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R. I. Grauch

Publications and source records attributed to R. I. Grauch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2009

Fossils, lithologies, and geophysical logs of the Mancos Shale from core hole USGS CL-1 in Montrose County, Colorado

As part of a multidisciplinary investigation of Mancos Shale landscapes in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area in Delta and Montrose Counties of western Colorado by the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation, a core of the Upper Cretaceous Mancos Shale was obtained from a borehole, USGS CL-1, in NE1/4 sec. 8, T. 50 N., R. 9 W. (approximately lat 38.61717 degree(s) N., long 107.90174 degree(s) W.), near the town of Olathe. Geophysical records of the borehole include resistivity, gamma ray, and density logs. The core extends between depths of 20 and 557 ft and is about 2.5 in. in diameter. It is composed of calcareous silty shale, as well as scattered beds of limestone and bentonite which were deposited mainly in offshore marine environments during the Cenomanian, Turonian, and Coniacian Stages of the Cretaceous Series. The strata were sampled and analyzed to obtain geochemical data and to identify constituent fossils. Stratigraphic units within the Mancos in the core include the following members, in ascending order: Bridge Creek Limestone (part), Fairport, Blue Hill, Juana Lopez, Montezuma Valley, and Niobrara (part). Strata herein assigned to the Bridge Creek Limestone are about 18 ft thick and consist of silty shale that contains ammonites, bivalves, and a coral of Late Cenomanian age. Strata assigned to the Fairport are about 22 ft thick and composed mainly of calcarenite-bearing, calcareous shale. Fossils in this member include ammonites and bivalves of early middle Turonian age. Overlying the Fairport is the Blue Hill Member, which is about 139 ft thick, and consists of glauconitic, shaley siltstone, and less silty shale. The Juana Lopez Member, overlying the Blue Hill, is about 138 ft thick and composed mainly of calcarenitic, silty shale. Beds in this member contain ammonites and bivalves of late middle and early late Turonian ages. Overlying the Juana Lopez is the Montezuma Valley Member, which is about 55 ft thick and consists of calcarenitic, calcareous silty shale. The Montezuma Valley Member contains ammonites and bivalves of late Turonian age. It is overlain by a lower part of the Niobrara Member of the Mancos Shale which is laterally equivalent to the Fort Hays Limestone Member and part of the overlying Smoky Hill Member of the Niobrara Formation at outcrops in central Colorado. Strata in the core comparable to the Fort Hays are about 39 ft thick and include shaley limestone and calcareous shale, which contain lower Coniacian bivalves. Strata in the core equivalent to part of the Smoky Hill are about 126 ft thick and consist mainly of calcareous silty shale which also contains lower Coniacian bivalves.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2004

Sources of osmium to the modern oceans: New evidence from the 190Pt-186Os system

High precision Os isotope analysis of young marine manganese nodules indicate that whereas the composition of modern seawater is radiogenic with respect to 187Os/188Os, it has 186Os/188Os that is within uncertainty of the chondritic value. Marine Mn nodule compositions thus indicate that the average continental source of Os to modern seawater had long-term high Re/Os compared to Pt/Os. Analyses of loess and freshwater Mn nodules support existing evidence that average upper continental crust (UCC) has resolvably suprachondritic 186Os/188Os, as well as radiogenic 187Os/188Os. Modeling the composition of seawater as a two-component mixture of oceanic/cosmic Os with chondritic Os compositions and continentally-derived Os demonstrates that, insofar as estimates for the composition of average UCC are accurate, congruently weathered average UCC cannot be the sole continental source of Os to seawater. Our analysis of four Cambrian black shales confirm that organic-rich sediments can have 187Os/188Os ratios that are much higher than average UCC, but 186Os/188Os compositions that are generally between those of chondrites and average-UCC. Preferential weathering of black shales can result in dissolved Os discharged to the ocean basins that has a much lower 186Os/188Os than does average upper crust. Modeling the available data demonstrates that augmentation of estimated average UCC compositions with less than 0.1% additional black shale and 1.4% additional ultramafic rock can produce a continental end-member Os isotopic composition that satisfies the requirements imposed by the marine Mn nodule data. The interplay of these two sources provides a mechanism by which the 187Os/188Os of seawater can change as sources and weathering conditions change, yet seawater 186Os/188Os varies only minimally. ?? 2004 Elsevier Ltd.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗
USGS2002

Mineralogical characterization of strata of the Meade Peak phosphatic shale member of the Permian Phosphoria Formation: Channel and individual rock samples of measured section J and their relationship to measured sections A and B, central part of Rasmussen Ridge, Caribou County, Idaho

The Permian Phosphoria Formation of southeastern Idaho hosts one of the largest phosphate deposits in the world. Despite the economic significance of this Formation, the fine-grained nature of the phosphorite has discouraged detailed mineralogical characterization and quantification studies. Recently, selenium and other potentially toxic trace elements in mine wastes have drawn increased attention to this formation, and motivated additional study. This study uses powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), with Rietveld quantification software, to quantify and characterize the mineralogy of composite channel samples and individual samples collected from the stratigraphic sections measured by the U.S. Geological Survey in the Meade Peak Member of the Permian Phosphoria Formation at the Enoch Valley mine on Rasmussen Ridge, approximately 15 miles northeast of Soda Springs, Idaho.

Idaho↗
USGS2001

Chemical composition of strata of the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Permian Phosphoria Formation: Channel-composited and individual rock samples of measured section J and their relationship of measured sections A and B, central part of Rasmussen Ridge, Caribou County, Idaho

This study, one in a series, reports bulk chemical composition of rock samples collected from a core, referred to as Measured Section J, drilled at a site that subsequently was developed into the Enoch Valley phosphate mine in southeastern Idaho. The core is continuous and cuts through the entire thickness of the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member of the Phosphoria Formation. The steeply dipping Meade Peak extends from 182 to 495 feet below the ground surface, which is the greatest below-ground depth of rock that has been sampled to date. The core was drilled before the start of mining, and the rocks consequently have not been exposed to the atmosphere or surficial weathering processes or fractured as a result of mining as are the rocks from other described sections. Hence, this section of the Meade Peak in the core is the least altered section of this member sampled in this series of studies. The channel-sampled rocks from Section J form a set of contiguous intervals across the entire thickness of the Meade Peak. These channel samples characterize?in ascending order?the lower phosphate ore, interlayered middle waste shale, upper phosphate ore, and upper waste shale units of the member. The Section J channel-sample suite includes 3 composite samples of the uppermost 7 feet of the Grandeur Tongue of the Permian Park City Formation, a dolomitic unit that directly underlies the Meade Peak. It also includes an analysis of a 0.1 foot section of chert directly overlying the Meade Peak. The concentrations of the chemical elements in the channel samples are compared with those of Measured Sections Aand B that were obtained from the same mine. In addition to the channel samples, 85 rock samples were selected from the core to address specific geochemical questions that resulted from examination of the core. For example, several of these samples correspond to cored rock that had unusual concentrations of various elements that were determined using a hand-held, x-ray fluorescence instrument. Other individual samples consist of several samples taken within a short interval of the core that leads to an abrupt change in lithology. Overall, the rocks from Measured Section J exhibit the least alteration from interaction with ground water compared with rocks from any of the measured sections that have been described in our previous studies.

Idaho↗
USGS2001

Stratigraphic section and selected semiquantitative chemistry, Meade Peak phosphatic shale member of Permian Phosphoria Formation, central part of Rasmussen Ridge, Caribou County, Idaho

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has studied the Permian Phosphoria Formation in southeastern Idaho and the entire Western U.S. Phosphate Field throughout much of the twentieth century. In response to a request by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, a new series of resource, geological, and geoenvironmental studies was undertaken by the USGS in 1998. To accomplish these studies, the USGS has formed cooperative research relationships with two Federal agencies, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, tasked with land management and resource conservation on public lands; and with five private companies currently leasing or developing phosphate resources in southeastern Idaho. The companies are Agrium U.S. Inc. (Rasmussen Ridge mine) , Astaris LLC (Dry Valley mine), Rhodia Inc. (Wooley Valley mine, inactive), J.R. Simplot Company (Smoky Canyon mine), and Monsanto Co. (Enoch Valley mine). Some of the mineralogical research associated with this project is supported through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Geology and Geological Enginee ring, University of Idaho. Present studies consist of integrated, multidisciplinary research directed toward (1) resource and reserve estimations of phosphate in selected 7.5-minute quadrangles; (2) elemental residence, mineralogical and petrochemical characteristics; (3) mobilization and reaction pathways, transport, and fate of potentially toxic elements associated with the occurrence, development, and societal use of phosphate; (4) geophysical signatures; and (5) improving the understanding of deposit origin. Because raw data acquired during the project will require time to interpret, the data are released in open-file reports for prompt availability to other workers. Open-file reports associated with this series of studies are submitted to each of the Federal and industry cooperators for comment; however, the USGS is solely responsible for the data contained in the reports.

Idaho↗
USGS1994

Cyclic variations of sulfur isotopes in Cambrian stratabound Ni-Mo-(PGE-Au) ores of southern China

Cyclic variations of δ 34 S values over a range of at least 48‰ in pyrite nodules from stratabound Ni-Mo-PGE(Au) ores of southern China are attributed to biogenic reduction of seawater sulfate in an anoxic, phosphogenic, and metallogenic basin. Cyclic introduction and mixing of normal seawater into typically stagnant basin waters led to extreme variations in δ 34 S values of aqueous sulfide species present at different times. Intermittent venting of metal-laden hydrothermal fluids into such a bacteriogenic sulfide-rich environment resulted in precipitation of metal sulfides as pseudomorphous replacements of organic debris and as sulfide sediments that record large δ 34 S CDT variations from −26 to +22‰. Apatite and silica dominated the replacement of the organic debris when metals were not being introduced into the basin. The combination of abundant organic debris, localized topographic basins for accumulation of the debris, bacterial production of sulfide species, and introduction of metal-bearing hydrothermal fluids provided the environment necessary to form these unusually rich Ni-Mo ores.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗
USGS1994

Hogtuvaite, a new beryllian member of the aenigmatite group from Norway, with new X-ray data on aenigmatite

Hogtuvaite is a new beryllian member of the aenigmatite group that was discovered in Nordland County, Norway. It is a metamorphic mineral, hosted by Proterozoic granitic gneisses and mafic pegmatites of metamorphic origin. Compositional variations within and between gneiss-hosted samples of hogtuvaite are minimal; however, pegmatite-hosted samples of hogtuvaite are significantly different, containing less Al and Sn, and more Ti and Mn, than those from the gneisses. The mineralogical, optical and crystallographic properties of hogtuvaite are described. A new and uniquely indexed set of X-ray powder diffraction data for aenigmatite is presented. -from Authors

Canadian Mineralogist↗
USGS1992

Gold and platinum in shales with evidence against extraterrestrial sources of metals

Few black shales contain concentrations of precious metals higher than average continental crust (i.e. ???5 ppb Au). Yet Au and Pt alloys have been reported from the Kupferschiefer in Poland. Moreover, thin sulfide beds in certain Chinese and Canadian shales contain several hundred ppb Au, Pd and Pt and average ???4% Mo and ???2.5% Ni in an association that is difficult to explain. Volcanic and non-volcanic exhalations, hydrothermal epigenesis involving either igneous or sedex fluids, biogenic processes and low-temperature secondary enrichment are among the possible factors involved in deriving Ni, PGE and Au for black shales and sulfide beds in black shales. Extraterrestrial sources have been invoked in some cases (e.g., the Cambrian of China). However, available data on abundances of PGE indicate relatively low values for Ir (<0.02-2 ppb) in comparison with amounts for other PGE (up to 700 ppb Pt and 1255 ppb Pd). These data and high contents for Mo are not consistent with extraterrestrial sources of metals for Chinese shales and Ni-Mo-sulfide beds. Data are less complete for the U.S. shales, but nevertheless are suggestive of earthly origins for PGE. ?? 1992.

Chemical Geology↗
USGS1987

Age of uranium mineralization at the Jabiluka and Ranger deposits, Northern Territory, Australia: New U-Pb isotope evidence

The Ranger and Jabiluka uranium deposits are the largest in the Alligator Rivers uranium field, which contains at least 20 percent of the world's low-cost uranium reserves. Ore occurs in early Proterozoic metasediments, below an unconformity with sandstones of the 1.65-b.y.-old Kombolgie Formation. This study has used U-Pb isotope data from a large number of whole-rock drill core samples with a variety of mineral assemblages and textures. Ranger samples indicate a well-defined age of 1,737 + or - 20 m.y., consistent with earlier suggestions of the antiquity of this deposit. This age is distinctly pre-Kombolgie, so the Ranger deposit cannot have been formed by processes requiring its presence. The age is consistent, however, with mineralization related to heating associated with either the emplacement of early postmetamorphic granites, or possibly, with intrusion of the nearby Oenpelli Dolerite. In contrast, data for the least-altered Jabiluka ores yield a concordia intercept age of 1,437 + or - 40 m.y.--significantly younger than the Ranger age and also younger than the Kombolgie Formation. This age may correspond to a regional thermal event, as indicated both by mafic dikes of roughly this age and a zircon lower intercept age from a nearby granite-gneiss. Thus our data indicate that there must be at least three distinct periods of major U mineralization in the Alligator Rivers uranium field (including the previously determined approximately 900-m.y. age of the Nabarlek deposit), despite the fact that all of the deposits share strong similarities in their host rock, mineralogy, alteration, and geologic setting.Both Ranger and Jabiluka reflect a common, profound isotopic disturbance at about 400 to 600 m.y. This disturbance, which was especially pronounced at Jabiluka, may correspond to the development of basins and associated basalt flows to the west and southwest, as suggested by Crick et al. (1980).

Economic Geology↗