Denver Microbeam Laboratory: Mineral Resources Research Support Active
The USGS Denver Microbeam Laboratory provides chemical analysis and characterization of rocks, minerals, and environmental samples in support of a wide variety of USGS projects related to mineral resources, including research projects funded by the USGS Mineral Resources Program. The research applications for these projects range from mineral resource research and assessments, to geologic mapping and geochronology, to geologic hazards and radioactive waste disposal, to the environment and human health.
Additional Information
For additional information on the laboratory facilities and equipment, visit the Denver Microbeam Laboratory site.
The Denver Microbeam Laboratory has provided support to these Mineral Resources Program projects:
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Distribution of arsenic, selenium, and other trace elements in high pyrite Appalachian coals: evidence for multiple episodes of pyrite formation
Improved electron probe microanalysis of trace elements in quartz
Visualizing trace element distribution in quartz using cathodoluminescence, electron microprobe, and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
Mineralogic sources of metals in leachates from the weathering of sedex, massive sulfide, and vein deposit mining wastes
Chemical and morphological comparison of erionite from Oregon, North Dakota, and Turkey
Response to the comment by Henry Kahn and Dennis Santella on a summary of the development of a signature for detection of residual dust from the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings
Mineralogical and chemical characteristics of some natural jarosites
In vitro studies evaluating leaching of mercury from mine waste calcine using simulated human body fluids
Europium-rich dark monazite - a potential new ore mineral for Alaska, USA?
Particle Size Characterization of Water-Elutriated Libby Amphibole 2000 and RTI International Amosite
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
Chemistry, mineralogy, and petrology of amphibole in Mount St. Helens 2004-2006 dacite
Below are news stories associated with this project.
- Overview
The USGS Denver Microbeam Laboratory provides chemical analysis and characterization of rocks, minerals, and environmental samples in support of a wide variety of USGS projects related to mineral resources, including research projects funded by the USGS Mineral Resources Program. The research applications for these projects range from mineral resource research and assessments, to geologic mapping and geochronology, to geologic hazards and radioactive waste disposal, to the environment and human health.
Additional Information
For additional information on the laboratory facilities and equipment, visit the Denver Microbeam Laboratory site.
- Science
The Denver Microbeam Laboratory has provided support to these Mineral Resources Program projects:
Filter Total Items: 27 - Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 52Distribution of arsenic, selenium, and other trace elements in high pyrite Appalachian coals: evidence for multiple episodes of pyrite formation
Pennsylvanian coals in the Appalachian Basin host pyrite that is locally enriched in potentially toxic trace elements such as As, Se, Hg, Pb, and Ni. A comparison of pyrite-rich coals from northwestern Alabama, eastern Kentucky, and West Virginia reveals differences in concentrations and mode of occurrence of trace elements in pyrite. Pyrite occurs as framboids, dendrites, or in massive crystallinAuthorsS. F. Diehl, M. B. Goldhaber, A.E. Koenig, H.A. Lowers, L.F. RuppertImproved electron probe microanalysis of trace elements in quartz
Quartz occurs in a wide range of geologic environments throughout the Earth's crust. The concentration and distribution of trace elements in quartz provide information such as temperature and other physical conditions of formation. Trace element analyses with modern electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) instruments can achieve 99% confidence detection of ~100 ppm with fairly minimal effort for manyAuthorsJohn J. Donovan, Heather Lowers, Brian G. RuskVisualizing trace element distribution in quartz using cathodoluminescence, electron microprobe, and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
Cathodoluminescent (CL) textures in quartz reveal successive histories of the physical and chemical fluctuations that accompany crystal growth. Such CL textures reflect trace element concentration variations that can be mapped by electron microprobe or laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Trace element maps in hydrothermal quartz from four different ore depositAuthorsBrian Rusk, Alan Koenig, Heather LowersMineralogic sources of metals in leachates from the weathering of sedex, massive sulfide, and vein deposit mining wastes
