Copper and cobalt in aquatic mosses and stream sediments from the Idaho Cobalt Belt

Journal of Geochemical Exploration
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Abstract

Samples of stream sediments and aquatic mosses were collected from nine sites across several mineralized zones at the southeasternmost extension of the Idaho Cobalt Belt. Because the steepness of the terrain and the attendant high flow rate of the streams made it difficult to obtain adequate sediment samples, mosses were considered as an alternative sampling medium. The results not only showed that the Cu and Co content of the mosses correlated almost perfectly with that of the sediments, but that the contrast between samples taken from mineralized and background areas was greater in mosses, especially for Co. Maximum concentrations of 35,000 μg/g Cu and 2000 μg/g Co were observed in the ash of mosses, compared to maximum concentrations of 1700 μg/g and 320 μg/g, respectively, in the associated sediments. Species identification was considered unimportant, which should dispel some reluctance to use mosses in mineral exploration.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Copper and cobalt in aquatic mosses and stream sediments from the Idaho Cobalt Belt
Series title Journal of Geochemical Exploration
DOI 10.1016/0375-6742(84)90091-8
Volume 20
Issue 1
Year Published 1984
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 10 p.
First page 75
Last page 84
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