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Pennsylvania
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 4,499 stream-sediment, 4,401 surface-water, and 5,734 ground-water samples within 49 counties from Pennsylvania as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. The sediment samples were collected during September - October 1976; July - December 1977; and July - August 1978, and water samples were collected during May - December 1977 and July - August 1978. Sample coverage included portions of the Baltimore, Canton, Clarksburg, Cleveland, Cumberland, Elmira, Harrisburg, Newark, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Warren, Williamsport, and Wilmington 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. (A total of 1,032 stream-sediment, 1,026 stream-water, and 1,318 ground-water samples were collected within the Harrisburg 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 4,287 sediments and 10,100 waters from Pennsylvania; this includes 1,031 sediment and 2,334 water samples from the Harrisburg quadrangle. The analytical and site location data for all Pennsylvania samples were released in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York Data Report [GJBX-106(82)].

SRL sent 3,851 sediment samples from Pennsylvania to an unnamed contract laboratory for "Supplemental Analyses." Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 23 elements were reported for 3,842 of these samples in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York Data Report [GJBX-106(82)]. The digital data file accompanying this report include Supplemental Analyses for 1,029 Pennsylvania sediment samples within the Harrisburg quadrangle. (Note: Four of these stream-sediment sample records did not actually have any supplemental analysis data.)

SRL: Harrisburg Quadrangle
SRL released a separate quadrangle report for the Harrisburg NTMS quadrangle, which includes data for 1,020 stream-sediment, 1,014 surface-water, and 1,310 ground-water samples. With minor differences, these sample data are the same as the that for corresponding samples found in the Pennsylvania State report. SRL released the analytical data as the Harrisburg Quadrangle GJBX-31(79) Data Release. 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 1,018 sediment samples from the Harrisburg quadrangle. Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 19 elements were reported for 1,014 of these samples in the Harrisburg NTMS Area, Supplemental Data Report [GJBX-347(81)]. (Four of these Harrisburg sediment sample records did not have any supplemental analysis data in 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 Harrisburg quadrangle samples.

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

These Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg Quadrangle

Sediment Records
The Harrisburg quadrangle sediment data consist of reformatted records from the Harrisburg Quadrangle GJBX-31(79) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding sample records from the Pennsylvania portion of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York [GJBX-106(82)] Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Harrisburg quadrangle sediment data:

1. The analytical values for many U, Dy, Fe, Lu, and V determinations differed slightly between the Harrisburg quadrangle files and the Pennsylvania 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 some records, analytical values for U, Al, Ce, Dy, Eu, Hf, Fe, La, Lu, Mn, Na, Sc, Sm, Th, V, and Yb were found in the Pennsylvania State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Harrisburg 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 Al, Ce, Eu, Fe, Lu, Mn, and Sc were found in the Harrisburg quadrangle files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Pennsylvania State files. These missing values were noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
4. The water temperature and the date on which a sample was analyzed by Neutron Activation Analysis was only recorded in the State digital data files from the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York [GJBX-106(82)] Data Report. This information was added to each of combined sediment data records.
5. One stream-sediment sample was collected at a longitude of exactly 78°W, the dividing line between the Harrisburg quadrangle and the Pittsburgh quadrangle. Data records for this sample were found in the Harrisburg quadrangle files, the Pittsburgh quadrangle files, and the Pennsylvania state files. The data from all three sources were compared, combined, commented in the REFORMAT field, and then assigned to the Harrisburg quadrangle.
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 sediment data file.
7. 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.
8. The latitude and longitude coordinates for 11 stream-sediment samples collected within Dauphin(1), Lancaster(82), and Schuylkill(2) Counties in Pennsylvania were not found in the data during the reformatting process. The records for these 11 samples cannot be retrieved on a geographical basis.
9. 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 ppm is the lowest reported gold concentration in the entire report.

Water Records
The Harrisburg quadrangle water data consist of reformatted records from the Harrisburg Quadrangle GJBX-31(79) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding sample records from the Pennsylvania portion of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York [GJBX-106(82)] Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Harrisburg quadrangle water data:

1. The analytical values for many U, Al, Br, Dy, and Mn determinations differed slightly between the Harrisburg quadrangle files and the Pennsylvania 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 Al, Br, Cl, F, Mg, and Mn were found in the Harrisburg quadrangle file but were missing in the corresponding records from the Pennsylvania State files. These missing values were noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
3. For some records, analytical values for U, Br, Dy, Mn, and V were found in the Pennsylvania State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Harrisburg quadrangle files. These values were added and that change was noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
4. For 3 records, Harrisburg quadrangle Neutron Activation Analytical values were significantly different from that found in the corresponding records from the Pennsylvania State files. For all of these affected records, the differences between Harrisburg quadrangle files and Pennsylvania State files required the creation of two separate records for each sample to preserve all the data.
5. One stream-water sample was collected at a longitude of exactly 78°W, the dividing line between the Harrisburg quadrangle and the Pittsburgh quadrangle. Data records for this sample were found in the Harrisburg quadrangle files, the Pittsburgh quadrangle files, and the Pennsylvania state files. The data from all three sources were compared, combined, commented in the REFORMAT field, and then assigned to the Harrisburg quadrangle.
6. 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.
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. Unlikely sample collection dates were found for four 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.
9. Seven ground-water samples were identified with a SRLID in the 700'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 ABCD718R is the same location as ABCD518R). The coordinates from the original 500's series sites were added to the matching 700'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 Luzerne County, Pennsylvania 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. The latitude and longitude coordinates for 11 stream-water samples collected within Dauphin(1), Lancaster(82), and Schuylkill(2) Counties in Pennsylvania were not found in the data during the reformatting process. The records for these 11 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).

Harrisburg Quadrangle Sediment Data - 1,021 records
Harrisburg Quadrangle Water Data - 2,336 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 Harrisburg quadrangle is complete and includes samples from Adams, Berks, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union, and York Counties in Pennsylvania. The laboratory and analytical methods used also may vary by county such that adjacent counties often have very different analytical coverage.

Nine water samples within the Harrisburg quadrangle were not analyzed by any of the various laboratories. The following table summarizes the locations of this unanalyzed sample.

Other NURE Geochemical Data for the Harrisburg Quadrangle

Harrisburg Quadrangle NURE Summary
A summary evaluation report was prepared for the Harrisburg quadrangle by the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation [PGJ/F-086(82)]. An additional 409 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.

Geochemistry of Uranium & Thorium in Mineralized Shales and Sandstones
The Pennsylvania State University undertook a study of the geochemistry of uranium and thorium in shales and sandstones from the Catskill Formation in Pennsylvania and the Morrison and adjoining formations in the Uravan mineral belt of Colorado [GJBX-126(80)]. The objectives of this project were to investigate the following questions:

1. Are sandstone-type uranium deposits accompanied by regional uranium anomalies in the host sediments?
2. What are the relations of uranium to thorium and other major and trace elements in sedimentary rocks, and how can these relations be used to improve methods for identifying uranium anomalies?
3. Are the ground-water conduits through which U was transported to sandstone-type uranium ore bodies enriched or depleted in uranium?
4. Is the U and Th content of zircons and other resistant accessory minerals a useful guide to uranium provinces in sedimentary rocks?

A total of 371 rock samples were collected from 6 uranium occurrences within Pennsylvania (Harrisburg and Newark quadrangles) and 102 rock samples were collected from 7 uranium occurrences in the Uravan mineral belt of Colorado (Cortez and Moab quadrangles). The results of analyses for major element oxides plus Ba, Cr, La, Sr, Sm, Th, U, V, and equivalent U are recorded as appendices within the report.

Harrisburg Quadrangle NURE Bibliography

• Cook, J.R., and Dromgoole, E.L., 1981, Harrisburg 1° x 2° NTMS area, Pennsylvania; supplemental data report: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-81-146-1S, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-347(81), 18 p.
• Cook, J.R., Fay, W.M., and Sargent, K.A., 1982, Data report: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-81-146-26, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-106(82), 44 p.
• 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.
• Heffner, J.D., 1979, Harrisburg 1° x 2° NTMS area Pennsylvania; data release: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-79-146-1, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-31(79), 225 p.
• Popper, G.H.P., 1982, National Uranium Resource Evaluation, Harrisburg quadrangle, Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., PGJ/F-086(82), 40 p.
• Rose, A.W., Pirc, S., Tole, M.P., Bell, C.A., Keith, M.L., and Pilione, L.J., 1980, Regional and local anomalies of uranium and thorium in rocks near sandstone-type uranium deposits in Pennsylvania and Colorado: U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-126(80), 140 p.

Links Within Open-File Report 97-492

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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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