OFR 97-492: Reno Quadrangle NURE HSSR Study
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[See History of NURE HSSR Program for a summary of the entire program.]
The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL) conducted a NURE pilot study of the Walker River Basin area which covers parts of the Reno and Walker Lake quadrangles. For the study, a total of 19 rock, 245 sediment, and 196 water samples were collected. This included 1 rock, 14 sediment, and 7 water samples collected from within the Reno quadrangle. These samples were analyzed by neutron activation at LLL and the data were released in the Walker River Basin Study GJBX-40(76) preliminary report.
From May - June, 1979, a total of 964 sediment and 43 water locations were sampled in the Reno quadrangle as part of the Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) Reno Quadrangle NURE Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) study. At each sediment location, 2 sediment fractions were collected, the S1 fraction (<100 mesh) and the S0 fraction (>100 mesh and <18 mesh). The second fraction was presumably collected to avoid windblown dust contamination. All of these samples were analyzed by SRL for uranium and other elements (16 additional elements in sediments and 9 in waters) and the analytical data were released in the Reno NURE HSSR quadrangle GJBX-108(80) report. The samples were then sent to other laboratories including Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant for "supplemental analyses." SRL did not release the supplemental analytical data (23 elements in sediments and 31 elements in waters) as a separate report.
In 1982, SRL released a summary report and data files for 50 quadrangles in the Western United States. This report, GJBX-132(82), contains both the SRL analytical data and the supplemental analytical data from the Reno quadrangle but the concentration values often differ from those reported in the GJBX-108(80) quadrangle report. The introduction section of the GJBX-132(82) summary report states:
"The data in the present report may not be identical to those reported previously. This is due to the use of different "scrub" procedures for the preparation of the data for release. The differences should be minor."
However, during the reformatting major differences were discovered between the two data sets.
SRL analyses of light hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane, and butane) in ground waters were released in the GJBX-131(82) summary report for 44 western quadrangles and 3 eastern quadrangles within the United States. This report includes data for 20 of the Reno quadrangle ground water samples.
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.
The following is a general listing of all sample types collected and reported for NURE studies in the Reno quadrangle. The actual number of records in the NEW-FORMAT NURE data files may be greater because of the multiple records needed to preserve all the data.
| Sediment Sample Type | Number of Samples | Water Sample Type | Number of Samples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Streams (S1 fraction) | 4 | Streams | 17 |
| Wet Streams (S0 fraction) | 4 | Wells | 29 |
| Wet Streams (LLL) | 4 | Springs | 4 |
| Dry Streams (S1 fraction) | 228 | ||
| Dry Streams (S0 fraction) | 228 | ||
| Dry Streams (LLL) | 10 | ||
| Soils (S1 fraction) | 726 | ||
| Soils (S0 fraction) | 726 | ||
| Other (S1 fraction - identified as 'other resin') | 6 | ||
| Other (S0 fraction - identified as 'other resin') | 6 | ||
| Total Sediments | 1,942 | Total Waters | 50 |
These Reno quadrangle samples were analyzed by one or more of the following methods:
Sediment Samples
Water Samples
Rock Samples
The data in the NEW-FORMAT NURE data files consist of records from all of the above reports. In order to reduce the number of records, a decision was made to primarily use the data from the SRL GJBX-132(82) western U.S. summary report. The rationale for choosing this data set was that (1) it represents a later compilation of the data and (2) it should be more consistent across quadrangle boundaries because of the common "scrubbing procedure."
