Chemical Composition of Samples Collected from 

Waste Rock Dumps and Other Mining-Related 

Features at Selected Phosphate Mines in Southeastern 

Idaho, Western Wyoming, and Northern Utah 

By 

Phillip R. Moyle and J. Douglas Causey1

 

Western U.S. Phosphate Project2

Open-File Report 01-411 

2001 

This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey 

editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, product, or 

firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. 

Government. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

 

1

 U.S. Geological Survey, Spokane, WA 99201 

2

 Prepared in collaboration with Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Agrium U.S. Inc., Astaris LLC, J.R. 

Simplot Company, Rhodia Inc., and Monsanto 
2 

CONTENTS 

Page

ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................... 4 

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 5 

Location, Background, and Purpose............................................................................................ 5 

Previous Studies .......................................................................................................................... 5 

METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 6 

Field Sampling............................................................................................................................. 6 

Rock Sample Preparation and Geochemical Analyses................................................................ 6 

SAMPLING .................................................................................................................................... 7 

Waste Rock Dumps and Other Deposits Sampled ...................................................................... 7 

Limitation of Data ..................................................................................................................... 10 

Sample Sites and Data ............................................................................................................... 10 

DISCUSSION............................................................................................................................... 24 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................... 25 

REFERENCES CITED................................................................................................................. 29 

APPENDIX A. Data Tables......................................................................................................... 32 

APPENDIX B. Metadata....................................................................................39 

FIGURES 

1. View west of Dry Valley mine showing waste rock backfill into open pit on right. 

2. Various colors and sizes of rock in a complex of waste rock dumps at an active phosphate 

mine in southeastern Idaho illustrate the heterogeneous lithology and grain size 

characteristics of dumps. 

3. View north of several waste rock dumps at the Waterloo mine near Montpelier, ID. 

4. Generalized map of southeast Idaho, western Wyoming, and northern Utah showing 

phosphate sample sites, selected sample numbers, and locations of figures 5 and 6. 

5. Generalized map of phosphate mines in southeastern Idaho showing selected sample sites and 

location of figure 6. 

6. Map of selected phosphate mines in the Blackfoot River watershed, Caribou County, Idaho, 

showing sample sites. 

7. View north of the Wooley Valley mine waste rock dump at Unit I, Caribou County, Idaho, 

sample site WPD2017C. 

8. View south of the Wooley Valley mine waste rock dump at Unit IV, Caribou County, Idaho, 

sample sites WPD2019C-23C. 

9. View west of the Ballard mine and waste rock dumps, Caribou County, Idaho, sample site 

WPD2005C. 

10. View northeast of a waste rock dump at the Henry mine, central, Caribou County, Idaho, 

sample site WPD2018C. 

11. View north of a waste rock dump at the Woodall Mountain mine, Caribou County, Idaho, 

sample site WPD2024C. 

12. View south of the Champ-Champ Extension mine, Caribou County, Idaho, sample site 

WPD2001C. 

13. View west of reclaimed waste rock dump at the Mountain Fuel mine, Caribou County, Idaho, 

sample site WPD2002C.
3 

14. View southwest of partially-reclaimed waste rock dump on the west side of the Mountain 

Fuel mine, Caribou County, Idaho, sample site WPD2003C. 

15. View south of Georgetown mine, Bear Lake County, Idaho, processing plant near sample 

site WPQ2028C. 

16. View north of Church Hollow tailings near Georgetown Canyon mine, Bear Lake County, 

Idaho, sample site WPD2029C. 

17. View north of waste rock dumps at the Waterloo mine, Bear Lake County, Idaho, sample 

sites WPD2030C (dark rock) and WPD2031C (light rock). 

18. View southwest of sample site at Hot Springs mine, Bear Lake County, Idaho; showing 

sample WPQ2013C cut along line. 

19. View northwest of waste rock dump at Little Diamond Creek mine, Utah County, Utah, 

showing sample site WPD2009C. 

20. View north of waste rock dumps at Cokeville mine, Lincoln County, Wyoming, showing 

sample site WPD2011C. 

21. View north of adits and dumps at Raymond Creek mine, Lincoln County, Wyoming. 

Sample WPD2014C collected from waste rock dump in area from which photograph is 

taken. 

22. View west toward waste rock dump sampled at South Mountain mine, Lincoln County, 

Wyoming, showing sample site WPD2012C. 

23a. Range and average concentrations of selected elements for all 31 samples analyzed. 

23b. Range and average concentrations of selected elements for 25 waste-rock dump samples 

analyzed. 

