U.S. Geological Survey
National Geochemical Database: Concentrate
2016
U.S. Geological Survey
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/ngdb/concentrate/
Geochemistry of concentrates from the National Geochemical
Database. Primarily inorganic elemental concentrations, most
samples are from the continental US and Alaska.
Samples were collected and analyzed over many decades,
beginning in the 1960s, though some samples may have been collected
earlier.
The National Geochemical Database is a curated repository intended
to contain all geochemical analyses carried out by and for geological
studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. Sample
characteristics, including the location from which the sample was
taken, and characteristics of the location and nearby geographic
area, are included as well as analytical determinations of the
concentration of elements and other chemical species. The work of
USGS is strongly concentrated in earth sciences, so most of the
analyses are of inorganic components. Likewise as a US Federal
government organization, the work of USGS focuses on areas governed
by the United States. Samples are located throughout the world, but
most of the samples come from the US.
19640925
20070824
Dates samples were submitted for analysis
As needed
-174.58554758
151.85333333
71.04151751
-46.86777778
none
none
Common geographic areas
fAF = Afghanistan
fUS01 = Alabama
fUS02 = Alaska
fUS04 = Arizona
fUS05 = Arkansas
fBG = Bangladesh
fBL = Bolivia
fBR = Brazil
fUS06 = California
fCA = Canada
fCI = Chile
fUS08 = Colorado
fUS09 = Connecticut
fUS10 = Delaware
fUS64 = Federated States of Micronesia
fUS12 = Florida
fUS13 = Georgia
fUS15 = Hawaii
fUS16 = Idaho
fUS17 = Illinois
fUS18 = Indiana
fID = Indonesia
fUS19 = Iowa
fIR = Iran
fUS20 = Kansas
fUS21 = Kentucky
fUS22 = Louisiana
fUS23 = Maine
fUS24 = Maryland
fUS25 = Massachusetts
fUS26 = Michigan
fUS27 = Minnesota
fUS28 = Mississippi
fUS29 = Missouri
fUS30 = Montana
fUS31 = Nebraska
fUS32 = Nevada
fUS33 = New Hampshire
fUS34 = New Jersey
fUS35 = New Mexico
fUS36 = New York
fUS37 = North Carolina
fUS38 = North Dakota
fUS39 = Ohio
fUS40 = Oklahoma
fUS41 = Oregon
fUS42 = Pennsylvania
fUS44 = Rhode Island
fUS45 = South Carolina
fUS46 = South Dakota
fUS47 = Tennessee
fUS48 = Texas
fTU = Turkey
fUS = United States
fUS49 = Utah
fUS50 = Vermont
fUS51 = Virginia
fUS78 = Virgin Islands of the United States
fUS53 = Washington
fUS54 = West Virginia
fUS55 = Wisconsin
fUS56 = Wyoming
General glossary for mineral resources spatial data
comma-delimited text
DBF
HTML table
shapefile
tab-delimited text
USGS Thesaurus
aluminum
antimony
arsenic
atomic absorption analysis
atomic emission spectroscopy
barium
beryllium
bismuth
boron
bromine
cadmium
calcium
cerium
cesium
chlorine
chromatography
chromium
cobalt
copper
dysprosium
erbium
europium
fluorine
gadolinium
gallium
geochemistry
geospatial datasets
germanium
gold
hafnium
holmium
indium
iodine
iridium
iron
lanthanum
lead
lithium
lutetium
magnesium
manganese
mass spectroscopy
mercury
molybdenum
neodymium
neutron activation analysis
nickel
niobium
nitrogen
osmium
palladium
phosphorus
platinum
potassium
praseodymium
rhenium
rhodium
rubidium
ruthenium
samarium
scandium
selenium
silicon
silver
sodium
strontium
sulfur
tantalum
tellurium
terbium
thallium
thorium
thulium
tin
titanium
tungsten
unconsolidated deposits
uranium
vanadium
x-ray fluorescence
ytterbium
yttrium
zinc
zirconium
Steven M Smith
Southwest Region
Geologist
mailing address
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046 Mail Stop 973
Denver Federal Center
Denver
CO
80225-0046
USA
303-236-1192
303-236-3200
smsmith@usgs.gov
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/ngdb/concentrate/ngdbconc-large.png
Schematic map showing sample density in the conterminous US, (768 x 512 pixels)
PNG
The samples described in the database were collected by a wide variety
of researchers over a long period of time, and the analyses conducted
on those samples were carried out for varying purposes. In addition,
the sample preparation and analytical methodology varied through time
as the technology available changed. The result is that samples may
not be directly comparable due to differences in sampling procedure,
preparation, analytical instrumentation, or choice of chemical species
to analyze.
Currently 3,998 of the samples described in the database have no
analytical results recorded.
In general, chemical analyses were carried out to pursue specific
scientific objectives of a research project. Consequently there are no
samples for which results were determined for every possible chemical
analysis described in this database. Some analyses were rarely
performed, and some were commonly performed. The table below shows, of
the 143,350 samples, how many include an analysis, by any method, of
each chemical species, with the proportion of samples (expressed as
percent) for which an analysis of that chemical species was reported.
