 1997. Data in USGS_lsed are analyses conducted in 2000 on samples collected that same year.

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

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: data points

6.      How does the data set represent geographic features?

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

It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • point

b.      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 0.0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees.

7.      How does the data set describe geographic features?

A_soil.dbf

Multi-element chemical analyses for A-horizon soil samples. Includes site ID and lat/long. Quantitative results for 31 elements. 11 additional elements were analyzed but reported below detection limit for 90% to 100% of samples tested. Those elements and their detection limits in parts per million are: Ag(2), Au(8), Be(1), Bi(50), Cd(2), Eu(2), Ho(4), Mo(2), Sn(50), Ta(40), U(100).

Sample_no

Unique identification number for sample

SAMP_SOURC

Agency responsible for sample collection

Value

Definition

FS

USDA Forest Service

USGS

U.S. Geological Survey

X_COORD

Longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-90

Maximum:

-92

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.0001

Y_COORD

Attribute_Domain_Values

DEPTH_AVE

Average depth of interval sampled

Range of values

Minimum:

0.50

Maximum:

36.50

Units:

inches

Resolution:

1

Depth_rng

depth of top and bottom of sampled interval in inches

HORIZON

designation of soil horizon

AL

concentration of aluminum in percent determined by inductively couple plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1.105

Maximum:

8.385

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

AS

concentration of arsenic in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1.20

Maximum:

13.40

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

BA

concentration of barium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

212

Maximum:

1250

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CA

concentration of calcium in percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.075

Maximum:

3.084

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

CE

concentration of cerium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

19

Maximum:

97

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CO

concentration of cobalt in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

38

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CR

concentration of chromium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

876

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU

concentration of copper in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

155

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

FE

concentration of iron in percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.42

Maximum:

7.24

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

Ga

concentration of gallium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

Proxy value for samples reporting less than the detection limit of 4 ppm

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

26

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Hg

concentration of total mercury in parts per million determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Values of 0.01 indicate below detection limit of 0.02 ppm.

Value

Definition

0.01

Proxy value for samples reporting less than the detection limit of 0.02 ppm

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.01

Maximum:

0.30

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

K

concentration of potassium in percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.72

Maximum:

2.23

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

LA

concentration of lanthanum in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

9

Maximum:

44

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

LI

concentration of lithium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

35

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MG

concentration of magnesium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.039

Maximum:

1.520

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

MN

concentration of manganese in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

56

Maximum:

6610

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NA

concentration of sodium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.135

Maximum:

1.174

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

NB

concentration of niobium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

6

Maximum:

16

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ND

concentration of neodymium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 5 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

5

proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 9 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

41

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI

concentration of nickel in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

proxy value assigned samples reporting less than 3 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

82

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

P

concentration of phosphorous in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.005

Maximum:

0.514

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

1

PB

concentration of lead in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

64

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SC

concentration of scandium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

22

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SE

concentration of selenium in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.10

Maximum:

2.00

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

SR

concentration of strontium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

30

Maximum:

141

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TH

concentration of thorium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 4 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

4

proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than 6 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

28

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TI

concentration of titanium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.085

Maximum:

1.393

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

V

concentration of vanadium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

16

Maximum:

162

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Y

concentration of yttrium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

6

Maximum:

39

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

YB

concentration of ytterbium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

3

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZN

concentration of ytterbium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

7

Maximum:

844

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

B_soil.dbf

Multi-element chemical analyses for B-horizon soil samples. Includes site ID and lat/long. Quantitative results for 31 elements. 11 additional elements were analyzed but reported below detection limit for 90% to 100% of samples tested. Those elements and their detection limits in parts per million are: Ag(2), Au(8), Be(1), Bi(50), Cd(2), Eu(2), Ho(4), Mo(2), Sn(50), Ta(40), U(100).

Sample_no

Unique identification number for sample

SAMP_SOURC

Agency responsible for sample collecting

Value

Definition

FS

USDA Forest Service

X_COORD

Longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-90

Maximum:

-92

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.0001

Y_COORD

Latitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

45

Maximum:

47

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

DEPTH_AVE

Average depth of interval sampled

Range of values

Minimum:

0.50

Maximum:

36.50

Units:

inches

Resolution:

1

Depth_rng

depth of top and bottom of sampled interval in inches

HORIZON

designation of soil horizon

AL

concentration of aluminum in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1.283

Maximum:

6.677

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

AS

concentration of arsenic in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

2.00

Maximum:

29.2

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

BA

concentration of barium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

165

Maximum:

738

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CA

concentration of calcium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.213

Maximum:

5.715

Units:

percent

Resolution:

0.001

CE

concentration of cerium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

20

Maximum:

107

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CO

concentration of cobalt in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

49

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CR

concentration of chromium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

37

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU

concentration of copper in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

82

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

FE

concentration of iron in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy:

Range of values

Minimum:

0.73

Maximum:

11.8

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

Ga

concentration of gallium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

13

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Hg

concentration of total mercury in parts per million determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Values of 0.01 indicate below detection limit of 0.02 ppm.

