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USGS2018

Trace element characterisation of MAD‐559 zircon reference material for ion microprobe analysis

We document the composition of a natural zircon gemstone sourced from Madagascar, MAD‐559 – a new reference material for calibrating trace element mass fractions in zircon measured by SIMS. The composition of MAD‐559 was quantified by calibration relative to the well‐documented zircon reference material 91500, for which we compiled existing published data (Mg, Al, Y, rare earth elements, Hf, U, Th) and performed new measurements to characterise the mass fraction of less commonly measured elements (Li, Be, B, F, Na, P, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, Fe, Nb). Measurement results of SL13, CZ3 and MAD‐1 zircons and NIST SRM glasses were performed as quality control materials to test measurement bias and repeatability. We show the intermediate precision for most trace element measurement results of MAD‐559 to be between ± 3% and ± 5% RSD based on 139 measurements by SIMS on twenty‐five individual polished zircon chips measured during a 24‐h period, as well as repeat measurements performed over five separate analytical sessions. Trace element mass fractions were also measured by LA‐ICP‐MS in two different laboratories, and major element compositions measured by electron microprobe, to compare with results measured by SIMS. Based on laser Raman and hyperspectral cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, we show MAD‐559 to have high crystal disorder due to radiation damage relative to crystalline zircon (e.g., SL13 and 91500 zircon). Although the high cumulative alpha dose of MAD‐559 zircon makes it a poor reference material for geochronology, the consistency of the trace element mass fraction results measured in multiple sessions and by various measurement methods shows that it is an ideal reference material for microanalytical trace element mass fraction quantification of zircon.

Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research↗
USGS2010

Confirmation of rate-dependent behavior in water retention during drainage in nonswelling porous materials

In the water retention process in porous material, changes in water content are assumed to be independent of the rate at which the matric potential varies. Periodically, researchers have presented results that do not support this assumption, indicating that water retention may be rate-dependent under certain conditions. In the present study, long-term experiments were performed on five porous materials in which core samples were drained at different rates down to matric potentials of −50 kPa. Comparisons of these results with previous results confirm that slight rate-dependent behavior occurs during drainage of porous materials in this matric potential range. Specifically, new and previous results indicate that on average 4–5% more water was retained for a slow, multistep drainage versus a fast, one-step drainage treatment. For the present study, average results for individual materials were variable, ranging from a 1 to a 10% difference in water content due to treatment. Several possible mechanisms for the observed rate-dependent behavior are discussed. The only plausible mechanism is related to variations in pore water salt concentrations that induce differences in the pore water surface tension for fast versus slow drainage. Regardless of the mechanism, results suggest that rate-dependent behavior during water retention may contribute to an enhanced temperature dependence of water retention, due to higher rates of water redistribution at higher temperatures.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2024

Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports — International — Africa and the Middle East

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook discusses the performance of the worldwide minerals and materials industries and provides background information to assist in interpreting that performance. Content of the individual Minerals Yearbook volumes follows: Volume I, Metals and Minerals, contains chapters about virtually all metallic and industrial mineral commodities important to the U.S. economy. Chapters on survey methods, summary statistics for domestic nonfuel minerals, and trends in mining and quarrying in the metals and industrial mineral industries in the United States are also included. Volume II, Area Reports: Domestic, contains a chapter on the mineral industry of each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico and the Administered Islands. This volume also has chapters on survey methods and summary statistics of domestic nonfuel minerals. Volume III, Area Reports: International, is published as four separate reports. These regional reports contain the latest available minerals data on more than 180 foreign countries and discuss the importance of minerals to the economies of these nations and the United States. Each report begins with an overview of the region’s mineral industries during the year. It continues with individual country chapters that examine the mining, refining, processing, and use of minerals in each country of the region and how each country’s mineral industry relates to U.S. industry. Most chapters include production tables and industry structure tables, information about Government policies and programs that affect the country’s mineral industry, and an outlook section. The USGS continually strives to improve the value of its publications to users. Constructive comments and suggestions by readers of the Minerals Yearbook are welcome.

