Mineral Resources On-Line Spatial Data
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The NURE HSSR sampling program ended prematurely in 1980. The samples were analyzed and the resultant geochemical data were released on 9-track tapes and in a series of publications. By 1984, the NURE program was finished as Congressional funding disappeared. Out of a total of 625 2-degree quadrangles that cover the entire lower 48 States and Alaska, only 307 quadrangles were completely sampled and another 86 quadrangles were partially sampled. The HSSR data consisted of 894 separate data files stored on magnetic tape in 47 different file formats.
The University of Oklahoma's Information Systems Programs of the Energy Resources Institute (ISP) was contracted by the Department of Energy to enhance the accessibility and usefulness of the NURE HSSR data. ISP created a single standard-format master file to replace 894 original files. ISP converted only 817 of the 894 original files before their funding ended. Unfortunately, this conversion process was never completed and introduced several systematic errors into the database.
In 1985, the NURE HSSR sample archive, original field maps, field notes, and data tapes became the responsibility of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). A copy of the ISP-formatted NURE HSSR database was released as two CD-ROM publications (Hoffman and Buttleman, 1994; 1996).
A new effort to recompile the NURE HSSR was begun by the USGS in 1995. All of the original 894 files have been examined, reformatted, and added to this USGS enhanced version of the NURE HSSR data. The data are contained in 2 major database files: one for water samples and one for sediment samples (which also includes soil and some rock samples.) An earlier version of this USGS enhanced version of the NURE HSSR data was released as an online Open-File Report at <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/ofr-97-0492/>
References Cited
Hoffman, J.D., and Buttleman, Kim, 1994, National Geochemical Data Base: National Uranium Resource Evaluation data for the conterminous United States, with MAPPER display software by R.A. Ambroziak and MAPPER documentation by C.A. Cook: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS-0018-A, CD-ROM.
Hoffman, J.D., and Buttleman, Kim, 1996, National Geochemical Data Base: 1. National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) data for Alaska, formatted for GSSEARCH data base search software, 2. NURE HSSR data formatted as dBASE files for Alaska and the conterminous United States, 3. NURE HSSR data as originally compiled by the Department of Energy for Alaska and the conterminous United States, with MAPPER display software by R.A. Ambroziak and MAPPER documentation by C.A. Cook: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS-0018-B, CD-ROM.
Smith, S.M., 2001, National Geochemical Database: Reformatted data from the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) Program, Version 1.30: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-492, WWW release only, URL: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/ofr-97-0492/index.html>
U.S. Geological Survey, 2004, National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance data: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO.This is part of the following larger work.Online Links:
Smith, Steven M., 1997, National Geochemical Database: Reformatted Data from the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) Program: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-492.Online Links:
This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest Variable, generally a few thousandths of a degree. Longitudes are given to the nearest Variable, generally a few thousandths of a degree. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.
The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1927.
The ellipsoid used is Clarke 1866.
Sample identification
REC_NO Both Text 8 A sequential record number assigned during reformatting process
PRIME_ID Both Text 9 Primary laboratory sample identification number
REPLC Both Text 3 Replicate code
DOELAB Both Text 5 Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory responsible for collecting and analyzing the sample
LASLID Both Text 6 Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory site identification number
ORNLID Both Text 7 Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant sample number
SRLID Both Text 9 Savannah River Laboratory sample number
LLLID Both Text 8 Lawrence Livermore Laboratory sample number
SITE Both Text 8 Additional site number (Definition of field varies slightly with lab responsible for the sample)
Geographic location
LAT Both Real 10.4 Latitude in decimal degrees (NAD27, Clarke 1866)
LONG Both Real 10.4 Longitude in decimal degrees (negative = west; NAD27, Clarke 1866)
STATE Both Text 2 State in which the sample was collected (Post office abbreviation)
QUAD Both Text 25 The name of the USGS 1° by 2° quadrangle in which the sample was reported collected
MAPCODE Both Text 6 Alphanumeric NTMS map code for the USGS 1° by 2° quadrangle (incompletely populated and not diagnostic)
FIPS Both Text 5 FIPS code of county and state calculated from geographic coordinates
HUC8 Both Text 8 8-Digit Hydrologic Unit Code calculated from geographic coordinates
LS_MAP Both Text 9 Hierarchical code that identifies different scale USGS quadrangles calculated from geographic coordinate
STUDY Both Text 4 A code that identifies the Pilot/Orientation study or Detailed Study for which the sample was collected
PHASE Both Text 1 Sampling phase
STRBASIN Both Text 11 Drainage basin identification number and stream order
B_LAT_C Both Real 10.4 Latitude of basin centroid
B_LONG_C Both Real 10.4 Longitude of basin centroid
COORDPRB Both Text 250 Comments added during the reformatting process to document problems specifically with latitude and longitude coordinates in the record
Processing information