Value

Definition

0.01

Proxy value for samples reporting less than the detection limit of 0.02 ppm

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.01

Maximum:

0.17

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

K

concentration of potassium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.380

Maximum:

2.870

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

LA

concentration of lanthanum in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

9

Maximum:

48

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

LI

concentration of lithium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

18

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MG

concentration of magnesium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.081

Maximum:

2.894

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

MN

concentration of manganese in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

56

Maximum:

6610

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NA

concentration of sodium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.135

Maximum:

1.174

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

NB

concentration of niobium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

16

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ND

concentration of neodymium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 5 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

5

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 9 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

72

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI

concentration of nickel in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 3 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

82

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

P

concentration of phosphorous in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.005

Maximum:

0.514

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

1

PB

concentration of lead in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

64

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SC

concentration of scandium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

32

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SE

concentration of scandium in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.10

Maximum:

0.7

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

SR

concentration of strontium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

35

Maximum:

220

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TH

concentration of thorium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 4 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

4

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than 6 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

8

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TI

concentration of titanium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.088

Maximum:

1.679

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

V

concentration of vanadium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

22

Maximum:

249

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Y

concentration of yttrium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

8

Maximum:

80

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

YB

concentration of ytterbium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy values assigned samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

6

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZN

concentration of ytterbium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

9

Maximum:

624

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

C_soil.dbf

Multi-element chemical analyses for C-horizon soil samples. Includes site ID and lat/long. Quantitative results for 31 elements. 11 additional elements were analyzed but reported below detection limit for 90% to 100% of samples tested. Those elements and their detection limits in parts per million are: Ag(2), Au(8), Be(1), Bi(50), Cd(2), Eu(2), Ho(4), Mo(2), Sn(50), Ta(40), U(100).

Sample_no

Unique identification number for sample

SAMP_SOURC

agency responsible for collecting sample

Value

Definition

FS

USDA Forest Service

X_COORD

Longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-90

Maximum:

-92

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.0001

Y_COORD

latitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

45

Maximum:

47

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

DEPTH_AVE

Average depth of interval sampled

Range of values

Minimum:

0.50

Maximum:

36.50

Units:

inches

Resolution:

1

Depth_rng

depth of top and bottom of sampled interval in inches

HORIZON

designation of soil horizon

AL

concentration of aluminum in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.800

Maximum:

8.400

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

AS

concentration of arsenic in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1.10

Maximum:

18.90

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

BA

concentration of barium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

157

Maximum:

783

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CA

concentration of calcium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.095

Maximum:

2.585

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

CE

concentration of cerium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

17

Maximum:

167

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CO

concentration of cobalt in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

27

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CR

concentration of chromium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

118

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU

concentration of copper in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

100

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

FE

concentration of iron in percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy:

Range of values

Minimum:

0.300

Maximum:

6.720

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

Ga

concentration of gallium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

24

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Hg

concentration of total mercury in parts per million determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Values of 0.01 indicate below detection limit of 0.02 ppm.

Value

Definition

0.01

Proxy value for samples reporting less than the detection limit of 0.02 ppm

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.01

Maximum:

0.12

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

K

concentration of potassium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.78

Maximum:

2.96

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

LA

concentration of lanthanum in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

9

Maximum:

55

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

LI

concentration of lithium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

40

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MG

concentration of magnesium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.075

Maximum:

1.760

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

MN

concentration of manganese in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

57

Maximum:

4120

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NA

concentration of sodium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.090

Maximum:

1.742

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

NB

concentration of niobium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

15

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ND

concentration of neodymium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 5 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

5

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 9 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

49

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI

concentration of nickel in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 3 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

84

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

P

concentration of phosphorous in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.005

Maximum:

0.221

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

PB

concentration of lead in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

48

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SC

concentration of scandium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

22

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SE

concentration of selenium in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.10

Maximum:

1.8

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

SR

concentration of strontium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

25

Maximum:

212

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TH

concentration of thorium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 4 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

4

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than 6 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

20

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TI

concentration of titanium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.054

Maximum:

1.187

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

V

concentration of vanadium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

11

Maximum:

236

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Y

concentration of yttrium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

7

Maximum:

38

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

YB

concentration of ytterbium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy values assigned samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

5

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZN

concentration of zinc in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

6

Maximum:

207

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

E_soil.dbf

Multi-element chemical analyses for E-horizon soil samples. Includes site ID and lat/long. Quantitative results for 31 elements. 11 additional elements were analyzed but reported below detection limit for 90% to 100% of samples tested. Those elements and their detection limits in parts per million are: Ag(2), Au(8), Be(1), Bi(50), Cd(2), Eu(2), Ho(4), Mo(2), Sn(50), Ta(40), U(100).

Sample_no

Unique identification number for sample

SAMP_SOURC

Agency responsible for collecting sample

Value

Definition

FS

USDA Forest Service

X_COORD

Longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-90

Maximum:

-92

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.0001

Y_COORD

latitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

45

Maximum:

47

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

DEPTH_AVE

Average depth of interval sampled

Range of values

Minimum:

0.50

Maximum:

22.0

Units:

inches

Resolution:

1

Depth_rng

depth of top and bottom of sampled interval in inches

HORIZON

designation of soil horizon

AL

concentration of aluminum in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1.443

Maximum:

5.499

Units:

weight percent

AS

concentration of arsenic in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

2.0

Maximum:

8.5

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

BA

concentration of barium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

274

Maximum:

815

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CA

concentration of calcium in percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.129

Maximum:

1.012

Units:

percent

Resolution:

0.001

CE

concentration of cerium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

19

Maximum:

73

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CO

concentration of cobalt in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

28

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CR

concentration of chromium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

39

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU

concentration of copper in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

22

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

FE

concentration of iron in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy:

Range of values

Minimum:

0.30

Maximum:

6.72

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

Ga

concentration of gallium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

12

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Hg

concentration of total mercury in parts per million determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Values of 0.01 indicate below detection limit of 0.02 ppm.