Minerals Yearbook↗
USGS2024

Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports — International — Asia and the Pacific

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook discusses the performance of the worldwide minerals and materials industries and provides background information to assist in interpreting that performance. Content of the individual Minerals Yearbook volumes follows: Volume I, Metals and Minerals , contains chapters about virtually all metallic and industrial mineral commodities important to the U.S. economy. Chapters on survey methods, summary statistics for domestic nonfuel minerals, and trends in mining and quarrying in the metals and industrial mineral industries in the United States are also included. Volume II, Area Reports: Domestic , contains a chapter on the mineral industry of each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico and the Administered Islands. This volume also has chapters on survey methods and summary statistics of domestic nonfuel minerals. Volume III, Area Reports: International , is published as four separate reports. These regional reports contain the latest available minerals data on more than 180 foreign countries and discuss the importance of minerals to the economies of these nations and the United States. Each report begins with an overview of the region’s mineral industries during the year. It continues with individual country chapters that examine the mining, refining, processing, and use of minerals in each country of the region and how each country’s mineral industry relates to U.S. industry. Most chapters include production tables and industry structure tables, information about Government policies and programs that affect the country’s mineral industry, and an outlook section. The USGS continually strives to improve the value of its publications to users. Constructive comments and suggestions by readers of the Minerals Yearbook are welcomed.

Minerals Yearbook↗
USGS2024

Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports — International — Europe and central Eurasia

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook discusses the performance of the worldwide minerals and materials industries and provides background information to assist in interpreting that performance. Content of the individual Minerals Yearbook volumes follows: Volume I, Metals and Minerals , contains chapters about virtually all metallic and industrial mineral commodities important to the U.S. economy. Chapters on survey methods, summary statistics for domestic nonfuel minerals, and trends in mining and quarrying in the metals and industrial mineral industries in the United States are also included. Volume II, Area Reports: Domestic , contains a chapter on the mineral industry of each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico and the Administered Islands. This volume also has chapters on survey methods and summary statistics of domestic nonfuel minerals. Volume III, Area Reports: International , is published as four separate reports. These regional reports contain the latest available minerals data on more than 180 foreign countries and discuss the importance of minerals to the economies of these nations and the United States. Each report begins with an overview of the region’s mineral industries during the year. It continues with individual country chapters that examine the mining, refining, processing, and use of minerals in each country of the region and how each country’s mineral industry relates to U.S. industry. Most chapters include production tables and industry structure tables, information about Government policies and programs that affect the country’s mineral industry, and an outlook section. The USGS continually strives to improve the value of its publications to users. Constructive comments and suggestions by readers of the Minerals Yearbook are welcomed.

Minerals Yearbook↗
USGS2024

Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports — International — Latin America and Canada

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook discusses the performance of the worldwide minerals and materials industries and provides background information to assist in interpreting that performance. Content of the individual Minerals Yearbook volumes follows: Volume I, Metals and Minerals , contains chapters about virtually all metallic and industrial mineral commodities important to the U.S. economy. Chapters on survey methods, summary statistics for domestic nonfuel minerals, and trends in mining and quarrying in the metals and industrial mineral industries in the United States are also included. Volume II, Area Reports: Domestic , contains a chapter on the mineral industry of each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico and the Administered Islands. This volume also has chapters on survey methods and summary statistics of domestic nonfuel minerals. Volume III, Area Reports: International , is published as four separate reports. These regional reports contain the latest available minerals data on more than 180 foreign countries and discuss the importance of minerals to the economies of these nations and the United States. Each report begins with an overview of the region’s mineral industries during the year. It continues with individual country chapters that examine the mining, refining, processing, and use of minerals in each country of the region and how each country’s mineral industry relates to U.S. industry. Most chapters include production tables and industry structure tables, information about Government policies and programs that affect the country’s mineral industry, and an outlook section. The USGS continually strives to improve the value of its publications to users. Constructive comments and suggestions by readers of the Minerals Yearbook are welcomed.

Central America, South America↗
USGS2024

Minerals Yearbook, volume I, Metals and Minerals

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook discusses the performance of the worldwide minerals and materials industries and provides background information to assist in interpreting that performance. Content of the individual Minerals Yearbook volumes follows: Volume I, Metals and Minerals , contains chapters about virtually all metallic and industrial mineral commodities important to the U.S. economy. Chapters on survey methods, summary statistics for domestic nonfuel minerals, and trends in mining and quarrying in the metals and industrial mineral industries in the United States are also included. Volume II, Area Reports: Domestic , contains a chapter on the mineral industry of each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico and the Administered Islands. This volume also has chapters on survey methods and summary statistics of domestic nonfuel minerals. Volume III, Area Reports: International , is published as four separate reports. These regional reports contain the latest available minerals data on more than 180 foreign countries and discuss the importance of minerals to the economies of these nations and the United States. Each report begins with an overview of the region’s mineral industries during the year. It continues with individual country chapters that examine the mining, refining, processing, and use of minerals in each country of the region and how each country’s mineral industry relates to U.S. industry. Most chapters include production tables and industry structure tables, information about Government policies and programs that affect the country’s mineral industry, and an outlook section. The USGS continually strives to improve the value of its publications to users. Constructive comments and suggestions by readers of the Minerals Yearbook are welcome.

Minerals Yearbook↗
USGS2024

Minerals Yearbook, volume II, Area Reports — Domestic

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook discusses the performance of the worldwide minerals and materials industries and provides background information to assist in interpreting that performance. Content of the individual Minerals Yearbook volumes follows: Volume I, Metals and Minerals , contains chapters about virtually all metallic and industrial mineral commodities important to the U.S. economy. Chapters on survey methods, summary statistics for domestic nonfuel minerals, and trends in mining and quarrying in the metals and industrial mineral industries in the United States are also included. Volume II, Area Reports: Domestic , contains a chapter on the mineral industry of each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico and the Administered Islands. This volume also has chapters on survey methods and summary statistics of domestic nonfuel minerals. Volume III, Area Reports: International , is published as four separate reports. These regional reports contain the latest available minerals data on more than 180 foreign countries and discuss the importance of minerals to the economies of these nations and the United States. Each report begins with an overview of the region’s mineral industries during the year. It continues with individual country chapters that examine the mining, refining, processing, and use of minerals in each country of the region and how each country’s mineral industry relates to U.S. industry. Most chapters include production tables and industry structure tables, information about Government policies and programs that affect the country’s mineral industry, and an outlook section. The USGS continually strives to improve the value of its publications to users. Constructive comments and suggestions by readers of the Minerals Yearbook are welcome.

Minerals Yearbook↗
USGS2024

Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports — International

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Minerals Yearbook discusses the performance of the worldwide minerals and materials industries and provides background information to assist in interpreting that performance. Content of the individual Minerals Yearbook volumes follows: Volume I, Metals and Minerals , contains chapters about virtually all metallic and industrial mineral commodities important to the U.S. economy. Chapters on survey methods, summary statistics for domestic nonfuel minerals, and trends in mining and quarrying in the metals and industrial mineral industries in the United States are also included. Volume II, Area Reports: Domestic , contains a chapter on the mineral industry of each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico and the Administered Islands. This volume also has chapters on survey methods and summary statistics of domestic nonfuel minerals. Volume III, Area Reports: International , is published as four separate reports. These regional reports contain the latest available minerals data on more than 180 foreign countries and discuss the importance of minerals to the economies of these nations and the United States. Each report begins with an overview of the region’s mineral industries during the year. It continues with individual country chapters that examine the mining, refining, processing, and use of minerals in each country of the region and how each country’s mineral industry relates to U.S. industry. Most chapters include production tables and industry structure tables, information about Government policies and programs that affect the country’s mineral industry, and an outlook section. The USGS continually strives to improve the value of its publications to users. Constructive comments and suggestions by readers of the Minerals Yearbook are welcome.

Minerals Yearbook↗
USGS2022

Final report on pilot study CCQM-P211: Carbon isotope delta measurements of vanillin

This pilot study was conducted in parallel to the key comparison CCQM-K167. Vials containing 0.25 mg of vanillin were prepared at NRC and distributed to four participating institutes. Institutes could choose any suitable reference materials and methodology to perform carbon isotope delta measurements. Participants reported analysis details, and a carbon isotope delta value and associated uncertainty for the vanillin sample. Each of the carbon isotope delta results of vanillin were compared to the KCRV established from CCQM-K167, and metrological compatibility to the KCRV was determined. Three expert laboratories participated in this study, and their reported results serve as a benchmark to compare the performance of all other participants to these world-class institutes.

Metrologia↗
USGS1966

Breeding behavior of immature mourning doves

Some immature mourning doves ( Zenaidura macroura ) are capable of breeding in their first (calendar) year of life. The breeding activities of immatures observed in this study included calling, copulating, and nesting. Development of sexual structures such as cloacal papillae, oviduct openings, and gonads was also regarded as evidence of breeding potential. Immatures were identified principally by white-tipped wing coverts. Sexes were distinguished by behavioral characteristics. Males coo, perform flights, carry nest material, and attend nests during the day and females attend nests at night. Immatures were involved in at least ten nestings on two areas near Tucson, Arizona, in 1963. Five young fledged from these nests.

Arizona↗
USGS2012

Seeing the light: the effects of particles, dissolved materials, and temperature on in situ measurements of DOM fluorescence in rivers and streams

Field-deployable sensors designed to continuously measure the fluorescence of colored dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in situ are of growing interest. However, the ability to make FDOM measurements that are comparable across sites and over time requires a clear understanding of how instrument characteristics and environmental conditions affect the measurements. In particular, the effects of water temperature and light attenuation by both colored dissolved material and suspended particles may be significant in settings such as rivers and streams. Using natural standard reference materials, we characterized the performance of four commercially-available FDOM sensors under controlled laboratory conditions over ranges of temperature, dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations, and turbidity that spanned typical environmental ranges. We also examined field data from several major rivers to assess how often attenuation artifacts or temperature effects might be important. We found that raw (uncorrected) FDOM values were strongly affected by the light attenuation that results from dissolved substances and suspended particles as well as by water temperature. Observed effects of light attenuation and temperature agreed well with theory. Our results show that correction of measured FDOM values to account for these effects is necessary and feasible over much of the range of temperature, DOM concentration, and turbidity commonly encountered in surface waters. In most cases, collecting high-quality FDOM measurements that are comparable through time and between sites will require concurrent measurements of temperature and turbidity, and periodic discrete sample collection for laboratory measurement of DOM.

Limnology and Oceanography: Methods↗
USGS1977

Analyses of water, core material, and elutriate samples collected near Buras, Louisiana (New Orleans to Venice, Louisiana, Hurricane Protection Project)

Eight core-material-sampling sites were chosen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as possible borrow areas for fill material to be used in levee construction near Buras, La. Eleven receiving-water sites also were selected to represent the water that will contact the proposed levees. Analyses of selected nutrients, metals, pesticides, and other organic constituents were performed upon these bed-material and native-water samples as well as upon elutriate samples of specific core material-receiving water systems. The results of these analyses are presented without interpretation.

Louisiana↗
USGS1977

Analyses of water, core material, and elutriate samples collected near Galliano, Louisiana: Larose to Golden Meadow, Louisiana, Hurricane Protection Project

Seven core-material-sampling sites were chosen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as possible borrow areas for fill material to be used in levee construction near Galliano La. Four receiving-water sites also were selected to represent the water that will contact the proposed levees. Analyses of selected nutrients, metals, pesticides, and other organic constituents were performed upon these bed-material and native-water samples as well as upon elutriate samples of specific core material-receiving water systems. The results of these analyses are presented without interpretation. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS2009

Method development for analysis of urban dust using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry to detect the possible presence of world trade center dust constituents

