OFR 97-492: ORGDP Plant Samples

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National Geochemical Database—Reformatted Data from the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) Program

By Steven M. Smith
Version 1.40 (2006)

Brief History and Description of Data

[See History of NURE HSSR Program for a summary of the entire program.]

The Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant occasionally collected samples of plants during orientation phases of the NURE HSSR program. These samples consisted of various species of deciduous trees, coniferous trees, bushes, mosses, and algae. Although these samples were often not discussed in the various reports of studies, the records containing site descriptions and analytical data were included in the accompanying digital data files. Plant records were found associated with the following studies.

At the time of this Open-File release (v. 1.41), the ORGDP plant data have been compiled into a single file and partially reformatted. The current ORGDP Plant Data Format is explained below.

The compiled and partially reformatted data file for ORGDP Plant Studies is available by request from Steven M. Smith (smsmith@usgs.gov).



ORGDP Plant Data Bibliography



ORGDP Plant Data Format

Explanations are included here only for fields or field values unique to ORGDP Plant Studies. For the explanation of common fields consult the On-Line Manual for USGS-Reformatted NURE HSSR Data Files. After each field name is a format code. A format code of (A1) means that the field is formatted as an Alphanumeric (A) field 1 character wide and a code of (N) means that the field is formatted as a Numeric field.

PLANTNO (A2)

The number of plants sampled or, in the case of mosses, the number of grabs.

DTREETYP (A1)

The type of deciduous tree taken as a part of a plant sample at the sample site.

A Ash I Birch T Salt Cedar
B Beech K Oak, other U Locust
C Hickory L Live Oak V Olive
D Box Elder M Mesquite W Huisache
E Elm N Cottonwood X Willow
F Cherry P Maple Y Poplar
G Walnut R Alto Verde O Other
H Hackberry S Sycamore

CONIFTYP (A1)

The type of coniferous tree taken as a part of a plant sample at the sample site.

A N. White Cedar H Hemlock P Pine
C Cedar, other J Juniper S Spruce
F Fir L Larch O Other

BUSHTYP (A1)

The type of bush taken as a part of a plant sample at the sample site.

A Alder S Sweet Gum O Other
B Blueberry W Witch Hazel
P Blueberry Y Yew

MOSSTYP (A1)

The type of moss taken as a part of a plant sample at the sample site.

P Peat S Sphagnum (live) O Other

ALGAETYP (A1)

The type of algae collected at the sample site.

G Blue-green B Brown O Other

TRNKDIAM (N)

The diameter, in meters, of the tree trunk (1 meter above the ground) from which the botanical sample was taken.

PLNTHGHT (N)

The average height, in meters, of the plants from which the botanical samples were taken.

METHODS (A40)

Analytical methods used to determine element concentrations listed in a record. Data added during the reformatting process based on published reports. Method codes and summary of analytical methods derived from Grimes (1984) and special studies documentation. Only those methods applicable to plant studies are include here. See the On-Line Manual for USGS-Reformatted NURE HSSR Data Files for a list of other methods.

OR1-P Oak Ridge Fluorescence Spectroscopy Analysis of plants for U.
OR2-P Oak Ridge Neutron Activation Analysis - Neutron Counting of plants for U.
OR3-P Oak Ridge Emission Spectrochemical Analysis of plants for Ag, Al, B, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Sc, Th, Ti, V, Y, Zn, and Zr.
OR4-P Oak Ridge Emission Spectrochemical Analysis of plants for Ag, Al, B, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Sc, Th, Ti, V, Y, Zn, and Zr.
OR6-P Oak Ridge Emission Spectrochemical Analysis of plants for Ag, Al, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Sc, Th, Ti, V, Y, Zn, and Zr.
OR8-P Oak Ridge Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis of plants for As and/or Se.


Links Within Open-File Report 97-492

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Frequently Asked Questions Concerning NURE Data
Home Page: USGS National Geochemical Database - NURE HSSR data



Page written by Bryan G. Moravec and Steven M. Smith.
Contact: Steven M. Smith (smsmith@usgs.gov)
Version 1.41: February 23, 2006

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