SPECMS Both Text 1 An indicator for when special measurements were recorded for a sample site
TAPEDATA Both Text 6 Tape release data
ANALDATE Both Text 10 Date on which the multielement analysis was completed
BATCH_ES Both Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for multielement emission spectroscopy analyses
ASBATCH Both Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for arsenic and selenium analyses
CLBATCH Both Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for chlorine and sulfate analyses
NO3BATCH Water Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for nitrate analyses
PO4BATCH Both Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for orthophosphate analyses
RNBATCH Water Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for radon analyses
HENBATCH Water Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for helium/neon ratios
SNBATCH Sediment Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for tin analyses
HGBATCH Sediment Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for mercury analyses
UBATCH_DN Both Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for delayed neutron counting uranium analyses
UBATCH_FL Both Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for fluorescence spectroscopy uranium analyses
UBATCH_MS Both Text 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for mass spectrometry uranium analyses
UBATCH_XX Both Sediment 5 ORGDP analytical laboratory batch number for extra or multiple uranium analyses
TAPEFILE Both Text 9 The original NURE tape name and file number used as the primary source of information for each record
REFORMAT Both Text 250 Comments added during the reformatting process to document problems, changes, additions, and data sources in the record
Sample characteristics
SAMPTYP Both Text 2 Sample type code that identifies the source, medium, and treatment of the sample
REC_CNT Both Integer 1 Multiple record counter that was incremented for additional records on a single sample
SMPMEDIA Sediment Text 10 Type of sample media that was collected and analyzed as derived from the SAMPTYP code
SAMPSRC Both Text 15 Source of the sample that was collected and analyzed as derived from the SAMPTYP code
SEDCOND Sediment Text 3 Condition (wet or dry) of sediment collected as derived from the SAMPTYP code
SIZEFRXN Sediment Text 15 Seive size fraction of the sediment material that was ultimately analyzed as derived from the SAMPTYP code
SMPTREAT Water Text 15 Field treatment of water samples with respect to acidification and filtering
OSAMPTYP Both Text 15 ORGDP sample type and sample source classification
LSAMPTYP Both Text 8 ORGDP Laboratory sample type classification
SSAMPTYP Sediment Text 23 Savannah River Laboratory sample type classification
SEDTREAT Sediment Text 6 Sediment sample treatment (apparently field pre-treatment information)
WTRTREAT Water Text 20 Water sample treatment (apparently field pre-treatment information)
SAMPDAT Both Text 10 Sample collection date, reformatted to YYYY/MM/DD
SAMPHR Both Text 2 Sample collection time rounded to the nearest whole hour (24-hour clock)
SAMPLER Both Text 3 Sampler initials or sampling team number (Definition of field varies slightly with lab responsible for the sample)
GRABS Both Text 2 Number of grabs or subsamples collected at a site to composite the sample
Site characteristics
WEATHER Both Text 26 A description of the prevalent weather conditions at the time of sampling
AIRTEMP Both Real 6.1 The air temperature measured at the sample site, reported in degrees Celsius
WTRTEMP Both Real 6.1 The water temperature measured at the sample site, reported in degrees Celsius
PH Both Real 4.1 The pH of water at the site as determined by a pH meter
PH_LOION Water Real 4.1 The pH of water at the site as determined by Lo-Ion paper
COND Both Real 9.2 The specific conductance measured in water at the site with a conductivity meter (in µmhos/cm)
LABCOND Water Real 9.2 The specific conductance measured in the water sample at the laboratory (in µmhos/cm)
ALK Both Real 8.2 Field measurement of the total alkalinity in water at the site (Definition, method, and reporting unit varies by lab)
ALKP Water Real 8.2 Field measurement of phenolphthalein alkalinity in water at the site (Definition and reporting unit varies by lab)
ALKM Water Real 8.2 Field measurement of ALKP plus remaining alkalinity in water at the site to get approximate total alkalinity (reporting units not clear)
O_DISS Both Real 9.1 Amount of oxygen dissolved in water at site, reported in ppm
SCIN Both Real 10.4 Scintillometer measurement of the local gamma-ray activity at a sample site, expressed as equivalent uranium in ppm
ORGN_PCT Both Text 2 Field estimate of the percentage of organic material present in the sample
SAMPODOR Both Text 10 An indication of any odor from the sampled material
SMPCOLR Both Text 27 Color of sample material collected
SGEOUNIT Both Text 4 A two to four letter code that designates the formation name or the age of the surface bedrock at the sampling site
ROCKTYP Both Text 26 The predominant type of surficial bedrock in the vicinity of the sample site
ROCKCLR Both Text 10 Dominant color of local bedrock exposures
SEDTYPE Both Text 17 Type of dominant bed material or loose sediment at the sample site
SEDCOLR Both Text 10 Dominant color of loose sediment at sample site
STRWDTH Both Real 7.2 Estimated width of the stream at the sample site, in meters
STRWDTHC Both Text 10 Estimated width range (in feet) of the stream at the sample site
STRDPTH Both Real 7.2 Estimated depth of the stream at the sample site, in meters
STRDPTHC Both Text 10 Estimated depth range (in feet) of the stream at the sample site
WTRLEVEL Both Text 6 A field judgement of the water level at the sample site
STRFLOW Both Real 7.2 The average velocity of the stream flow reported in meters/second
STRFLOWC Both Text 8 A field judgement of the stream flow velocity at the sample site