Value

Definition

0.01

Proxy value for samples reporting less than the detection limit of 0.02 ppm

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.01

Maximum:

0.14

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

K

concentration of potassium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1.09

Maximum:

2.07

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

LA

concentration of lanthanum in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

10

Maximum:

39

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

LI

concentration of lithium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

21

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MG

concentration of magnesium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.073

Maximum:

0.727

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

MN

concentration of manganese in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

126

Maximum:

3450

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NA

concentration of sodium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.199

Maximum:

1.294

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

NB

concentration of niobium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

14

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ND

concentration of neodymium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 5 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

5

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than 9 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

32

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI

concentration of nickel in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate below detection limit.

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

23

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

P

concentration of phosphorous in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.009

Maximum:

0.070

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

PB

concentration of lead in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

8

Maximum:

26

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SC

concentration of scandium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

9

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SE

concentration of selenium in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.14

Maximum:

1.00

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

SR

concentration of strontium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

36

Maximum:

145

Units:

parts per million

TH

concentration of thorium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 4 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

4

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than 6 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

10

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TI

concentration of titanium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.172

Maximum:

0.510

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

V

concentration of vanadium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

29

Maximum:

107

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Y

concentration of yttrium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

7

Maximum:

21

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

YB

concentration of ytterbium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

7

Maximum:

21

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZN

concentration of zinc in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

6

Maximum:

207

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

usgs_ls.dbf

Multi-element chemical analyses for lake-bottom sediment samples. Includes site ID, lake name, water depth at sample site, and lat/long. Quantitative results for 36 elements. 10 additional elements were analyzed but reported below detection limit for 90% to 100% of samples tested. Those elements and their detection limits in parts per million are: Ag(2), Au(8), Be(1), Bi(50), Cd(2), Eu(2), Ho(4), Sn(50), Ta(40), U(100).

SAMPLE

unique identifying number for sample

LAKE_NAME

name of lake from which sample was collected

DEPTH

depth of water at sample site in feet

Range of values

Minimum:

0.0

Maximum:

40.0

Units:

feet

Resolution:

1

X_COORD

longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-91.92237

Maximum:

-90.06391

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.0001

Y_COORD

latitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

45.10781

Maximum:

46.79576

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.0001

AL

concentration of aluminum in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.955

Maximum:

5.385

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

AS

concentration of arsenic in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

1.75

Maximum:

66.70

Units:

ppm

Resolution:

0.01

BA

concentration of barium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

109

Maximum:

508

Units:

ppm

Resolution:

1

CA

concentration of calcium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.247

Maximum:

1.748

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

C_ORG

concentration of organic carbon in weight percent

Range of values

Minimum:

0.29

Maximum:

36.28

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

C_CRBNT

concentration of carbonate carbon in weight percent determined by coulometric titration

Range of values

Minimum:

0.00

Maximum:

0.26

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

C_TOT

concentration of total carbon in weight percent determined by automated carbon analyzer

Range of values

Minimum:

0.29

Maximum:

36.30

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

CE

concentration of cerium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

9

Maximum:

82

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CO

concentration of cobalt in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

18

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CR

concentration of chromium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

13

Maximum:

101

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU

concentration of copper in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

71

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

FE

concentration of iron in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.43

Maximum:

17.20

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

GA

concentration of gallium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

21

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

HG

concentration of total mercury determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Values of 0.014 indicate les than detection limit.

Value

Definition

0.014

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 0.02 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.014

Maximum:

0.360

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

K

concentration of potassium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.14

Maximum:

2.11

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

LA

concentration of lanthanum in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

44

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

LI

concentration of lithium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

26

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MG

concentration of magnesium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.114

Maximum:

1.155

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

MN

concentration of manganese in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

85

Maximum:

4450

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MO

concentration of molybdenum in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

7

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NA

concentration of sodium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.060

Maximum:

1.043

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

NB

concentration of niobium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

22

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ND

concentration of neodymium parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 6 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

6

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than the 9 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

6

Maximum:

60

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI

concentration of nickel in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 3 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

35

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

P

concentration of phosphorous in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.010

Maximum:

0.380

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

PB

concentration of lead in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

9

Maximum:

69

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

S

concentration of sulfur in weight percent determined by automated sulfur analyzer

Range of values

Minimum:

0.04

Maximum:

1.46

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.04

SC

concentration of scandium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy values assigned samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

12

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SE

concentration of selenium in parts pr million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy. Values of 0.14 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

0.14

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting les than the 0.2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.14

Maximum:

5.00

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.1

SR

concentration of strontium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

22

Maximum:

133

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TH

concentration of thorium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 4 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

4

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than the 6 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

9

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TI

concentration of titanium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.054

Maximum:

0.449

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

V

concentration of vanadium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

17

Maximum:

290

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Y

concentration of yttrium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

34

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

YB

concentration of ytterbium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

3

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZN

concentration of zinc in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

10

Maximum:

445

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

nure_ls.dbf

Multi-element chemical analyses for lake-bottom sediment samples collect during the NURE program. Includes site ID, lake name, and lat/long. Quantitative results for 10 elements.

