OFR 97-492: Charlotte 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.]

North Carolina
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 6,666 stream-sediment, 295 surface-water, and 5,778 ground-water samples within 100 counties from North Carolina as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. The sediment samples were collected during June - December 1976; July - August 1977; and April - May 1978, and water samples were collected during December 1976 - August 1977 and June - July 1978. Sample coverage included portions of the Beaufort, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Currituck Sound, Florence, Georgetown, Greensboro, Greenville, Johnson City, Knoxville, Manteo, Norfolk, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Rome, Spartanburg, and Winston-Salem 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. (A total of 1,137 stream-sediment and 693 ground-water samples were collected within the Charlotte 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 6,597 sediments and 6,040 waters from North Carolina; this includes 1,131 sediment and 689 water samples from the Charlotte quadrangle. The analytical and site location data for all North Carolina samples were released in the North and South Carolina Data Report [GJBX-102(82)].

SRL sent 4,677 sediment samples from North Carolina to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 4,660 of these samples in the North and South Carolina Data Report [GJBX-102(82)]. The digital data file accompanying this report include Supplemental Analyses for 1,122 North Carolina sediment samples within the Charlotte quadrangle. (One of the Charlotte sediment samples in this report did not have any supplemental analysis).

South Carolina
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 3,618 stream-sediment and 3,945 ground-water samples within 46 counties from South Carolina as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. The sediment samples were collected during June - October 1976; April 1977; and January - April 1978, and water samples were collected during December 1976 - July 1977 and January - September 1978. Sample coverage included portions of the Athens, Augusta, Charlotte, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, James Island, Knoxville, Savannah, and Spartanburg 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. (A total of 123 stream-sediment and 69 ground-water samples were collected within the Charlotte 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 3,581 sediments and 3,941 waters from South Carolina; this includes 123 sediment and 69 water samples from the Charlotte quadrangle. The analytical and site location data for all South Carolina samples were released in the North and South Carolina Data Report [GJBX-102(82)].

SRL sent 2,483 sediment samples from South Carolina to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 2,476 of these samples in the North and South Carolina Data Report [GJBX-102(82)]. The digital data file accompanying this report include Supplemental Analyses for 124 South Carolina sediment samples within the Charlotte quadrangle.

SRL: Charlotte Quadrangle
SRL released a separate quadrangle report for the Charlotte NTMS quadrangle, which includes data for 1,253 stream-sediment and 762 ground-water samples. With minor differences, these sample data are the same as the that for corresponding samples found in the North and South Carolina State reports. SRL released the analytical data as the Charlotte Quadrangle GJBX-40(78) Preliminary Basic Data Report. The site coding information for this data set is summarized within the text of this report.

SRL: Athens, Charlotte, Greenville, and Spartanburg Quadrangles
SRL released a separate report for supplemental analyses of 5,068 sediment samples from the Athens, Charlotte, Greenville, and Spartanburg quadrangles. Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 19 elements were reported for 5,032 of these samples in the Athens, Charlotte, Greenville, and Spartanburg NTMS Quadrangle Areas, Supplemental Data Release [GJBX-73(79)]. The digital data file accompanying this report includes supplemental analyses for 1,244 sediment samples collected within the Charlotte quadrangle.

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 Charlotte quadrangle samples.

Combination of laboratories that analyzed samples for the Charlotte quadrangle.
Laboratory Analysis Sediments Waters
Only SRL 16 758
Only Supplemental Lab 6 0
Both SRL and Supplemental Labs 1,238 0
Second SRL analysis on sample 1,234 0
None 0 4
Total Samples 1,260 762
Total Data Records 2,494 762

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

Summary of Charlotte quadrangle sample types.
Sediment Sample Type Number of Samples Water Sample Type Number of Samples
Wet Streams 1,260 Wells 715
    Springs 47
Total Sediments 1,260 Total Waters 762

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

Sediment Samples

Water Samples



Discussion of the Reformatting Process for Charlotte Quadrangle

Sediment Records
The Charlotte quadrangle sediment data consist of reformatted records from the Charlotte Quadrangle GJBX-40(78) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding sample records from the North and South Carolina portions of the North and South Carolina [GJBX-102(82)] Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Charlotte quadrangle sediment data:

  1. For 1,234 records, Charlotte quadrangle Neutron Activation Analytical values were significantly different from that found in the corresponding records from the North and South Carolina State files. For all of these affected records, the differences between Charlotte quadrangle files and North and South Carolina State files required the creation of two separate records for each sample to preserve all the data.
  2. The date on which a sample was analyzed by Neutron Activation Analysis was only recorded in the State digital data files from the North and South Carolina [GJBX-102(82)] Data Report. This information was added to each of combined sediment data records.
  3. During reformatting, contamination codes for "residential" and "recreation" were found to be missing from the state CONTAMC field. These codes were present in the quadrangle format and were added to the final digital data file.
  4. Seven stream-sediment samples were identified with a SRLID in the 300'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's series site (i.e. SRLID site number ABCD318S1 is the same location as ABCD018S1). The coordinates from the original 000's series sites were added to the matching 300's records and this change was noted in the REFORMAT and COORDPRB comment fields.
  5. Unlikely sample collection dates were found for two samples (4 records). 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.
  6. 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 Caldwell, Cleveland, Davidson, and Gaston Counties, North Carolina 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.
  7. 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 Charlotte quadrangle water data consist of reformatted records from the Charlotte Quadrangle GJBX-40(78) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding sample records from the the North and South Carolina portions of the North and South Carolina [GJBX-102(82)] Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Charlotte quadrangle water data:

  1. The analytical values for many Al, Br, Dy, and Mn determinations differed slightly between the Charlotte quadrangle files and the North the South Carolina 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 3 records, analytical values for Al, Cl, and Mn were found in the Charlotte quadrangle file but were missing in the corresponding records from the North Carolina State files. These missing values were noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
  3. For 7 records, analytical values for U, Al, Br, Cl, Dy, F, Mg, Mn, Na, and V were found in the North and South Carolina State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Charlotte quadrangle files. These values were added and that change was noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
  4. One well water sample was collected at a latitude of exactly 36°N, the dividing line between the Charlotte quadrangle and the Winston-Salem quadrangle and reported in the Virginia State files. The data record for this sample was assigned to the Winston-Salem quadrangle.
  5. Unlikely sample collection dates were found for two 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.
  6. 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 Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Rowan, and Stanly Counties, North Carolina; and Cherokee, Spartanburg, and York Counties, South Carolina 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).

Charlotte Quadrangle Sediment Data - 2,494 records
Charlotte Quadrangle Water Data - 762 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 Charlotte quadrangle is complete and includes samples from Alexander, Anson, Avery, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, and Union Counties in North Carolina; and Cherokee, Lancaster, Spartanburg, and York Counties in South Carolina. The laboratory and analytical methods used also may vary by county such that adjacent counties often have very different analytical coverages.

Four well samples from Iredell County within the Charlotte quadrangle were not analyzed by any of the various laboratories.



Other NURE Geochemical Data for the Charlotte 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.

Kings Mountain Orientation Study
SRL conducted an orientation study in the Kings Mountain, North Carolina, area of the Charlotte quadrangle in preparation for Hydrogeochemical and Stream-Sediment Reconnaissance studies [GJBX-66(76)]. The study comprises parts of Cleveland, Gaston, and Lincoln Counties, North Carolina, referred to as the North Carolina Inner Piedmont Study Area. A total of 99 surface sites and 96 ground water sites were sampled over an 800-square-mile area. Uranium concentrations were determined by Neutron Activation Analysis. Supplementary elemental analyses were also conducted on the samples. These samples were dissolved in hydrofluoric-nitric acid mixtures and analyzed by a direct-reading emission spectrograph with a plasma source. Data tables of analytical results are included in microfiche format within the report. No digital data files were available for reformatting.

Geochemical Anomaly Evaluation Studies
The University of Georgia, under subcontract to Bendix Field Engineering Corp., evaluated uranium anomalies in the Charlotte, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Winston-Salem quadrangles of the southeastern United States and in the Tallahassee Creek area of the Pueblo quadrangle in Colorado. During this study, 170 stream-sediment samples were collected at 26 sites. Up to four different subsets of these samples were analyzed: Fe, Mn, and U in oxalic acid residues derived from boulder coatings; U and Fe in oxalic acid residues derived from -80 mesh stream sediment; total U, Th, and Fe in -80 mesh stream sediments with heavy minerals removed; and total U and Th in -80 mesh stream sediments. The analytical data for these samples were released as appendices in the GJBX-114(80) report.

As part of SRL's series of "anomaly verification" field studies, SRL conducted an evaluation of geochemical data within Cabarrus and Rowan Counties, North Carolina [GJBX-25(82)]. This study was part of the development program to support interpretation of geochemical data. SRL evaluated geochemical anomalies that had been identified by reconnaissance data in the Charlotte quadrangle. This report does not contain any data tables of analyses, but has a discussion of the results of a ground radiation survey conducted in the area. Conclusions about the possible occurrence of uranium concentrations in Cabarrus and Rowan Counties were included.