The collapse of the World Trade Center Towers on September 11, 2001, sent dust and debris across much of Manhattan and in the surrounding areas. Indoor and outdoor dust samples were collected and characterized by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS). From this characterization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and USGS developed a particulate screening method to determine the presence of residual World Trade Center dust in the indoor environment using slag wool as a primary "signature". The method describes a procedure that includes splitting, ashing, and sieving of collected dust. From one split, a 10 mg/mL dust/ isopropanol suspension was prepared and 10-30 ??L aliquots of the suspension placed on an SEM substrate. Analyses were performed using SEM/EDS manual point counting for slag wool fibers. Poisson regression was used to identify some of the sources of uncertainty, which are directly related to the small number of fibers present on each sample stub. Preliminary results indicate that the procedure is promising for screening urban background dust for the presence of WTC dust. Consistent sample preparation of reference materials and samples must be performed by each laboratory wishing to use this method to obtain meaningful and accurate results. ?? 2009 American Chemical Society.

Environmental Science & Technology↗
USGS2026

Digging into soil: Effects of soil texture on RT-QuIC performance for environmental prion surveillance.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by infectious prions affecting wild and captive cervids. Transmission occurs directly between hosts or indirectly through contact with prion-contaminated environments. Soils, particularly those rich in clay, are hypothesized to enhance prion stability, retention, and bioavailability. Accurate detection of prions is therefore important for understanding environmental transmission risks. Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) is a sensitive assay used to detect PrP CWD in tissue, excreta, and environmental materials. However, RT-QuIC performance across soil textures has not been evaluated. This study assessed RT-QuIC sensitivity and specificity using laboratory-prepared soils spiked with CWD-positive brain homogenate or water controls under a standardized extraction method. Conditional on the extraction method used, results suggest that RT-QuIC performance depends on soil texture, and thus, an optimal time-to-threshold (TTT) cutoff required to balance sensitivity and specificity will also vary with soil texture. RT-QuIC exhibited higher sensitivity and moderate specificity in soils with low clay (<20%) and moderate to high silt content, whereas high-clay soils (>20%) with low to moderate silt content (2%–60%) reduced both sensitivity and specificity, and required shorter TTT cutoffs. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for soil texture in environmental CWD surveillance.

Environmental Science and Technology↗
USGS2009

Scaling effects in direct shear tests

Laboratory experiments of the direct shear test were performed on spherical particles of different materials and diameters. Results of the bulk friction vs. non-dimensional shear displacement are presented as a function of the non-dimensional particle diameter. Simulations of the direct shear test were performed using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The simulation results show Considerable differences with the physical experiments. Particle level material properties, such as the coefficients of static friction, restitution and rolling friction need to be known a priori in order to guarantee that the simulation results are an accurate representation of the physical phenomenon. Furthermore, laboratory results show a clear size dependency on the results, with smaller particles having a higher bulk friction than larger ones. ?? 2009 American Institute of Physics.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2014

Oyster reef restoration in the northern Gulf of Mexico: extent, methods and outcomes

Shellfish reef restoration to support ecological services has become more common in recent decades, driven by increasing awareness of the functional decline of shellfish systems. Maximizing restoration benefits and increasing efficiency of shellfish restoration activities would greatly benefit from understanding and measurement of system responses to management activities. This project (1) compiles a database of northern Gulf of Mexico inshore artificial oyster reefs created for restoration purposes, and (2) quantitatively assesses a subset of reefs to determine project outcomes. We documented 259 artificial inshore reefs created for ecological restoration. Information on reef material, reef design and monitoring was located for 94, 43 and 20% of the reefs identified. To quantify restoration success, we used diver surveys to quantitatively sample oyster density and substrate volume of 11 created reefs across the coast (7 with rock; 4 with shell), paired with 7 historic reefs. Reefs were defined as fully successful if there were live oysters, and partially successful if there was hard substrate. Of these created reefs, 73% were fully successful, while 82% were partially successful. These data highlight that critical information related to reef design, cost, and success remain difficult to find and are generally inaccessible or lost, ultimately hindering efforts to maximize restoration success rates. Maintenance of reef creation information data, development of standard reef performance measures, and inclusion of material and reef design testing within reef creation projects would be highly beneficial in implementing adaptive management. Adaptive management protocols seek specifically to maximize short and long-term restoration success, but are critically dependent on tracking and measuring system responses to management activities.

Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas↗