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Georgia
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 6,092 stream-sediment, 14 surface-water, and 5,990 ground-water samples within 142 counties from the northern two-thirds of Georgia as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. The sediment samples were collected during June - December 1976, April 1977, and April - September 1978, and water samples were collected during January - December 1977 and March - November 1978. Sample coverage included portions of the Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Brunswick, Dothan, Greenville, Macon, Phenix City, Rome, Savannah, Valdosta, and Waycross 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. (A total of 907 stream-sediment and 585 ground-water samples were collected within the Atlanta quadrangle.) These samples were sent to SRL for analysis of uranium and additional elements (16 in sediments and 9 in waters). SRL was able to analyze 5,958 sediments and 5,989 waters from Georgia; this includes 883 sediment and 585 water samples from the Atlanta quadrangle. The analytical and site location data for all Georgia samples were released in the Alabama and Georgia Data Report [GJBX-403(81)].

SRL sent 2,956 sediment samples from Georgia to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 2,951 of these samples in the Alabama and Georgia Data Report [GJBX-403(81)]. The digital data file accompanying this report includes Supplemental Analysis records for 730 Georgia sediment samples within the Atlanta quadrangle.

Alabama
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 4,499 stream-sediment, 1,486 surface-water, and 6,204 ground-water samples within 53 counties from the northern two-thirds of Alabama as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. The sediment samples were collected during June - December, 1976 and March 1978 - January 1979, and water samples were collected during January - September, 1977 and December 1977 - March 1979. Sample coverage included portions of the Andalusia, Atlanta, Birmingham, Blytheville, Dothan, Gadsden, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Montgomery, Phenix City, Rome, Tupelo, and West Point 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. (A total of 438 stream-sediment and 407 ground-water samples were collected within the Atlanta quadrangle.) These samples were sent to SRL for analysis of uranium and additional elements (16 in sediments and 9 in waters). SRL was able to analyze 4,489 sediments and 7,677 waters from Alabama; this includes 437 sediment and 407 water samples from the Atlanta quadrangle. The analytical and site location data for all Alabama samples were released in the Alabama and Georgia Data Report [GJBX-403(81)].

SRL sent 1,476 sediment samples from Alabama to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 1,471 of these samples in the Alabama and Georgia Data Report [GJBX-403(81)]. The digital data file accompanying this report includes Supplemental Analyses for 304 Alabama sediment samples within the Atlanta quadrangle.

SRL: Atlanta Quadrangle
SRL released a separate quadrangle report for the Atlanta NTMS quadrangle, which includes data for 1,312 stream-sediment and 951 ground-water. Data for these samples are the same data found in the state reports with corresponding sample numbers. SRL released the analytical data as the Atlanta Quadrangle GJBX-129(79) Data Report. The site coding information for this data set is summarized within the text of this 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 Atlanta quadrangle samples.

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

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

Sediment Samples

• SR1: Savannah River Neutron Activation Analysis - Neutron Counting of sediments for U.
• SR2: Savannah River Neutron Activation Analysis of sediments for Al, Ce, Dy, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Lu, Mn, Na, Sc, Sm, Th, Ti, V, and Yb. (Note: Au values were reported later for this method.)
• SR3-AA: Savannah River (Supplemental Analysis by contract Laboratory) Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis of sediments for Ag, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sr, Y, and Zn.
• SR3-CA: Savannah River (Supplemental Analysis by contract Laboratory) Colorimetric Analysis of sediments for Nb, P, and W.
• SR3-FE: Savannah River (Supplemental Analysis by contract Laboratory) Flame Emission Analysis of sediments for K and Li.
• SR3-XU: Savannah River (Supplemental Analysis by contract Laboratory) Analysis of sediments for hot acid extractable U. (Exact method undetermined)
• SR3-XX: Savannah River (Supplemental Analysis by contract Laboratory) Analysis of sediments for As, Se, and Ca. (Exact method undetermined)

Water Samples

• SR4: Savannah River Neutron Activation Analysis - Neutron Counting of waters for U.
• SR5: Savannah River Neutron Activation Analysis of waters for Al, Br, Cl, Dy, F, Mn, Na, and V. (Note: Mg may also be reported by this method.)

