Lithogeochemistry of Mineralized and Altered Rock Samples from the Northern Talkeetna Mountains, South-Central Alaska

By Thomas D. Light and Jeanine M. Schmidt

Abstract

Mineralized and altered rock samples collected from the northern Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska, were analyzed by two different inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) methods for as many as 44 elements; by fire assay and either direct-coupled plasma (DCP) or atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) for gold (Au); by cold vapor atomic absorption (CVAA) for mercury (Hg); and by irradiated neutron activation analysis (INAA) for tungsten (W). The analytical results showed that some samples contain high values of multiple elements and may be potential indicators of hydrothermal mineralization in the area.

First posted October 21, 2011

Report PDF (14.1 MB).
Table 1 folder. This folder contains spreadsheet files of Table 1 in several file format (0.9 MB total).

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For additional information contact:
Alaska Science Center staff
U.S. Geological Survey
4210 University Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99508
Alaska Mineral Resources
Alaska Science Center

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Suggested citation:

Light, T.D., and Schmidt, J.M., 2011, Lithogeochemistry of mineralized and altered rock samples from the northern Talkeetna Mountains, south-central Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5162, 26 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5162/.

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Sampling of Mineralized and Altered Rocks

Analytical Methods

Results: Histograms and Star Plots of the analytical data

Discussion

Ackowledgments

References Cited

data table