National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program (public)
National Analysis of Trace Elements (public)
Trace Element National Synthesis internal homepage
Ancillary datasets useful in studying trace elements
National geology datasets
King & Beikman, 1974 (1:2,500,000)
- -- 1:2,500,000 scale
-- Classification scheme is a mix of rock type and stratigraphic descriptions, so doesn't correlate well with WQ data.
GD is working to create a more consistent national geologic map, in two phases:
- (1) compile state geologic maps (Western US is complete)
(2) reclassify into nationally-consistent lithologic/lithochemical categories (map key is available)
Contacts: Suzanne Nicholson and Bruce R Johnson, GD-Reston
National soil- and sediment-quality datasets
Boerngen & Shacklette's near-surface-soil chemistry survey of the continental US
- -- "50-mile survey" (sample collected every 50 miles)
-- still the most nationally consistent dataset:
- consistent analytical techniques, sample medium, and sample collection protocols
- complete coverage of continental US; similar dataset now being compiled for Alaska
National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE)
- The original NURE program sampled a number of media; the major datasets are:
- A nationwide gamma-ray survey of U, Th, and K in surface rock & sediments
- The "Hydrologic & Stream Sediment Reconnaissance," covering about 60% of the US
Both datasets are described in greater detail below.
Available on CD-Rom: USGS DDS-0018A and DDS-0018B (Alaska).
Also see: Open-File Report 98-622 by Jeff Grossman.
National aerial gamma-ray surveys of U, Th, and K in surface rock & sediments
- -- Complete coverage of the continental US.
-- The datasets are available on CD-Rom:
- Phillips, J.D., Duval, J.S., and Ambroziak, R.A.,
1993, National geophysical data grids; gamma-ray, gravity, magnetic
and topographic data for the conterminous United States:
U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS-0009.
(This CD is no longer available for purchase but the data can be accessed from
here.)
- Duval, Joseph S., Riggle, Frederic E., 1999,
Profiles of gamma-ray and magnetic data from aerial surveys over the
conterminous United States, Digital Data Series, DDS-0031, (3
discs).
Hydrologic & Stream Sediment Reconnaissance
- -- May be useful for SU or small area; not consistent enough for national use (different contract labs for each 2-degree sheet or county).
-- Original sampling was in 1970s-80s; about 260,000 samples in the continental US
-- Solid samples, including stream, lake, pond, spring, and playa sediments, and soils
-- Eleven elements analyzed: Na, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Ce, Hf, Pb, Th, and U
-- Originally a national effort w/samples collected & analyzed for ~60% of the country
-- Now re-analyzing a subset of 25,000 existing sediments samples
- lower density: 1 sample per 17x17km
- consistent sample collection & analytical techniques
-- Also collecting additional samples at a coarser scale, through state Survey agencies
- much of SE has been resampled; LA and MI in progress
-- Also reformatting & cleaning original NURE database more reliable & usable.
- Western US available; whole US to be complete by end of FY2001.
- Reformatted NURE data - Contact: Andrew Grosz, Jeff Grossman
General NURE contact: Dave B Smith, GD-Denver
Other national GD databases
Rock Analysis Storage System geochemical data for Alaska
- For continental US, contact Dave B Smith.
Web access to several GD databases (Original NURE data; Original RASS data; Pluto)
Regional features & datasets
Glaciated northeastern US
Cannon's "Geologic map and mineral deposits of the Lake Superior region"
Soller's "Thickness & character of glaciated quaternary sediments east of the Rockies"
- (Note: This is more a set of digital maps than a dataset.)
Lithogeochemical character of near-surface bedrock in the CONN (Robinson)
GD is digitizing maps of glacial lobes in the area covered by Soller
- Contact: Bill Cannon, Alan Welch
Part of Michigan has a 3D geologic map available
- Contact: Byron Stone, GD
Southwestern US
- The Southwest Initiative is planning a 3D geologic mapping effort over the next few years.
Pesticide- and fertilizer-use datasets
Trace elements are in many pesticides and fertilizers. Inorganic
arsenical pesticides were common in the past, and a few organic
arsenicals are still applied to crops & lawns. Here are a few
national usage maps for pesticides containing trace elements.
1992
- DSMA-- arsenical pesticide used primarily on cotton; mostly in the southeast and Texas
- MSMA-- arsenical pesticide used primarily on cotton; mostly in the southeast-to-southwest
- Maneb-- 1-17% Zn
- Mancozeb-- 16% Mn, 2% Zn
- Zineb and Ziram-- 1-18% Zn
1997
- DSMA-- arsenical pesticide used primarily on cotton; mostly in the southeast and Texas
- MSMA-- arsenical pesticide used primarily on cotton; mostly in the southeast-to-southwest
- Maneb-- 1-17% Zn
- Mancozeb-- 16% Mn, 2% Zn
- Zineb and Ziram-- 1-18% Zn
One reference on trace elements in fertilizers is:
- McBride, M.B., and G. Spiers. 2001. Trace element content
of selected fertilizers and dairy manures as determined by ICP-MS:
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 32(1-2):
139-156.
(2 Mb TIF)
Plumbing as a source of trace elements in water
- Subramanian, K.S., J.W. Connor, and J.C. Meranger. 1991.
Leaching of antimony, cadmium, copper, lead, silver, tin and zinc
from copper piping with non-lead-based soldered joints: Journal of
Environmental Science and Health A26(6): 911-929.
(1.5 Mb, PDF)
Aquifer classification schemes
Ground Water Atlas of the US
- This is the source of the "16 principal aquifers" used in NAWQA Cycle II planning. Various authors have published slightly more detailed, regional-scale classification schemes.
Trace Element National Synthesis internal homepage
National Analysis of Trace Elements (public)
National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program (public)
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