ID

unique sample identification number

LAKENAME

name of lake from which sample was collected

X_COORD

longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-91.995

Maximum:

-90.012

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

Y_COORD

latitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

45.005

Maximum:

46.796

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

QUAD

name of NTMS quadrangle containing sample site

Value

Definition

Ashland

 

Ricelake

 

U3O8

concentration of uranium oxide (U3O8) in parts per million

Value

Definition

-9999.9

value assigned to samples for which analysis was not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.4

Maximum:

28.0

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.1

LOI__

loss on ignition in weight percent

Value

Definition

-999

value assigned to samples for which analyses were not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

86

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

1

AS

concentration of arsenic in parts per million

Value

Definition

-9999.9

value assigned to samples for which analysis was not performed

3

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 5 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

45.0

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU

concentration of copper in parts per million

Value

Definition

-9999

value assigned to samples for which analyses were not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

495

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MO

concentration of molybdenum in parts per million. Values of 0.5 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

0.5

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than the 1 ppm detection limit

-9999

value assigned to samples for which analyses was not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.5

Maximum:

54.0

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI

concentraiton of nickel in parts per million

Value

Definition

-9999

value assigned to samples for which analyses were not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

1000

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

PB

concentration of lead in parts per million

Value

Definition

-9999

value assigned to samples for which analyses were not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

430

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SE

concentration of selenium in parts per million. Values of 0.5 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

0.5

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 1 ppm detection limit

-9999.9

value assigned to samples for which analysis was not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.5

Maximum:

51.0

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

V

concentration of vanadium oxide (V2O5) in parts per million

Value

Definition

-9999

value assigned to samples for which analyses were not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

30

Maximum:

860

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZN

concentration of zinc in parts per million

Value

Definition

-9999

value assigned to samples for which analyses were not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

540

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

nure_original.dbf

Multi-element analyses of stream sediments collected and analyzed during the NURE program. Includes ID, lat/long, quadrangle name. Quantitative results for 28 elements.

UNIQID

unique identification number for sample

Range of values

Minimum:

6002912

Maximum:

6017773

QUAD_NAME

name of NTMS quadrangle containing sample site

Value

Definition

Ashland

 

Rice Lake

 

LAT

latitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

45.002

Maximum:

46.984

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

LONG

longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-91.995

Maximum:

-90.002

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

AL

concentration of aluminum in weight percent determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.74

Maximum:

7.96

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

AS

concentration of arsenic in parts per million determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.2

Maximum:

29.4

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.1

B

concentration of boron in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. Values of 5 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

-999

value assigned to samples for which analysis was not performed

5

Value assigned to samples reporting less than the 10 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

62

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

BA

concentration of barium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

95

Maximum:

1237

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

BE

concentration of beryllium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. Values of 0.5 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

0.5

Value assigned to samples reporting less than the 1 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.5

Maximum:

9.0

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CA

concentration of calcium in weight percent determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.11

Maximum:

3.36

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

CO

concentration of cobalt in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

Value assigned to samples reporting less than the 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

53

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CR

concentration of chromium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

9

Maximum:

167

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU

concentration of copper in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. Value of 1 indicates below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Value assigned to samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

398

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

FE

concentration of iron in weight percent determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.37

Maximum:

7.95

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

K

concentration of potassium in weight percent determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.22

Maximum:

2.63

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

LI

concentration of lithium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

33

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MG

concentration of magnesium in weight percent determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.069

Maximum:

2.479

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

MN

concentration of manganese in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

95

Maximum:

9600

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NA

concentration of sodium in weight percent determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.159

Maximum:

1.669

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

NB

concentration of lithium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

Value assigned to samples reporting less the 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

36

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI

concentration of nickel in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Value assigned to samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

46

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

P

concentration of phosphorous in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

58

Maximum:

2376

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SC

concentration of scandium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

27

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SE

concentration of selenium in parts per million determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.2

Maximum:

10.1

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.1

SR

concentration of strontium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Value

Definition

-999

value assigned to samples for which analysis was not performed

 

Range of values

Minimum:

32

Maximum:

319

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TH

concentration of thorium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Value assigned to samples reporting less than 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

108

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TI

concentration of titanium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

825

Maximum:

20456

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

U

concentration of uranium in parts per million determined by flourometry

Range of values

Minimum:

0.43

Maximum:

119.60

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

V

concentration of vanadium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

14

Maximum:

222

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Y

concentration of vanadium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

39

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZN

concentration of zinc in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate below detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

172

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Zr

concentration of zirconium in parts per million determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

19

Maximum:

361

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

nure_rean.dbf

Multi-element chemical analyses of stream sediments. Samples are a subset of the original NURE stream sediment samples reported in file NURE_original of this report, which were reanalyzed using USGS methods. Quantitative data for 30 elements. Analyses were also done for 10 additional elements which contained less than detection limits for 90-100% of samples. Those elements and their detection limits in parts per million are: Ag(2), Au(8), Be(1), Bi(50), Cd(2), Eu(2), Ho(4), Sn(50), Ta(40), U(100).