> Species Samples Percent analyzed
>------------------------------------
> Ag 135708 94.0%
> Al 4195 2.0%
> As 134231 93.0%
> Au 132742 92.0%
> B 131439 91.0%
> Ba 131200 91.0%
> Be 134104 93.0%
> Bi 134321 93.0%
> Ca 130776 91.0%
> C_crb 207 0.0%
> Cd 134548 93.0%
> Ce 3831 2.0%
> Co 134562 93.0%
> C_org 207 0.0%
> Cr 134218 93.0%
> Cs 6 0.0%
> C_tot 218 0.0%
> Cu 134751 94.0%
> Dy 2022 1.0%
> Er 2020 1.0%
> Eu 4062 2.0%
> F 710 0.0%
> Fe 131874 91.0%
> Ga 15270 10.0%
> Gd 2111 1.0%
> Ge 16624 11.0%
> Hf 3881 2.0%
> Hg 6482 4.0%
> Ho 2343 1.0%
> I 1 0.0%
> In 5157 3.0%
> Ir 2891 2.0%
> K 2811 1.0%
> La 130646 91.0%
> Li 4106 2.0%
> Lu 2133 1.0%
> Mg 131583 91.0%
> Mn 131644 91.0%
> Mo 134306 93.0%
> Na 14050 9.0%
> Nb 130684 91.0%
> Nd 2570 1.0%
> Ni 134610 93.0%
> Os 1765 1.0%
> P 15136 10.0%
> Pb 134799 94.0%
> Pd 20358 14.0%
> Pr 2067 1.0%
> Pt 20425 14.0%
> Rb 6 0.0%
> Re 3890 2.0%
> Rh 2939 2.0%
> Ru 2874 2.0%
> S 155 0.0%
> Sb 134112 93.0%
> Sc 121086 84.0%
> Se 16 0.0%
> Si 1488 1.0%
> Sm 2346 1.0%
> Sn 133663 93.0%
> SplWtAu 7031 4.0%
> SplWtFA 412 0.0%
> Sr 130369 90.0%
> Ta 4571 3.0%
> Tb 2125 1.0%
> Te 5452 3.0%
> Th 105098 73.0%
> Ti 133064 92.0%
> TI 340 0.0%
> Tl 5168 3.0%
> Tm 2130 1.0%
> U 6117 4.0%
> V 131878 91.0%
> W 135388 94.0%
> Y 131662 91.0%
> Yb 2578 1.0%
> Zn 135654 94.0%
> Zr 129836 90.0%
Uncertainty of the point locations is exprssed, where this could
be determined, in the field coord_prec_est. The information
provided there accounts for the common and officially accepted
practice, in years past, of specifying sampling locations by the
southeast corner of the map quadrangle from which the sample was
taken, and other indications that the original coordinates were
expressed with limited precision. Yes, we know that accuracy and
precision are not the same thing.
Sample depth is given as reported by the original investigator,
and the compiler had no independent way to check those values.
Chemical analyses were carried out by USGS laboratories or by
other organizations contracted by USGS to carry out those
analyses, over a period of decades; these results begin in the
1960s and continue to this day.
Much of the data now in the NGDB had been previously compiled into
other collections such as PLUTO and RASS. Those older databases
are now subsumed into the NGDB and the concentrate sample analyses
they contained are represented here.
This process occurred over many decades, and the current
compilation has reached maturity in 2016.
2016
The Best Value data set is a subset of data that represents one
"best value" per species for each of its samples.
This data set was created by ranking analytical methods, taking
into account factors which vary between methods. These include
weight of sample analyzed, method of decomposition of the sample
during the preparation for analysis, sensitivity and accuracy of
the instrument used in each method, upper and lower limits of
detection for a given element by a given method, the age of the
method and stage of its development when a specific analysis was
performed, and the exact analytical laboratory and equipment used.
The dataset was populated, species by species, first with detected
values, from the highest ranked analytical method to the lowest,
and then with non-detect values, from the lowest to the highest.
Each "best value" per species per sample has a value, an
analytical method code for that value, and a summary of one or more
possible values from which the "best value" was derived.
2016
Point
Entity point
143350
0.000001
0.000001
decimal degrees
World Geodetic System 1984
WGS 84
6378137
298.257
datadxny
Data dictionary, explaining tables and fields
USGS
id
Record ID.
Row identifier within datadxny table.
Integer values.
Integer of width 8.
this data release
1
74
1
tblorder
Table order.
Order in which this table should appear in some presentations.
Integer values.
Integer of width 8.
this data release
1
4
1
tblname
Table name.
Name of the table.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
Text as used by the database management system
number
Ordinal position.
Order in which this field occurs in the database.
Integer values.
Integer of width 8.
this data release
(no value)
The table row describes the table as a whole rather than one of its fields
this data release
1
30
1
label
Field label.
Label of the field in the database.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
(no value)
The table row describes the table as a whole rather than one of its fields
this data release
Field name as used internally in the database software
category
Category.
General category of information provided by the contents of the field.
Textual values of no more than 50 characters.
this data release
(no value)
The table row describes the table as a whole rather than one of its fields
this data release
Sample identification
Names, numbers, or other identifiers of the samples
this data release
Processing information
Characteristics of the handling, processing, or analysis of the samples
this data release
Geographic location
Information indicating the location from which the sample was collected
this data release
Site characteristics
Information describing the environment from which the sample was taken
this data release
Sample characteristics
Descriptive characteristics of the sample itself
this data release
Chemical analysis
Results of analysis of the sample, typically quantitative
this data release
Metadata
Information used to organize the data in this collection
this data release
short_desc
Short description.
Descriptive name of the field used in some presentations, not
constrained by rules affecting the label.
Textual values of no more than 40 characters.
this data release
(no value)
The table row describes the table as a whole rather than one of its fields
this data release
description
Description.
Longer description of the purpose and contents of the field or table.
Textual values of no more than 4096 characters.
this data release
Plain text, not abbreviated
link
Link.
URL providing more information about the field.
Textual values of no more than 96 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
67 records have no value for link.
this data release
origin
Origin of field.
Abbreviation of an organization, data set, or other entity responsible
for defining the field.
Textual values of no more than 12 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
67 records have no value for origin.
this data release
sqltype
SQL type.
Data type of the field as used in the database.
Textual values of no more than 8 characters.
this data release
(no value)
the table row describes an entire table rather than a single field
this data release
integer
Field contains integer values
this data release
character varying
Field contains character values of varying length
this data release
double precision
Field contains floating-point values
this data release
dbftype
DBF field type.
Data type of the field when expressed in DBF.
Textual values of exactly 1 character.
this data release
C
character data
this data release
N
numeric data
this data release
width
Field width.
Field width when expressed in DBF.
Integer values.
Integer of width 8.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
4 records have no value for width.
this data release
1
4096
1
prec
Precision.
Precision of the field (places to right of decimal) when expressed in
DBF, only for numeric fields.
Integer values.
Integer of width 8.
this data release
(no value)
The field contains character data, or the row describes the table as a whole rather than an individual field
this data release
0
6
1
units
Units of measure.
Units of measure of the field values.
Textual values of no more than 64 characters.
this data release
(no value)
The field contains character data, the units are specified in a separate field of the table, or the row describes the table as a whole rather than an individual field
this data release
main
Sample location, characteristics, and general methods of collection and analysis
USGS
lab_id
Lab ID.
Unique identifier assigned to each submitted sample by the Sample
Control Officer of the analytical laboratory that received the sample.
Textual values of no more than 10 characters.
this data release
Alphanumeric identifiers without intrinsic scientific significance
field_id
Field ID.
Field identifier assigned by the sample collector, sometimes modified
or truncated when keypunched to fit the available field width.
Textual values of no more than 16 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
4 records have no value for field_id.
this data release
Alphanumeric identifiers without intrinsic scientific significance
job_id
Job ID.
Laboratory batch identifier assigned by the Sample Control Officer of
the analytical laboratory for each batch of samples received.
Textual values of no more than 10 characters.
this data release
Alphanumeric identifiers without intrinsic scientific significance
submitter
Submitter.
Name of the individual(s) who submitted the sample in a batch to the
laboratory for analysis; not necessarily the sample collector.
Textual values of no more than 80 characters.
this data release
Names, unabbreviated
date_collect
Date collected.
Date sample was collected, as reported by submitter, mm/dd/yyyy.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
142689 records have no value for date_collect.
this data release
While dates are generally formatted as month/day/year, the
number of digits in these components varies, and some values are
expressed as a range
date_submitted
Date submitted.
Date sample was submitted to Sample Control for initial database
processing prior to sample prep and analysis, mm/dd/yyyy.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
3578 records have no value for date_submitted.
this data release
Generally these dates follow the format month (2 digit) / day (2 digit) / year (4 digit)
project_name
Project name.
Project name, if known, that funded the collection and analysis of
submitted samples.
Textual values of no more than 80 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
77095 records have no value for project_name.
this data release
Names, typically unabbreviated, sometimes with question marks
state
State.
Abbreviation of state from where the sample was collected; only used
within the United States.
Textual values of no more than 2 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
6443 records have no value for state.
this data release
U.S. Postal Service abbreviations for states and territories
Post Office Department Publication 59, Abbreviations for Use with ZIP Code, October 1963, revised 1969.
country
Country.
Country from where the sample was collected.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
Place or area names, mostly unabbreviated, including bodies of water.
lat_wgs84
Latitude (WGS84).
Latitude coordinate of sample site converted, if necessary, to the
WGS84 datum, reported in decimal degrees.
Real numbers stored in double precision.
this data release
-49.81222222
74.90833333
decimal degrees
long_wgs84
Longitude (WGS84).
Longitude coordinate of sample site converted, if necessary, to the
WGS84 datum, reported in decimal degrees.
Real numbers stored in double precision.
this data release
-179.36667
179.9425
decimal degrees
datum_orig
Original datum.
Original reference datum, when recorded, for the latitude and
longitude coordinates of the sample site. Values in (parentheses) are
a best estimate for original datum values that were not recorded.
