Trace Elements National Synthesis internal homepage

TE Synthesis stuff you should know

Book
"Arsenic in ground water: Occurrence and geochemistry ," ed. by Alan Welch & Ken Stollenwerk.

Ground-water data
Our national GW dataset currently includes TE data from 31,000 wells and springs. The arsenic map below shows the dataset's spatial extent.
Arsenic summary map

USGS arsenic data* compiled for WRI 99-4279:

• Original data set, sampling dates 1973-1997 (superseded): (tab delimited text file, excel file)
• Data set with sampling dates updated to March 30, 2000:(tab delimited text file, excel file)

*NOTE: The files listed here are not for public release because they include water use identifiers and lat/longs. Files for public release with water use identifiers removed are on the public page.

Other TE Synthesis info

TE occurrence summaries

• Material for use in preparation for 1997 Study Units Summary Reports
• 9 TEs in bed sediment from '91-start SUs
• Mercury in bed sediment and aquatic biota from '91, '94, and '97-start SUs
• Arsenic in ground & surface water of the U.S.
• Radon in ground water from '91- and '94-start SUs

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Understanding TEs in ground water

Explanatory frameworks

• National frameworks
• Regional frameworks
• Aquifer delineation by water chemistry
• Geochemical process hypotheses
• Geographic & geologic frameworks
• Land use as source and influence
• Plumbing as a source

Objectives for process studies

Coordinating efforts

• Sharing local knowledge
• Existing work by NAWQA, co-ops, GD/NRP, & outside agencies
• '01-start Study Units' thoughts on partnerships, knowledge gaps, & potential multi-Study Unit research questions
• Contacts with GD, NRP, & outside agencies

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Ancillary data useful in studying TEs

HBSLs for TEs and tentative national exceedence rates

Sampling, schedules, and QA/QC

Analytical schedules & Water-quality standards

TE data collection

Guidance for mercury topical study

Guidance for mercury status studies

• Well selection for Subunit Surveys
• Sampling instructions for radiochemicals in ground water
• NAWQA Field Technical Support

QA/QC

• Trace element quality-control data (Cycle 1)
• Summary of '91-start blanks for TEs in GW & SW
• May-Sep 2000-- Lab contamination of Al & Zn in water
• March 2000-- Co & Cr data incorrect for bed sediment
• OWQ Tech Memo 2001.02-- Verifying & interpreting field blanks with high pesticide or trace element concentrations
• BQS Blind Sample Program-- pubs & control charts by method