Geochemistry of soils in the US from the RASS database

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What does this data set describe?
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What does this data set describe?

Title: Geochemistry of soils in the US from the RASS database
Abstract:

This dataset contains geochemical data for soil samples collected by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel and analyzed in the analytical laboratories of the Geologic Division of the USGS. These data represent analyses of soil samples collected in support of various USGS programs. The data were originally entered into the in-house Rock Analysis Storage System (RASS) database which was used by the Geologic Division from the early- 1970's through the late-1980's to archive geochemical data. An unpublished CD-ROM was developed in 1996 that contains the RASS data in GSSEARCH format. That CD was used to generate this data set.

How might this data set be cited?
U.S. Geological Survey, 2001, Geochemistry of soils in the US from the RASS database: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
Online Links:
- https://mrdata.usgs.gov/rass/soil/
What geographic area does the data set cover?
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -166.3
East_Bounding_Coordinate: 46.47
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 69.67
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.68
What does it look like?
Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

Beginning_Date: 1965

Ending_Date: 1988

Currentness_Reference:

Approximate sample collection and analysis period
What is the general form of this data set?
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
How does the data set represent geographic features?
1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
  This is a vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
  - Point (30974)
2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
  Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.01. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.01. 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.
  The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378206.4.
  The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/294.98.

How does the data set describe geographic features?

main

RASS geochemical sample characteristics and results of chemical analysis. (Source: USGS)

id

Unique record identifier Textual values of no more than 16 characters. (Source: this data release) Textual values of no more than 16 characters.

subname

Submitter's name, name of the individual who submitted the samples to the laboratory for analysis. Textual values of no more than 20 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 24 records have no value for subname.

jobnumber

Laboratory job number assigned by the analytical laboratory. One job number may contain from one to a few hundred samples. Textual values of no more than 5 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 1411 records have no value for jobnumber.

tagnumber

Unique identification number assigned by the laboratory. Textual values of no more than 8 characters. (Source: this data release) Textual values of no more than 8 characters.

fieldno

Field number assigned by the submitter designated in the SUBNAME field. Textual values of no more than 8 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 17 records have no value for fieldno.

latitude

Latitude of sample site reported in Decimal Degress. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Range of values
Minimum:	17.688611
Maximum:	69.666111

longitude

Longitude of sample site reported in Decimal Degress. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Range of values
Minimum:	-166.3
Maximum:	-64.568333

latdms

Latitude of sample site reported in degrees, minutes, and seconds (ddmmss), stored as an integer value Integer values. Int of width 6. (Source: this data release)

Range of values
Minimum:	174119
Maximum:	693958
Resolution:	1

latdir

Direction north (N) or south (S) of the equator. Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
N	North

londms

Longitude of the sample site reported in degrees, minutes, and seconds (ddmmss), stored as an integer value Integer values. Int of width 7. (Source: this data release)

Range of values
Minimum:	643406
Maximum:	1661800
Resolution:	1

longdir

Direction east (E) or west (W) of the 0 meridian (Greenwich). Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
W	West

smpltype

Sample type, nature of material collected for sample. Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
D	soil sample

methcoll

Sample collection method, character of sample Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 15209 records have no value for methcoll.

smplsrc

Source of sample Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 19624 records have no value for smplsrc.

smpldesc

Sample description Textual values of no more than 2 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 25839 records have no value for smpldesc.

s_fe_q

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Fe Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_fe_

Iron concentration (percent) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2167 records have no value for s_fe_.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.1
Maximum:	50

s_mg_q

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Mg Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_mg_

Magnesium concentration (percent) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2413 records have no value for s_mg_.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	20

s_ca_q

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Ca Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_ca_

Calcium concentration (percent) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2424 records have no value for s_ca_.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	50

s_ti_q

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Ti Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_ti_

Titanium concentration (percent) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2393 records have no value for s_ti_.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	13

s_mnq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Mn Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_mn

Manganese concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2157 records have no value for s_mn.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.002
Maximum:	700000

s_agq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Ag Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_ag

Silver concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2102 records have no value for s_ag.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	700

s_asq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of As Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_as

Arsenic concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 5303 records have no value for s_as.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	10000

s_auq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Au Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_au

Gold concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 6074 records have no value for s_au.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	1000

s_bq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of B Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_b

Boron concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2507 records have no value for s_b.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	2000

s_baq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Ba Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_ba