Textual values of no more than 64 characters.
this data release
European 1950
European 1950 (which variant is not specified)
this data release
Indonesian 1974
Indonesian 1974
this data release
NAD27
North American Datum of 1927
this data release
NAD83
North American Datum of 1983
this data release
SAD69
South American Datum 1969
this data release
WGS84
World Geodetic System 1984
this data release
lat_orig
Original latitude.
Original latitude coordinate of sample site as supplied by the sample
submitter, reported in decimal degrees.
Real numbers stored in double precision.
this data release
-49.81222222
74.90833333
decimal degrees
long_orig
Original longitude.
Original longitude coordinate of sample site as supplied by the sample
submitter, reported in decimal degrees.
Real numbers stored in double precision.
this data release
-179.36667
179.9425
decimal degrees
coord_prec_est
Precision of coordinate location.
Estimated precision of coordinates that were originally supplied by
the sample submitter, reported to the nearest second, minute, degree,
foot, or meter.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
Explanatory text, not abbreviated
depth
Depth.
Depth from the surface at which the sample was collected; units are
specified by the submitter.
Textual values of no more than 80 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
142731 records have no value for depth.
this data release
locate_desc
Location description.
Sample location description as supplied by the sample submitter.
Textual values of no more than 256 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
134649 records have no value for locate_desc.
this data release
Explanatory text, not abbreviated
sample_source
Sample source.
Sample source, parent material, or indication of the land cover.
Textual values of no more than 40 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
22341 records have no value for sample_source.
this data release
Short descriptive terms for the environment, not abbreviated, in some cases expressed as a set of closely related terms separated by slash to mean "or".
method_collected
Method of collection.
Method used to collect the sample.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
33637 records have no value for method_collected.
this data release
channel
material taken from a trench or linear excavation
this data release
composite
material combined from several discrete takings
this data release
other
collection method not one of those described by this field
this data release
single/grab
material from a single act of taking at a single location
this data release
sngl/cmpst/chnl
collection may have been single, composite, or channel
this data release
unknown
collection method not known
this data release
primary_class
Sample type.
Sample media primary classification.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
sediment
unconsolidated earth materials, typically deposited by streams or other bodies of water
this data release
soil
unconsolidated earth materials developed in place from pre-existing surficial material
this data release
miscellaneous
other earth materials possibly including pulverized rock
this data release
secondary_class
Sample type.
Sample media secondary classification. All values in the concentrate
dataset equal CONCENTRATE.
Textual values of no more than 64 characters.
this data release
specific_name
Specific name.
Specific name or description of material that was submitted.
Textual values of no more than 40 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
15909 records have no value for specific_name.
this data release
Text indicating material, not abbreviated
addl_attr
Notes on sample.
Comment field that includes submitter supplied comments and text for
additional attributes that are no longer maintained separately.
Textual values of no more than 256 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
7443 records have no value for addl_attr.
this data release
Text may contain identifiers, description, place names, or feature types
geologic_age
Geologic age.
Geologic age of the sample (or possibly the parent material) as
supplied by the submitter.
Textual values of no more than 64 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
130035 records have no value for geologic_age.
this data release
Geologic periods, sometimes specified as a range of periods using hyphen
stratigraphy
Stratigraphy.
Stratigraphic formation name as supplied by the submitter.
Textual values of no more than 256 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
141335 records have no value for stratigraphy.
this data release
Formation names (sometimes abbreviated) or stream names
mineralization
Mineralization.
Indication of or type of mineralization associated with the sample.
Textual values of no more than 40 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
142983 records have no value for mineralization.
this data release
Short descriptive text indicating general form or process of mineral concentration, not abbreviated
sample_zone
Sample zone.
Soil horizon zone from which the soil sample was collected.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143283 records have no value for sample_zone.
this data release
Plain text, but the soil horizons themselves are indicated in symbolic form such as C or A, but there are a variety of unusual designations.
horizon
Soil horizon.
Indication of how well defined the sampled soil horizon was at the
collection site.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143347 records have no value for horizon.
this data release
Plain descriptive text, unabbreviated.
saline
Saline.
Indication of whether the sampled soil was saline or non-saline.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143349 records have no value for saline.
this data release
Plain descriptive text, unabbreviated.
organics
Organics.
Indication of whether the sampled soil was highly organic or not.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143350 records have no value for organics.
this data release
Plain descriptive text, unabbreviated.
ferritic
Ferritic.
Indication of whether the sampled soil was ferritic (iron rich),
highly ferritic, or non-ferritic.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143337 records have no value for ferritic.
this data release
Plain descriptive text, unabbreviated.
drainage
Drainage.
Indication of whether the sampled soil was well drained or poorly
drained.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143349 records have no value for drainage.
this data release
Plain descriptive text, unabbreviated.
prep
Preparation.
Description of sample preparation procedures used prior to analyzing
the sample.
Textual values of no more than 256 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
45899 records have no value for prep.
this data release
Descriptive text, may include program name such as NAWQA to indicate adherence to program preparation protocols
mesh_size
Sieve mesh size.
Mesh size used or final size fraction that was analyzed.
