Publications
Filter Total Items: 92
Preparation and characterization of "Libby Amphibole" toxicological testing material Preparation and characterization of "Libby Amphibole" toxicological testing material
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) began work in Libby, Mont. in 1999 when an Emergency Response Team was sent to investigate local concern and media reports regarding asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. Since that time, the site has been granted Superfund status and site remediation to a safe level of asbestos has been ongoing. The amphibole asbestos from the Vermiculite...
Authors
Heather Lowers, Stephen A. Wilson, Todd M. Hoefen, William Benzel, Gregory P. Meeker
A new basaltic glass microanalytical reference material for multiple techniques A new basaltic glass microanalytical reference material for multiple techniques
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been producing reference materials since the 1950s. Over 50 materials have been developed to cover bulk rock, sediment, and soils for the geological community. These materials are used globally in geochemistry, environmental, and analytical laboratories that perform bulk chemistry and/or microanalysis for instrument calibration and quality assurance...
Authors
Steve Wilson, Alan Koenig, Heather Lowers
Improved electron probe microanalysis of trace elements in quartz Improved 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...
Authors
John J. Donovan, Heather Lowers, Brian G. Rusk
Visualizing trace element distribution in quartz using cathodoluminescence, electron microprobe, and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry Visualizing 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...
Authors
Brian Rusk, Alan Koenig, Heather Lowers
Origin of minor and trace element compositional diversity in anorthitic feldspar phenocrysts and melt inclusions from the Juan de Fuca Ridge Origin of minor and trace element compositional diversity in anorthitic feldspar phenocrysts and melt inclusions from the Juan de Fuca Ridge
Melt inclusions trapped in phenocryst phases are important primarily due to their potential of preserving a significant proportion of the diversity of magma composition prior to modification of the parent magma array during transport through the crust. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of formational and post-entrapment processes on the composition of melt...
Authors
David T. Adams, Roger L. Nielsen, Adam J. R. Kent, Frank J. Tepley
The dispersion of fibrous amphiboles by glacial processes in the area surrounding Libby, Montana, USA The dispersion of fibrous amphiboles by glacial processes in the area surrounding Libby, Montana, USA
Mining operations began at a world-class vermiculite deposit at Vermiculite Mountain near Libby, Montana, circa 1920 and ended in 1990. Fibrous and asbestiform amphiboles intergrown with vermiculite ore are suspected to be a causative factor in an abnormally high number of cases of respiratory diseases in former mine and mill workers, and in residents of Libby. The question addressed in...
Authors
William H. Langer, Bradley S. Van Gosen, Gregory P. Meeker, David T. Adams, Todd M. Hoefen
Chemical and morphological comparison of erionite from Oregon, North Dakota, and Turkey Chemical 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...
Authors
Heather Lowers, David T. Adams, Gregory P. Meeker, Constance J. Nutt
Estimated minimum discharge rates of the Deepwater Horizon spill— Interim report to the flow rate technical group from the Mass Balance Team Estimated minimum discharge rates of the Deepwater Horizon spill— Interim report to the flow rate technical group from the Mass Balance Team
All of the calculations and results in this report are preliminary and intended for the purpose, and only for the purpose, of aiding the incident team in assessing the extent of the spilled oil for ongoing response efforts. Other applications of this report are not authorized and are not considered valid. Because of time constraints and limitations of data available to the experts, many...
Authors
Victor F. Labson, Roger N. Clark, Gregg A. Swayze, Todd M. Hoefen, Raymond F. Kokaly, K. Eric Livo, Michael H. Powers, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Gregory P. Meeker
Petrology and hydrothermal alteration of Jurassic intrusive rocks associated with gold deposits in the Bald Mountain mining district, White Pine County, Nevada Petrology and hydrothermal alteration of Jurassic intrusive rocks associated with gold deposits in the Bald Mountain mining district, White Pine County, Nevada
No abstract available.
Authors
Edward A. du Bray, J. Thomas Nash, Gregory P. Meeker, David Adams, William A. Wright
Examination of Libby, Montana, Fill Material for Background Levels of Amphibole from the Rainy Creek Complex Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis Examination of Libby, Montana, Fill Material for Background Levels of Amphibole from the Rainy Creek Complex Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis
Natural background levels of Libby-type amphibole in the sediment of the Libby valley in Montana have not, up to this point, been determined. The purpose of this report is to provide the preliminary findings of a study designed by both the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and performed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The study worked to constrain the...
Authors
David T. Adams, William H. Langer, Todd M. Hoefen, Bradley S. Van Gosen, Gregory P. Meeker
In vitro studies evaluating leaching of mercury from mine waste calcine using simulated human body fluids In 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...
Authors
John E. Gray, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Suzette A. Morman, Pablo L. Higueras, James G. Crock, Heather A. Lowers, Mark L. Witten
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 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
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 presented
Authors
Gregory P. Meeker, Heather Lowers, Paul J. Lioy, Morton Lippmann