For the sediment data file, the SRL analyses and the supplemental analyses were combined into a single record for each sample. Besides the S0 record, two records exist for most S1 samples in the Western Summary file. It was not determined whether these two records for each sample represent separate analyses or separate "scrubbed" versions of the same analysis. A comparison of the data values in these records usually showed significant variation for reported concentrations. One record was often very similar to the corresponding record found in the Reno quadrangle GJBX-108(80) report but again some samples had significant differences. Hence, 3 different records may exist for each S1 sample--the record reported in the quadrangle GJBX-108(80) report, the equivalent record with differences from the Western U.S. Summary GJBX-132(82) report, and the record with the "scrubbed" data from the GJBX-132(82) report. Both records from the Western U.S. Summary GJBX-132(82) report were saved in the NEW-FORMAT NURE sediment data file. Problems and differences between records were noted in the REFORMAT comment field. The "equivalent" record from the earlier quadrangle GJBX-108(80) report was saved in an extra file which may be accessed separately below.
Unfortunately, in the water data file the SRL analyses and supplemental analyses could NOT be combined because of overlapping determinations for 5 elements. Each water sample may therefore have 2 separate records - one for the SRL analysis and one for the supplemental analysis. Occasionally, an additional supplemental analysis record may also exist for some samples. During the reformatting process, other problems were discovered between water results reported in the Western U.S. summary GJBX-132(82) report and the Reno quadrangle GJBX-108(80) report.
These problems could not be satisfactorily resolved during the reformatting process. The unused water data from the quadrangle GJBX-108(80) report were saved as an extra data file which may be accessed separately below.
Hydrocarbon data from the GJBX-131(82) report were added to fields in the appropriate ground water records and this addition was noted for each record in the REFORMAT comment field.
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.
Records from the Walker River Basin Pilot Study GJBX-40(76) were added to the NEW-FORMAT NURE sediment and water files. The LLL files also contained numerical estimates of the absolute error associated with each elemental concentration. These data were not included in the NEW-FORMAT NURE data files but were placed into additional data files which can be accessed below. The Absolute Error Extra Data Format is explained later in this document.
The LLL Walker River Basin Pilot Study data has analytical values for several elements which were not normally included in NURE HSSR studies. These data include values for Ho, Nd, and Ru in rock and sediment samples, and values for Cs, Ru, Sb, Sm, Ta, W, and Yb in water samples. These data are also available below as extra data files. See the Walker River Basin Extra Data Format later in this document.
The single Reno quadrangle rock sample record from the LLL Walker River Basin Pilot Study was added to a set of rock records for the adjacent Walker Lake quadrangle. This rock data file can be accessed below. Field formats are the same as those found in the On-Line Manual for New-Format NURE HSSR Data Files and the Walker River Basin Extra Data Format.
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 websites, 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).
Reno Quadrangle Sediment Data - 2,899 records
Reno Quadrangle Water Data - 91 records
Unused set of quadrangle sediment records - reno__sx.dbf.gz
Unused set of quadrangle water records - reno__wx.dbf.gz
LLL Error Estimates Data for Walker River Basin Sediment Analyses - walkbnse.dbf.gz
LLL Error Estimates Data for Walker River Basin Water Analyses - walkbnwe.dbf.gz
LLL Walker River Basin Extra Element Sediment Data - walkbnsx.dbf.gz
LLL Walker River Basin Extra Element Water Data - walkbnwx.dbf.gz
Walker Lake Quadrangle Rock Data - walklk_r.dbf.gz
SRL reported results for two fractions for all of the sediment samples. Samples with a suffix of "S0" on the SRLID consist of the fraction of sediment which passed a 18-mesh but did not pass a 100-mesh sieve. Samples with a suffix of "S1" on the SRLID consist of the fraction of sediment which passed a 100-mesh sieve. Due to fractionation of some elements between discretely sized sediment particles, analytical data may not be directly comparable for sediment samples with different sieve fractions.
Many records contain analytical values with insignificant digits. Most data should only have 2 or 3 significant digits and differences after the second or third digit should be ignored.
The LLL Walker River Basin data were reported without indicating element concentrations below the limits of detection. According to the Walker River Basin Study GJBX-40(76) preliminary report:
Those cases where there are no data listed indicate that the observed values are below the limit of detection. However, missing values should not be regarded as being less than the lowest value reported, because detection limits are dependent on irradiation of the samples, and irradiation conditions were different for various parts of the study.