Textual values of no more than 64 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
86348 records have no value for mesh_size.
this data release
Descriptive text, may include procedural details such as "dry sieved"
collection_protocol
Collection protocol.
Standard or published protocol used for collecting and preparing the
sample.
Textual values of no more than 64 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143350 records have no value for collection_protocol.
this data release
NAWQA sediment collection protocol
Collection procedures followed guidelines of the National Water Quality Assessment program
this data release
previous_job_id
Previous job ID.
Previous laboratory batch identifier, used when a sample was
resubmitted in a new batch for further analyses.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143350 records have no value for previous_job_id.
this data release
Alphanumeric identifier without further scientific significance
previous_lab_id
Previous lab ID.
Previous laboratory-assigned Unique identifier, used when a sample was
resubmitted for further analyses and given an new Lab ID.
Textual values of no more than 20 characters.
this data release
(no value)
Information not available for this record.
143350 records have no value for previous_lab_id.
this data release
Alphanumeric identifier without further scientific significance
chemistry
All chemical analyses recorded for the sample, with analytical method, measured values, and qualifiers to indicate where a measured value was outside the reliable determination limits of the method
USGS
rec_id
This field contains the unique sequence number by which the given
analysis can be related to the corresponding record in the master
database from which these records were drawn. Consequently this
value would be used to identify records that required correction
in the master database, if necessary.
Integer values. Integer of width 8.
this data release
45289
52354719
1
lab_id
Lab ID.
Unique identifier assigned to each submitted sample by the Sample
Control Officer of the analytical laboratory that received the sample.
Textual values of no more than 10 characters.
this data release
Alphanumeric identifiers without intrinsic scientific significance
species
Chemical species.
Element, oxide, compound, or property that was determined or measured
by the laboratory.
Textual values of no more than 40 characters.
this data release
Li
Lithium
this data release
Be
Beryllium
this data release
B
Boron
this data release
C_tot
Carbon (total)
this data release
C_org
Carbon (organic)
this data release
C_crb
Carbon (carbonate)
this data release
F
Fluorine
this data release
Na
Sodium
this data release
Mg
Magnesium
this data release
Al
Aluminum
this data release
Si
Silicon
this data release
P
Phosphorus
this data release
S
Sulfur
this data release
K
Potassium
this data release
Ca
Calcium
this data release
Sc
Scandium
this data release
Ti
Titanium
this data release
V
Vanadium
this data release
Cr
Chromium
this data release
Mn
Manganese
this data release
Fe
Iron
this data release
Co
Cobalt
this data release
Ni
Nickel
this data release
Cu
Copper
this data release
Zn
Zinc
this data release
Ga
Gallium
this data release
Ge
Germanium
this data release
As
Arsenic
this data release
Se
Selenium
this data release
Rb
Rubidium
this data release
Sr
Strontium
this data release
Y
Yttrium
this data release
Zr
Zirconium
this data release
Nb
Niobium
this data release
Mo
Molybdenum
this data release
Ru
Ruthenium
this data release
Rh
Rhodium
this data release
Pd
Palladium
this data release
Ag
Silver
this data release
Cd
Cadmium
this data release
In
Indium
this data release
Sn
Tin
this data release
Sb
Antimony
this data release
Te
Tellurium
this data release
I
Iodine
this data release
Cs
Cesium
this data release
Ba
Barium
this data release
La
Lanthanum
this data release
Ce
Cerium
this data release
Pr
Praseodymium
this data release
Nd
Neodymium
this data release
Sm
Samarium
this data release
Eu
Europium
this data release
Gd
Gadolinium
this data release
Tb
Terbium
this data release
Dy
Dysprosium
this data release
Ho
Holmium
this data release
Er
Erbium
this data release
Tm
Thulium
this data release
Yb
Ytterbium
this data release
Lu
Lutetium
this data release
Hf
Hafnium
this data release
Ta
Tantalum
this data release
W
Tungsten
this data release
Re
Rhenium
this data release
Os
Osmium
this data release
Ir
Iridium
this data release
Pt
Platinum
this data release
Au
Gold
this data release
Hg
Mercury
this data release
Tl
Thallium
this data release
Pb
Lead
this data release
Bi
Bismuth
this data release
Th
Thorium
this data release
U
Uranium
this data release
SplWtAu
Weight of sample used for gold analysis
this data release
SplWtFA
Weight of sample used for fire assay analysis
this data release
unit
Units of measure.
Unit of measurement associated with the accompanying concentration
value.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
g
grams
this report
pct
percent by weight
this report
ppm
parts per million by weight
this report
qvalue
Measured value.
Qualified concentration value for the associated Species and reported
in the associated Unit. Values less than the lower limit of
determination are negative while values greater than the upper limit
of determination have a .1111 suffix.
Real numbers stored in double precision.
this data release
-10000
940000
qualifier
Qualifier of measurement.
Qualifier (L, N, G, <, or >) for censored data. Only used in the All
Chemistry tables.
Textual values of no more than 1 characters.
this data release
L
The measured value was less than the lower limit of determination by the method
this data release
N
The chemical species was not detected by the method
this data release
G
The measured value was greater than the analytical method's upper determination limit
this data release
(less-than symbol)
The measured value was less than the lower limit of determination by the method
this data release
(greater-than symbol)
The measured value was greater than the upper limit of determination by the method
this data release
(no value)
The measured value is within the range of values for which the analytical method is considered valid.
this data release
amethod
Analytical method.