24. Graph of average concentration of selected elements for 25 waste-rock dump samples 

normalized to the average abundance of the elements in average world-wide shales.

TABLES 

1. List of phosphate mine sites sampled showing mine type, feature sampled, lithology, and 

sample type. 

2. Average, maximum, and minimum concentrations for selected individual and ICP-40 

analytes for the 25 samples from waste-rock dumps and for all 31 samples, and average 

abundance of elements in shale. 

A-1. Sample descriptions and locations. 

A-2. Individual and ICP-10 analyses. 

A-3. ICP-16 analyses. 

A-4. ICP-40 analyses. 
4 

ABSTRACT 

This report provides chemical analyses for 31 samples collected from various phosphate mine 

sites in southeastern Idaho (25), northern Utah (2), and western Wyoming (4). The sampling 

effort was undertaken as a reconnaissance and does not constitute a characterization of mine 

wastes. Twenty-five samples were collected from waste rock dumps, 2 from stockpiles, and 1 

each from slag, tailings, mill shale, and an outcrop. All samples were analyzed for a suite of 

major, minor, and trace elements. Although the analytical data set for the 31 samples is too 

small for detailed statistical analysis, a summary of general observations is made. 

Element concentrations vary considerably because of the differing rock types collected over a 

wide geographic area. For the 25 waste rock dump samples, concentrations of arsenic, antimony, 

thallium, chromium, copper, nickel, and vanadium are moderately elevated, ranging from 1.5 to 

5.6 times those of average world-wide shale, the average concentrations of four elements are 

significantly elevated compared to their average abundance in average world-wide shale – 

selenium (x 77), cadmium (x 172), molybdenum (x 19), and zinc (x 12). A sample of slag, a 

product of high-temperature processing, collected from an inactive elemental phosphorus plant at 

the Georgetown Canyon mine contains the highest concentrations for 17 elements - silver, 

cobalt, chromium, copper, europium, iron, gallium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, nickel, 

phosphorus, thorium, titanium, vanadium, ytterbium, and zirconium – and the lowest 

concentrations for 17 others - aluminum, carbon, calcium, cadmium, mercury, potassium, 

lanthanum, lithium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, scandium, selenium, strontium, thallium, 

yttrium, and zinc. Highly contrasting geochemical signatures occur for two samples collected 

from the same waste-rock dump at the Waterloo mine near Montpelier, ID illustrating the 

heterogeneous nature waste dump rocks. 
5 

INTRODUCTION 

Location, Background, and Purpose 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has studied the Permian Phosphoria Formation and related 

rock units in southeastern Idaho and the Western Phosphate Field throughout much of the 

twentieth century. In response to a request by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a new 

series of resource, geological, and geoenvironmental studies were initiated by the USGS in 1998. 

Present studies consist of integrated, multidisciplinary research directed toward (1) resource and 

reserve estimation of phosphate in selected 7.5-minute quadrangles; (2) element residence, 

mineralogical, and petrochemical characteristics; (3) mobilization and reaction pathways, 

transport, and fate of potentially toxic elements associated with the occurrence, development, 

and societal use of phosphate; (4) geophysical signatures; and (5) improving understanding of 

depositional environments. To carry out these studies, the USGS is conducting collaborative 

research with the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service (FS), which are responsible for land 

management and resource conservation on public lands, and with five companies currently 

leasing or developing phosphate resources in southeast Idaho: Agrium U.S. Inc. (Rasmussen 

Ridge mine), Astaris LLC (Dry Valley mine), J.R. Simplot Company (Smoky Canyon mine), 

Rhodia Inc. (Wooley Valley mine – inactive), and Monsanto (Enoch Valley mine). Because raw 

data acquired during the project require time to interpret, the data are released in open-file 

reports for prompt availability to other scientists. Open-file reports associated with this series of 

resource and geoenvironmental studies are submitted to the Federal and industry collaborators 

for comment; however, the USGS is solely responsible for the content of the reports. 

Limited sampling of phosphate mine wastes and other deposits at selected active and historic 

phosphate mines in southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and northern Utah was completed in 

support of on-going geologic mapping, remote sensing, and phosphate resource studies. These 

data, together with related sampling and chemical analyses of rock outcrops, exposed sections at 

active mines, and archived samples from previous studies, will contribute to an overall effort to 

characterize the spatial distribution of selenium and other trace elements throughout the Western 

Phosphate Field, both in situ and in waste piles. Analyses of samples of outcrops and exposed 

sections will contribute to developing a model of trace element distribution either associated with 

original deposition or as a result of post-depositional diagenetic or weathering processes. 