As part of SRL's series of "anomaly verification" field studies, SRL conducted an additional study in the Kings Mountain Area located within the Charlotte quadrangle [GJBX-145(82)]. This study was part of the development program to support interpretation of geochemical data. SRL evaluated geochemical anomalies identified by reconnaissance data. Subcontractors conducted field scintillometer surveys, compiled geologic maps, and collected additional samples. For the Kings Mountain Area evaluation, 280 augered-sediment samples were analyzed by Neutron Activation Analysis for U, plus 16 additional elements. A total of 152 soil samples were recovered by auger and analyzed for polonium-210, extractable uranium, and surface area. An additional 21 zircon and 34 monazite mineral samples were collected and analyzed by Electron Microprobe; zircons were analyzed for Zr, Hf, Si, Th, U, and O, and monazites were analyzed for Ca, Ti, La, Ce, Cr, Fe, Y, P, Zr, Mg, Al, Si, Nb, Th, U, B, and O. Data tables of analytical results are included within the report. No digital data files were available for reformatting.

Wadesboro Triassic Basin Detailed Study
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, under subcontract to Savannah River Laboratory, conducted a preliminary study of the Wadesboro Triassic Basin, North Carolina, to evaluate the potential for uranium deposits [GJBX-32(82)]. This area occupies parts of the Charlotte, Florence, Raleigh, and Spartanburg 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. A total of 216 gamma-ray spectrometric measurements were taken at 165 sites in the Wadesboro Basin and at 37 sites in the adjacent Piedmont. Data tables of analytical results are included within the report. No digital data files were available for reformatting.

Mineral Chemistry of the Southeastern Piedmont
SRL also conducted an analysis of monazite, zircon, and apatite in the Southeastern Piedmont [GJBX-101(82)]. SRL collected 263 monazite, 191 zircon, and 16 apatite grains from 52 stream-sediment locations and analyzed them by electron microprobe for one of the two following suites of elements: Ca, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Er, Dy, Y, Th, U, and F, or Ca, La, Ce, Fe, Er, Hf, Y, Th, U, P, Zr, Mg, Al, and Si. Samples were collected along eight traverses where reconnaissance data had previously revealed high concentrations of uranium, thorium, and cerium in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina (Athens, Augusta, Charlotte, Greenville, Knoxville, and Spartanburg 1:250,000-scale quadrangles). Data tables of analytical results are included within the report. No digital data files were available for reformatting.

North America and Africa Plutonic Rocks Special Study
The SRL in contract with the Department of Geology of the University of North Carolina conducted a special study to investigate the association of uranium deposits with granitic source or host rocks. The analytical results from 441 samples of 92 plutons were released in the North America and Africa Plutonic Rocks Special Study GJBX-221(82) report. See the North America and Africa Plutonic Rocks Special Study for the data and a more detailed description of this study. Plutons that were apparently sampled in the Charlotte quadrangle include the Churchland (4 samples); Clover(1); Columbia(5); Concord Gabbro(2); Concord Syenite(3); Farmington Gabbro(2); Landis(4); Mecklenburg Gabbro(3) Rowan Co.(1); Salisbury(4); Southmont(6); Yadkin(6); York Co. Gabbro(1) and York(7).

Characteristics of the Southeastern Piedmont
Bendix Field Engineering Corporation released a report that contains stream-sediment, hydrogeochemical, and aeromagnetic data for 16 contiguous NTMS quadrangles in the eastern United States [GJBX-40(83)]. This compilation report is limited in scope to features that have specific interest to the geoscience community. Included in the report are aeromagnetic and geochemical maps, and tectonic and igneous rock distribution maps. When used together, these maps show geochemical, tectonic, and magnetic features unique to many of the geologic and physiographic provinces in the region. This report primarily covers the Southeastern Piedmont region and includes the Athens, Augusta, Bluefield, Charlotte, Florence, Georgetown, Greensboro, Greenville, Knoxville, Norfolk, Raleigh, Richmond, Roanoke, Rocky Mount, Spartanburg and Winston-Salem 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. The color maps are in 35mm-slide format. No digital data files accompany this report.



Charlotte Quadrangle NURE Bibliography



Links Within Open-File Report 97-492

Back to North Carolina NURE data
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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 1.30: September 11, 2001
Version 1.41: February 23, 2006

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