Analytical method code (abbreviation) for the method used to determine
the associated Species.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
AA_CV
Mercury by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry after multi-acid digestion and solution.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_CV_WO
Mercury by wet oxidation and cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry ("flameless"); HNO3-H2SO4-HClO4 digestion, Hg aerated to silver screen, amalgamator heated in furnace, Hg vapor measured in AAS.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_FE
Sodium and potassium by flame emission spectrometry (flame photometry) after HF-HClO4 dissolution or LiBO2 fusion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_AZ_H2O2_P
Silver, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, copper, molybdenum, lead, antimony and zinc by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after partial digestion with HCl-H2O2-KI, ascorbic acid and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_Fuse
Major and minor elements by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after LiBO2/Li2B4O7 fusion digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_Fuse_P
Molybdenum and antimony by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after K2S2O7 (Mo) or NH4I (Sb) fusion, partial acid digestion, and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_HBr
Gold and tellurium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after HBr-Br2 digestion and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_HCl_OE_P
Antimony by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after NH4I fusion, digestion with HCl, and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_HF
Major and minor elements by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after multi-acid digestion with HF.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_HNO3_P
Silver, bismuth, cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, lead and zinc by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after partial digestion with hot HNO3.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_GF_HBr
Gold and tellurium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after HBr-Br2 digestion and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_GF_HF
Arsenic, gold, bismuth, indium, antimony, tellurium and thallium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after multi-acid digestion with HF and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_HG_Acid
Selenium by flow injection or continuous flow hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion with HNO3-HCl-H2SO4-KMnO4.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_HG_HF
Arsenic, antimony, selenium and tellurium by flow injection or continuous flow hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry after multi-acid digestion with HF.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_TR
Mercury by thermal release and atomic absorption spectrometry after heating (Vaughn-McCarthy method).
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AES_AR_P
Major and minor elements by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry after partial digestion with aqua regia.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AES_AZ_P
Silver, arsenic, gold, bismuth, cadmium, copper, molybdenum, lead, antimony and zinc by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry after partial digestion with HCl-H2O2.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AES_HF
Major and minor elements by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry after digestion with HF-HCl-HNO3-HClO4.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CB_IRC
Carbon and sulfur by infrared detection after combustion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CB_TC
Total carbon and organic carbon by thermal conductivity detection after combustion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CB_TT
Sulfur by iodometric titration after combustion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_Acid
Bromine by colorimetry after acid digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_Acid_P
Arsenic by modified Gutzeit apparatus confined-spot method colorimetry after partial digestion in KOH-HCl and chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_Fuse
Major and minor elements by colorimetric spectrophotometry after fusion digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_Fuse_P
Molybdenum and antimony by colorimetry after partial digestion by K2S2O7 fusion (Mo) or NaHSO4 fusion-HCl digestion (Sb, rhodamine B).
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_HF
Major and minor elements by colorimetric spectrophotometry after multi-acid digestion with HF.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_HNO3_P
Copper, lead and zinc by colorimetry after partial digestion with HNO3.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_HSF
Fluorine by chemical separation and colorimetric spectrophotometry; chemical separation to fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6), converted to silicomolybdate, reduced to Mo blue.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_PC_P
Uranium by paper chromatography after partial digestion with HNO3.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_SDDC
Arsenic by colorimetric spectrophotometry after digestion in HF-aqua regia and chemical separation with SDDC.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_ST_P
Tungsten by colorimetry after partial digestion with carbonate sinter.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CP
Organic carbon, carbonate carbon and totals by computation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
DN
Uranium and thorium by delayed neutron activation counting.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
ES_Q
Major and minor elements by quantitative emission spectrography.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
ES_SQ
Major and minor elements by semi-quantitative emission spectrography.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FA_AA
Gold, silver and platinum group elements by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after PbO fire assay chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FA_DC
Gold by direct current plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy or atomic absorption spectrophotometry after PbO fire assay chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FA_ES
Gold and platinum group elements by direct-current arc quantitative emission spectrography after PbO fire assay chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FA_MS
Platinum group elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after NiS fire assay chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FL_HF
Beryllium, tin and uranium by fluorometry after multi-acid digestion with HF.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
GV
Density, moisture and weight by gravimetry; ash or loss on ignition by weight loss after heating at 900 degrees C.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
ISE_Fuse
Chloride, fluoride and iodide by ion specific electrode after fusion digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
MS_HF
Major and minor elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after HF-HCl-HNO3-HClO4 digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
NA_LC
Major and trace elements by long count instrumental neutron activation analysis; no digestion/extraction necessary.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
NA_SC
Major and trace elements by short (abbreviated) count instrumental neutron activation analysis; no digestion/extraction necessary.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
VOL
Carbon dioxide or carbonate carbon by evolution after acid decomposition; aka ""gasometric"" or ""manometric"".