Barium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2299 records have no value for s_ba.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.015
Maximum:	100000

s_beq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Be Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_be

Beryllium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2312 records have no value for s_be.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	200

s_biq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Bi Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_bi

Bismuth concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 5325 records have no value for s_bi.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	1000

s_cdq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Cd Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_cd

Cadmium concenration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 5316 records have no value for s_cd.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	150

s_coq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Co Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_co

Cobalt concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2308 records have no value for s_co.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	1000

s_crq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Cr Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_cr

Chromium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2242 records have no value for s_cr.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	10000

s_cuq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Cu Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_cu

Copper concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2122 records have no value for s_cu.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	200000

s_laq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of La Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_la

Lanthanum concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2399 records have no value for s_la.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	600000

s_moq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Mo Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_mo

Molybdenum concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2110 records have no value for s_mo.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	2000

s_nbq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Nb Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_nb

Niobium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 3102 records have no value for s_nb.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	2000

s_niq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Ni Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_ni

Nickel concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2232 records have no value for s_ni.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	5000

s_pbq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Pb Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_pb

Lead concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2110 records have no value for s_pb.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	20000

s_sbq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Sb Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_sb

Antimony concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 5302 records have no value for s_sb.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	20000

s_scq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Sc Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_sc

Scandium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2656 records have no value for s_sc.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	300

s_snq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Sn Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_sn

Tin concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2147 records have no value for s_sn.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	3000

s_srq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Sr Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_sr

Strontium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2341 records have no value for s_sr.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	10000

s_vq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of V Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_v

Vanadium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2220 records have no value for s_v.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.003
Maximum:	50000

s_wq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of W Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_w

Tungsten concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 5257 records have no value for s_w.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	10000

s_yq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Y Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_y

Yttrium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2328 records have no value for s_y.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	7000

s_znq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Zn Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_zn

Zinc concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 5257 records have no value for s_zn.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	10000

s_zrq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Zr Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_zr

Zirconium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 2363 records have no value for s_zr.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.003
Maximum:	50000

s_thq

Quality indicator for semi-quantitative emission spectrometric measure of Th Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

s_th

Thorium concentration (parts per million) as determined by semi-quantitative emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 23595 records have no value for s_th.

Range of values
Minimum:	50
Maximum:	5000

aa_au_pq

Quality indicator for AA measure of Au Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

aa_au_p

Gold concentration (parts per million) as determined by partial extraction of the sample followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 17000 records have no value for aa_au_p.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	1700

inst_hgq

Quality indicator for INST_HG value Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

inst_hg

Mercury concentration (parts per million) as determined by an instrumental technique such as cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 14985 records have no value for inst_hg.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.01
Maximum:	20000

aa_as_pq

Quality indicator for AA measure of As Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

aa_as_p

Arsenic concentration (parts per million) as determined by partial extraction of the sample followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 28974 records have no value for aa_as_p.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.8
Maximum:	1000

aa_cd_pq

Quality indicator for AA measure of Cd Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

aa_cd_p

Cadmium concentration (parts per million) as determined by partial extraction of the sample followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 20283 records have no value for aa_cd_p.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	200

aa_sb_pq

Quality indicator for AA measure of Sb Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

aa_sb_p

Antimony concentration (parts per million) as determined by partial extraction of the sample followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 27425 records have no value for aa_sb_p.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.5
Maximum:	1000

aa_zn_pq

Quality indicator for AA measure of Zn Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

aa_zn_p

Zinc concentration (parts per million) as determined by partial extraction of the sample followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 15153 records have no value for aa_zn_p.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	18300

aa_cu_pq

Quality indicator for AA measure of Cu Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

aa_cu_p

Copper concentration (parts per million) as determined by partial extraction of the sample followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 20255 records have no value for aa_cu_p.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.02
Maximum:	18000

aa_pb_pq

Quality indicator for AA measure of Pb Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

aa_pb_p

Lead concentration (parts per million) as determined by partial extraction of the sampled followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 21087 records have no value for aa_pb_p.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	120000

aa_ag_pq

Quality indicator for AA measure of Ag Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

aa_ag_p

Silver concentration (parts per million) as determined by partial extraction of the sample followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 20374 records have no value for aa_ag_p.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	154.1

si_fq

Quality indicator for SI_F Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

si_f

Fluorine concentration (parts per million) as determined by specific ion electrode. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 26896 records have no value for si_f.

