Soil pit exposing tsunami deposits on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska.
Does the USGS have reports on the background levels of elements in soils and other surficial materials?
The following USGS products will be helpful in determining the background levels of various elements in soils and other surficial materials:
- Geochemical and Mineralogical Data for Soils of the Conterminous United States (2013) Data for samples collected at three intervals (0-5 cm surficial soils, A-Horizon soils, and C-Horizon soils) across the entire conterminous U.S. These data provide the best estimates for background levels of elements on regional and national scales. Using the Mineral Resources Online Spatial Data website, you can also search the dataset, download data for smaller geographic areas, download the entire dataset, or show the data in your GIS using OCG web services. There are also very useful element and mineralogical distribution maps.
- Element Concentrations in Soils and Other Surficial Materials of the Conterminous United States (1984). Prior to the above 2013 report, this was the most cited reference for determining background levels of elements in soils and other surficial materials. Digital data are on the Mineral Resources Online Spatial Data website.
- Element Concentrations in Soils and Other Surficial Materials of Alaska (1988). These data are not digitally available in a separate data set but can be extracted from the soils data in the National Geochemical Database described below.
- National Geochemical Database: Soil. Compiled from multiple USGS studies going back to 1964. The amount of data available for each sample varies by area and study. This data set was not designed to answer the question concerning background levels but does contain a lot of valuable historic data that can be useful at a local scale. Search the dataset, download data for smaller geographic areas, download the entire dataset, or show the data in your GIS using OCG web services.
- Data from the Web Soil Survey are available on the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Related Content
Where can I find information about mineral commodities?
For statistical information about mineral commodities, visit the USGS Commodity Statistics and Information website. For locations outside the United States, USGS International Minerals Statistics and Information is the best starting point.
What is the difference between a rock and a mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties. Common minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, olivine, and calcite. A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals, or a body of undifferentiated mineral matter. Common rocks include granite, basalt...
What is the meaning of the karat mark on gold jewelry?
The fineness of jewelry gold is stated as the number of parts in twenty-four that are gold. Thus, 24 karat gold is pure gold; 12 K would be an alloy that is half gold and half copper or other metals.
Where can I obtain soil surveys?
A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) , formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service. NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources: Some are on the NRCS website . Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan...
How are harmful elements and compounds in plants, soils, rocks, and sediments regulated?
Regulatory limits for safe levels of elements in water and foodstuffs are established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, there are generally no regulatory limits that scientists can refer to when dealing with plants, soils, rocks, and sediments. Therefore, to determine whether a plant, soil, rock, or sediment contains a 'high...
How large is a lifetime supply of minerals for the average person?
At today's level of consumption, the average newborn infant will need a lifetime supply of: 871 pounds of lead 502 pounds of zinc 950 pounds of copper 2,692 pounds of aluminum 21,645 pounds of iron ore 11,614 pounds of clays 30,091 pounds of salt 1,420,000 pounds of stone, sand, gravel, and cement Learn more: Mineral Resources: Out of the ground...into our daily lives
What is "Fool's Gold?"
Fool's Gold can be one of three minerals. The most common mineral mistaken for gold is pyrite. Chalcopyrite may also appear gold-like, and weathered mica can mimic gold as well. Compared to actual gold, these minerals will flake, powder, or crumble when poked with a metal point, whereas gold will gouge or indent like soft lead. In addition, actual gold will leave a golden yellow streak when...
How much silver has been found in the world?
Of the 1,740,000 metric tons of silver discovered to date, 55% is found in just four countries on earth. All the silver discovered thus far would fit in a cube 55 meters on a side. Learn more: USGS commodity website for silver
How much gold has been found in the world?
About 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date (187,000 metric tons historically produced plus current underground reserves of 57,000 metric tons). Most of that gold has come from just three countries: China, Australia, and South Africa. The United States ranked fourth in gold production in 2016. All of the gold discovered thus far would fit in a cube that is 23 meters wide on every...
How much copper has been found in the world?
To date, roughly 700 million metric tons of copper have been produced around the world. This would fit into a cube measuring about 430 meters on a side. Identified deposits contain an estimated 2.1 billion metric tons of additional copper, which brings the total amount of discovered copper to 2.8 billion metric tons. This would fit into a cube measuring 680 meters on a side. It is also estimated...
How do we extract minerals?
The primary methods used to extract minerals from the ground are: Underground mining Surface (open pit) mining Placer mining The location and shape of the deposit, strength of the rock, ore grade, mining costs, and current market price of the commodity are some of the determining factors for selecting which mining method to use. Higher-grade metallic ores found in veins deep under the Earth’s...
What minerals produce the colors in fireworks?
Mineral elements provide the color in fireworks. Additional colors can be made by mixing elements: Color Produced Element(s) Primary mineral ore(s) bright greens barium barite deep reds strontium celestite blues copper chalcopyrite yellows sodium halite (rock salt) brilliant orange strontium + sodium celestite, halite silvery white titanium + zirconium + magnesium alloys ilmenite, rutile, zircon...