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
WDX_Fuse
Major and minor elements by wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry after LiBO2 fusion digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
parameter
Parameter.
The suggested field name for a Species_Unit_Method column in
crosstabbed chemistry tables. These field names concatenate the
Species and Unit fields, and includes the general analytical
method (first part of the amethod field).
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
Concatenation of species, unit, and the characters of the
amethod field to the left of the first underscore.
tblname
Table name.
Textual values of no more than 16 characters.
this data release
Chem_ES
Chemical analyses by emission spectroscopy
this data release
Chem_ICPAES
Chemical analyses by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy
this data release
Chem_ICPMS
Chemical analyses by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectroscopy
this data release
Chem_NAA
Chemical analyses by neutron activation analysis
this data release
Chem_Other
Chemical analyses of "totally" digested samples by methods other than those identified by other values of this field.
this data release
Chem_XRF
Chemical analyses by either energy dispersive or wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence
this data release
Partial_A2Z
Chemical analyses of partially digested samples using HCl with H2O2, KI, or both
this data release
Partial_AqReg
Chemical analyses of partially digested samples using aqua regia
this data release
Partial_Other
Chemical analyses of partially digested samples using other digestion procedures
this data release
bestvalue
Best analytic value for each element obtained by selecting the most reliable analytic methods from among those that were performed on the sample
USGS
rec_id
Record ID.
Integer values.
Integer of width 8.
this data release
1
4287923
1
lab_id
Lab ID.
Unique identifier assigned to each submitted sample by the Sample
Control Officer of the analytical laboratory that received the sample.
Textual values of no more than 10 characters.
this data release
Alphanumeric identifiers without intrinsic scientific significance
species
Chemical species.
Element, oxide, compound, or property that was determined or measured
by the laboratory.
Textual values of no more than 8 characters.
this data release
Li
Lithium
this data release
Be
Beryllium
this data release
B
Boron
this data release
C_tot
Carbon (total)
this data release
C_org
Carbon (organic)
this data release
C_crb
Carbon (carbonate)
this data release
F
Fluorine
this data release
Na
Sodium
this data release
Mg
Magnesium
this data release
Al
Aluminum
this data release
Si
Silicon
this data release
P
Phosphorus
this data release
S
Sulfur
this data release
K
Potassium
this data release
Ca
Calcium
this data release
Sc
Scandium
this data release
Ti
Titanium
this data release
V
Vanadium
this data release
Cr
Chromium
this data release
Mn
Manganese
this data release
Fe
Iron
this data release
Co
Cobalt
this data release
Ni
Nickel
this data release
Cu
Copper
this data release
Zn
Zinc
this data release
Ga
Gallium
this data release
Ge
Germanium
this data release
As
Arsenic
this data release
Se
Selenium
this data release
Rb
Rubidium
this data release
Sr
Strontium
this data release
Y
Yttrium
this data release
Zr
Zirconium
this data release
Nb
Niobium
this data release
Mo
Molybdenum
this data release
Ru
Ruthenium
this data release
Rh
Rhodium
this data release
Pd
Palladium
this data release
Ag
Silver
this data release
Cd
Cadmium
this data release
In
Indium
this data release
Sn
Tin
this data release
Sb
Antimony
this data release
Te
Tellurium
this data release
I
Iodine
this data release
Cs
Cesium
this data release
Ba
Barium
this data release
La
Lanthanum
this data release
Ce
Cerium
this data release
Pr
Praseodymium
this data release
Nd
Neodymium
this data release
Sm
Samarium
this data release
Eu
Europium
this data release
Gd
Gadolinium
this data release
Tb
Terbium
this data release
Dy
Dysprosium
this data release
Ho
Holmium
this data release
Er
Erbium
this data release
Tm
Thulium
this data release
Yb
Ytterbium
this data release
Lu
Lutetium
this data release
Hf
Hafnium
this data release
Ta
Tantalum
this data release
W
Tungsten
this data release
Re
Rhenium
this data release
Os
Osmium
this data release
Ir
Iridium
this data release
Pt
Platinum
this data release
Au
Gold
this data release
Hg
Mercury
this data release
Tl
Thallium
this data release
Pb
Lead
this data release
Bi
Bismuth
this data release
Th
Thorium
this data release
U
Uranium
this data release
SplWtAu
Weight of sample used for gold analysis
this data release
SplWtFA
Weight of sample used for fire assay analysis
this data release
unit
Units of measure.
Unit of measurement associated with the accompanying concentration
value.
Textual values of no more than 8 characters.
this data release
g
grams
this report
pct
percent by weight
this report
ppm
parts per million by weight
this report
qvalue
Qualified value.
Qualified concentration value for the associated Species and reported
in the associated Unit. Values less than the lower limit of
determination are negative while values greater than the upper limit
of determination have a .1111 suffix.
Real numbers stored in double precision.
this data release
-10000
940000
amethod
Analytical method.