Weathered mine waste consists of oxidized primary minerals and chemically unstable secondary phases that can be sources of readily soluble metals and acid rock drainage. Elevated concentrations of metals such as Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn are observed in deionized water-based leachate solutions derived from complex sedex and Cu-Pb-Zn mine wastes. Leachate (USGS FLT) from the Elizabeth mine, aAuthorsS. F. Diehl, P. L. Hageman, R.R. Seal, N.M. Piatak, H. LowersChemical and morphological comparison of erionite from Oregon, North Dakota, and Turkey
Erionite, a fibrous zeolite, occurs in pediment gravel deposits near Killdeer Mountain, North Dakota. Material from these pediment deposits has been excavated for use as roadbed throughout Dunn County, North Dakota. Erionite also occurs in the Cappadocian region of Turkey, where a link between malignant mesothelioma and inhalation of this mineral has been established. The U.S. Environmental ProtecAuthorsHeather Lowers, David T. Adams, Gregory P. Meeker, Constance J. NuttResponse to the comment by Henry Kahn and Dennis Santella on a summary of the development of a signature for detection of residual dust from the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings
A response by Gregory P. Meeker and colleagues to a commentary on their article on the development of a signature for detection of residual dust from the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings is presentedAuthorsGregory P. Meeker, Heather Lowers, Paul J. Lioy, Morton LippmannMineralogical and chemical characteristics of some natural jarosites
This paper presents a detailed study of the mineralogical, microscopic, thermal, and spectral characteristics of jarosite and natrojarosite minerals. Systematic mineralogic and chemical examination of a suite of 32 natural stoichiometric jarosite and natrojarosite samples from diverse supergene and hydrothermal environments indicates that there is only limited solid solution between Na and K at loAuthorsGeorge A. Desborough, Kathleen S. Smith, Heather A. Lowers, Gregg A. Swayze, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Sharon F. Diehl, Reinhard W. Leinz, Rhonda L. DriscollIn vitro studies evaluating leaching of mercury from mine waste calcine using simulated human body fluids
In vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) studies were carried out on samples of mercury (Hg) mine-waste calcine (roasted Hg ore) by leaching with simulated human body fluids. The objective was to estimate potential human exposure to Hg due to inhalation of airborne calcine particulates and hand-to-mouth ingestion of Hg-bearing calcines. Mine waste calcines collected from Hg mines at Almadén, Spain, and TeAuthorsJohn E. Gray, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Suzette A. Morman, Pablo L. Higueras, James G. Crock, Heather A. Lowers, Mark L. WittenEuropium-rich dark monazite - a potential new ore mineral for Alaska, USA?
No abstract available.AuthorsRichard B. Tripp, William Benzel, David T. Adams, Heather A. Lowers, Gregory K. Lee, Elizabeth A. BaileyParticle Size Characterization of Water-Elutriated Libby Amphibole 2000 and RTI International Amosite
This report presents data on particle characterization analyzed by scanning electron microscopy on Libby amphibole collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2000 (LA2000) and amosite material collected by RTI International (RTI amosite). The particle characterization data were generated to support a portion of the Libby Action Plan. Prior to analysis, the raw LA2000 and RTI amosite materials wereAuthorsHeather Lowers, Amy M. BernMethod 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 AgAuthorsA.M. Bern, H.A. Lowers, G.P. Meeker, J.A. RosatiChemistry, mineralogy, and petrology of amphibole in Mount St. Helens 2004-2006 dacite
Textural, compositional, and mineralogical data are reported and interpreted for a large population of clinoamphibole phenocrysts in 22 samples from the seven successive dacite spines erupted at Mount St. Helens between October 2004 and January 2006. Despite the uniformity in bulk composition of magma erupted since 2004, there is striking textural and compositional diversity among amphibole phAuthorsCarl R. Thornber, John S. Pallister, Heather Lowers, Michael C. Rowe, Charlie Mandeville, Gregory P. Meeker - News
Below are news stories associated with this project.