LAB_NO

unique identification numbers assigned by USGS to reanalyzed samples

FIELD_NO_

unique identification numbers assigned to samples by the original NURE program

Value

Definition

-9999

proxy value assigned where value is missing

 

Range of values

Minimum:

600566

Maximum:

751056

LONG

longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-91.998

Maximum:

-90.013

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

LAT

latitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

45.003

Maximum:

46.985

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

AL

concentration of aluminum in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

1.250

Maximum:

8.795

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

AS

concentration of arsenic in parts per million determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.3

Maximum:

23.0

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.1

BA

concentration of barium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

306

Maximum:

778

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CA

concentration of calcium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.460

Maximum:

3.355

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

CE

concentration of cerium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

23

Maximum:

104

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CO

concentration of cobalt in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

49

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CR

concentration of chromium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy values assigned samples reporting less than the 2 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

138

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU

concentration of copper in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

65

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

FE

concentration of iron in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.87

Maximum:

6.35

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

GA

concentration of gallium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than the 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

25

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

HG

concentration of total mercury in parts per million determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Values of 0.01 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

0.01

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than the 0.02 detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.01

Maximum:

0.28

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.01

K

concentration of potassium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.77

Maximum:

3.02

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

LA

concentration of lanthanum in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

10

Maximum:

46

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

LI

concentration of potassium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

28

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MG

concentration of magnesium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.221

Maximum:

2.065

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

MN

concentration of manganese in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

199

Maximum:

9210

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NA

concentration of sodium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.395

Maximum:

2.043

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

NB

concentration of niobium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting les than the 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

32

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ND

concentration of neodymium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 5 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

5

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 9 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

45

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI

concentration of nickel in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

8

Maximum:

63

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

P

concentration of phosphorous in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.005

Maximum:

9.000

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

PB

concentration of lead in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 2 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

2

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 4 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

336

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SC

concentration of scandium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

19

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SR

concentration of strontium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

67

Maximum:

260

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TH

concentration of thorium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 3 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

3

Proxy values assigned to samples reporting less than the 6 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

22

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TI

concentration of titanium in weight percent determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

0.192

Maximum:

1.446

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

V

concentration of vanadium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

29

Maximum:

216

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Y

concentration of yttrium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

8

Maximum:

28

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

YB

concentration of ytterbium in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Values of 1 indicate less than detection limit.

Value

Definition

1

Proxy value assigned to samples reporting less than the 1 ppm detection limit

 

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

4

Units:

part per million

Resolution:

1

ZN

concentration of zinc in parts per million determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Range of values

Minimum:

17

Maximum:

228

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

nuress_adj.dbf

Multi-element chemical composition for stream sediment samples. Data consists of original NURE values for some elements, and, where appropriate, of recalculated values based on consistent variations between original NURE data and data derived from USGS reanalysis of NURE samples (see details of recalculation under process step 4).

UNIQID

unique sample identification number from original NURE program

Range of values

Minimum:

6002912

Maximum:

6017773

QUAD_NAME

name of NTMS quadrangle containing sample site

Value

Definition

Ashland

 

Rice Lake

 

LAT

latitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

45.002

Maximum:

46.984

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

LONG

longitude of sample site

Range of values

Minimum:

-91.995

Maximum:

-90.002

Units:

decimal degrees

Resolution:

0.001

AL_ADJ

recalculated concentration of aluminum in weight percent

Range of values

Minimum:

0.207

Maximum:

8.481

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

AS_ADJ

recalculated concentration of arsenic in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

1.8

Maximum:

32.0

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.1

B_OR

original NURE values for boron concentration in parts per million

Value

Definition

-999

missing values

 

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

62

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

BA_ADJ

recalculated concentration of barium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

207

Maximum:

749

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CA_ADJ

recalculated concentration of calcium in weight percent

Range of values

Minimum:

0.448

Maximum:

3.476

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

CO_ADJ

recalculated concentration of cobalt in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

24

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CR_ADJ

recalculated concentration of chromium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

5

Maximum:

151

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

CU_ADJ

recalculated concentration of copper in parts per million

Value

Definition

-999

missing value

 

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

347

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

FE_ADJ

recalculated concentration of iron in weight percent

Range of values

Minimum:

0.42

Maximum:

9.18

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

K_ADJ

recalculated concentration of potassium in weight percent

Range of values

Minimum:

0.41

Maximum:

2.97

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.01

LI_ADJ

recalculated concentration of lithium in parts per million

Value

Definition

-999

missing values

 

Range of values

Minimum:

3

Maximum:

28

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

MG_ADJ

recalculated concentration of magnesium in weight percent

Range of values

Minimum:

0.211

Maximum:

1.955

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

MN_ADJ

recalculated concentration of manganese in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

84

Maximum:

8811

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NA_ADJ

recalculated concentration of sodium in weight percent

Range of values

Minimum:

0.335

Maximum:

1.610

Units:

weight percent

Resolution:

0.001

NB_OR

original NURE values for concentration of niobium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

2

Maximum:

36

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

NI_OR

original NURE values for concentration of nickel in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

46

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

P_ADJ

recalculated concentration of phosphorous in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

80

Maximum:

2756

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SC_ADJ

recalculated concentration of scandium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

21

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

SE_OR

original NURE value for concentration of selenium in parts per million

Value

Definition

-999

missing values

 

Range of values

Minimum:

0.2

Maximum:

10.1

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

0.1

SR_ADJ

recalculated concentration of strontium in parts per million

Value

Definition

-999

missing values

 

Range of values

Minimum:

49

Maximum:

177

Units:

parts pre million

Resolution:

1

TH_ADJ

recalculated concentration of thorium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

1

Maximum:

28

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

TI_ADJ

recalculated concentration of titanium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

1234

Maximum:

26305

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

U_OR

original NURE value reported for concentration of uranium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

0.429

Maximum:

119.599

Units:

pars per million

Resolution:

0.01

V_ADJ

recalculated concentration of vanadium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

15

Maximum:

233

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

Y_ADJ

recalculated concentration of yttrium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

6

Maximum:

34

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZR_OR

original NURE value reported for concentration of zirconium in parts per million

Range of values

Minimum:

19

Maximum:

380

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1

ZN_ADJ

recalculated concentration of zinc in parts per million

Value

Definition

-999

missing values

 

Range of values

Minimum:

6

Maximum:

203

Units:

parts per million

Resolution:

1


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?

