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C. L. Smith

Publications and source records attributed to C. L. Smith.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Analysis of trace metals in water by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry using sodium dibenzyldithiocarbamate for preconcentration

Since concentrations of trace elements in most natural waters seldom exceed the μg/L level, analysis of trace elements in natural waters by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP) requires a preconcentration procedure. The elements Ag, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, W, and Zn were separated and concentrated from 500 mL of water by coprecipitating them with sodium dibenzyldithiocarbamate (NaDBDTC) using nickel or silver as a carrier. The precipitated trace elements were collected on a membrance filter, redissolved from the filter with hot nitric and hydrochloric acids, and analyzed using ICP. Recoveries for all the trace elements except tungsten exceeded 80%. Coprecipitation of trace elements with NaDBDTC eliminated the use of difficult-to-inject organic solvents, and NaDBDTC coprecipitated a wider array of trace elements than ammoniumpyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC), another commonly used coprecipitate.

Analytical Letters

Concentrations of arsenic, antimony, and boron in steam and steam condensate at The Geysers, California

Studies at The Geysers Geothermal Field, California indicate that under some circumstances elements that are transported in the vapor phase can become enriched in the liquid phase. Waters from two condensate traps (steam traps) on steam lines at The Geysers are enriched with arsenic, antimony, and boron compared to the concentrations of these elements in coexisting steam. Concentrations of boron in condensate-trap waters were as high as 160 mg/L, arsenic as high as 35 mg/L, and antimony as high as 200 ??g/L. Enrichment of arsenic, antimony, and boron is at least partially controlled by the partitioning of these elements into the liquid phase, according to their vapor-liquid distribution coefficients, after they are transported in steam. Several of the elements that are most soluble in steam, including arsenic and antimony, are part of the trace-element suite that characterizes precious-metal epithermal ore deposits. ?? 1987.

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

Reconnaissance investigation of evaporites and brines of the Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from south of Al Hasa oasis (about lat 25? N., long 50? E.) north to near the southern border of the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait (about lat 28? N., long 48? E.), sabkhah-associated brines form either by solar evaporation of near-surface ground water or by dissolution of previously precipitated saline minerals in the subsurface. Most sabkhah-associated brines have evolved from fresher ground water by the process of solar evaporation. One of the major controls of sulfate, calcium, and bicarbonate concentrations in brines is equilibrium reactions of these ions with authigenic minerals in sabkhah sediments. Although equilibrium reactions also provide some control of concentrations of magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chlorine, the concentrations of these elements in brines are controlled primarily by the degree to which the solutions have evaporated. Salt for industrial use in the Eastern Province is currently supplied from the Ra's al Qurayyah and Aba al Hamam bedded salt deposits, both of which are naturally exposed. At Jayb Uwayyid, a bedded salt deposit approximately 3.5 m below the sabkhah surface is not currently exploited. Except on a small scale, brines in the Eastern Province are not being utilized, either directly or for the production of salt. The Jayb Uwayyid deposit has some potential for industrial utilization of brine and salt, and further exploration for this type of salt deposit is probably warranted.

Open-File Report

Reconnaissance investigation of evaporites in the Al Qasab and Rayda areas, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Salt is being produced by the evaporation of brine in shallow pits at Sabkhah al Milh (lat 25 ? 15' N., long 45 ? 35' E.), near Al Qasab. In the Rayda area (lat 20? 28' N., long 47?40' E.), extensive, discontinuous beds of gypsum are exposed, but bedded halite is absent. No other evaporites with any potential for commercial exploitation were observed in these areas, and it is not recommended that further studies be undertaken at this time.

Open-File Report

Reconnaissance investigation of brine in the eastern Rub al Khali, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Al Uruq al Mu'taridah-Umm as Samim area is located in a large topographic depression in the eastern Rub al Khali desert where playas several thousand square kilometers in area are exposedo A crust of eolian sand cemented with gypsum and halite has formed on many playa surfaces. Anhydrite nodules are common in the sampled area, where the depth to ground water generally exceeds 172 Cmo The chemistry of the three ground-water samples collected near the water well Ramallah-1 (lat 22?10'20'' N., long 54?20'37'' E.) is similar to that of sabkhah-related brines on the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Although there is no indication of economic quantities of evaporite minerals in the sampled area, the extent of the depression and its unique geologic environment recommend it for resource-evaluation studies.

Open-File Report

Lithium in the brines of Fish Lake Valley and Columbus Salt Marsh, Nevada

Analyses of waters-from springs in Nevada have led to the identification of an area containing anomalous amounts of lithium northwest of the Clayton Valley-area. Fish Lake Valley and Columbus Salt Marsh contain waters having, relatively high lithium and potassium concentrations. At least a part of these waters is probably derived from the leaching of Tertiary rocks containing saline minerals. The high-lithium waters at Columbus Salt Marsh could be derived not only by the leaching of rocks with a high soluble lithium ands, potassium content but also by subsurface outflow from Fish Lake Valley.

Open-File Report