OFR 97-492: Vernal Quadrangle NURE HSSR Study
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.]
LASL: Vernal Quadrangle
Totals of 1,552 sediment and 422 water samples were collected from 1,652 locations in the Vernal quadrangle during September 1977 (108° to 109°W longitude) and July-October 1978 (109° to 110°W longitude). Sediment samples were analyzed by LASL for uranium and up to 42 additional elements. Water samples were analyzed by LASL for uranium only. These data were released in the Vernal Quadrangle NURE HSSR study GJBX-232(80) report.
LASL: Red Creek Quartzite Detailed Study
A follow-up, detailed geochemical survey collected an additional 140 sediment samples (18 wet stream, 108 dry stream, and 14 spring sediments) and 22 spring water samples as part of the Red Creek Quartzite Study during August 1979. The objective of this study was to evaluate the uranium potential of the Red Creek Quartzite formation. The samples were analyzed for uranium and up to 46 additional elements. The data from these detailed study samples were released in the Red Creek Quartzite Special Study GJBX-173(81) report.
Summary Tables
The following is a list of NURE sample types collected in the Vernal quadrangle.
Summary of Vernal quadrangle sample types.
| Wet Streams |
181 |
Streams |
164 |
| Dry Streams |
1,212 |
Wells |
59 |
| Wet Springs |
176 |
Springs |
221 |
| Dry Springs |
123 |
|
|
| Total Sediments |
1,692 |
Total Waters |
444 |
These Vernal quadrangle samples were analyzed by one or more of the following methods:
Sediment Samples
- LA1: Los Alamos Delayed-Neutron Counting Analysis of sediments for U.
- LA2: Los Alamos Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of sediments for Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sn, and W.
- LA3: Los Alamos Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of sediments for Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Nb, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, W, and Zr (Detailed Study samples only).
- LA4: Los Alamos Arc-Source Emission Spectrography Analysis of sediments for Be and Li.
- LA5: Los Alamos Neutron Activation Analysis of sediments for Al, Au, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Dy, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, V, Yb, and Zn.
Water Samples
- LA6-DN: Los Alamos Delayed-Neutron Counting Analysis of waters for U.
- LA6-FL: Los Alamos Fluorometry Analysis of waters for U.
Discussion of the Reformatting Process for Vernal Quadrangle
The Vernal quadrangle sediment and water data consist of reformatted records from the Vernal Quadrangle NURE HSSR study GJBX-232(80) report plus reformatted records from the Red Creek Quartzite Special Study GJBX-173(81) report. The following problems were found and addressed during the comparison and reformatting stages for the Vernal quadrangle data:
Sediment Records
- During the NURE sample collection phase, LASL sites and samples were initially assigned a 6-digit integer Identification Number (LASLID) starting with 000001. After 1977, most LASL sites were reassigned a new 1-letter+5-digit Identification Number starting with A00001. All LASL samples and the early LASL reports use the 6-digit integer LASLID. Most of the later reports only use the 1-letter+5-digit LASLID. Although both sets of numbers were usually assigned sequentially, they do not correspond one to one with each other: 100001 does not equal C00001, etc. Whenever possible, the 1-letter+5-digit LASL Identification Number was saved in the LASLID field. When the corresponding 6-digit site number could be determined from sample number translation key lists or other sources, this Identification Number was saved in the SITE field.
- A LASL Identification Number translation key was found for the Vernal quadrangle sediment samples. The 1-letter+5-digit LASL Identification Number was saved in the LASLID field and the corresponding 6-digit site number was manually added to the SITE field. Therefore, the LASLID field contains the Identification Number found in the Vernal Quadrangle NURE HSSR study GJBX-232(80) report. The SITE field contains the corresponding LASL Identification Number used to label the original field maps, field notes, and sample containers.
- No LASL Identification Number translation key was found for the Red Creek Quartzite Special Study sediment samples. The 6-digit LASL Identification Number found in LASLID was also added to the SITE field. Therefore, the value found in the LASLID and SITE fields is same LASL Identification Number used to label the original field maps, field notes, and sample containers as well as the value published in Red Creek Quartzite Special Study GJBX-173(81) report.
- 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.
- Ten sediment sample records contained values for the well pump type(WELLPUMP) or well use(WELLUSE). These parameters were not normally recorded for sediment sample records. The values were removed from each record and added as a comment to the corresponding REFORMAT field.
- Three sediment records with a STATE value of 'CO' had coordinates that plotted in Utah. These STATE values were changed and a comment was added to the REFORMAT field for each record.
- One sediment record with a STATE value of 'UT' had coordinates that plotted in Wyoming. This STATE value was changed and a comment was added to the REFORMAT field.