U.S. Geological Survey

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

William Cannon
Geologist
U.S. Geological Survey, Mail Stop 954
Reston, Virginia 20192
USA

703-648-6345 (voice)
wcannon@usgs.gov


Why was the data set created?

This study was conducted to provide information on the geochemical background and baseline values of a suite of elements in a part of northern Wisconsin including the Chequamegon National Forest. The resulting chemical analyses are useful both for documenting the natural variability of elements, but also provide a base of data to conduct research on geochemical and physical processes that control and modify the chemical composition of surficial geologic materials and to develop optimal sampling and analytical strategies for other studies in similar terranes.


How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

(source 1 of 5)

Arendt, J.W., and others, 1979, Hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance procedures of the Uranium Resource Evaluation project: Union Carbide Corporation, Nuclear Division, Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Oak Ridge, Tenn., K/UR-100: GJBX GJBX-32(80), U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colorado.

(source 2 of 5)

Butz, T.R., and others, 1979, Hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance basic data for Ashland NTMS quadrangle, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota: GJBX GJBX-61, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

(source 3 of 5)

Nichols, C.E., and others, 1978, Hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance basic data for Rice Lake NTMS quadrangle, Wisconsin: GJBX GJBX-95(78), U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

(source 4 of 5)

Routledge, R.E., and others, 1981, National Uranium Resource Evaluation, Rice Lake Quadrangle, Wisconsin: GJQ GJQ-006(81), U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colorado.

(source 5 of 5)

Routledge, R.E., 1982, National Uranium Resource Evaluation, Ashland Quadrangle, Wisconsin: FGJ FGJ/F-084(82), U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colorado.

  1. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

(process 1 of 5)

Sample collection: Samples reported in the files of this data set were acquired at several different times using different sampling methods. These are: 1) Soil samples collected by USGS reported in files A_soil, B_soil, C_soil, E_soil. Samples were collected from shallow pits dug by hand to approximately 0.7 m depth and extended to a final depth of about one meter, where possible, using a bucket auger. Samples were placed into cloth sample bags or sealed plastic bags and air dried in the laboratory before submitting for analyses. 2) Soil samples collected by USDA Forest Service reported in files A_soil, B_soil, C_soil, E_soil. Samples were collected from hand-dug pits, and in some cases from larger pits dug with a mechanical backhoe. Samples from multiple depths were archived in trays. For the analyses reported here the original samples were divided into representative splits, one of which was submitted for analyses. 3) NURE stream sediment samples reported in file NURE_original. Techniques of sampling and sample preparation are included in NURE documents (Arendt and others, 1979) (see "Source_information" section of this report for full reference). 4) NURE reanalyzed stream sediments reported in file NURE_rean. Original NURE stream sediment samples are archived by the USGS in Lakewood, Colorado. The samples have been stored in glass jars. For reanalysis, the original samples were split into representative portions, one of which was submitted for analyses. 5) NURE lake sediments reported in file NURE_ls. Lake bottom sediments were collected using a Hornebrook sampler and air dried prior to submission for analyses. 6) USGS lake sediments reported in file USGS_ls. Lake bottom sediments were collected using a gravity corer in which the sample is recovered in a polyethelene tube. The sample, representing approximately the upper 10 cm of sediment, was recovered by pouring off overlying water and water-sediment slurry, and extruding the remaining sample into a cloth sample bag. Samples were allowed to drip dry in the field and were later air-dried in the laboratory prior to submission for analyses.

(process 2 of 5)

Sample preparation: Soil samples--The dry soil sample is disaggregated, if necessary, in the mechanical, ceramic mortar and pestle (soil grinder). The sample is sieved to the required grain size of 100 percent minus 80-mesh (<180 mm) and at least 80 percent minus 100-mesh (<150 mm) using sieves with stainless-steel screens. The sieved fraction is pulverized if further reduction in grain size is required by the subsequent chemical analysis.

USGS_stream sediments--The dry stream-sediment samples are disaggregated by hand, as necessary, and as much organic material as possible is removed. The samples are sieved to pass an 80-mesh screen (<180 mm) or the particle size specified on the RFA. The sieved fraction is generally ground in a mechanical pulverizer, placed in a 3-oz container and mixed to ensure homogeneity.

NURE analyses--Procedures are described by Arendt and others (1979) (see "Source_information").

(process 3 of 5)

Chemical analysis:

SAMPLES ANALYZED BY USGS Forty major, minor, and trace elements are determined in geological materials by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The sample is decomposed using a mixture of hydrochloric, nitric, perchloric, and hydrofluoric acids at low temperature. The digested sample is aspirated into the ICP-AES discharge where the elemental emission signal is measured simultaneously for the forty elements. Calibration is performed by standardizing with digested rock reference materials and a series of multi-element solution standards.

