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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 979 stream-sediment, 964 surface-water, and 1,274 ground-water samples were collected within the Williamsport 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 976 sediment and 2,238 water samples from the Williamsport 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 976 Pennsylvania sediment samples within the Williamsport quadrangle.

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)]. No samples were apparently collected within the small portion of New York state in the Williamsport quadrangle.

SRL: Williamsport Quadrangle
SRL released a separate quadrangle report for the Williamsport NTMS quadrangle, which includes data for 970 stream-sediment, 957 surface-water, and 1,276 ground-water samples. With minor differences, these sample data are the same as that for corresponding samples found in the Pennsylvania State report. SRL released the analytical data as the Williamsport Quadrangle GJBX-152(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 966 sediment samples from the Williamsport quadrangle. Supplemental analytical determinations for up to 19 elements were reported for all of these samples in the Williamsport NTMS Area, Supplemental Data Report [GJBX-313(81)]. With minor differences, these sample data are the same as the Supplemental Analyses for corresponding samples found in the Pennsylvania State 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 Williamsport quadrangle samples.

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

These Williamsport 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 Williamsport Quadrangle

Sediment Records
The Williamsport quadrangle sediment data consist of reformatted records from the Williamsport Quadrangle GJBX-152(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 Williamsport quadrangle sediment data:

1. The analytical values for many U, Ce, Dy, Eu, Fe, Lu, and V determinations differed slightly between the Williamsport 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, Ti, V, and Yb were found in the Pennsylvania State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Williamsport 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 Ce, Dy, Eu, Fe, La, Sc, Ti, V, and Yb were found in the Williamsport quadrangle files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Pennsylvania State files. These differences were noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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 three 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 9 stream-sediment samples collected within Wyoming County in Pennsylvania were not found in the data during the reformatting process. The records for these 9 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 is the lowest reported gold concentration in the entire report.

Water Records
The Williamsport quadrangle water data consist of reformatted records from the Williamsport Quadrangle GJBX-152(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 Williamsport quadrangle water data:

1. The analytical values for many U, Al, Br, Dy, Mn, and V determinations differed slightly between the Williamsport 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, Mn, and Na were found in the Williamsport quadrangle file but were missing in the corresponding records from the Pennsylvania State files. These differences were noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
3. For some records, analytical values for Al and Mg were found in the Pennsylvania State files but were missing in the corresponding records from the Williamsport quadrangle files. These values were added and that change was noted for each affected record in the REFORMAT comment field.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 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.
8. The latitude and longitude coordinates for 7 water samples collected within Wyoming County in Pennsylvania were not found in the data during the reformatting process. The records for these 7 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).

Williamsport Quadrangle Sediment Data - 971 records
Williamsport Quadrangle Water Data - 2,231 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 Williamsport quadrangle is complete and includes samples from Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Sullivan, Susquahanna, Tioga, Union, and Wyoming Counties in Pennsylvania. The laboratory and analytical methods used also may vary by county such that adjacent counties often have very different analytical coverage.

Other NURE Geochemical Data for the Williamsport Quadrangle

Williamsport Orientation Study
As part of their HSSR development program, SRL conducted several orientation or pilot studies to ensure that the SRL HSSR program would have a sound technical basis. SRL conducted an orientation study in the Williamsport NTMS quadrangle in 1975, and collected 116 stream-sediment, 116 stream-water, and 84 ground-water samples. SRL released the results of this orientation study as the Williamsport Orientation Study Raw Data Release [GJBX-53(76)]. Water samples were analyzed for uranium by neutron activation analysis. Stream sediments were analyzed for uranium by neutron activation analysis and for an additional 10 elements and 9 oxides by emission spectrographic analysis. These data were released only as tables located at the end of this report, no digital data were available for reformatting. Neither these data nor the samples appear to have been included in the later full scale HSSR study for the Williamsport quadrangle area.

Williamsport Quadrangle NURE Summary
A summary evaluation report was prepared for the Williamsport quadrangle by the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation [PGJ/F-085(82)]. An additional 270 rock samples were collected from the quadrangle and analyzed for uranium by fluorometry and 29 other elements by an emission spectroscopic analysis. These data were released only as appendices on microfiche accompanying the summary report.

Williamsport Quadrangle NURE Bibliography

• Cook, J.R., 1981, Williamsport 1° x 2° NTMS Area, Pennsylvania, supplemental data report; National Uranium Resource Evaluation: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-81-146-8S, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-313(81), 17 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, Williamsport 1° x 2° NTMS Area Pennsylvania, data report: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-79-146-8, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-152(79), 215 p.
• Price, Van, Ferguson, R.B., and Baucom, E.I., 1976, Raw data release III; Orientation study in the Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Area: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-76-141-3, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-53(76), 78 p.
• Roe, L.M., II, and Martin, T.S., 1982, National Uranium Resource Evaluation, Williamsport quadrangle, Pennsylvania and New York: Bendix Field Engineering Corporation, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., PGJ/F-085(82), 29 p.

Links Within Open-File Report 97-492

Back to Pennsylvania 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 1.41: 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_willpt.htm Questions or Assistance: USGS Web Contact Page Last Modified: Wed Dec 7 16:28 EDT 2016