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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

Particle Size Characterization of Water-Elutriated Libby Amphibole 2000 and RTI International Amosite Particle 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...
Authors
Heather Lowers, Amy M. Bern

Materials characterization of dusts generated by the collapse of the World Trade Center Materials characterization of dusts generated by the collapse of the World Trade Center

The major inorganic components of the dusts generated from the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings on September 11, 2001 were concrete materials, gypsum, and man-made vitreous fibers. These components were likely derived from lightweight Portland cement concrete floors, gypsum wallboard, and spray-on fireproofing and ceiling tiles, respectively. All of the 36 samples collected...
Authors
Gregory P. Meeker, Stephen J. Sutley, Isabelle Brownfield, Heather Lowers, Amy M. Bern, Gregg A. Swayze, Todd M. Hoefen, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Roger N. Clark, Carol A. Gent

Inorganic chemical composition and chemical reactivity of settled dust generated by the World Trade Center building collapse Inorganic chemical composition and chemical reactivity of settled dust generated by the World Trade Center building collapse

Samples of dust deposited around lower Manhattan by the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center (WTC) collapse have inorganic chemical compositions that result in part from the variable chemical contributions of concrete, gypsum wallboard, glass fibers, window glass, and other materials contained in the buildings. The dust deposits were also modified chemically by variable interactions...
Authors
Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Philip L. Hageman, Paul J. Lamothe, Thomas L. Ziegler, Gregory P. Meeker, Peter M. Theodorakos, Isabelle Brownfield, Monique G. Adams, Gregg A. Swayze, Todd M. Hoefen, Joseph E. Taggart, Roger N. Clark, S. Wilson, Stephen J. Sutley

Environmental mapping of the World Trade Center area with imaging spectroscopy after the September 11, 2001 attack Environmental mapping of the World Trade Center area with imaging spectroscopy after the September 11, 2001 attack

The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) was flown over the World Trade Center area on September 16, 18, 22, and 23, 2001. The data were used to map the WTC debris plume and its contents, including the spectral signatures of asbestiform minerals. Samples were collected and used as ground truth for the AVARIS mapping. A number of thermal hot spots were observed with...
Authors
Roger N. Clark, Gregg A. Swayze, Todd M. Hoefen, Robert O. Green, Keith E. Livo, Gregory P. Meeker, Stephen J. Sutley, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Betina Pavri, Charles M. Sarture, Joe Boardman, Isabelle Brownfield, Laurie C. Morath

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 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...
Authors
A.M. Bern, H.A. Lowers, G.P. Meeker, J.A. Rosati

Understanding contaminants associated with mineral deposits Understanding contaminants associated with mineral deposits

Interdisciplinary studies by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have resulted in substantial progress in understanding the processes that controlthe release of metals and acidic water from inactive mines and mineralized areas,the transport of metals and acidic water to streams, andthe fate and effect of metals and acidity on downstream ecosystems. The potential environmental effects...
Authors
Philip L. Verplanck

Leachate Geochemical Results for Ash and Burned Soil Samples from the October 2007 Southern California Wildfires Leachate Geochemical Results for Ash and Burned Soil Samples from the October 2007 Southern California Wildfires

This report is the second release of leachate geochemical data included as part of a multidisciplinary study of ash and burned soil samples from the October 2007 wildfires in southern California. Geochemical data for the first set of samples were released in an Open-File Report (Plumlee and others, 2007). This study is a continuation of that work. The objectives of this leaching study...
Authors
Philip L. Hageman, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Deborah A. Martin, Todd M. Hoefen, Gregory P. Meeker, Monique Adams, Paul J. Lamothe, Michael W. Anthony

Chemistry, mineralogy, and petrology of amphibole in Mount St. Helens 2004-2006 dacite Chemistry, 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...
Authors
Carl R. Thornber, John S. Pallister, Heather Lowers, Michael C. Rowe, Charlie Mandeville, Gregory P. Meeker

Petrology of the 2004-2006 Mount St. Helens lava dome -- implications for magmatic plumbing and eruption triggering Petrology of the 2004-2006 Mount St. Helens lava dome -- implications for magmatic plumbing and eruption triggering

Eighteen years after dome-forming eruptions ended in 1986, and with little warning, Mount St. Helens began to erupt again in October 2004. During the ensuing two years, the volcano extruded more than 80×106 m3 of gas-poor, crystal-rich dacite lava. The 2004-6 dacite is remarkably uniform in bulk-rock composition and, at 65 percent SiO2 , among the richest in silica and most depleted in
Authors
John S. Pallister, Carl R. Thornber, Katharine V. Cashman, Michael A. Clynne, Heather Lowers, Charlie Mandeville, Isabelle K. Brownfield, Gregory P. Meeker
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