The 40 elements analyzed are listed below with their reporting ranges. For samples containing less than the lower limit of detection, the value reported in the data tables is 0.7 of the reporting limit rounded to the nearest reporting unit.

 
Element Concentration Range
Aluminum, Al 0.005 - 50%
Calcium, Ca 0.005 - 50%
Iron, Fe 0.02 - 25%
Potassium, K 0.01 - 50%
Magnesium, Mg 0.005 - 5%
Sodium, Na 0.005 - 50%
Phosphorous, P 0.005 - 50%
Titanium, Ti 0.005 - 25%
Silver, Ag 2 - 10,000 ppm
Arsenic, As 10 - 50,000 ppm
Gold, Au 8 - 50,000 ppm
Barium, Ba 1 - 35,000 ppm
Beryllium, Be 1 - 5,000 ppm
Bismuth, Bi 50 - 50,000 ppm
Cadmium, Cd 2 - 25,000 ppm
Cerium, Ce 5 - 50,000 ppm
Cobalt, Co 2 - 25,000 ppm
Chromium, Cr 2 - 25,000 ppm
Copper, Cu 2 - 15,000 ppm
Europium, Eu 2 - 5,000 ppm
Gallium, Ga 4 - 50,000 ppm
Holmium, Ho 4 - 5,000 ppm
Lanthanum, La 2 - 50,000 ppm
Lithium, Li 2 - 50,000 ppm
Manganese, Mn 4 - 50,000 ppm
Molybdenum, Mo 2 - 50,000 ppm
Niobium, Nb  4  - 50,000 ppm
Neodymium, Nd 9 - 50,000 ppm
Nickel, Ni 3 - 50,000 ppm
Lead, Pb 4 - 50,000 ppm
Scandium, Sc 2 - 50,000 ppm
Tin, Sn 50 - 50,000 ppm
Strontium, Sr 2 - 15,000 ppm
Tantalum, Ta 40 - 50,000 ppm
Thorium, Th 6 - 50,000 ppm
Uranium, U 100 - 100,000 ppm
Vanadium, V 2 - 30,000 ppm
Yttrium, Y 2 - 25,000 ppm
Ytterbium, Yb 1 - 5,000 ppm
Zinc, Zn 2 - 15,000 ppm

For determination of mercury a 0.1g of sample is digested using a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids. Potassium permanganate, sulphuric acid and potassium persulphate are added to the solution, followed by a NaCl-hydroxylamine solution and then the solution is diluted to 25mL. It is mixed thoroughly, allowed to settle and then transferred to the auto sampler rack of the Perkin-Elmer Flow Injection Mercury System, FIMS-100. The FIMS-100 is a cold-vapor atomic absorption mercury analyzer, which determines the mercury concentration in a solution after it has been liberated as vapor using stannous chloride reducing agent. The absorption of the sample is measured using a mercury lamp at 253.7nm. The lower reporting limit of 0.02 ppm mercury. Samples containing less than 0.02 ppm are assigned a value of 0.01 in the data tables.

Arsenic was determined by weighing 0.1 g of sample into a zirconium crucible. Approximately 0.75 g of sodium peroxide is added and mixed. The mixture is heated in a muffle furnace set at 750°C for four minutes. The sample is cooled then 15 ml of water and 5 ml of concentrated HCl is added. The mixture is shaken and 0.25 ml of an ascorbic acid KI solution is added then diluted with 20% HCl and let to stand overnight. Arsenic is then measure using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum concentration range without sample dilution is 0.6 ppm to 20 ppm.

Selenium is determined by weighing .25 g of sample into a test tube, adding a mixture of nitric, hydrofluoric and perchloric acids and heating. After the solution is cooled hydrochloric and nitric are added, heated again and cooled. The samples are diluted and analyzed using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. The expected analytical range for selenium is 0.2 to 4 ppm.

Total carbon is determined by the use of an automated carbon analyzer. A weighed sample is combusted in an oxygen atmosphere at 1370°C to oxidize carbon to carbon dioxide. Moisture and dust are removed and the carbon dioxide gas is measured by a solid state infrared detector.

Carbonate carbon is determined as carbon dioxide by coulometric titration. The sample is treated with hot 2N perchloric acid and the evolved carbon dioxide is passed into a cell containing a solution of monoethanolamine. The carbon dioxide, quantitatively absorbed by the monoethanolamine, is coulometrically titrated using platinum and silver/potassium-iodide electrodes. The lower reporting limit is 0.01% carbon dioxide and samples containing up to 50% carbon dioxide may be analyzed. Sample size is adjusted from 0.5 g for the range 0.01 to 5% carbon dioxide, 0.1 g for the range 5 to 10% carbon dioxide, and 0.02 g for greater than 10% carbon dioxide

Organic carbon is calculated as the difference between total carbon and carbonate carbon,

Total sulfur is determined by using an automated sulfur analyzer. Approximately 0.25 g of sample is mixed with iron chips and LECOCEL and is heated in a combustion tube in a stream of oxygen at high temperature. Sulfur is oxidized to sulfur dioxide. Moisture and dust are removed and the sulfur dioxide gas is then measured by a CS-244 infrared detector.

