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Element concentrations in surface soils of the Coconino Plateau, Grand Canyon region, Coconino County, Arizona

Open-File Report 2016-1160
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161160

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Abstract

This report provides the geochemical analyses of a large set of background soils collected from the surface of the Coconino Plateau in northern Arizona. More than 700 soil samples were collected at 46 widespread areas, sampled from sites that appear unaffected by mineralization and (or) anthropogenic contamination. The soils were analyzed for 47 elements, thereby providing data on metal concentrations in soils representative of the plateau. These background concentrations can be used, for instance, for comparison to metal concentrations found in soils potentially affected by natural and anthropogenic influences on the Coconino Plateau in the Grand Canyon region of Arizona.

The soil sampling survey revealed low concentrations for the metals most commonly of environmental concern, such as arsenic, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, lead, uranium, vanadium, and zinc. For example, the median concentrations of the metals in soils of the Coconino Plateau were found to be comparable to the mean values previously reported for soils of the western United States.

Suggested Citation

Van Gosen, B.S., 2016, Element concentrations in surface soils of the Coconino Plateau, Grand Canyon region, Coconino County, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1160, 9 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161160.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Sample Collection
  • Summary of Results
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Geochemical Analyses of Soils Collected on the Surface of the Coconino Plateau Grand Canyon Region, Northern Arizona
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Element concentrations in surface soils of the Coconino Plateau, Grand Canyon region, Coconino County, Arizona
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2016-1160
DOI 10.3133/ofr20161160
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center
Description Report: v, 9 p.; Appendix
Country United States
State Arizona
County Coconino County
Other Geospatial Coconino Plateau, Grand Canyon
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details