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Publications

Results from our Program’s research and minerals information activities are published in USGS publications series as well as in outside journals.  To follow Minerals Information Periodicals, subscribe to the Mineral Periodicals RSS feed.

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Steady incision of Grand Canyon at the million year timeframe: A case for mantle-driven differential uplift Steady incision of Grand Canyon at the million year timeframe: A case for mantle-driven differential uplift

The Grand Canyon region provides an excellent laboratory to examine the interplay between river incision, magmatism, and the geomorphic and tectonic processes that shape landscapes. Here we apply U-series, Ar–Ar, and cosmogenic burial dating of river terraces to examine spatial variations in incision rates along the 445 km length of the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. We also...
Authors
Ryan Crow, Karl Karlstrom, Andrew Darling, Laura Crossey, Victor Polyak, Darryl Granger, Yemane Asmerom, Brandon Schmandt

Lithium in 2013 Lithium in 2013

No abstract available.
Authors
Brian Jaskula

Modified expression for bulb-tracer depletion—Effect on argon dating standards Modified expression for bulb-tracer depletion—Effect on argon dating standards

40Ar/39Ar geochronology depends critically on well-calibrated standards, often traceable to first-principles K-Ar age calibrations using bulb-tracer systems. Tracer systems also provide precise standards for noble-gas studies and interlaboratory calibration. The exponential expression long used for calculating isotope tracer concentrations in K-Ar age dating and calibration of 40Ar/39Ar...
Authors
Robert Fleck, Andrew Calvert

Compilation of gallium resource data for bauxite deposits Compilation of gallium resource data for bauxite deposits

Gallium (Ga) concentrations for bauxite deposits worldwide have been compiled from the literature to provide a basis for research regarding the occurrence and distribution of Ga worldwide, as well as between types of bauxite deposits. In addition, this report is an attempt to bring together reported Ga concentration data into one database to supplement ongoing U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Ruth F. Schulte, Nora Foley

Lithium: for harnessing renewable energy Lithium: for harnessing renewable energy

Lithium, which has the chemical symbol Li and an atomic number of 3, is the first metal in the periodic table. Lithium has many uses, the most prominent being in batteries for cell phones, laptops, and electric and hybrid vehicles. Worldwide sources of lithium are broken down by ore-deposit type as follows: closed-basin brines, 58%; pegmatites and related granites, 26%; lithium-enriched...
Authors
Dwight Bradley, Brian Jaskula

Mercury speciation in the Mt. Amiata mining district (Italy): interplay between urban activities and mercury contamination Mercury speciation in the Mt. Amiata mining district (Italy): interplay between urban activities and mercury contamination

A fundamental step to evaluate the biogeochemical and eco-toxicological significance of Hg dispersion in the environment is to determine speciation of Hg in solid matrices. In this study, several analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), sequential chemical extractions (SCEs), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES) were...
Authors
Valentina Rimondi, Fabrizio Bardelli, Marco Benvenuti, Pilario Costagliola, John Gray, Pierfranco Lattanzi

Geochemical and mineralogical maps for soils of the conterminous United States Geochemical and mineralogical maps for soils of the conterminous United States

The U.S. Geological Survey began sampling in 2007 for a low-density (1 site per 1,600 square kilometers, 4,857 sites) geochemical and mineralogical survey of soils in the conterminous United States as part of the North American Soil Geochemical Landscapes Project. The sampling protocol for the national-scale survey included, at each site, a sample from a depth of 0 to 5 centimeters, a...
Authors
David B. Smith, William Cannon, Laurel Woodruff, Federico Solano, Karl Ellefsen

Events affecting gold exploration in Venezuela since 1999 Events affecting gold exploration in Venezuela since 1999

The structure of the gold mining industry in Venezuela has changed significantly since 1999 as a result of Government policy changes and industry response to these changes. This report documents the policy decisions that have affected the mining industry, discusses the response of the industry on a site by site basis, and suggests possible effects of these changes on the global economy...
Authors
David Wilburn
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