WTRDCHRG Water Real 9.2 The discharge rate of the well or spring, in liters/minute
WTRCOLR Both Text 11 Amount and type of dissolved or suspended load in water at the site based on its color or appearance
VSBLDPTH Water Real 6.2 Depth of visibility estimated from water collected in a liter bottle and reported in meters
STRCHANL Both Text 10 A field judgement of the stream channel depositional character at the sample site when the sample was collected
VEGTYPE Both Text 19 Dominant type of vegetation in the area of the sampled location
VEGDENS Both Text 10 Density of plant cover at the sample site
RELIEF Both Text 23 An estimate of the relief or difference in elevation in the vicinity of the sample site (reported as a range in meters)
CONTAMC Both Text 45 A field judgement of possible contaminant sources or major activities near the sample site
WELLPUMP Water Text 17 Type of pump used to draw water from the sampled well
WELLTYPE Water Text 11 Type of well that was sampled
WELLUSE Water Text 40 Primary use of well
WELLUSE2 Water Text 15 Most typical use of well water
WELLFREQ Water Text 27 Frequency of well pumping or use
WLSMPLOC Water Text 30 An indication of where in the water system a well water sample was collected
WLDIST_M Water Integer 4 An estimate of the distance from the well head to the location where the sample was collected, in meters
WELLPIPE Water Text 10 Composition of the pipe from which the well water sample was collected
WELLCASE Water Text 10 Composition of the well casing below the water table
WELLDIAM Water Integer 3 Inside diameter of the well casing, in inches
WELLDPTH Water Integer 6 Total drilled depth of well from the surface, in feet
WLDPTSRC Water Text 18 Source of total well depth (WELLDPTH) information
WLDPTCNF Water Text 14 An indication of the confidence in the accuracy of the total well depth (WELLDPTH) information
WWTRDPTH Water Integer 4 Depth from the ground surface to the water level in a well, in feet
WLPRDPTH Water Integer 6 Depth from the ground surface to the top of the producing horizon in the well, in feet
WLPDSRC Water Text 18 Source of information for the depth to top of producing horizon (WLPRDPTH) information
WLPDCNF Water Text 14 An indication of the confidence in the accuracy of the depth to top of producing horizon (WLPRDPTH) information
WELLAGE Water Integer 4 Age of the sampled well recorded to the nearest whole year
WLAGECNF Water Text 14 An indication of the confidence in the accuracy of the well age (WELLAGE) information
PUNIT Water Text 4 A 2 to 4 letter code that designates the formation name, aquifer name, or the age of the producing unit
PUNITSRC Water Text 18 Source of producing horizon geologic unit (PUNIT) information
PUNITCNF Water Text 14 An indication of the confidence in the accuracy of the producing horizon geologic unit (PUNIT) identification
COMMENTS Both Text 250 Sample collector's comments
COMMENT2 Both Text 250 Sample collector's comments (continued)
Chemical Analyses
AG_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of silver in water, in parts per billion
AG_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of silver in sediments, in parts per million
AL_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of aluminum in water, in parts per billion
AL_PCT Sediment Real 8.4 Concentration of aluminum in sediments, in percent
AS_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of arsenic in water, in parts per billion
AS_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of arsenic in sediments, in parts per million
AU_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of gold in sediments, in parts per million
B_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of boron in water, in parts per billion
B_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of boron in sediments, in parts per million
BA_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of barium in water, in parts per billion
BA_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of barium in sediments, in parts per million
BE_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of beryllium in water, in parts per billion
BE_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of beryllium in sediments, in parts per million
BI_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of bismuth in sediments, in parts per million
BR_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of bromide ions in water, in parts per billion
BR_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of bromine in sediments, in parts per million
CA_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of calcium in water, in parts per million
CA_PCT Sediment Real 8.4 Concentration of calcium in sediments, in percent
CD_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of cadmium in water, in parts per billion
CD_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of cadmium in sediments, in parts per million
CE_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of cerium in water, in parts per billion
CE_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of cerium in sediments, in parts per million
CL_PPM Both Real 12.4 Concentration of chloride ions in water or sediments, in parts per million
CO_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of cobalt in water, in parts per billion
CO_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of cobalt in sediments, in parts per million
CR_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of chromium in water, in parts per billion
CR_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of chromium in sediments, in parts per million
CS_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of cesium in sediments, in parts per million
CU_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of copper in water, in parts per billion
CU_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of copper in sediments, in parts per million
DY_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of dysprosium in water, in parts per billion
