Arsenic in stream sediments of northern Alabama

M. B. Goldhaber; Elise Irwin; Brian Atkins; Lopaka Lee; D.D. Black; Humbert Zappia; Joe Hatch; Jack Pashin; L.H. Barwick; W.E. Cartwright; Rick Sanzolone; Leslie Rupert; Allan Kolker; Robert Finkelman

doi:10.3133/mf2357

Arsenic in stream sediments of northern Alabama

Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 2357

By: M. B. Goldhaber, Elise Irwin, Brian Atkins, Lopaka Lee, D.D. Black, Humbert Zappia, Joe Hatch, Jack Pashin, L.H. Barwick, W.E. Cartwright, Rick Sanzolone, Leslie Rupert, Allan Kolker, and Robert Finkelman

https://doi.org/10.3133/mf2357

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Abstract

OVERVIEW OF ARSENIC IN STREAM SEDIMENTS The overall range of arsenic in the NURE stream sediments was from 0.3 to 44 mg/kg sediment (ppm) As in the sample data set. The mean value was 4.3 ppm with a standard deviation of 4.1 ppm. For comparison, the crustal abundance of arsenic is 1.8 ppm (Taylor, 1964). Shale is higher, with average values of 15 ppm. Coal samples from the entire USGS National Coal Resource Data System coal database (Finkelman, 1994) average 24 ppm arsenic. A study of stream sediments from throughout the U.S. by the USGS NAWQA program reported that the 75th percentile for arsenic in 541 stream sediments was 9.5 ppm (Rice, 1999). Given the relatively low crustal abundance of arsenic, a number of stream-sediment samples in this study may be considered geochemically anomalous in this element.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Report
Publication Subtype	USGS Numbered Series
Title	Arsenic in stream sediments of northern Alabama
Series title	Miscellaneous Field Studies Map
Series number	2357
DOI	10.3133/mf2357
Year Published	2001
Language	English
Publisher	U.S. Geological Survey
Description	Sheet 62 by 44 inches (in color).
Country	United States
State	Alabama
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