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Mineral Resources On-Line Spatial Data

Geochemistry of unconsolidated sediments in the US from the RASS database

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Metadata:

Identification_Information
Data_Quality_Information
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Spatial_Reference_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey

Publication_Date: 2001

Title:

Geochemistry of unconsolidated sediments in the US from the RASS database

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Description:

Abstract:: This dataset contains geochemical data for unconsolidated sediments (stream sediments, lake sediments, etc.) collected by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel and analyzed in the analytical laboratories of the Geologic Division of the USGS. These data represent analyses of sediment samples collected in support of various USGS programs. The data were originally entered into the in-house Rock Analysis Storage System (RASS) database which was used by the Geologic Division from the early- 1970's through the late-1980's to archive geochemical data. An unpublished CD-ROM was developed in 1996 that contains the RASS data in GSSEARCH format. That CD was used to generate this data set.
Purpose:: These data may be useful for mineral resource evaluation and for defining geochemical baseline values and statistics.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: approximately 1965
Ending_Date: approximately 1988

Currentness_Reference: Sample collection and analysis period

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency:: The RASS database is currently the focus of an error- identification and correction process that has, to this point in time (January 2001), concentrated on data from Alaska. Upgraded data files for Alaska from the RASS database are being placed on the following web site as they become available: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1999/of99-433/> The upgrades are primarly related to 1) additional information on the exact sample medium analyzed, 2) adding location coordinates where there were none, and 3) correcting location coordinates known to be inaccurate.

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -175.908
East_Bounding_Coordinate: 0
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 77.64
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 1

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: sediment
Theme_Keyword: geochemistry
Theme_Keyword: geochemical data

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: United States of America

Temporal:

Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Temporal_Keyword: 2001

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints: None

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Smith, David B.
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing address
Address:: Box25046, MS 973
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225
Country: United States of America

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1-303-236-1849

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 1-303-236-3200

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: <dsmith@usgs.gov>

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Elizabeth A. Bailey

Originator: David B. Smith

Originator: Carl C. Abston

Originator: Matthew Granitto

Originator: Kuuipo A. Burleigh

Title:

National Geochemical Database: U.S. Geological Survey RASS (Rock Analysis Storage System) geochemical data for Alaska

Publication_Date: 2000

Edition: 2.0

Series_Information:

Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 99-433

Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1999/of99-433/>

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

The samples in this dataset were chemically analyzed by a variety of techniques over a period of time from the early 1960's to the late 1980's. The accuracy of the data varies with the analytical methodology and with the concentration of the element being analyzed. A qualifier such as "N" (less than the detection limit of the analytical method) or "G" (greater than the upper determination limit of the analytical method) accompanies some analytical data values. These qualifiers are defined as follows:

L = the element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.

G = the element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.

N = the element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.

B = the element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.

When appropriate, these qualifying values appear in this dataset as a separate field preceding each element. The attribute, or field name, for the qualifier field is always denoted by the letter "Q". For example, "N" in the "S_ASQ" field preceding an analytical data field labelled "S_AS" would indicate the actual concentration of arsenic (AS) is less than the data value listed, which is the lower limit of determination for the method.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

This data set contains a variety of sample media prepared from unconsolidated sediments. For example, there are samples of unconsolidated sediments that have simply been sieved to specific size fractions before analysis. Unfortunately, the original RASS database had no field for identifying this size fraction. As we upgrade the database, we are adding this information when possible; however, the data set for which this metadata is written does not contain information on the sieve size. There are also samples of various types of heavy mineral concentrates within the data set When these types of samples were properly identified within the RASS database, they were separated into another data set and not included in this data set. However, if the concentrates were not properly identified, they could not be located for exclusion. The upgrading of the RASS data will include identification of the currently unidentified heavy-mineral-concentrate samples.

Completeness_Report:

This dataset provides chemical data for Fe, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Ti, Mn, Ag, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Sr, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr, Th, Tl, F, Hg, Pt, and Pd. In addition, the dataset provides location and descriptive information for each sample. Not all the descriptive fields contain information for a particular sample because not all sample submitters completed all the fields. The analytical methods used were selected by the sample submitter based on the goals of the project and will vary throughout the data set. The predominant analytical methods used for samples in this dataset are:

Emission Spectrography: Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Fe, Mg, Ca, Ti, Mn, Ag, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Sr, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr, Th, Ga, Ge, Pd, and Pt.