DY_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of dysprosium in sediments, in parts per million
EU_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of europium in sediments, in parts per million
F_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of fluoride ions in water, in parts per billion
F_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of fluorine in sediments, in parts per million
FE_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of iron in water, in parts per billion
FE_PCT Sediment Real 8.4 Concentration of iron in sediments, in percent
HE_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of helium in water, in parts per million
HF_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of hafnium in sediments, in parts per million
HG_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of mercury in sediments, in parts per million
K_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of potassium in water, in parts per million
K_PCT Sediment Real 8.4 Concentration of potassium in sediments, in percent
LA_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of lanthanum in sediments, in parts per million
LI_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of lithium in water, in parts per billion
LI_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of lithium in sediments, in parts per million
LU_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of lutetium in sediments, in parts per million
MG_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of magnesium in water, in parts per million
MG_PCT Sediment Real 8.4 Concentration of magnesium in sediments, in percent
MN_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of manganese in water, in parts per billion
MN_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of manganese in sediments, in parts per million
MO_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of molybdenum in water, in parts per billion
MO_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of molybdenum in sediments, in parts per million
NA_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of sodium in water, in parts per million
NA_PCT Sediment Real 8.4 Concentration of sodium in sediments, in percent
NB_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of niobium in water, in parts per billion
NB_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of niobium in sediments, in parts per million
NI_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of nickel in water, in parts per billion
NI_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of nickel in sediments, in parts per million
P_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of phosphorus in water, in parts per billion
P_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of phosphorus in sediments, in parts per million
PB_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of lead in water, in parts per billion
PB_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of lead in sediments, in parts per million
PT_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of platinum in sediments, in parts per million
RB_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of rubidium in sediments, in parts per million
SB_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of antimony in sediments, in parts per million
SC_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of scandium in water, in parts per billion
SC_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of scandium in sediments, in parts per million
SE_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of selenium in water, in parts per billion
SE_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of selenium in sediments, in parts per million
SI_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of silicon in water, in parts per million
SM_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of samarium in sediments, in parts per million
SN_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of tin in sediments, in parts per million
SR_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of strontium in water, in parts per billion
SR_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of strontium in sediments, in parts per million
TA_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of tantalum in sediments, in parts per million
TB_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of terbium in sediments, in parts per million
TH_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of thorium in water, in parts per billion
TH_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of thorium in sediments, in parts per million
TI_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of titanium in water, in parts per billion
TI_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of titanium in sediments, in parts per million
U_DN_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in water, in parts per billion, determined by delayed neutron counting
U_DN_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in sediments, in parts per million, determined by delayed neutron counting
U_FL_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in water, in parts per billion, determined by fluorescence spectroscopy
U_FL_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in sediments, in parts per million, determined by fluorescence spectroscopy
U_MS_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in water, in parts per billion, determined by mass spectrometry
U_MS_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in sediments, in parts per million, determined by mass spectrometry
U_NA_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in sediments, in parts per million, determined by neutron activation
U_XX_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in water, in parts per billion, determined by an extra or multiple uranium analysis
U_XX_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of uranium in sediments, in parts per million, determined by an extra or multiple uranium analysis
