Analyzing legacy U.S. Geological Survey geochemical databases using GIS--Applications for a national mineral resource assessment

Yager, Douglas B.; Hofstra, Albert H.; Granitto, Matthew

Abstract:

This report emphasizes geographic information system analysis and the display of data stored in the legacy U.S. Geological Survey National Geochemical Database for use in mineral resource investigations. Geochemical analyses of soils, stream sediments, and rocks that are archived in the National Geochemical Database provide an extensive data source for investigating geochemical anomalies. A study area in the Egan Range of east-central Nevada was used to develop a geographic information system analysis methodology for two different geochemical datasets involving detailed (Bureau of Land Management Wilderness) and reconnaissance-scale (National Uranium Resource Evaluation) investigations. ArcGIS was used to analyze and thematically map geochemical information at point locations. Watershed-boundary datasets served as a geographic reference to relate potentially anomalous sample sites with hydrologic unit codes at varying scales. The National Hydrography Dataset was analyzed with Hydrography Event Management and ArcGIS Utility Network Analyst tools to delineate potential sediment-sample provenance along a stream network. These tools can be used to track potential upstream-sediment-contributing areas to a sample site. This methodology identifies geochemically anomalous sample sites, watersheds, and streams that could help focus mineral resource investigations in the field.

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

70038423

Citation Author:

Yager, Douglas B. ; Hofstra, Albert H. ; Granitto, Matthew

Citation Contributing Office:

Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

iv, 28 p.

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey

Citation Series:

Techniques and Methods

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

11-C5

Citation Search Results Text:

Analyzing legacy U.S. Geological Survey geochemical databases using GIS--Applications for a national mineral resource assessment; 2012; TM; 11-C5; Yager, Douglas B. ; Hofstra, Albert H. ; Granitto, Matthew