Atomic Absorption, partial extraction: O'Leary and Meier, 1986; O' Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969: Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn.

The complete references for all analytical methods used are given below:

Adrian, B.A. and Carlson, R.R., personal communication, Platinum-group elements and gold by nickel-sulfide fire assay separation and optical emission spectroscopy

Alminas, H. and Mosier, E.L., 1976, Oxalic-acid leaching of rock, soil, and stream-sediment samples as an anomaly-accentuation technique: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-275. 26 p.

Chao, T.T., Sanzolone, R.F., and Hubert, A.E., 1978, Flame and flameless atomic absorption determination of tellurium in geologic materials: Analytica Chimica Acta, v. 96, p. 251-257.

Church, S.E., 1981, Multi-element analysis of fifty-four geochemical reference samples using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry: Geostandards Newsletter, v. 5, p. 133-160.

Cooley, E.F., Curry, K.J., and Carlson, R.R., 1976, Analysis for the platinum-group metals and gold by fire-assay emission spectroscopy: Applied Spectroscopy, v. 30. P. 52-56.

Fishman, M.J., and Pyen, G., 1979, Determination of selected anions in water by ion chromatography: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations 79-101, 30 p.

Grimes, D.J., and Marranzino, A.P., 1968, Direct-current arc and alternating-current spark emission spectrographic field methods for the semiquantitative analysis of geologic materials: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 591, 6 p.

Hubert, A.E., and Chao, T.T., 1985, Determination of gold, indium, tellurium and thallium in the same sample digest of geological materials by atomic-absorption spectroscopy and two-step solvent extraction: Talanta, v. 32, no. 7, p. 568-570.

McKown, D.M., and Knight, R.J., 1990, Determination of uranium and thorium in geologic materials by delayed neutron counting, in Arbogast, B.F., editor, Quality assurance manual for the Branch of Geochemistry, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-668, p. 146-15

Mosier, E.L., 1972, A method for semiquantitative spectrographic analysis of plant ash for use in biogeochemical and environmental studies: Applied Spectroscopy, v. 26, no. 6, p. 636-641.

Mosier, E.L., 1975, Use of emission spectroscopy for the semiquantitative analysis of trace elements in silver and native gold, in Ward, F.N., editor, New and refined methods of trace analysis useful in geochemical exploration: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1408, p. 97-105.

Mosier, E.L., and Motooka, J.M., 1984, Induction coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry-Analysis of subsurface Cambrian carbonate rocks for major, minor, and trace elements, in Proceedings volume of international conference on Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits, Oct. 11-14: Rolla, MO, University of Missouri-Rolla, p. 155-165.

Myers, A.T., Havens, R.G., and Dunton, P.J., 1961, A spectrochemical method for the semiquantitative analysis of rocks, minerals, and ores: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1084-I, p. I207-I229.

O'Leary, R.M., 1990, Determination of sulfur in geologic materials by iodometric titration, in Arbogast, B.F., editor, Quality assurance manual for the Branch of Geochemistry, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-668, p. 136-138.

O'Leary, R.M., and Meier, A.L., 1986, Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration in 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 948, 48 p.

O'Leary, R.M., and Meier, A.L., 1986, Bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, silver, and zinc, organic extraction method, in Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration, 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 948,p. 11-13.

O'Leary, R.M., and Viets, J.G., 1986, Determination of antimony, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, molybdenum, silver, and zinc in geologic materials by atomic absorption spectrometry using a hydrochloric acid-hydrogen peroxide digestion: Atomic Spectroscopy, v. 7, no. 1, p. 4-8.

Orion Research, Inc., 1975, Orion Research Analytical Methods Guide, 7th edition: Cambridge, MA, 20 p.

Perkin-Elmer Corporation, 1976, Analytical methods for atomic absorption spectrophotometry: Norwalk, CT, Perkin-Elmer Corp., 586 p.

Perkin-Elmer Corporation, 1977, Analytical methods for atomic absorption spectrophotometry, using the HGA graphite furnace: Norwalk, CT, Perkin-Elmer Corp., 286 p.