U_XX_MTHD Both Text 8 Analytical method code for extra or multiple uranium analyses (U_XX_PPM or U_XX_PPB)
V_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of vanadium in water, in parts per billion
V_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of vanadium in sediments, in parts per million
W_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of tungsten in sediments, in parts per million
Y_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of yttrium in water, in parts per billion
Y_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of yttrium in sediments, in parts per million
YB_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of ytterbium in sediments, in parts per million
ZN_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of zinc in water, in parts per billion
ZN_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of zinc in sediments, in parts per million
ZR_PPB Water Real 12.4 Concentration of zirconium in water, in parts per billion
ZR_PPM Sediment Real 12.4 Concentration of zirconium in sediments, in parts per million
METH_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of methane in water, in parts per million
ETH_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of ethane in water, in parts per million
PROP_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of propane in water, in parts per million
BUT_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of butane in water, in parts per million
RN_PCI-L Water Real 12.4 Concentration of radon in water, in picocuries per liter (pCi/l)
NO3_PPM Water Real 12.4 Concentration of nitrate in waters, in parts per million
PO4_PPM Both Real 12.4 Concentration of phosphate in water or sediments, in parts per million
SO4_PPM Both Real 12.4 Concentration of sulfate in water or sediments, in parts per million
HENRATIO Water Real 12.4 The measured ratio of helium/neon in water
METHODS Both Text 40 Analytical method codes for each method used to determine the element concentrations listed in the record
The reformatting effort for the USGS enhanced version of the NURE HSSR database was done by Steven M. Smith, Andrew W. Holt, and Bryan G. Moravec. This effort was aided greatly by the earlier work of James D. Hoffman in obtaining, reading, converting, and preserving the original NURE files found on deteriorating 9-track magnetic tapes.
1-303-236-1192 (voice)
1-303-236-3200 (FAX)
smsmith@usgs.gov
The NURE HSSR samples were collected specifically to explore the United States for undiscovered uranium resources. Initially, the samples were only analysed for uranium contents but a due to a change in policy, most samples were eventually analyzed for as many as 45 different constituents. Although the data were originally intended for mineral exploration purposes, these data have also found application in the fields of earth science, ecology, environmental geochemistry, health, and medical geology. Since all of the samples were collected and analyzed within a short period of time (1975-1980) they represent a snapshot or a baseline of geochemical conditions during that period. Some of the sampled sites may no longer be accessible for resampling due to continued urban and industrial development.
Hoffman, J.D., Gunnells, G.B., and McNeal, J.M., 1991, National Geochemical Data Base; National Uranium Resource Evaluation data for the conterminous western United States: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS-1, CD-ROM (Superceded by DDS-18-A).
Hoffman, J.D., and Buttleman, Kim, 1994, National Geochemical Data Base; National Uranium Resource Evaluation data for the conterminous United States, with MAPPER display software by R.A. Ambroziak and MAPPER documentation by C.A. Cook: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS-18-A, CD-ROM.
Hoffman, J.D., and Buttleman, Kim, 1996, National Geochemical Data Base; 1. National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) data for Alaska, forrmatted for GSSEARCH data base search software; 2. NURE HSSR data formatted a dBASE files for Alaska and the conterminous United States; 3. NURE HSSR data as originally compiled by the Department of Energy for Alaska and the conterminous United States; with MAPPER display software by R.A. Ambroziak and MAPPER documentation by C.A. Cook: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS-18-B, CD-ROM.
A new comprehensive database structure was created after examining the ISP database structure, each of the laboratory sampling manuals, the field sampling note forms, and the GJBX-3(84) publication (Zinkl, R.J., and Brock, D.S., 1984, User's guide to NURE HSSR tape formats: Report of Bendix Field Engineering Corporation prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-3(84), 168 p.) It was also determined that the data were easier to compile and use if separated into a sediment dataset and a water dataset.
Reformatting began with data from 2-degree quadrangles in Montana and then proceeded, quadrangle-by-quadrangle, across the conterminous U.S. and Alaska. The original NURE HSSR files were obtained from a subdirectory on the Hoffman and Buttleman (1996) CD-ROM. For each quadrangle, all of the original files were first compared with the corresponding GJBX-series data release and data interpretation publications. Data missing in the digital files were added from the hard copy publications. The data were then reformatted and compiled. Often multiple files from a quadrangle contained records for the same sample. These records were compared and, when possible, combined into single records per sample. Additional data, not included in the original data formats, were also added to the database records based on the information found in the publications; including quadrangle names and analytical methods. Occasionally, it was necessary to check original field notes and maps to resolve problems but this was not done systematically.