These missing values may cause problems when the LLL Walker River Basin data are used in statistical summaries or contouring routines.
The LLL Walker River Basin sample locations were originally reported in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) units to the nearest 25 meters. For the NEW-NURE FORMAT data files, these coordinates were converted to decimal latitude and longitude values. Be aware that the converted 4 decimal place coordinate values falsely imply an accuracy to the nearest 11 meters latitude and 9 meters longitude at a latitude of 38°N. In reality, the accuracy of these locations cannot be better than original limitation of 25 meters.
In August - November of 1975 and March - April of 1976, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory conducted the Winnemucca Dry Lake Basin Pilot/Orientation Study in the Lovelock and Reno quadrangles. Results were reported in the GJBX-41(76) and GJBX-65(78) reports. Totals of 5 rock, 102 sediment, and 10 water samples were included in the earlier GJBX-41(76) report. Totals of 2 rock and 17 sediment samples were located in the Reno quadrangle. These samples were analyzed by neutron activation for uranium and other elements (22 additional elements in rocks and sediments, and 18 in waters). These data were only released as tables accompanying the report.
The second Winnemucca Dry Lake Basin study GJBX-65(78) report lists analytical results for totals of 8 rock, 194 sediment, and 12 water samples. Totals of 5 rock and 50 sediment samples were located in the Reno quadrangle. These data were only released as tables and on microfiche accompanying the report. Although this follow-up report contains results for more samples (uranium and 22 additional elements in rocks and sediments, and 14 additional elements in waters), the earlier GJBX-41(76) report has a few additional elements. Analytical values for some elements also differ between reports.
A summary evaluation report was prepared for the Reno quadrangle by the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation [PGJ/F-037(82)]. Additional samples of 897 rocks, and 28 waters were collected in the quadrangle "to identify and delineate areas favorable for the occurrence of uranium deposits." The rock samples were analyzed for uranium oxide and 29 other elements. In addition, 238 were analyzed for equivalent K, U, and Th, and 92 underwent whole rock analyses for major element oxides. The water samples were analyzed for uranium oxide. These data were released only as microfiche appendices accompanying the summary report.
Explanations are only included here for fields unique to these files. For the explanation of common fields consult the On-Line Manual for New-Format NURE HSSR Data Files. After each field name is a format code. A format code of (N) means that the field is formatted as an Numeric field.
A statistical estimate of measurement uncertainty associated with quantifying the corresponding uranium concentration determined by Delayed-Neutron Counting Analysis. (expressed as a percentage of the uranium concentration found in field U_DN_PPM for sediment data or U_DN_PPB for water data in the NEW-NURE FORMAT data files).
(Where EL represents different element symbols.) A numerical estimate of the uncertainties associated with quantifying the corresponding elemental concentration determined by Neutron Activation Analysis. (expressed in the same concentration units as the element concentration found in the NEW-NURE FORMAT data files).
Explanations are only included here for fields unique to these files. For the explanation of common fields consult the On-Line Manual for New-Format NURE HSSR Data Files. After each field name is a format code. A format code of (N) means that the field is formatted as an Numeric field.
Elemental concentration of cesium in waters, in parts per billion. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of holmium in sediments, in parts per million. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of neodymium in sediments, in parts per million. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of ruthenium in waters, in parts per billion. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of ruthenium in sediments, in parts per million. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of antimony in waters, in parts per billion. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of samarium in waters, in parts per billion. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of tantalum in waters, in parts per billion. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of tungsten in waters, in parts per billion. Blank = Not detected.
Elemental concentration of ytterbium in waters, in parts per billion. Blank = Not detected.
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Home Page: USGS National Geochemical Database - NURE HSSR data
Page written by Andrew W. Holt and Steven M. Smith
Contact: Steven M. Smith (smsmith@usgs.gov)
Version 1.10: July 29, 1999
Version 1.20: August 07, 2000
Version 1.30: September 11, 2001
Version 1.40: January 13, 2006
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