Geology topics

John R. Keith

Publications and source records attributed to John R. Keith.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1976

Trace-metal variation in soils and sagebrush in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana

A reconnaissance study of 28 trace metals in samples of surface soil (0-2.5 cm deep), subsurface soil (15-20 cm deep), and big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) that were collected from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana indicates that little variation occurs in nature at scales greater than about 35 km. This general lack of broadscale variation suggests that simple summary statistics for these materials could provide basinwide geochemical baselines for use in monitoring secular changes in the local geochemical environment. Samples of big sagebrush near the Dave Johnston Power Plant at the southern edge of the basin exhibit statistically significant reductions of strontium, vanadium, uranium, and selenium eastward from the plant.

Montana, Wyoming↗

USGS1974

Selenium, fluorine, and arsenic in surficial materials of the conterminous United States

Concentrations of selenium, fluorine, and arsenic in 912, 911, and 910 samples, respectively, of soils and other regoliths from sites approximately 50 miles (80 km) apart throughout the United States are represented on maps by symbols showing five ranges of values. Histograms of the concentrations of these elements are also given. The geometric-mean concentrations (ppm) in the samples, grouped by area, are as follows: Selenium-- Entire United States, 0.31; Western United States, 0.25; and Eastern United States, 0.39. Fluorine-- Entire United States, 180; Western United States, 250; and Eastern United States, 115. Arsenic-- Entire United States, 5.8; Western United States, 6.1; and Eastern United States, 5.4.

Circular↗

USGS1974

Geochemical survey of the western coal regions; first annual progress report, July 1974

National energy needs have precipitated an increased interest in the development of a large coal-based electric power industry in the western United States. This anticipated development has, in turn, spawned a great deal of interest in the environmental impact consequent upon the mining and utilization of these coal supplies. Numerous studies directed to assessing this impact are underway or are in the planning stages by agencies of government at all levels as well as by educational institutions and private firms. It is expected that such studies will continue to increase in number in the foreseeable future. Some idea of the diversity of this work is given by Boulding (1974), who surveyed a broad spectrum of people and organizations concerned about the environmental impact of coal development in the Northern Great Plains. This survey included over 50 governmental organizations and over 50 nongovernmental organizations.

Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dako↗