Finally, a summary was written for each quadrangle that included descriptions of each NURE study in the quadrangle; information about the samples collected and analytical methods used; a brief description of how the data were processed during the reformatting phase; notes about known inconsistencies or potential problems; indications of other known but unobtained sources of NURE-related geochemical data; and a quadrangle bibliography. These NURE HSSR quadrangle summaries are published online at <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/ofr-97-0492/index.html>.
Added, corrected, or confirmed coordinates for 9,949 samples based on the re-digitizing of selected original field maps or from researching published tables. Updated comments in COORDPRB and REFORMAT fields and values in FIPS, HUC8, LS_MAP, and QUAD based on the new coordinates. Standardized or corrected several comments in the REFORMAT field. Removed 16 duplicated records.
For the water data:
Added, corrected, or confirmed coordinates for 11,542 samples based on the re-digitizing of selected original field maps or from researching published tables. Updated comments in COORDPRB and REFORMAT fields and values in FIPS, HUC8, LS_MAP, QUAD, and STATE based on the new coordinates. Standardized or corrected several comments in the REFORMAT field.
Person who carried out this activity:
303-236-1192 (voice)
303-236-3200 (FAX)
smsmith@usgs.gov
The site and sample description parameters were recorded on preprinted field forms by the individual collectors working for sub-contractors. Many of these parameters required critical judgement by the collector or information obtained from the landowner or resident. The accuracy of site and sample description parameters varies with the Dept. of Energy Laboratory responsible for the regional sampling program, the study, the subcontractor, and the individual sample collector.
The samples in this dataset were chemically analyzed by several laboratories using a variety of techniques that changed over time. The accuracy of the geochemical data varies with the laboratory, the study, the analytical methodology, the element, and with the concentration of the element being analyzed. Values that were less than the lower detection limits of an analytical method were reported as a negative number: A value of -2 in the AG_PPM field is equivalent to <2 ppm Ag.
The latitude-longitude coordinates for sample locations were determined by digitizing sites from maps of various scales and sources. For most the United States the maps were USGS 1:24,000-scale, 1:62,500-scale, or 1:63,360-scale topographic quadrangles. In the eastern quarter of the U.S. that was sampled by Savannah River Laboratory subcontractors, county highway maps of various scales and quality were the main source of maps used for locating sites. The accuracy is dependent upon the scale and quality of the map from which the location was determined as well as the care taken by the individual responsible for digitizing. Latitude-longitude coordinates were reported as decimal degrees. All labs except for the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) reported coordinates with 4 decimal places implying an accuracy to within 11 meters (36 feet). ORGDP reported coordinates only to 3 decimal places with an implied accuracy of 110 meters (360 feet).
The USGS topographic maps, from which latitude and longitude coordinates were determined, use the 1927 North American Datum (NAD27) based on the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid. Most county highway maps do not identify the projection, datum, or ellipsoid used. It is assumed that coordinates on these maps are also derived from NAD27 and the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid.
Coordinates for a small percentage of samples are either missing or obviously incorrect. In both cases, the latitude and/or longitude fields were populated with a value of 0 (zero) and any known information about the location, including the incorrect values, were recorded in the COORDPRB comment field during the reformatting process. Some, but not all, of the missing or incorrect coordinates have been recovered from original field maps. More of these problem locations may be fixed at a later date.
This dataset provides chemical data for Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl-, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Cy, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, He, Hf, Hg, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Pt, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, Ti, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, Zr, PO4 (phosphate), NO3 (nitrite), SO4 (sulfate), methane, ethane, propane, and butane in samples of stream sediment, spring sediment, lake or pond sediment, soil, rock, well water, stream water, and spring water. In addition, the dataset provides location and descriptive information for each sample.
No sample contains data in all of the descriptive fields or in all of the chemical data fields. Additionally, no descriptive field or chemical data field is completely populated within the NURE HSSR dataset. The amount of data in descriptive fields varies with the DOE Laboratory that was responsible for sample collection. The amount of data in elemental fields varies with the responsible DOE Laboratory and with the analytical methods used.
Descriptions of the sample collection protocols, preprinted sample field note forms, and analytical methods are found in the following publications.
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory:
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, 1976, Hydrogeochemical and stream-sediment survey of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program - western United States; quarterly progress report, April through June 1976: Lawrence Livermore Laboratory UCID-16911-76-2, University of California, Livermore, Calif., U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-59(76), 71 p.
