Trace elements investigations in placer mining areas near Teller, Alaska
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
SEARCH · USGS Science
Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A significant content of radioactive material was recognized in a few placer concentrates from Sweepstakes and Rube Creeks in the Koyuk district of eastern Seward Peninsula, Alaska, when old collections were scanned for radioactivity in the spring of 1945. Subsequent field investigations with a Geiger-Mueller counter were made of the creek gravels and the placer-gold paystreak on the bench ground of Sweepstakes Creek and its tributaries, the syenite stock of Granite Mountain to the north, of Sweepstakes Creek, and the creek gravels of Rube and Anzac Creeks which are tributaries of the Peace River east of the syenite stock. The content of radioactive minerals in the gravels and in the placer-gold paystreak was found to be disappointingly low. There concentration ratios were between 45 and 169 to 1, the content of concentrates from the creek gravels is only .001 to .016 percent equivalent uranium the average content of the creek gravels in place is computed as .0001 percent equivalent uranium. The placer-gold paystreak was not accessible in place, but the content was computed as .0003 percent equivalent uranium from the sluice-box concentrates and tailings at Winder's open-cut,the only active placer mine in the area in 1945. The radioactive minerals are relatively abundant in such gravity concentrates as the sluice-box concentrates, and are particularly abundant in certain size fractions of these sluice concentrates Thus the concentrates from the aluiee-fcex, after screening through 20-mesh, showed 0.04 percent equivalent uranium. An even greater concentration of radioactive minerals is obtained in the "blowings," which represent a further cleaning of the sluice-box concontrates, one saample showing 14.20 percent equivalent uranium.
This report combines and brings up-to-date the information previously given in Trace Elements Investigations Report 325, "Numerical list of U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Reports to April 30, 1953," and Trace Elements Investigations Report 301, "Topical index and bibliography of U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements and related reports." Part I is a numerical list of U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Investigations and Memorandum reports. It supersedes TEI-325. This part lists not only reports (followed by a date) that have been transmitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, but also reports in preparation (followed by an asterisk) for which tentative titles were available on December 31, 1953. Reports that have been published are indicated by the abbreviation of the medium of publication. (See also part II.) Part II is a reference guide to Trace Elements and related reports that are available to the public; this part supersedes Part 2 of the TEI-301 (published as Geological survey Circular 281). These reports are grouped according to the type of publication or release. Abstracts published in Nuclear Science Abstracts are not included in Part II, although certain TEI and TEM reports, the abstracts of which have been published in NSA, are so indicated in Part I. Publications in process on December 31, 1953, are designated by an asterisk. Part III is a finding list of states, areas, and subjects. It is based on information derived mostly from the titles of reports and, where titles are of a general nature, from a cursory review of the reports. This list is not a complete index of the information given in Trace Elements and related reports, but is designed to find subjects of major interest. Because of the numerous entries for Colorado and Utah, information has been listed by counties and, where possible, by subject under these states. Other states have county listings only if a county is included in the title of a report; otherwise, areas may be listed separately under the state. Major subjects are listed separately in the index and also where appropriate under states. Analytical methods and subjects related to analytical research are listed under Analytical Methods and Research, but not separately throughout the index. Most mineralogic studies are included under the heading Mineralogy, but are not necessarily listed according to location. Part IV is a finding list of authors. The words “with” and “and” are used to indicate seniority of authorship. For example, a listing of Jones and Brown indicates that Jones is the senior author. A listing of Jones with Brown indicates that Brown is the senior author. In both parts III and IV all Trace Elements reports are listed, as well as other related reports that have not been issued as Trace Elements reports. The following standard abbreviations have been used: TEI, Trace Elements Investigations report; TEM, Trace Elements Memorandum report; P, Professional Paper; B, Bulletin; C, Circular; J, Journal; OF, open file; TIS, Technical Information Service release; NSA, Nuclear Science Abstracts; QM, Quadrangle Map Series; and OM, Oil and Gas map or Mineral Investigations map or report.
This report supersedes TEI-400, "U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements and related reports through 1953." Part I is a numerical list of U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Investigations and Memorandum reports. This part lists not only reports (followed by a date) that have been transmitted to the U.S> Atomic Energy Commission, but also reports in preparation (followed by an asterisk) for which tentative titles were available on December 31, 1954. If a report, or portion of a report, has been published, the fact is indicated by the abbreviation of the medium of publication. (See also Part II.) Part II is a reference guide to Trace Elements and related reports that are available to the public (this part supersedes Part I of Bulletin 1019-B). These reports are grouped according to the type of publication or release. If a report, or portion of the report, has been published in more than one form, appropriate cross-references are given to indicate the other forms of publication. Abstracts published in Nuclear Science Abstracts are not included in Part II; however, if the abstract of a Trace Elements report has been published in NSA, the fact is indicated in Part I. Publications in process on December 31, 1954, are designated by an asterisk. Part III is a finding list of states, areas, and subjects and supersedes Part II of Bulletin 1019-B. It is based on information derived mostly from the titles of reports and, where titles are of general nature, from a cursory review of the reports. This list is not a complete index of the information given in Trace Elements and related reports, but is designed to find subjects of major interest, Because of the numerous entries for Colorado and Utah, information has been listed by counties and, where possible, by subject under these states. Other states have county listings only if a county is included in the title of a report; otherwise, area may be listed separately under the state. Major subjects are listed separately in the index and also, where appropriate under states. Analytical methods and subjects related to analytical research are listed under Analytical Methods and Research, but not separately throughout the index. Most mineralogic studies are included under the heading Mineralogy, but are not necessarily listed according to location. Part IV is an author index. The words “with” and “and” are used to indicate seniority of authorship. For example, a listing of Smith and Brown indicated that Smith is the senior author. A listing of Smith with Brown indicates that Brown is the senior author. In both parts III and IV all Trace Elements reports are listed, as well as other related reports that have not been issued as Trace Elements reports. The following abbreviations have been used: TEI, Trace Elements Investigations report; TEM, Trace Elements Memorandum report; OF, open file; TIS, Technical Information Service release; C, Circular; B, Bulletin; P, Professional Paper; MC, Maps and Charts; J, Journal; and NSA, Nuclear Science Abstracts.
The Model R fluorimeter has been modified to increase its stability and sensitivity. The new instrument* is about ten times as sensitive as the original fluorimeter, but it can also be employed conveniently at a sensitivity level comparable to or less than that of the Model R fluorimeter. *The modified fluorimeter described here was developed in the latter half of 1948 and has since been in constant use in the laboratory for routine analysis. Although it is now being superseded to a large extent by a more recently developed transmission fluorimeter, the modified fluorimeter is a very useful tool for many types of analysis. (Fletcher, M. H., May, Irving, and Slavin, Morris, A transmission fluorimeter for use in the fluorimetric method of analysis for uranium: Trace Elements Investigations Report 104, August 1949.)
In the summer and fall of 1951, a reconnaissance search was made in New Mexico and adjacent states for uranium in coal and carbonaceous shale, chiefly of Mesozoic age, and black marine shale of Paleozoic age. Tertiary volcanic rocks, considered to be a possible source for uranium in the coal and associated rocks, were examined where the volcanic rocks were near coal-bearing strata. Uranium in possibly commercial amounts was found at La Ventana Mesa, Sandoval County, New Mexico. Slightly uranifeous coal and carbonaceous shale were found near San Ysidro, Sandoval County, and on Beautiful Mountain, San Juan County, all in New Mexico, and at Keams Canyon, Navajo County, and near Tuba City, Coconino County, in Arizona. Except for La Ventana deposit, none appeared to be of economic importance at the time this report was written, but additional reconnaissance investigations have been underway this field season, in the area where the deposits occur. Marine black shale of Sevonian age was examined in Otero and Socorro Counties, New Mexico and Gila County, Arizona. Mississippian black shale in Socorro County and Pennsylvanian black shale in Taos County, New Mexico were also tested. Equivalent uranium content of samples of these shales did not exceed 0.004 percent. Rhyolitic tuff from the Mount Taylor region is slightly radioactive as is the Bandelier tuff in the Nacimiento region and in the Jemez Plateau. Volcanic rocks in plugs and dikes in the northern Chuska Mountains and to the north in New Mexico as well as in northeastern Arizona and southeastern Utah are slightly radioactive. Coal and carbonaceous rocks in the vicinity of these and similar intrusions are being examined.
This bibliography supersedes TEI-500, "U. S. Geological Survey Trace Elements and related reports through 1954." Part I is a numerical list of U. S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Investigations and Memorandum reports. This part lists reports that have been transmitted to the U. S. Atomic Energy Comission and also reports in preparation (followed by an asterisk) for which tentative titles were available on June 30, 1956. If a report or part of a report has been published, the fact is indicated by the abbreviation of the medium of publication. (See also Part II.) Part II is a reference guide to Trace Elements and related reports that are available to the public. (Part II supersedes Part I of Bulletin 1019-B.) These reports are grouped according to type of publication or release. If a report or part of a report has been published in more than one form, corss-references indicate the other forms of publication. Publications in preparation or in press on June 30, 1956, are designated by an asterisk. Part III is an author index. The words "with" and "and" are used to indicate seniority of authorship. For example, a listing of Black and White indicates that Black is the senior author. A listing of Black with White indicates that White is the senior author. Part IV is an index for finding reports on specific areas or subjects. Information for the index was taken from titles, tables of contents, and abstracts of unpublished reports and from titles of published reports. The index in TEI-500 was used as a guide.
This report contains 1) a list in numerical order of U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Investigations and Memorandum Reports, and 2) an author index for these reports. It supercedes TEI-30, issued in November 1952. This report contains lists not only of reports that have been transmitted to the U.S Atomic Energy Commission, that is, those reports followed by a date, but also those reports for which tentative titles were available prior to the date of completion of this list, April 30, 1953. The reports that are in preparation and subject to change in title are indicated by an asterisk. The classifications that are shown for some of the reports issued prior to 1947 are uncertain: classifications shown are based on the best information available at the time that this report was prepared. The Geological Survey does not have additional copies for permanent distribution of most of the reports listed, but copies of many of the completed reports can be loaned to organizations or individuals who are cooperating with the Atomic Energy Commission.
This report summarized the research work of the Trace Elements Section, Geochemistry and Petrology Branch for the period January 1 - March 31, 1951. Work before that is summarized in an earlier report, "Summary of the research work of the Trace Elements Section, Geochemistry and Petrology Branch, for the period April 1, 1948 - December 31, 1950," by John C. Rabbitt (U.S. Geol. Survey Trace Elements Investigations Rept. 148, January 1951). This report will be referred to as TEIR 148. In TEIR 148 the purpose of each project was described and it is not thought necessary to repeat that material. The research work of the section consists of laboratory and related field studies in the following fields: 1. Mineralogic and petrologic investigations of radioactive rocks, minerals, and ores. 2. Investigations of chemical methods of analysis for uranium, thorium, and other elements and compounds in radioactive materials, and related chemical problems. 3. Investigations of spectographic method of analysis for a wide variety of elements in radioactive materials. 4. Investigation of radiometric methods of analysis is applied to radioactive materials. It should be emphasized that the work undertaken so far is almost entirely in the nature of investigations supporting the field appraisal of known uraniferous deposits. A program of more fundamental research, particularly in the mineralogy and geochemistry of uranium, is now being drawn up and will be submitted for approval soon. This report does not deal with the routine analytical work of the Section nor the public-sample program. The analytical work will be summarized in a report to be issued after the end of fiscal year 1951, and a report on the public-sample program is in process. Special thanks are due members of the Section who are engaged in the research work and who have supplied material for this report, the Early Ingerson, Chief of the Geochemistry and Petrology Branch for his critical review, to Jane Titcomb of the editorial staff of the Section for editing the report, and to Virginia Layne of the same staff, for typing the manuscript and the multilith mats.
This report lists in numerical order U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Investigations and Memorandum Reports and supersedes a similar report issued in January 1952 (TEI-202). This report contains lists not only of reports that have been transmitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, that is, those reports followed by a date, but also those reports for which tentative titles were available prior to the date of completion of this list, September 14, 1952. The reports that are in preparation and subject to change in title are indicated by an asterisk. The classifications that are shown for some of the reports issued prior to 1947 are uncertain; classifications shown are based on the best information available at the time that this report was prepared. To keep the numerical lists up to date, periodic supplements will be issued. The supplementary pages will be prepared so that they can be substituted for the pages in the present report. The Geological Survey does not have additional copies for permanent distribution of most of the reports listed, but copies of many of the completed reports can be loaned to organizations or individuals who are cooperating with the Atomic Energy Commission.
Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and their collaborators conducted a study of the geochemical properties of coals currently produced for electric power generation in the Illinois Basin in Illinois and Indiana. The study follows from recommendations by an expert panel for the USGS to investigate the distribution and controls of trace constituents such as mercury (Hg) in Illinois Basin coals and the behavior of these constituents in coal preparation. A total of 72 new samples were collected by USGS collaborators between 2015 and 2017. These samples include raw coals, prepared coals, and waste coals from coal preparation. To understand the geochemistry and cleaning behavior of these coals, these samples were subjected to an integrated series of analyses described here, including microanalysis of coal constituents and bulk sample chemical analysis. Of the procedures used, whole-sample Hg analysis quantified overall mercury contents and its reduction by coal preparation. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of pyrite in coal quantified Hg and other potentially harmful elements contained in pyrite, the most likely host of these constituents. Trace elements investigated include those whose emissions are regulated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. This report and the corresponding data release, serve as an archive for geochemical data obtained in our study of the geochemistry of Illinois Basin coals. Material included in this report also define approaches used by the USGS over the period of study to characterize coal samples, requiring combined use of results from USGS and non-USGS laboratories.
Coal, ash, and limestone samples from a fluidized bed combustion (FBC) plant, a pulverized coal combustion (PC) plant, and a cyclone (CYC) plant in Illinois were analyzed to determine the combustion behavior of mineral matter, and to propose beneficial uses for the power plant ashes. Pyrite and marcasite in coal were converted during combustion to glass, hematite and magnetite. Calcite was converted to lime and anhydrite. The clay minerals were altered to mullite and glass. Quartz was partially altered to glass. Trace elements in coal were partially mobilized during combustion and, as a result, emitted into the atmosphere or adsorbed on fly ash or on hardware on the cool side of the power plants. Overall, the mobilities of 15 trace elements investigated were lower at the FBC plant than at the other plants. Only F and Mn at the FBC plant, F, Hg, and Se at the PC plant and Be, F, Hg, and Se at the CYC plant had over 50% of their concentrations mobilized. Se and Ge could be commercially recovered from some of the combustion ashes. The FBC ashes could be used as acid neutralizing agents in agriculture and waste treatment, and to produce sulfate fertilizers, gypsum wall boards, concrete, and cement. The PC and CYC fly ashes can potentially be used in the production of cement, concrete, ceramics, and zeolites. The PC and CYC bottom ashes could be used in stabilized road bases, as frits in roof shingles, and perhaps in manufacturing amber glass. ?? 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
To investigate the trace element contents of local coal, four coal samples were collected from operating mines in NW Taiwan. Detailed petrographic and chemical characterization analyses were then conducted. Analytical results indicate that (1) the samples were high volatile bituminous coal in rank with ash content ranging from 4.2 to 14.4% and with moisture content ranging from 2.7 to 4.6%; (2) the macerals were mostly composed of vitrinite with vitrinite reflectance less than 0.8%; (3) the sample of Wukeng mine has the highest Fe 2 O 3 (29.5%), Tl (54.8 ppm), Zn (140 ppm), and As (697 ppm) contents in ash and Hg (2.3 ppm) in the coal. If used properly, these coals should not present health hazards.