OFR 97-492: Albany Quadrangle NURE HSSR Study

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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.]

New York
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 5,696 stream-sediment, 5,047 surface-water, and 4,829 ground-water samples from New York as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. Samples were collected on a county-by-county basis from the eastern two-thirds of the state between July 1977 and August 1980. The sampled area included portions of the Albany, Binghamton, Elmira, Glens Falls, Hartford, Kingston, Lake Champlain, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Scranton, and Utica 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. The samples were sent to SRL for determinations of uranium and additional elements (16 in sediments and 9 in waters) by Neutron Activation Analysis. SRL was able to analyze 2,899 sediments and 9,863 waters from New York. The analytical and site location data for all New York samples were released in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York Data Report [GJBX-106(82)]. A total of 446 stream-sediment, 439 surface-water, and 217 ground-water samples were collected within the New York state portion of the Albany quadrangle; of these samples, SRL was able to analyze 4445 sediment and all 656 water samples.

SRL sent 2,809 sediment samples from New York state to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 2,803 of these samples in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York Data Report [GJBX-106(82)]. The digital data file accompanying this report includes Supplemental Analyses for 443 New York state sediment samples from the Albany quadrangle.

Connecticut
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 635 stream-sediment, 656 surface-water, and 798 ground-water samples from Connecticut as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. Samples were collected on a county-by-county basis from the entire state between July and October, 1977 for sediments, and between December 1977 and February 1978 for ground-waters. This area included portions of the Albany, Boston, Hartford, and Providence 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. The samples were sent to SRL for determinations of uranium and additional elements (16 in sediments and 9 in waters) by Neutron Activation Analysis. SRL was able to analyze 634 sediments and 1,453 waters from Connecticut. The analytical and site location data for all Connecticut samples were released in the New England Data Report [GJBX-107(82)]. A total of 25 stream-sediment, 24 surface-water, and 25 ground-water samples were collected within the Connecticut portion of the Albany quadrangle. SRL was able to analyze 24 sediment and all 49 water samples from the Albany quadrangle.

SRL sent the 635 sediment samples from Connecticut to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 632 of these samples in the New England Data Report [GJBX-107(82)]. The digital data file accompanying this report includes Supplemental Analyses for 25 Connecticut sediment samples within the Albany quadrangle.

Massachusetts
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 1,331 stream-sediment, 1,302 surface-water, and 657 ground-water samples from Massachusetts as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. Samples were collected on a county-by-county basis from the entire state between August 1977 and April 1979 for sediments, and between January and March of 1978 for ground waters. This area included portions of the Albany, Boston, and Providence 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. The samples were sent to SRL for determinations of uranium and additional elements (16 in sediments and 9 in waters) by Neutron Activation Analysis. SRL was able to analyze 1,315 sediments and 1,953 waters from Massachusetts. The analytical and site location data for all Massachusetts samples were released in the New England Data Report [GJBX-107(82)]. A total of 650 stream-sediment, 638 surface-water, and 319 ground-water samples were collected within the Massachusetts portion of the Albany quadrangle. SRL was able to analyze all of the sediment and 956 water samples from the Albany quadrangle.

SRL sent the 1,149 sediment samples from Massachusetts to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 1,141 of these samples in the New England Data Report [GJBX-107(82)]. The digital data file accompanying this report includes Supplemental Analyses for 647 Massachusetts sediment samples from the Albany quadrangle.

New Hampshire
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 1,699 stream-sediment, 1,694 surface-water, and 884 ground-water samples from New Hampshire as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. Samples were collected on a county-by-county basis from the entire state between July 1977 and January 1978. This area included portions of the Albany, Boston, Glens Falls, Lake Champlain, Lewiston, Portland, and Sherbrooke 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. The samples were sent to SRL for determinations of uranium and additional elements (16 in sediments and 9 in waters) by Neutron Activation Analysis. SRL was able to analyze 1,696 sediments and 2,576 waters from New Hampshire. The analytical and site location data for all New Hampshire samples were released in the New England Data Report [GJBX-107(82)]. A total of 92 stream-sediment, 92 surface-water, and 51 ground-water samples were collected within the New Hampshire portion of the Albany quadrangle. SRL was able to analyze all of the sediment and water samples from the Albany quadrangle.

SRL sent the 1,699 sediment samples from New Hampshire to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 1,690 of these samples in the New England Data Report [GJBX-107(82)]. The digital data file accompanying this report includes Supplemental Analyses for 91 New Hampshire sediment samples from the Albany quadrangle.

