Geologic Reference Materials

This project develops and maintains state-of-the-art analytical laboratories, expertise, and methods for a broad range of elemental and mineralogical analyses in support of the research priorities of the Mineral Resources Program, USGS, and DOI.

The project focus was the development of traditional and microanalytical reference materials that support USGS geochemical investigations. Development of new microanalytical reference materials allows USGS scientists and outside customers to examine a greater range of sample types while maintaining a high degree of data reliability.

The USGS Spectral Library contains reflectance spectra, including samples of minerals, rocks, soils, physically constructed as well as mathematically computed mixtures, plants, vegetation communities, microorganisms, and man-made materials. The samples and spectra collected were assembled for the purpose of using spectral features for the remote detection of these and similar materials. The latest...