Soil pit on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska
Soil pit exposing tsunami deposits on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska.
Taking soil samples
USGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
USGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
Soil in Test Tube
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Soil Sampling
JoAnn Holloway(USGS) and Ron Wiederholt(NDSU) collecting soil samples.
JoAnn Holloway(USGS) and Ron Wiederholt(NDSU) collecting soil samples.
Related Content
- FAQ
Where can I find information about mineral commodities?
For statistical information about mineral commodities, visit the USGS Commodity Statistics and Information website. For locations outside the United States, USGS International Minerals Statistics and Information is the best starting point.
What is the difference between a rock and a mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties. Common minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, olivine, and calcite. A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals, or a body of undifferentiated mineral matter. Common rocks include granite, basalt...
What is the meaning of the karat mark on gold jewelry?
The fineness of jewelry gold is stated as the number of parts in twenty-four that are gold. Thus, 24 karat gold is pure gold; 12 K would be an alloy that is half gold and half copper or other metals.
Where can I obtain soil surveys?
A soil survey is the systematic description, classification, and mapping of soils in an area. They are published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) , formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service. NRCS soil surveys are available from several sources: Some are on the NRCS website . Published soil surveys can be found at some libraries or borrowed through interlibrary loan...
How are harmful elements and compounds in plants, soils, rocks, and sediments regulated?
Regulatory limits for safe levels of elements in water and foodstuffs are established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, there are generally no regulatory limits that scientists can refer to when dealing with plants, soils, rocks, and sediments. Therefore, to determine whether a plant, soil, rock, or sediment contains a 'high...
How large is a lifetime supply of minerals for the average person?
At today's level of consumption, the average newborn infant will need a lifetime supply of: 871 pounds of lead 502 pounds of zinc 950 pounds of copper 2,692 pounds of aluminum 21,645 pounds of iron ore 11,614 pounds of clays 30,091 pounds of salt 1,420,000 pounds of stone, sand, gravel, and cement Learn more: Mineral Resources: Out of the ground...into our daily lives
What is "Fool's Gold?"
Fool's Gold can be one of three minerals. The most common mineral mistaken for gold is pyrite. Chalcopyrite may also appear gold-like, and weathered mica can mimic gold as well. Compared to actual gold, these minerals will flake, powder, or crumble when poked with a metal point, whereas gold will gouge or indent like soft lead. In addition, actual gold will leave a golden yellow streak when...
How much silver has been found in the world?
Of the 1,740,000 metric tons of silver discovered to date, 55% is found in just four countries on earth. All the silver discovered thus far would fit in a cube 55 meters on a side. Learn more: USGS commodity website for silver
How much gold has been found in the world?
About 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date (187,000 metric tons historically produced plus current underground reserves of 57,000 metric tons). Most of that gold has come from just three countries: China, Australia, and South Africa. The United States ranked fourth in gold production in 2016. All of the gold discovered thus far would fit in a cube that is 23 meters wide on every...
How much copper has been found in the world?
To date, roughly 700 million metric tons of copper have been produced around the world. This would fit into a cube measuring about 430 meters on a side. Identified deposits contain an estimated 2.1 billion metric tons of additional copper, which brings the total amount of discovered copper to 2.8 billion metric tons. This would fit into a cube measuring 680 meters on a side. It is also estimated...
How do we extract minerals?
The primary methods used to extract minerals from the ground are: Underground mining Surface (open pit) mining Placer mining The location and shape of the deposit, strength of the rock, ore grade, mining costs, and current market price of the commodity are some of the determining factors for selecting which mining method to use. Higher-grade metallic ores found in veins deep under the Earth’s...
What minerals produce the colors in fireworks?
Mineral elements provide the color in fireworks. Additional colors can be made by mixing elements: Color Produced Element(s) Primary mineral ore(s) bright greens barium barite deep reds strontium celestite blues copper chalcopyrite yellows sodium halite (rock salt) brilliant orange strontium + sodium celestite, halite silvery white titanium + zirconium + magnesium alloys ilmenite, rutile, zircon...
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Soil pit on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska
Soil pit exposing tsunami deposits on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska.
Soil pit exposing tsunami deposits on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska.
Taking soil samplesUSGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
USGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
Soil in Test TubeAmount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Amount of soil (about 200 mg) from which Geomyces destructans was cultured. This shows the small amount of soil needed to harbor live fungus and the threat that humans might pose in moving it around from cave to cave on their gear, boots, and clothing.
Soil SamplingJoAnn Holloway(USGS) and Ron Wiederholt(NDSU) collecting soil samples.
JoAnn Holloway(USGS) and Ron Wiederholt(NDSU) collecting soil samples.
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