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, 1977, Hydrogeochemical and stream-sediment survey of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program - western United States; quarterly progress report, January through March 1977: Lawrence Livermore Laboratory UCID-16911-77-1, University of California, Livermore, Calif., U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-53(77), 15 p.
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, 1977, Hydrogeochemical and stream-sediment survey of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program - western United States; quarterly progress report, July through September 1976: Lawrence Livermore Laboratory UCID-16911-76-3, University of California, Livermore, Calif., U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-10(77), 44 p.
Puchlik, K.P., 1977, Collection of wet and dry stream-sediment samples, in Symposium on Hydrogeochemical and Stream-Sediment Reconnaissance for Uranium in the United States: U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-77(77), p. 297-300.
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory:
Sharp, R.R., Jr., and Aamodt, P.L., 1978, Field procedures for the uranium hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance as used by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory manual LA-7054-M, Los Alamos, N.M., U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-68(78), 64 p.
Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant:
Arendt, J.W., Butz, T.R., Cagle, G.W., Kane, V.E., and Nichols, C.E., 1979, Hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance procedures of the Uranium Resource Evaluation project: Union Carbide Corporation, Nuclear Division, Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Oak Ridge, Tenn., K/UR-100, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-32(80), 55 p.
Uranium Resource Evaluation Project, 1978, Procedures manual for groundwater reconnaissance sampling: Union Carbide Corporation, Nuclear Division, Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Oak Ridge, Tenn., K/UR-12, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-62(78), 57 p.
Uranium Resource Evaluation Project, 1978, Procedures manual for stream sediment reconnaissance sampling: Union Carbide Corporation, Nuclear Division, Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Oak Ridge, Tenn., K/UR-13, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-84(78), 56 p.
Uranium Resource Evaluation Project, 1982, Supplement to hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance basic data reports K/UR-405 and K/UR-408 through K/UR-443 [GJBX-52(82) through GJBX-88(82)]: Union Carbide Corporation, Nuclear Division, Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Oak Ridge, Tenn., K/UR-412, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-51(82), 25 p.
Savannah River Laboratory:
Ferguson, R.B., Price, Van, and Baucom, E.I., 1976, Field manual for stream sediment reconnaissance: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-76-358, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-30(77), 56 p.
Ferguson, R.B., Price, Van, and Baucom, E.I., 1977, Field manual for ground water reconnaissance: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-76-416, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-26(77), 70 p.
Ferguson, R.B., Price, Van, and Baucom, E.I., 1977, Field manual for stream water and sediment reconnaissance: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-76-363, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-80(77), 78 p.
Price, Van, and Jones, P.L., 1979, Training manual for water and sediment geochemical reconnaissance: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, S.C., SRL Internal Doc. DPST-79-219, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-420(81), 104 p.
NURE project:
Bolivar, S.L., 1980, An overview of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance Program: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory informal report LA-8457-MS, Los Alamos, N.M., U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-220(80), 24 p.
Grimes, J.G., 1984, NURE HSSR geochemical sample archives transfer report - geochemical analysis: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Oak Ridge, Tenn., K/UR-500, Part 3, 150 p.
Information Systems Programs, Energy Resources Institute, 1985, A technical history of the NURE HSSR program: Norman, Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction, Colo., GJBX-2(85), 58 p.
The responsibility for the NURE HSSR program was given to four U.S. Dept. of Energy Laboratories. Each lab was assigned a region of the United States and given the authority to develop their own collection, analytical, and data management methodologies. This decision resulted in the creation of several different sample collection manuals, preprinted sample collection note forms, analytical methods, and data report formats. Thus there is a large amount of inconsistency in reported data between laboratories; especially in the site and sample description fields. Program changes over time also introduced additional inconsistencies, even within data reports from a single laboratory.
One of the primary goals of this reformatting effort has been the elimination of as many inconsistencies as possible. These problems with consistency fall into at least 7 categories. The following describes each category of consistency problem and the formatting process used to resolve the issue. Many database fields had some combination of these consistency problems.
1) A common parameter was recorded using different format styles. As an example, all four labs reported the sample collection date in differing formats (March 5, 1976 was reported as 03/05/76, 3/ 5/76, 3/05/76, 030576, 760305, or 76 3 5). All of these have been changed to a consistent format for every record (1976/03/05).
2) A common parameter was recorded using different units of measure. For example, in sediment data the concentration of magnesium (Mg) was originally reported in percent or parts-per-million (ppm) or parts-per-billion (ppb). In these cases, all values were converted to a common unit: All Mg values in the sediment database are now reported in percent. This same issue was also found and resolved for measurement parameters that were originally recorded either in feet or meters.
3) A common descriptive parameter was recorded on sample collection note forms and entered into the database using different coding schemes with differing lists of choices. An example of this problem is illustrated by the SEDTYPE field, which describes the dominant type of sediment found at the sample site. The choice of 'sand' was recorded as a code '4' by two sample collection forms, a code '3' by one, and a code 'S' by another. 'Muck' was recorded as a code '5', '6', or '7' depending upon the responsible lab, but was not even an available choice for sample collectors for a fourth lab. A code for 'mud' was available on only one sample collection form. This issue was resolved by replacing all codes with the corresponding defined value of 'SAND', 'MUCK', 'MUD', and so on. However, since all values were not available to all of the sample collectors, fields with this problem will not be entirely consistent.
4) A descriptive parameter was not recorded by all of the responsible laboratories. This is a very common problem. There are very few descriptive parameter fields that were actually used and recorded for all samples. Whereas the water temperature at the site was recorded on all sample collection field forms, only forms from two labs recorded air temperature, and only one lab recorded the percentage of organic material in the sample. Thus these fields are incompletely populated and consistent only for the laboratories that reported data.
5) A common parameter was given slightly different definitions by individual laboratories. For example, all of the labs recorded information about possible contamination sources at the sample site but each lab defined what constituted a contaminant source in a slightly different way. For fields with this problem, the original value was preserved in the field and the individual definitions were recorded in the documentation for that field.
6) A descriptive parameter called for the subjective judgement of the sample collector. Several sample description note forms included parameters that are inherently subjective. Parameters such as sample color, vegetation density, and contaminant sources are likely to have a lot of variation depending upon the skill and consistency of each individual sampler. Subjective color identifications between observation are often inconsistent for a single person and even more so for multiple people. These variations can be observed in the database between samplers within the same area. A similar inconsistency is found in the quality and quantity of sample site comments recorded on sample collection forms. Inconsistencies of this sort could not and were not addressed during the reformatting effort. The values given in the database are the original values recorded by the person or persons responsible for collecting the sample.
7) Two or more descriptive parameters for a single sample appear to contain contradictory information. For example, the sample may be described as a 'DRY' stream sediment collected from stream with a water depth of 1 ft. This type of inconsistency is common. It may be due to sampler error, data entry error, or situations that could not be adequately described with the parameter choices available. Most of these inconsistencies were left in the database. In a few cases, values for parameters that were clearly impossible were removed (such as a well depth value for a stream sediment). Whenever an offending value was removed from a record, that event and the original value was recorded in the REFORMAT comment field.
More information about possible inconsistencies within any database field is available in the Manual for Interpreting NURE HSSR Data at <http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/sediment/NURE_Manual.shtml>
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These data are released on the condition that neither the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) nor the United States Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from authorized or unauthorized use. The USGS provides these data "as is" and makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in the data. The USGS further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter, whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user.
| Data format: | Sediment sample information and geochemical measurements, geographic areas of coverage specified by the user. in format Shapefile (version 1.0) Size: 30 megabytes |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/sediment/nuresed.zip> |
| Data format: | Water sample information and geochemical measurements, geographic areas of coverage specified by the user. in format Shapefile (version 1.0) Size: 16.4 megabytes |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/water/nurewtr.zip> |
| Data format: | Sample information and geochemical measurements, geographic areas of coverage specified by the user. in format Shapefile (version 1.0) |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/sediment/select.php> <http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/water/select.php> |
| Data format: | Sample information and geochemical measurements, geographic areas of coverage specified by the user. in format DBF (version dBase III) |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/sediment/select.php> <http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/water/select.php> |
| Data format: | Sample information and geochemical measurements, geographic areas of coverage specified by the user. in format HTML (version 2.0) |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/sediment/select.php> <http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/water/select.php> |
| Data format: | Sample information and geochemical measurements, geographic areas of coverage specified by the user. in format Text Tab-delimited or comma-delimited, at user's option |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/sediment/select.php> <http://tin.er.usgs.gov/nure/water/select.php> |
1-303-236-1192 (voice)
1-303-236-3200 (FAX)
smsmith@usgs.gov
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://tin.er.usgs.gov/metadata/nurehssr.faq.html
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Page Last Modified: Thursday, 18-Oct-2007 13:17:59 EDT