Range of values
Minimum:	40
Maximum:	17885

u_instq

Quality indicator for U_INST value Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

u_inst

Uranium concentration (parts per million) as determined by an instrumental technique such as fluorimetry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 30833 records have no value for u_inst.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.05
Maximum:	8.98

as_ptq

Quality indicator for AS_PT Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

as_pt

Platinum concentration (parts per million) as determined by fire assay emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 30944 records have no value for as_pt.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.004
Maximum:	0.1

as_pdq

Quality indicator for AS_PD Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

as_pd

Paladium concentration (parts per million) as determined by fire assay emission spectrometry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 30944 records have no value for as_pd.

Range of values
Minimum:	0.002
Maximum:	0.1

ph

pH of the sample Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 29376 records have no value for ph.

Range of values
Minimum:	2.02
Maximum:	8

ash_

Percent of the mass of the sample that was left over for analysis after low-temperature ashing. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 30974 records have no value for ash_.

cm_asq

Quality indicator for CM_AS Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

cm_as

Arsenic concentration (parts per million) as determined by colorimetry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 19288 records have no value for cm_as.

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	300000

cm_moq

Quality indicator for CM_MO Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

cm_mo

Molybdenum concentration (parts per million) as determined by colorimetry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 30392 records have no value for cm_mo.

Range of values
Minimum:	2
Maximum:	30

cm_wq

Quality indicator for CM_W Textual values of no more than 1 characters. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
L	The element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N	The element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
H	The element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B	The element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
(no value)	The element was measured at the value indicated.

cm_w

Tungsten concentration (parts per million) as determined by colorimetry. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this data release)

Value	Definition
(no value)	Information not available for this record. 30310 records have no value for cm_w.

Range of values
Minimum:	10
Maximum:	120

Who produced the data set?

Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
- U.S. Geological Survey
Who also contributed to the data set?
To whom should users address questions about the data?

Smith, David B.

U.S. Geological Survey

Box25046, MS 973

Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado

United States of America

1-303-236-1849 (voice)

1-303-236-3200 (FAX)

<[email protected]>

Why was the data set created?

These data may be useful for mineral resource evaluation and for defining geochemical baseline values and statistics.

How was the data set created?

From what previous works were the data drawn?
How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

Date: Jan-2001 (process 1 of 1)
The data were generated by the analytical laboratories of the U.S. Geological Survey over several years, beginning in the early 1960s and ending about 1987. Upon completion of the chemical analysis, the data were stored in the RASS database. An unpublished CD-ROM was developed in 1996 that contains the RASS data in GSSEARCH format. This CD-ROM was used to generated the data set in .dbf format. The RASS DBF file was imported into ArcView 3.2 and an ArcView shapefile was generated which contained 30974 sample locations (93 samples were eliminated due to location discrepancies).
What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
Bailey, Elizabeth A., Smith, David B., Abston, Carl C., Granitto, Matthew, and Burleigh, Kuuipo A., 2000, National Geochemical Database: U.S. Geological Survey RASS (Rock Analysis Storage System) geochemical data for Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-433.
Online Links:
- https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1999/of99-433/

