Arsenic in stream sediments of northern Alabama
OVERVIEW OF ARSENIC IN STREAM SEDIMENTS The overall range of arsenic in the NURE stream sediments was from 0.3 to 44 mg/kg sediment (ppm) As in the sample data set. The mean value was 4.3 ppm with a standard deviation of 4.1 ppm. For comparison, the crustal abundance of arsenic is 1.8 ppm (Taylor, 1964). Shale is higher, with average values of 15 ppm. Coal samples from the entire USGS National Coal Resource Data System coal database (Finkelman, 1994) average 24 ppm arsenic. A study of stream sediments from throughout the U.S. by the USGS NAWQA program reported that the 75th percentile for arsenic in 541 stream sediments was 9.5 ppm (Rice, 1999). Given the relatively low crustal abundance of arsenic, a number of stream-sediment samples in this study may be considered geochemically anomalous in this element.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Title | Arsenic in stream sediments of northern Alabama |
| DOI | 10.3133/mf2357 |
| Authors | M. B. Goldhaber, Elise Irwin, Brian Atkins, Lopaka Lee, D.D. Black, Humbert Zappia, Joe Hatch, Jack Pashin, L.H. Barwick, W.E. Cartwright, Rick Sanzolone, Leslie Rupert, Allan Kolker, Robert Finkelman |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Miscellaneous Field Studies Map |
| Series Number | 2357 |
| Index ID | mf2357 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |