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Missouri
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 2,162 stream-sediment, 1,340 surface-water, and 3,423 ground-water samples within 30 counties from the southeast and southwest corners of Missouri as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. The samples were collected during May - August, 1978, October - December, 1978, and May - June, 1979 and included portions of the Dyersburg, Harrison, Joplin, Paducah, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, St. Louis, Springfield, and Tulsa 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. (A total of 372 stream-sediment, 229 surface-water, and 704 ground-water samples were collected within the Poplar Bluff quadrangle.) These samples were sent to SRL for analysis of uranium and 16 additional elements. SRL was able to analyze only 1,669 Missouri stream-sediment samples and 4,762 Missouri water samples; this includes 371 stream-sediment and 931 water samples from the Poplar Bluff quadrangle. The analytical and site location data for all Missouri samples were released in the Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas Data Report [GJBX-104(82)].

Arkansas
Subcontractors for the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) collected at least 3,292 stream-sediment, 5,121 ground-water, and 1,711 surface-water samples within 43 counties of central Arkansas as part of the NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program. The sampling effort was completed between May and October of 1978 and included portions of the El Dorado, Fort Smith, Greenwood, Harrison, Helena, Little Rock, McAlester, Memphis, Poplar Bluff, Russellville, Texarkana, and Tulsa 1:250,000-scale quadrangles. (A total of 303 stream-sediment, 258 surface-water, and 646 ground-water samples were collected within the Poplar Bluff quadrangle.) These samples were sent to SRL for analysis of uranium and 16 additional elements. SRL was able to analyze only 2,416 Arkansas stream-sediment samples and 6,831 Arkansas water samples; this includes 301 stream-sediment and 900 water samples from the Poplar Bluff quadrangle. The analytical and site location data for all Arkansas sediment and water samples were released as separate files in the Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas Data Report [GJBX-104(82)].

SRL: Poplar Bluff Quadrangle
SRL released a separate quadrangle report for the Poplar Bluff NTMS quadrangle [GJBX-63(79)], which includes data for 673 stream-sediment, 1,350 ground-water, and 486 surface-water samples. These samples are the same as those found reported in the individual state data files and records with corresponding sample identification numbers contain the same or similar data. 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 Poplar Bluff quadrangle samples.

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

These Poplar Bluff 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.)

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 Poplar Bluff Quadrangle

Sediment Records
The Poplar Bluff quadrangle sediment data consist primarily of records from the Poplar Bluff Quadrangle GJBX-63(79) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding records from the Arkansas and Missouri portions of the Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas GJBX-104(82) Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Poplar Bluff quadrangle sediment data:

1. For 44 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.
2. The analytical values for many Dy, Lu, U, and V determinations differed slightly between the original Poplar Bluff Quadrangle and the Arkansas and Missouri 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.
3. Two sediment samples found in the Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas GJBX-104(82) Data Report, were missing in the corresponding records from the Poplar Bluff Quadrangle GJBX-63(79) Data Report. The records from the State digital data files were kept for these samples.
4. Occasionally, analytical values for Ce, Dy, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Lu, Sc, Sm, Th, or Yb differed between the original Poplar Bluff Quadrangle files and the Arkansas and Missouri State files. These differences were usually due to missing values in one of the files or to different reported methods for values near lower detection limits. Missing data were added to the appropriate records and noted by a comment in the REFORMAT comment field. Minor differences in analytical values were also noted in the REFORMAT comment field.
5. The date on which a sample was analyzed by Neutron Activation Analysis was only recorded in the State digital data files from the Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas GJBX-104(82) Data Report. This information was added to each of combined sediment data records.
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). These contamination codes were also not present in the original quadrangle file. 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 represented by 2 records. For each record, 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 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 Fulton and Sharp Counties, Arkansas 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. 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 Poplar Bluff quadrangle water data consist primarily of records from the Poplar Bluff Quadrangle GJBX-63(79) Data Report. These records were compared with corresponding records from the Arkansas and Missouri portions of the Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas GJBX-104(82) Data Report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Poplar Bluff quadrangle water data:

1. The analytical values for many Al, Br, Dy, and Mn determinations differed slightly between the original Poplar Bluff Quadrangle and the Arkansas and Missouri 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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 Fulton and Sharp Counties, Arkansas 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.
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 Lawrence and Sharp Counties, Arkansas 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 Sharp County, Arkansas originally located in the Poplar Bluff quadrangle now plots in the adjacent Memphis quadrangle.
7. The latitude and longitude coordinates for one water sample collected within Howell County, Missouri was not found in the data during the reformatting process. The record for this sample 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).

Poplar Bluff Quadrangle Sediment Data - 719 records
Poplar Bluff Quadrangle Water Data - 1,836 records

Notes for Data Users

The following statement about site location accuracy was found in the Poplar Bluff Quadrangle GJBX-63(79) Data Report.

Twenty-four percent of the sampled sites were checked by SRL personnel or by a subcontractor. The checking of these sites suggests that about ten percent of the sites in the Poplar Bluff quadrangle were mismapped by 300 meters or more. Several sites could not be located.

Although these checks show that the quality of field work in the Poplar Bluff quadrangle does not meet SRL standards, these data are released to expedite the assessment of the quadrangle's uranium potential. Parts of the quadrangle may be resampled and reported later if the Department of Energy so requests.

No additional sampling of the Poplar Bluff quadrangle for the NURE HSSR Program was ever reported.

In the eastern United States, SRL collected samples primarily by county. Often, not all counties within a quadrangle were completely sampled. The laboratory and analytical methods used also may vary by county such that adjacent counties often have very different analytical coverage. Samples were collected throughout the Poplar Bluff quadrangle. The sampled Arkansas counties include Clay, Fulton, Greene, Izard, Lawrence, Randolph, and Sharp. The sampled Missouri counties include Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Howell, Oregon, Ripley, Stoddard, Shannon, and Wayne.

Three sediment and six water samples within the Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff Quadrangle

Poplar Bluff Quadrangle NURE Summary
Geochemex, a subcontractor for the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation, produced a uranium exploration summary for the Poplar Bluff quadrangle (PGJ/F-102(82)). As part of this process, 59 rock, 47 ground-water, 123 soil, and 161 well cutting samples were collected and analyzed for uranium by fluorometry. The rock, well cutting, and soil samples were also analyzed for an additional 29 elements and the ground-water samples were analyzed for an additional 4 elements. One area of uranium favorability was delineated within the quadrangle. This area lies in the delta-platform facies of the Cretaceous McNairy Sand. Data tables were only found on the microfiche accompanying the report.

Poplar Bluff 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., 1982, Data report: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-81-146-24, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-104(82), 37 p.
• Gustovson, J.B., 1982, National Uranium Resource Evaluation, Poplar Bluff quadrangle, Arkansas and Missouri: Geochemex, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., PGJ/F-102(82), 24 p.
• Heffner, J.D., 1979, Poplar Bluff 1° X 2° NTMS area, Missouri and Arkansas, data release, National Uranium Resource Evaluation Program, Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-79-146-6, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-63(79), 50 p.

Links Within Open-File Report 97-492

Back to Missouri NURE data
Back to Arkansas 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_poplrb.htm Questions or Assistance: USGS Web Contact Page Last Modified: Wed Dec 7 16:27 EST 2016