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

How well have the observations been checked?
The samples in this dataset were chemically analyzed by a variety of techniques over a period of time from the early 1960's to the late 1980's. The accuracy of the data varies with the analytical methodology and with the concentration of the element being analyzed. A qualifier such as "N" (less than the detection limit of the analytical method) or "G" (greater than the upper determination limit of the analytical method) accompanies some analytical data values. These qualifiers are defined as follows:
L = the element was detected by the technique but at a level below the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
G = the element was measured at a concentration greater than the upper determination limit for the method. The upper limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
N = the element was not detected at concentrations above the lower limit of determination for the method. The value of the lower limit of determination is given in the adjacent data field.
B = the element was requested for analysis by the sample submitter, but for some reason the laboratories did not analyze for this element.
When appropriate, these qualifying values appear in this dataset as a separate field preceding each element. The attribute, or field name, for the qualifier field is always denoted by the letter "Q". For example, "N" in the "S_ASQ" field preceding an analytical data field labelled "S_AS" would indicate the actual concentration of arsenic (AS) is less than the data value listed, which is the lower limit of determination for the method.
How accurate are the geographic locations?
Sample locations were determined from USGS topographic maps of various scales. The accuracy is dependant on the scale of the map from which the determination was made as well as the care taken by the individual who made the determination. Unfortunately, some location coordinates were not carefully determined. In other cases, the individual who collected the samples only identified the location as a corner of the quadrangle in which the samples were collected. When submitters reported locations as degrees, minutes, and seconds of latitude and longitude the accuracy should be within a few seconds. When submitters only reported locations as degrees and minutes the accuracy is only to the nearest minute. The base maps, from which latitude and longitude coordinates were determined, use the 1927 North American Datum (NAD27) based on the Clarke 1866 ellipsoid.
How accurate are the heights or depths?
Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
This dataset provides chemical data for Fe, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Ti, Mn, Ag, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Sr, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr, Th, Tl, F, Hg, Pt, and Pd. In addition, the dataset provides location and descriptive information for each sample. Not all the descriptive fields contain information for a particular sample because not all sample submitters completed all the fields. The analytical methods used were selected by the sample submitter based on the goals of the project and will vary throughout the data set. The predominant analytical methods used for samples in this dataset are:
Emission Spectrography: Grimes and Marranzino, 1968; Fe, Mg, Ca, Ti, Mn, Ag, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Sr, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr, Th, Ga, Ge, Pd, and Pt.
Atomic Absorption, partial extraction: O'Leary and Meier, 1986; O' Leary and Viets, 1986; Viets, 1978; Viets, Clark, and Campbell, 1984; Viets, O'Leary, and Clark, 1984; Ward and others, 1969: Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn.
The complete references for all analytical methods used are given below:
Adrian, B.A. and Carlson, R.R., personal communication, Platinum-group elements and gold by nickel-sulfide fire assay separation and optical emission spectroscopy
Alminas, H. and Mosier, E.L., 1976, Oxalic-acid leaching of rock, soil, and stream-sediment samples as an anomaly-accentuation technique: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-275. 26 p.
Chao, T.T., Sanzolone, R.F., and Hubert, A.E., 1978, Flame and flameless atomic absorption determination of tellurium in geologic materials: Analytica Chimica Acta, v. 96, p. 251-257.
Church, S.E., 1981, Multi-element analysis of fifty-four geochemical reference samples using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry: Geostandards Newsletter, v. 5, p. 133-160.
Cooley, E.F., Curry, K.J., and Carlson, R.R., 1976, Analysis for the platinum-group metals and gold by fire-assay emission spectroscopy: Applied Spectroscopy, v. 30. P. 52-56.
Fishman, M.J., and Pyen, G., 1979, Determination of selected anions in water by ion chromatography: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations 79-101, 30 p.
Grimes, D.J., and Marranzino, A.P., 1968, Direct-current arc and alternating-current spark emission spectrographic field methods for the semiquantitative analysis of geologic materials: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 591, 6 p.
Hubert, A.E., and Chao, T.T., 1985, Determination of gold, indium, tellurium and thallium in the same sample digest of geological materials by atomic-absorption spectroscopy and two-step solvent extraction: Talanta, v. 32, no. 7, p. 568-570.
McKown, D.M., and Knight, R.J., 1990, Determination of uranium and thorium in geologic materials by delayed neutron counting, in Arbogast, B.F., editor, Quality assurance manual for the Branch of Geochemistry, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-668, p. 146-15
Mosier, E.L., 1972, A method for semiquantitative spectrographic analysis of plant ash for use in biogeochemical and environmental studies: Applied Spectroscopy, v. 26, no. 6, p. 636-641.