Analyses of mine wastes will contribute to understanding the source characteristics and 

mobilization of trace elements. The samples and analyses described in this report are a 

reconnaissance and do not constitute a characterization of mine wastes. 

Previous Studies 

A considerable body of knowledge on the Phosphoria Formation and related rock units in the 

Western Phosphate Field has been published by scientists of the USGS as well as from others. 

The historic literature is too large to list; however, mention of selected references is warranted. 

Pioneering workers such as Mansfield (1918, 1920, 1927, 1933), McKelvey and others (1953a, 

1953b, 1959, 1967), Sheldon (1963, 1989), Service and Popoff (1964), Service (1966, 1967), and 

Gulbrandsen and Krier (1980), concentrated predominantly on delineation and evaluation of 

phosphate resources and on deposit origin. Research in recent decades has produced significant 
6 

literature by Gulbrandsen (1966), Piper (1974), Desborough (1977), Altschuler (1980) and others 

on the unusual chemistry of the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale Member, the primary source of 

phosphate ore. Phosphate deposit origin, demand, and commodity studies are reported in Herring 

(1995), Herring and Fantel (1993), and Herring and Stowasser (1991). 

Current studies by the USGS have produced numerous reports relevant to the geochemistry of 

the Phosphoria Formation, particularly the Meade Peak Phosphate Shale Member in southeastern 

Idaho (Desborough and others, 1999; 2000; Herring and others, 1999a, b, c; 2000a, b, c; Grauch 

and others, 1999, 2000a, b; and Piper, 1999a, b. A detailed history of phosphate mining in 

southeastern Idaho was recently completed by Lee (2001). In addition, a spatially registered 

description of selected phosphate mines in southeastern Idaho, showing mine pits, waste dumps, 

tailings and other phosphate-mining-related features, has been prepared (Causey and Moyle, 

2001). Mine waste samples described in this report were collected during field reconnaissance at 

several of the mines included in the geospatial database. 

METHODOLOGY 

Field Sampling 

Thirty-one samples collected for geochemical analysis were obtained from waste rock dumps 

(25), stockpiles or mill shale piles (3), tailings (1), slag (1), and outcrop (1) from 20 mines and 

prospects. Waste rock dump, stockpiles or mill shales, and tailings samples were collected as 

composite grab samples. Composite grab samples consist of rock material collected from two or 

more 0.3- to 0.6 –m-deep holes excavated into the waste rock dump, stockpile, or tailings 

impoundment and combined into a single composite sample. A sample of slag was “selected” 

from a heterogeneous mix of mine wastes, processing byproducts and alluvium at a mine-plant 

complex, and a continuous “chip channel” sample was obtained from an outcrop of Meade Peak 

member at one inactive mine site. Approximately 2.5 to 5 kg of rock was collected at each 

sample locality. Samples were shipped to the laboratory of the USGS in Denver, Colorado for 

sample preparation. 

Rock Sample Preparation and Geochemical Analyses3

Rock samples were air-dried followed by disaggregation in a mechanical jaw crusher. A split 

was ground to <100 mesh (0.15 mm) in a ceramic plate grinder. A riffle splitter was used to 

obtain splits to ensure similarity with the whole sample. One set of splits for all samples was 

archived, and approximately 50-g splits of ground material was shipped to the contract 

laboratory for analysis. 

Forty major, minor, and trace elements were determined for all 31 samples by inductively 

coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), also referred to as the ICP-40 

 

3

 Aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), bismuth (Bi), cadmium (Cd), calcium 

(Ca), carbon (C),cerium (Ce), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), europium (Eu), gallium (Ga), gold (Au), 

holmium (Ho), iron (Fe), lanthanum (La), lead (Pb), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), 

molybdenum (Mo), neodymium (Nd), niobium (Nb), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), scandium (Sc), 

selenium (Se), silicon (Si), silver (Ag), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), sulfur (S), tantalum (Ta), tellurium (Te), tin 

(Sn), thallium (Tl), thorium (Th), titanium (Ti), uranium (U), vanadium (V), ytterbium (Yb), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), 

zirconium (Zr). 
7 

package, after low-temperature (<150oC) digestion using concentrated hydrochloric, 

hydrofluoric, nitric, and perchloric acids (Crock and others, 1983). Splits of all samples were 

also submitted to the contract laboratory for analysis of 16 major, minor, and trace elements (Al, 

Ba, Ca, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Nb, P, K, Si, Na, Sr, Ti, Y, Zr) by ICP-AES using a lithium metaborate 

fusion. This technique is also referred to as the ICP-16 package. The samples were fused with 

lithium metaborate in a graphite crucible. In-house standards were run to monitor the proper 

digestion procedure, and synthetic standards were used to calibrate the instrument. Sample 

solutions were aspirated into the ICP through a high-solids nebulizer, and metal concentrations 

were measured simultaneously. Eight samples were also submitted for a 10-element ICP-AES 

technique, also referred to as ICP-10, for determination of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, 

and Zn. Hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide were used to solubilize metals not tightly 

bound in the silicate lattice of rocks. Metals are extracted as organic halides. Concentrations of 

the extracted metals were determined simultaneously after aspiration into a multichannel ICP 

instrument. This procedure is a partial digestion and results may be biased low when compared 

to procedures involving complete dissolution of the sample. 