Sutley, S.J., and Mosier, E.L., personal communication, Rb, Cs, Li, Tl by modification of optical emission spectroscopy method of Grimes and Marranzino, 1968

Thompson, C.E., Nakagawa, H.M., and VanSickle, G.H., 1968, Rapid analysis for gold in geologic materials: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 600-B, p. B130-B132.

Vaughn, W.W., and McCarthy, J.H., Jr., 1964, An instrumental technique for the determination of submicrogram concentrations of mercury in soils, rocks, and gas: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 501-D, p. D123-D127.

Viets, J.G., 1978, Determination of silver, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in geologic materials by atomic absorption spectrometry with tricaprylyl methyl ammonium chloride: Analytical Chemistry, v. 50, no. 8, p. 1097-1101.

Viets, J.G., Clark, J.R., and Campbell, W.L., 1984, A rapid, partial leach and organic separation for the sensitive determination of Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn in surface geologic materials by flame atomic absorption: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 20, p. 355-366.

Viets, J.G., O'Leary, R.M., and Clark, J.R., 1984, Determination of arsenic, antimony, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, molybdenum, silver and zinc in geological materials by atomic-absorption spectrometry: The Analyst, v. 109, p. 1589-1592.

Ward, F.N., Lakin, H.W., Canney, F.C., and others, 1963, Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration by the U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1152, 100 p.

Ward, F.N., Nakagawa, H.M., VanSickle, G.H., and Harms, T.F., 1969, Atomic absorption methods useful in geochemical exploration: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1289, 45 p.

Watterson, J.R., 1976, Determination of tellurium and gold in rocks to 1 part per billion: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-531, 3 p.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:: Sample locations were determined from USGS topographic maps of various scales. The accuracy is dependant on the scale of the map from which the determination was made as well as the care taken by the individual who made the determination. Unfortnately, some location coordinates were not carefully determined. In other cases, the individual who collected the samples only identified the location as a corner of the quadrangle in which the samples were collected. When submitters reported locations as degrees, minutes, and seconds of latitude and longitude the accuracy should be within a few seconds. When submitters only reported locations as degrees and minutes the accuracy is only to the nearest minute. The base maps, from which latitude and longitude coordinates were determined, use the 1927 North American Datum (NAD27) based on the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:: The data were generated by the analytical laboratories of the U.S. Geological Survey over several years, beginning in the early 1960s and ending about 1987. Upon completion of the chemical analysis, the data were stored in the RASS database. An unpublished CD-ROM was developed in 1996 that contains the RASS data in GSSEARCH format. This CD-ROM was used to generated the data set in .dbf format. The RASS DBF file was imported into ArcView 3.2 and an ArcView shapefile was generated which contained 199,850 sample locations (5135 samples were eliminated due to location discrepancies).
Process_Date: 200101

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: coordinate pair

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 199850

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: Variable, generally within a few minutes.
Longitude_Resolution: Variable, generally within a few minutes.
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Degrees, minutes, seconds

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: sedimentsrass.dbf
Entity_Type_Definition: Geochemical sample submitted for analysis
Entity_Type_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SUBNAME
Attribute_Definition:: Submitter's name, name of the individual who submitted the samples to the laboratory for analysis.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: TAGNUMBER
Attribute_Definition: Unique identification number assigned by the laboratory.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: FIELDNO
Attribute_Definition:: Field number assigned by the submitter designated in the SUBNAME field.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LATITUDE
Attribute_Definition:: Latitude of sample site reported in degrees, minutes, and seconds (ddmmss).

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LATDIR
Attribute_Definition: Direction north (N) or south (S) of the equator.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LONGITUD
Attribute_Definition:: Longitude of the sample site reported in degrees, minutes, and seconds (ddmmss).

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LONGDIR
Attribute_Definition: Direction east (E) or west (W) of the 0 meridian (Greenwich).

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LATDD
Attribute_Definition: Latitude of sample site reported in Decimal Degress.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LONGDD
Attribute_Definition: Longitude of sample site reported in Decimal Degress.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SMPLTYPE

Attribute_Definition: Sample type, nature of material collected for sample.