Mosier, E.L., 1975, Use of emission spectroscopy for the semiquantitative analysis of trace elements in silver and native gold, in Ward, F.N., editor, New and refined methods of trace analysis useful in geochemical exploration: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1408, p. 97-105.
Mosier, E.L., and Motooka, J.M., 1984, Induction coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry-Analysis of subsurface Cambrian carbonate rocks for major, minor, and trace elements, in Proceedings volume of international conference on Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits, Oct. 11-14: Rolla, MO, University of Missouri-Rolla, p. 155-165.
Myers, A.T., Havens, R.G., and Dunton, P.J., 1961, A spectrochemical method for the semiquantitative analysis of rocks, minerals, and ores: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1084-I, p. I207-I229.
O'Leary, R.M., 1990, Determination of sulfur in geologic materials by iodometric titration, in Arbogast, B.F., editor, Quality assurance manual for the Branch of Geochemistry, U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-668, p. 136-138.
O'Leary, R.M., and Meier, A.L., 1986, Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration in 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 948, 48 p.
O'Leary, R.M., and Meier, A.L., 1986, Bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, silver, and zinc, organic extraction method, in Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration, 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 948,p. 11-13.
O'Leary, R.M., and Viets, J.G., 1986, Determination of antimony, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, molybdenum, silver, and zinc in geologic materials by atomic absorption spectrometry using a hydrochloric acid-hydrogen peroxide digestion: Atomic Spectroscopy, v. 7, no. 1, p. 4-8.
Orion Research, Inc., 1975, Orion Research Analytical Methods Guide, 7th edition: Cambridge, MA, 20 p.
Perkin-Elmer Corporation, 1976, Analytical methods for atomic absorption spectrophotometry: Norwalk, CT, Perkin-Elmer Corp., 586 p.
Perkin-Elmer Corporation, 1977, Analytical methods for atomic absorption spectrophotometry, using the HGA graphite furnace: Norwalk, CT, Perkin-Elmer Corp., 286 p.
Sutley, S.J., and Mosier, E.L., personal communication, Rb, Cs, Li, Tl by modification of optical emission spectroscopy method of Grimes and Marranzino, 1968
Thompson, C.E., Nakagawa, H.M., and VanSickle, G.H., 1968, Rapid analysis for gold in geologic materials: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 600-B, p. B130-B132.
Vaughn, W.W., and McCarthy, J.H., Jr., 1964, An instrumental technique for the determination of submicrogram concentrations of mercury in soils, rocks, and gas: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 501-D, p. D123-D127.
Viets, J.G., 1978, Determination of silver, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in geologic materials by atomic absorption spectrometry with tricaprylyl methyl ammonium chloride: Analytical Chemistry, v. 50, no. 8, p. 1097-1101.
Viets, J.G., Clark, J.R., and Campbell, W.L., 1984, A rapid, partial leach and organic separation for the sensitive determination of Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn in surface geologic materials by flame atomic absorption: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 20, p. 355-366.
Viets, J.G., O'Leary, R.M., and Clark, J.R., 1984, Determination of arsenic, antimony, bismuth, cadmium, copper, lead, molybdenum, silver and zinc in geological materials by atomic-absorption spectrometry: The Analyst, v. 109, p. 1589-1592.
Ward, F.N., Lakin, H.W., Canney, F.C., and others, 1963, Analytical methods used in geochemical exploration by the U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1152, 100 p.
Ward, F.N., Nakagawa, H.M., VanSickle, G.H., and Harms, T.F., 1969, Atomic absorption methods useful in geochemical exploration: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1289, 45 p.
Watterson, J.R., 1976, Determination of tellurium and gold in rocks to 1 part per billion: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-531, 3 p.
How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
The soil samples in this dataset were collected for a variety of purposes. Most of the studies were related to assessing the mineral resources of the study area. Not all samples were subject to the same sample preparation protocol or the same analytical protocol. For example, different size fractions of soil may have been analyzed for different study areas. One of the problems with the RASS database is that it did not have a mechanism for providing sample preparation protocol. In upgrading the RASS database, we will attempt to provide more detailed information where possible on how the samples were prepared prior to analysis.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints: None

Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

Peter N Schweitzer

USGS Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center

Geologist

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA

USA

703-648-6533 (voice)

703-648-6252 (FAX)

[email protected]
What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
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.
How can I download or order the data?
- Availability in digital form:
  
  Data format: Geochemical sample locations and analyses in format shapefile (version 1.0) Size: 1.6
  
  Network links: https://mrdata.usgs.gov/rass/soil/rasssoil.zip
- Cost to order the data: none

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:: Last modified: 11-Feb-2021
Metadata author:: Peter N Schweitzer

USGS Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center

Geologist

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA

USA

703-648-6533 (voice)

703-648-6252 (FAX)

[email protected]
Metadata standard:: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

This page is <https://mrdata.usgs.gov/metadata/rasssoil.faq.html>

Data format:	Geochemical sample locations and analyses in format shapefile (version 1.0) Size: 1.6
Network links:	https://mrdata.usgs.gov/rass/soil/rasssoil.zip