SAMPLES ANALYZED BY THE NURE PROGRAM Stream sediments-most elements reported were determined by plasma source emission spectroscopy. As and Se were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, and U by flourometry. All analyses were done at the Uranium Resource Evaluation Project Laboratory at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Details of techniques are given in Arendt and others (1790) (see Source_Citation for full reference). The elements analyzed and their lower limits of detection in parts per million are:

 
U 0.25
As 0.1
Se 0.1
Ag 2
Al 0.05%
B 10
Ba 2
Be 1
Ca 0.05%
Co 4
Cr 1
Cu 2
Fe 0.05%
Li 1
Mg 0.05%
Mn 4
Mo 4
Na 0.05%
Nb 4
Ni 2
P 5
Sc 1
Th 2
Ti 10
V 2
Y 1
Zn 2
Zr 2

(process 4 of 5)

Recalculation of NURE stream sediment analyses (file NURE_adj)--Comparison of 400 sets of original NURE stream sediment analyses, performed in 1978-79, and USGS reanalysis of the same samples, performed in 1998-1999, shows significant and consistent variations for most elements between the two data sets. Using those consistent variations we have derived formulas to recalculate the original NURE data to be consistent with the USGS analyses. Plotting NURE values vs. USGS values produces regression lines whose slope generally varies significantly from 1 for most elements. A correction factor, which changes to slope to 1, was determined and then applied to all 913 NURE analyses. The resulting adjusted values are believed to be more accurate than the original NURE data and remove an apparent quadrangle bias that exists for some elements in the original data. Visual inspection of spatial patterns of the original NURE data show an apparent discontinuity of concentrations along the boundary between the Rice Lake and Ashland Quadrangles which is not present in the recalculated values.

(process 5 of 5)

Compile dbf of sample locations and chemical analysis results

  1. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

USGS ANALYSES-- This report pertains to samples analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey and includes all analyses contained in the data files A_soil, B_soil, C_soil, E_soil, USGS_ls, and NURE_rean. Analytical results were compared to results for standard reference materials. Data quality checks were performed both at an analytical laboratory (XRAL) and by the USGS. The first level of quality control checks occurred at XRAL. XRAL Laboratories is accredited to the ISO 9002, 1994 standard (ANSI-RAB 01298 and NACB 9555). The laboratory's quality control protocol is to insert a reagent blank and a reference sample material with every batch of 20 samples to measure the analytical accuracy. Duplicate samples are analyzed at the end of the sample set to measure analytical variance as well as sample variance. Data passing the quality control criteria was sent to the USGS and imported into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

The second level of data validation was performed at the USGS. All samples submitted to XRAL are accompanied with a set of USGS in-house reference samples submitted at the rate of 10%. Using a program within the LIMS, the data for the reference samples was evaluated by comparing the "obtained" analytical value to the "expected" value for each element. The values must fall within the range of acceptance, which varies between +/- 5% to +/-20% depending on the analytical method.

NURE ANALYSES-- This report pertains to samples collected and analyzed by the NURE Program and includes all analyses contained in the files NURE_original and NURE_ls. All analyses of stream sediments were performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, mostly by Plasma Source Emission Spectroscopy. Control samples consisting of two batches of samples were submitted daily along with field samples. A statistical summary of quality control results and analytical procedures and accuracy is given in the NURE reports for the Ashland Quadrangle (GJBX-61) and the Rice Lake Quadrangle (GJBX-95).

Analyses of NURE lake sediment samples were performed at Rocky Mountain Geochemical Corporation in Sparks, Nevada, but information on analytical and quality control procedures was not specified in the original reports.

2.      How accurate are the geographic locations?

USGS sample sites were located using a GPS instrument. Maximum observed variation in repeated GPS readings taken at the same site is in the fourth decimal place (0.000x degree) and estimated positional accuracy is approximately +/- 50 meters.

For samples collected by the NURE Program latitude-longitude coordinates were reported in the original data files, as decimal degrees, to only 3 decimal places. Therefore, the precision of these coordinates is limited to +/- 0.001 degrees or +/- 3.6 seconds. This translates to a minimum precision of +/- 365 feet (111 m) for latitude values and between +/- 259 feet (79 m) to +/- 235 feet (72 m) for longitude values (calculated at latitudes of 45° and 50°N, respectively.)

The technique for locating NURE lake sediment sample sites is not specified in the original NURE reports. We infer it to have been an approximation of the location based on visual examination of topography as indicated on topographic maps or aerial photographs and likely to be accurate to within roughly 100-200 meters. Locations were provided only as large-scale maps showing sample sites. We have derived the locations in the present report by digitizing locations from those maps.

Soil sample sites collected by USDA Forest Service were initially recorded on aerial photographs and then transferred to 1:24,000 topographic maps by visually comparing features identifiable on both. Latitude and Longitude coordinates were read from the maps by hand using appropriate graticules. Estimated accuracy is +/- 100m.

3.      How accurate are the heights or depths?

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

Data set is complete

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


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:

Any hardcopies utilizing these data sets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way they are obligated to describe the type of modification they have performed. User specifically agrees not to misrepresent these data sets, nor to imply that changes they have made were approved by the U.S Geological Survey.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

3.      What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

4.      How can I download or order the data?

5.      What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?


Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 15-Jan-2003

Metadata author:

William F Cannon
U.S. Geological Survey, Mail Stop 954
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192
USA

703-648-6345 (voice)
703-648-6383 (FAX)
wcannon@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)


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