Vermont
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 1,677 stream-sediment, 1,663 surface-water, and 972 ground-water samples from Vermont as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. Samples were collected on a county-by-county basis from the entire state between August 1977 and March 1978. This area included portions of the Albany, Glens Falls, Lake Champlain, Lewiston, and Sherbrooke 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. The samples were sent to SRL for determinations of uranium and additional elements (16 in sediments and 9 in waters) by Neutron Activation Analysis. SRL was able to analyze 1,674 sediments and 2,633 waters from Vermont. The analytical and site location data for all Vermont samples were released in the New England Data Report [GJBX-107(82)]. A total of 114 stream-sediment, 109 surface-water, and 61 ground-water samples were collected within the Vermont portion of the Albany quadrangle. SRL was able to analyze all of the sediment and water samples from the Albany quadrangle.

SRL sent 1,632 sediment samples from Vermont to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 1,631 of these samples in the New England Data Report [GJBX-107(82)]. The digital data file accompanying this report includes Supplemental Analyses for 114 sediment samples from Vermont within the Albany quadrangle.

SRL: Albany Quadrangle
SRL released a separate quadrangle report for the Albany NTMS quadrangle, which includes data for 1,328 stream-sediment, 1,303 surface-water, and 664 ground-water samples. With minor differences, these sample data are the same as the that for corresponding samples found in the New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont State reports. SRL released the analytical data as the Albany Quadrangle GJBX-140(79) Data Report. The site coding information for this data set is summarized within the text of this report.

SRL released a separate report for supplemental analyses of 1,328 sediment samples from the Albany quadrangle as the Albany NTMS Area, Supplemental Data Report [GJBX-107(81)]. Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 19 elements were reported for 1,321 of these 1,328 samples; seven sample records did not actually have any supplemental analysis data.

ORGDP: Albany, Binghamton, and Elmira Quadrangles
SRL sent 859 sediment samples from New York state to the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) for analysis of uranium and 31 additional elements. ORGDP released the analytical data for 859 samples in the Albany, Binghamton, and Elmira Quadrangles GJBX-83(82) Data Report (a total of 60 samples were from the Albany quadrangle). The site coding information for this data set was summarized in the GJBX-51(82) report.

Gold Analyses
Data for gold analyses of sediments by SRL neutron activation were released in the GJBX-135(82) summary report. The introduction of that report states:

"This report contains previously unreported neutron-activation analyses of gold in sediment samples determined at SRL. These data were not included in the standard SRL NURE data reports because the gold spectrum was not measured in the original analytical procedure and the report format was designed without the gold analyses being included. Gold analyses became available as the analytical procedure was refined, but the report format was not modified to incorporate these data."

Only those sediment samples that had detectable concentrations of gold by neutron activation analysis were given in the GJBX-135(82) report. Sediment samples with concentrations below detection limits were not reported and can only be ascertained by identifying which samples were actually analyzed by neutron activation at SRL.

Summary Tables
Because of the various laboratories and analytical methods used, some SRL samples may have been analyzed once, twice, or not at all. The following table summarizes the analysis of Albany quadrangle samples.

Combination of laboratories that analyzed samples for the Albany quadrangle.
Laboratory Analysis Sediments Waters
Only SRL 7 1,974
Only Supplemental Lab 2 0
Both SRL and Supplemental Labs 1,258 0
Second SRL analysis on sample 12 0
Both SRL and ORGDP Labs (2 records each) 60 0
None 0 1
Total Samples 1,327 1,975
Total Data Records 1,399 1,975

The following is a list of all sample types collected and reported for NURE studies in the Albany quadrangle.

Summary of Albany quadrangle sample types.
Sediment Sample Type Number of Samples Water Sample Type Number of Samples
Wet Streams 1,327 Streams 1,302
    Wells 602
    Springs 71
Total Sediments 1,327 Total Waters 1,975

These Albany quadrangle samples were analyzed by one or more of the following methods:

Sediment Samples

Water Samples



Discussion of the Reformatting Process for Albany Quadrangle

Sediment Records
The Albany quadrangle sediment data consist of reformatted records from the Albany Quadrangle GJBX-140(79) Data Report combined with data from the ORGDP Albany, Binghamton, and Elmira Quadrangles GJBX-83(82) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding sample records from the New York portion of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York [GJBX-106(82)] Data Report and the New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut portions of the New England [GJBX-107(82)] Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Albany quadrangle sediment data:

  1. The SRL, SRL Supplemental contract laboratory, and the ORGDP Laboratory each analyzed the same 60 stream-sediment samples from New York. Because of overlapping data fields, it was necessary to create two data records for each sample to preserve all the data.
  2. The original ORGDP files for the Albany, Binghamton, and Elmira quadrangles did not include all of the information about the character of the sample location. This missing information includes observations taken at each site on the stream width, depth, and flow, water color, surrounding vegetation, local relief, weather, and possible contaminants. In addition, the longitude coordinate reported in the ORGDP file only had 3 decimal places instead of the 4 decimal places found in the corresponding records from SRL State files. The missing site descriptive data and the complete longitude value were added to ORGDP records from the corresponding SRL State file records. Sources of data and any problems found are described in the REFORMAT comment field.
  3. The analytical values for many U, Dy, Lu, and V determinations differed slightly between the Albany quadrangle files and the New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut State files. These variations are apparently due only to differences in rounding versus truncation of reported values or to differences in the number of recorded significant digits. Since the variation was insignificant, only one set of the values was retained for the affected elements.
  4. For some records, analytical values for U, Al, Ce, Dy, Eu, Hf, Fe, La, Lu, Mn, Na, Sc, Sm, Th, Ti, V, and Yb were found in the New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Albany quadrangle files. These values were added and that change was noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
  5. For some records, analytical values for U, Al, Ce, Dy, Eu, Hf, Lu, Mn, Na, Ti, V, and Yb were found in the Albany quadrangle files but were missing in the corresponding records from the New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut State files. These differences were noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
  6. For 12 sediment samples, the comparison process revealed major differences for analytical values reported for one or more elements determined by Neutron Activation. It could not be determined whether these alternate values represent a second analytical determination or a different interpretation of the data from the same Neutron Activation Analysis. For each of these samples, it was necessary to keep a second record containing the alternate analytical values. These records are identified by a comment in the REFORMAT field.
  7. The date on which a sample was analyzed by Neutron Activation Analysis was only recorded in the State digital data files from the New York [GJBX-106(82)] Data Report and the New England [GJBX-107(82)] Data Report. This information was added to each of combined sediment data records.
  8. The data from the Albany NTMS Area, Supplemental Data Report [GJBX-107(81)] identified all sediment samples as soils (SAMPTYP 59). All other data sources identified these same samples as stream sediments (SAMPTYP 50). Based on the preponderence of evidence, the final reformatted sediment data file identifies all of these samples as stream sediments.
  9. During reformatting, contamination codes for "residential" and "recreation" were found to be missing from each State's CONTAMC field. The presence of one of these two codes was indicated only by a "." (period). Most, but not all of these contamination codes were present in the original quadrangle file. When possible, the missing contamination codes were replaced, otherwise the missing codes were assigned a value of "unknown" in the CONTAMC field within the final sediment data file.
  10. One stream-sediment sample was collected at a latitude of exactly 43°N, the dividing line between the Albany quadrangle and the Glens Falls quadrangle. Data records for this sample were found in the Albany quadrangle files, the Glens Falls quadrangle files, and the New Hampshire state files. The data from all three sources were compared, combined, commented in the REFORMAT field, and then the record was assigned to the Glens Falls quadrangle.
  11. An analysis of latitude-longitude site coordinates identified several stream-sediment samples that were missing coordinates, did not plot within expected state, county, or map boundaries, or had differing coordinates in corresponding records. To correct or confirm sample coordinates, the original field collection maps for Hartford and Tolland Counties, Connecticut; Columbia, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties, New York; Berkshire, Hampden and Hampshire Counties, Massachusetts; and Windham County, Vermont were obtained and re-digitized. The newly re-digitized coordinates were added to the database and the coordinates from the original file(s) were recorded in the COORDPRB comment field. When the newly re-digitized coordinates were not significantly different, that confirmation of the site location was also noted in the COORDPRB comment field.
  12. Gold concentrations from the GJBX-135(82) report were added to the appropriate sediment records. A value of -0.01 (<0.01 ppm Au) was added to all other sediment samples determined to have been analyzed by SRL neutron activation. This value was chosen because 0.01 is the lowest reported gold concentration in the entire report.

Water Records
The Albany quadrangle water data consist of reformatted records from the Albany Quadrangle GJBX-140(79) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding sample records from the New York portion of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York [GJBX-106(82)] Data Report and the New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut portions of the New England [GJBX-107(82)] Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Albany quadrangle water data:

  1. The analytical values for many Al, Br, Dy, and Mn determinations differed slightly between the Albany quadrangle files and the New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut State files. These variations are apparently due only to differences in rounding versus truncation of reported values or to differences in the number of recorded significant digits. Since the variation was insignificant, only one set of the values was retained for the affected elements.
  2. For 2 records, analytical values for Br and Mn were found in the Albany quadrangle file but were missing in the corresponding records from the New Hampshire and Vermont State files. These differences were noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
  3. For 1 record, analytical values for U, Dy, and V were found in the Massachusetts State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Albany quadrangle files. These values were added and that change was noted for the affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
  4. One stream-water sample was collected at a latitude of exactly 43°N, the dividing line between the Albany quadrangle and the Glens Falls quadrangle. Data records for this sample were found in the Albany quadrangle files, the Glens Falls quadrangle files, and the New Hampshire state files. The data from all three sources were compared, combined, commented in the REFORMAT field, and then the record was assigned to the Glens Falls quadrangle.
  5. The original NURE format for surface-water files did not include much information about the character of the sample location. This missing information includes observations taken at each site on the stream width, depth, and flow, water color, surrounding vegetation, local relief, weather, and possible contaminants. This information is given in records for stream-sediment samples that were collected at the same locations. The available site descriptive information for stream-water sites were compared with the corresponding stream-sediment site records. The missing site descriptive data were then added to stream-water records from the corresponding stream-sediment sample records. Sources of data and any problems found are described in the REFORMAT comment field.
  6. During reformatting, contamination codes for "residential" and "recreation" were found to be missing from each State's CONTAMC field. The presence of one of these two codes was indicated only by a "." (period). Most, but not all of these contamination codes were present in the original quadrangle file. When possible, the missing contamination codes were replaced, otherwise the missing codes were assigned a value of "unknown" in the CONTAMC field within the final water data file.
  7. An unlikely sample collection date was found for one sample. This date was removed from the SAMPDAT field and the original SAMPDAT value with the most likely correct value was added as a comment to the REFORMAT field.
  8. An analysis of latitude-longitude site coordinates identified several ground-water samples that were missing coordinates, did not plot within expected state, county, or map boundaries, or had differing coordinates in corresponding records. To correct or confirm sample coordinates, the original field collection maps for Hartford, Litchfield, and Tolland Counties, Connecticut; Cheshire County, New Hampshire; Ulster and Washington Counties, New York; and Franklin, Hampden, and Worcester Counties, Massachusetts were obtained and re-digitized. The newly re-digitized coordinates were added to the database and the coordinates from the original file(s) were recorded in the COORDPRB comment field. When the newly re-digitized coordinates were not significantly different, that confirmation of the site location was also noted in the COORDPRB comment field.
  9. An analysis of latitude-longitude site coordinates identified several stream-water samples that were missing coordinates, did not plot within expected state, county, or map boundaries, or had differing coordinates in corresponding records. To correct or confirm sample coordinates, the original field collection maps for Hartford and Tolland Counties, Connecticut; Columbia, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties, New York; Berkshire, Hampden and Hampshire Counties, Massachusetts; and Windham County, Vermont were obtained and re-digitized. The newly re-digitized coordinates were added to the database and the coordinates from the original file(s) were recorded in the COORDPRB comment field. When the newly re-digitized coordinates were not significantly different, that confirmation of the site location was also noted in the COORDPRB comment field.


Download The Data

The NURE HSSR data are now available online in two databases: The sediment database (also includes data for soils and some rocks) at http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/sediment/ and the water database at http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/water/. From these two web sites, NURE HSSR data can be selected, examined, summarized, and downloaded by political boundaries (State and County), by quadrangle (1:250,000-scale, 1:100,000-scale, and 1:63,360-scale for Alaska or 1:24,000-scale for the Lower 48 States), and by hydrologic unit (drainage region, subregion, river basin, or sub-basin). Selected data can be downloaded as a dBase file, a shapefile, an HTML table, or ASCII text (tab- or comma-delimited).

Albany Quadrangle Sediment Data - 1,399 records
Albany Quadrangle Water Data - 1,975 records



Notes for Data Users

In the eastern United States, SRL collected samples primarily by county. Often, not all counties within a quadrangle were completely sampled. Sample coverage in the Albany quadrangle is complete and includes samples from Hartford, Litchfield, and Tolland Counties in Connecticut; Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester Counties in Massachusetts; Cheshire and Hillsborough Counties in New Hampshire; Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Ulster, and Washington Counties in New York; and Bennington and Windham Counties in Vermont. The laboratory and analytical methods used also may vary by county such that adjacent counties often have very different analytical coverage.

One well water sample from Worcester County, Massachusetts within the Albany quadrangle was not analyzed by any of the various laboratories.



Other NURE Geochemical Data for the Albany Quadrangle

Albany Quadrangle NURE Summary
A summary evaluation report was prepared for the Albany quadrangle by the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation [PGJ/F-104(82)]. As part of this summary, an additional 347 rock samples were collected from the quadrangle and analyzed for uranium and 29 other elements. These data were released only as appendices on microfiche accompanying the summary report.



Albany Quadrangle NURE Bibliography



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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