Water Records
- A LASL Identification Number translation key was found for the Vernal quadrangle water samples. The 1-letter+5-digit LASL Identification Number was saved in the LASLID field and the corresponding 6-digit site number was manually added to the SITE field. Therefore, the LASLID field contains the Identification Number found in the Vernal Quadrangle NURE HSSR study GJBX-232(80) report. The SITE field contains the corresponding LASL Identification Number used to label the original field maps, field notes, and sample containers.
- No LASL Identification Number translation key was found for the Red Creek Quartzite Special Study water samples. The 6-digit LASL Identification Number found in LASLID was also added to the SITE field. Therefore, the value found in the LASLID and SITE fields is same LASL Identification Number used to label the original field maps, field notes, and sample containers as well as the value published in Red Creek Quartzite Special Study GJBX-173(81) report.
- An unlikely sample collection date was found for one sample. 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.
- One water record with a STATE value of 'UT' had coordinates that plotted in Wyoming. This STATE value was changed and a comment was added to the REFORMAT 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).
Vernal Quadrangle Sediment Data - 1,692 records
Vernal Quadrangle Water Data - 444 records
Notes for Data Users
None at this time.
Other NURE Geochemical Data for the Vernal Quadrangle
Vernal Quadrangle NURE Summary
The U.S. Geological Survey collected and analyzed an additional 147 rock, 397 stream-sediment, and 74 water samples for a summary report of the uranium resource potential in the Vernal quadrangle [PGJ/F-026(82)]. The multielement analytical data for these samples were released only as appendices on microfiche accompanying the summary report.
Uinta Arch Project
Research Associates of Wyoming conducted the Uinta Arch Project to "assess the favorability of Precambrian metasedimentary rocks in northern Utah for deposits of uranium in Precambrian quartz-pebble conglomerates" [GJBX-170(80)]. During this study, 380 rock samples were collected and analyzed from 5 project areas: (1) Red Creek area, Vernal quadrangle (192 rocks); (2) Farmington area, Salt Lake City quadrangle (76 rocks); (3) Little Willow area, Salt Lake City quadrangle (28 rocks); (4) Antelope Island area, Tooele quadrangle (31 rocks); and (5) Facer Creek area, Ogden quadrangle (53 rocks). Field and analytical data were released only as appendices to this report.
Uranium Anomalies in Wyoming
The Bendix Field Engineering Corporation identified and ranked 269 uranium anomalies from 23 quadrangles in and adjacent to Wyoming. These anomalies were based on an evaluation of the NURE HSSR data, aerial radiometric reconnaissance surveys, and to a lesser extent, geologic evaluations. This report [GJBX-3(83)] 11 uranium anomalies that were identified in the Vernal quadrangle. No additional geochemical data accompany this report.
Vernal Quadrangle NURE Bibliography
- Craig, L.C., Hail, W.J., Jr., and Luft, S.J., 1982, National Uranium Resource Evaluation, Vernal quadrangle, Colorado and Utah: U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., PGJ/F-026(82), 109 p.
- Goff, S., George, W.E., Apel, C.T., Hansel, J.M., Fuka, M.A., Bunker, M.E., and Hanks, D., 1981, Uranium hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance data release for the Red Creek Quartzite special study area, Vernal NTMS quadrangle, Utah/Colorado, including concentrations of forty-six additional elements: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory informal report LA-7670-MS, Los Alamos, N.M., U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-173(81), 31 p.
- Goodknight, C.S., Ludlam, J.R., Burger, J.A., Dickson, R.E., Dayvault, R.D., Dexter, J.J., and Anderson, J.R., 1982, Uranium anomalies in Wyoming and parts of adjacent states: U.S. Department of Energy, Bendix Field Engineering Corporation, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-3(83), 11 p.
- Graff, P.J., Sears, J.W., and Holden, G.S., 1980, The Uinta Arch Project; investigations of uranium potential in Precambrian X and older metasedimentary rocks in the Uinta and Wasatch ranges, Utah and Colorado: U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-170(80), 180 p.
- Purson, J.D., George, W.E., Minor, M.M., Gallimore, D.L., Talcott, C.L., Garcia, S.R., and Jackson, C.K., 1980, Uranium hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance of the Vernal NTMS quadrangle, Utah/Colorado, including concentrations of forty-two additional elements: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory informal report LA-7670-MS, Los Alamos, N.M., U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-232(80), 169 p.
Links Within Open-File Report 97-492
Back to Utah NURE data
Back to Colorado NURE data
Back to Wyoming NURE data
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning NURE HSSR Data
Home Page: USGS National Geochemical Database - NURE HSSR data
Page written by 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 1.41: February 23, 2006