Discussion of the Reformatting Process for Atlanta Quadrangle

Sediment Records
The Atlanta quadrangle sediment data consist of reformatted records from the Atlanta Quadrangle GJBX-129(79) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding sample records from the Alabama and Georgia portions of the Alabama and Georgia [GJBX-403(81)] Data Report combined with Supplemental Analyses from the Alabama and Georgia [GJBX-403(81)] Data Report. Site descriptive information and coordinates were compared for all corresponding records. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Atlanta quadrangle sediment data:

1. The analytical values for many U, Dy, Fe, Lu, Sc, and V determinations differed slightly between the Atlanta Quadrangle files and the Alabama and Georgia 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. Occasionally, analytical values for Ce, Dy, Eu, Fe, La, Lu, Sm, Th, or Yb were found in the Alabama and Georgia State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Atlanta Quadrangle files. These values were added and that change was noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
3. For some records, analytical values for U, Al, Ce, Fe, Lu, Mn, Sm, Ti, and Yb were found in the Atlanta quadrangle files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Alabama and Georgia State files. These missing values were noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
4. The date on which a sample was analyzed by Neutron Activation Analysis was only recorded in the State digital data files from the Alabama and Georgia [GJBX-403(81)] Data Report. This information was added to each of combined sediment data records.
5. One stream-sediment sample was collected at a latitude of exactly 34°N, the dividing line between the Atlanta and Rome quadrangles and reported in the Georgia State files. The data record for this sample was assigned to the Rome quadrangle.
6. One stream-sediment sample was collected at a longitude of exactly 84°W, the dividing line between the Athens and Atlanta quadrangles and reported in the Georgia State files, the Athens Quadrangle files, and the Atlanta Quadrangle files. The single combined data record for this sample was assigned to the Atlanta quadrangle.
7. 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.
8. For one sediment sample, 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 this sample, it was necessary to keep a second record containing the alternate analytical values. These records are identified by a comment in the REFORMAT field.
9. Thirteen stream-sediment samples were identified with a SRLID in the 300's or 400's. All of these samples were missing latitude and longitude coordinates. Evidence from original sample site field notes strongly suggests that these are duplicate samples collected later from a previously sampled 000/100's series site (i.e. SRLID site number ABCD318S1 is the same location as ABCD018S1). The coordinates from the original 000/100's series sites were added to the matching 300/400's records and this change was noted in the REFORMAT and COORDPRB comment fields.
10. 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 Cleburne, Cherokee, and Randolph Counties, Alabama; and Clayton, Carroll, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Newton, Paulding, Spaulding, and Troup 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.
11. After re-digitizing, one Henry County, Georgia stream-sediment sample originally located in the Athens quadrangle now plots in the adjacent Atlanta quadrangle.
12. After re-digitizing, one stream-sediment sample from Meriwether County, Georgia originally located in the Phenix City quadrangle now plots in the adjacent Atlanta quadrangle.
13. After re-digitizing, three stream-sediment samples from Troup County, Georgia originally located in the Phenix City quadrangle now plot in the adjacent Atlanta quadrangle.
14. One Supplemental Analysis data record was found with an erroneous SRLID value of GACC23AS1. Because of this error, it was not possible to unequivocally identify the sample and combine the data with corresponding records. These data were retained as a separate record and noted with a comment in the REFORMAT field. Since this record does not have latitude or longitude coordinates, it cannot be retrieved on a geographical basis.
15. The latitude and longitude coordinates for 9 Atlanta quadrangle sediment samples collected within Coweta(5), Douglas(1), Henry(1), and Troup(2) Counties in Georgia were not found in the data or on field maps during the reformatting process. The records for these 9 samples cannot be retrieved on a geographical basis.
16. 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 Atlanta quadrangle water data consist of reformatted records from the Atlanta Quadrangle GJBX-129(79) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding sample records from the Alabama and Georgia portions of the Alabama and Georgia [GJBX-403(81)] Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Atlanta quadrangle water data:

1. The analytical values for many Al, Br, Dy, and Mn determinations differed slightly between the Atlanta Quadrangle files and the Alabama and Georgia 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 many records, analytical values for Dy, Mg, V, and U were found in the Alabama and Georgia State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Atlanta Quadrangle files. These values were added and that change was noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
3. Unlikely sample collection dates were found for six samples. These dates were removed from the SAMPDAT field. For each record, the original SAMPDAT value and the most likely correct value was added as a comment to the REFORMAT field.
4. Seven ground-water samples were identified with a SRLID in the 800's. All of these samples were missing latitude and longitude coordinates. Evidence from original sample site field notes strongly suggests that these are duplicate samples collected later from a previously sampled 500's series site (i.e. SRLID site number ABCD818R is the same location as ABCD518R). The coordinates from the original 500's series sites were added to the matching 800's records and this change was noted in the REFORMAT and COORDPRB comment fields.
5. 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 Cleburne and Tallapoosa Counties, Alabama; and Coweta, Lamar, Meriwether, Polk, Spaulding, and Troup 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.
6. After re-digitizing, one well water sample from Polk County, Georgia originally located in the Atlanta quadrangle now plots in the adjacent Rome quadrangle.
7. After re-digitizing, one well water sample from Tallapoosa County, Alabama originally located in the Phenix City quadrangle now plots in the adjacent Atlanta quadrangle.
8. The latitude and longitude coordinates for all 32 ground-water samples collected within Fayette County, Georgia were not found in the data during the reformatting process. A search for the original field maps for this county failed to find any sample locations that could be digitized. The records for these 32 samples cannot be retrieved on a geographical basis.

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).

Atlanta Quadrangle Sediment Data - 1,336 records
Atlanta Quadrangle Water Data - 960 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 Atlanta quadrangle is complete and includes samples from Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph, Talladega, and Tallapoosa Counties in Alabama; and Butts, Carroll, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, De Kalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Newton, Paulding, Pike, Polk, Rockdale, Spalding, and Troup Counties in Georgia. The laboratory and analytical methods used also may vary by county such that adjacent counties often have very different analytical coverages.

Eight sediment samples within the Atlanta quadrangle were not analyzed by any of the various laboratories. The following table summarizes the locations of those unanalyzed samples.

Other NURE Geochemical Data for the Atlanta Quadrangle

Crystalline Rock Areas of Southeastern United States
A study of the Crystalline Rock Areas of Southeastern United States [GJBX-9(76)] was undertaken as part of a series of orientation studies conducted by SRL in the Eastern States. In 1975, SRL collected stream-sediment, suspended sediment, ground-water, and stream-water samples from Lamar County Area in Georgia (Athens, Atlanta, Macon and Phenix City quadrangles), Oconee County Area in South Carolina (Greenville and Knoxville quadrangles), and the Brush Creek and North Harper Areas in North Carolina (Charlotte, Johnson City, Knoxville, and Winston-Salem quadrangles). These four areas were selected for orientation studies to aid in the design of the geochemical reconnaissance program for uranium being conducted in the eastern United Sates by SRL. Water samples were analyzed by Neutron Activation for uranium. Sediment samples were analyzed for uranium by Neutron Activation and for Ag, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Nb, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn by semi-quantitative emission spectroscopy. Data tables of analytical results are included within the report. No digital data files were available for reformatting.

Atlanta Quadrangle NURE Bibliography

• Fay, W.M., and Cook, J.R., 1982, Gold analyses by neutron activation from SRL NURE samples: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-81-141-38, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-135(82), 45 p.
• Fay, W.M., Sargent, K.A., and Cook, J.R., 1981, Data report: Alabama and Georgia: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-81-146-21, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-403(82), 34 p.
• Jones, P.L., 1979, Atlanta 1° x 2° NTMS area Alabama and Georgia: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-79-14-11, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-129(79), 173 p.
• Price, Van, 1981, Raw data from orientation studies in crystalline rock areas of southeastern United States: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-76-141-1, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-9(76), 219 p.

Links Within Open-File Report 97-492

Back to Georgia NURE data
Back to Alabama NURE data
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 1.30: September 11, 2001
Version 1.41: February 23, 2006

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey URL: https://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/of/1997/492/quad/q_atlant.htm Questions or Assistance: USGS Web Contact Page Last Modified: Wed Dec 7 16:25 EDT 2016