Analytical method code (abbreviation) for the method used to determine
the associated Species.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
AA_CV
Mercury by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry after multi-acid digestion and solution.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_CV_WO
Mercury by wet oxidation and cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry ("flameless"); HNO3-H2SO4-HClO4 digestion, Hg aerated to silver screen, amalgamator heated in furnace, Hg vapor measured in AAS.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_FE
Sodium and potassium by flame emission spectrometry (flame photometry) after HF-HClO4 dissolution or LiBO2 fusion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_Fuse
Major and minor elements by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after LiBO2/Li2B4O7 fusion digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_HBr
Gold and tellurium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after HBr-Br2 digestion and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_F_HF
Major and minor elements by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after multi-acid digestion with HF.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_GF_HBr
Gold and tellurium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after HBr-Br2 digestion and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_GF_HF
Arsenic, gold, bismuth, indium, antimony, tellurium and thallium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after multi-acid digestion with HF and selective organic extraction with Aliquat 336-MIBK.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_HG_Acid
Selenium by flow injection or continuous flow hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion with HNO3-HCl-H2SO4-KMnO4.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_HG_HF
Arsenic, antimony, selenium and tellurium by flow injection or continuous flow hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry after multi-acid digestion with HF.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AA_TR
Mercury by thermal release and atomic absorption spectrometry after heating (Vaughn-McCarthy method).
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
AES_HF
Major and minor elements by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry after digestion with HF-HCl-HNO3-HClO4.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CB_IRC
Carbon and sulfur by infrared detection after combustion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CB_TC
Total carbon and organic carbon by thermal conductivity detection after combustion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CB_TT
Sulfur by iodometric titration after combustion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_Acid
Bromine by colorimetry after acid digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_Fuse
Major and minor elements by colorimetric spectrophotometry after fusion digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_HF
Major and minor elements by colorimetric spectrophotometry after multi-acid digestion with HF.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_HSF
Fluorine by chemical separation and colorimetric spectrophotometry; chemical separation to fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6), converted to silicomolybdate, reduced to Mo blue.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CM_SDDC
Arsenic by colorimetric spectrophotometry after digestion in HF-aqua regia and chemical separation with SDDC.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
CP
Organic carbon, carbonate carbon and totals by computation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
DN
Uranium and thorium by delayed neutron activation counting.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
ES_Q
Major and minor elements by quantitative emission spectrography.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
ES_SQ
Major and minor elements by semi-quantitative emission spectrography.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FA_AA
Gold, silver and platinum group elements by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after PbO fire assay chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FA_DC
Gold by direct current plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy or atomic absorption spectrophotometry after PbO fire assay chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FA_ES
Gold and platinum group elements by direct-current arc quantitative emission spectrography after PbO fire assay chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FA_MS
Platinum group elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after NiS fire assay chemical separation.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
FL_HF
Beryllium, tin and uranium by fluorometry after multi-acid digestion with HF.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
GV
Density, moisture and weight by gravimetry; ash or loss on ignition by weight loss after heating at 900 degrees C.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
ISE_Fuse
Chloride, fluoride and iodide by ion specific electrode after fusion digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
MS_HF
Major and minor elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after HF-HCl-HNO3-HClO4 digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
NA_LC
Major and trace elements by long count instrumental neutron activation analysis; no digestion/extraction necessary.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
NA_SC
Major and trace elements by short (abbreviated) count instrumental neutron activation analysis; no digestion/extraction necessary.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
VOL
Carbon dioxide or carbonate carbon by evolution after acid decomposition; aka ""gasometric"" or ""manometric"".
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
WDX_Fuse
Major and minor elements by wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry after LiBO2 fusion digestion.
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/agdb/method.php
summary
Related analyses.
Summary of all analyses for the total concentration of a single
element in a samples; analyses are listed in order of 'Best Value'.
Used only in the bestvalue table.
Textual values of no more than 256 characters.
this data release
List of the values of concentration and analytical method drawn from fields of the chemistry table where lab_id and chemical species matches the row.
parameter
Parameter.
The suggested field name for a Species_Unit column in
crosstabbed chemistry tables. These field names concatenate the
Species and Unit fields.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
Concatenation of chemical species and unit fields, separated by underscore
mthd_parameter
Method parameter.
The suggested field name for an AMethod column in crosstabbed
chemistry tables.
Textual values of no more than 32 characters.
this data release
Concatenation of chemical species field value and "_Mthd"
Peter N Schweitzer
USGS Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center
Geologist
mailing address
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston
VA
20192-0002
USA
703-648-6533
703-648-6252
pschweitzer@usgs.gov
This database has been approved for release by the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS). Although this database has been subjected to rigorous
review and is substantially complete, the USGS reserves the right to
revise the data pursuant to further analysis and review. Furthermore,
the database is released on condition that neither the USGS nor the
U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from
its authorized or unauthorized use.
WMS
1.3.0
Geochemical analyses of concentrate samples with site characteristics
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/services/ngdbconc?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS&version=1.3.0
shapefile
1.0
Simple shapefile with a url to the full report for each location, with all attribute data as included CSV files
52
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/ngdb/concentrate/ngdbconc-csv.zip
CSV
1.0
Simple shapefile with a url to the full report for each location, with all attribute data as included CSV files
52
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/ngdb/concentrate/ngdbconc-csv.zip
none
20201230
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998