Sample splits were also submitted for individual analysis of ten elements or compounds by 

specific methods. Arsenic, Sb, Se, Tl and Te analyses were performed by hydride generationatomic absorption spectrometry. Hg was analyzed by cold vapor-atomic absorption 

spectrometry. Total S and total C were analyzed by combustion in an oxygen atmosphere 

followed by infrared measurement of evolved CO2 and SO2. Carbonate (inorganic) C was 

determined by coulometric titration after acidification. An interim value for CO2 is also 

reported. Organic C may be calculated as the difference between total and carbonate carbon. 

SAMPLING 

Waste Rock Dumps and Other Deposits Sampled 

Generally located close to the mine to reduce haulage costs, a waste rock dump is composed of 

heterogeneous mine waste materials excavated from underground or surface workings for the 

purpose of exposing and excavating ore. The Bureau of Mines (1968) dictionary defines waste 

rock as “barren or submarginal rock or ore which has been mined but is not of sufficient value to 

warrant treatment and is therefore removed ahead of the milling process” and a waste dump as 

“the area where mine waste or spoil materials are disposed of or piled.” Typically, waste rock 

may be placed on hillsides, in valleys or ravines, or on any convenient surface that provides 

long-term stability. Modern open-pit operations often backfill waste rock into the mine pit to 

return the surface as close as possible to the original landform and to minimize exposure of waste 

rock to surface weathering processes (figure 1). Waste rock dumps range in size (volume) from 

a few hundred to a thousand cubic meters, typical of smaller underground mines, to tens of 

millions of cubic meters at large, open-pit mines. Ore is often placed into temporary piles or 

impoundments called stockpiles until it is ready for transport or processing. Mill shales consist 

of subeconomic phosphatic rock, generally 14 to <18 percent P2O5, stockpiled for possible future 

use. Tailings are fine-grained waste materials from milling (crushing and grinding) and other 

processes. Tailings have generally been subjected to both mechanical and chemical processes 

that result in fundamental changes in their chemical and physical characteristics. Slag is the 

waste product of a process that subjects ore to high temperatures to recover a desirable product 
8 

such as phosphorus. Molten slag is periodically removed, tapped, from electric arc furnaces at 

temperatures ranging from 1450 o to 1550 o C (Van Wazer, 1961). Slag is typically fused and is 

also altered chemically from the original rock composition. 

Phosphate mine waste rock dumps may consist of a range of materials or lithologies including 

overburden (unconsolidated surficial material), overlying strata such as Rex Chert, low-grade 

material from portions of the Meade Peak member, such as center waste shale, underlying strata 

such as the Wells Formation, or any other materials associated with the mine site (figure 2). At 

large, open-pit phosphate mines typical of modern operations, a single mine may have several 

waste rock dumps, each composed of a unique assemblage of rock types (figure 3). 

Figure 1. View west of Dry Valley mine showing waste rock backfill into open pit on right. 

Waste rock dumps are heterogeneous in both grain size and structure. The rock fragments in a 

dump are a product of mechanical processes, such as drilling, blasting, and ripping, designed to 

disaggregate a massive body of in-place rock in order to excavate and transport the materials. 

Consequently, dump rock may range in size from clay particles to boulders (e.g. less than 0.1 

mm to greater than 1 m in diameter). Natural gravity sorting of rock poured from a haulage 

truck onto a waste dump face may result in a vertical size distribution, finer materials tend to 

remain near the top and coarse materials tend to roll down the face toward the toe of the dump 

(figure 2). 

Pit backfill 
9 

Figure 2. Various colors and sizes of rock in a complex of waste rock dumps at an active 

phosphate mine in southeastern Idaho illustrate the heterogeneous lithology and grain 

size characteristics of dumps. Note the high incidence of coarse rock near the toe of the 

dumps. 

The manner in which a waste rock dump is designed and constructed can also result in 

significant differences in structure. Commonly, construction of a dump progresses by addition 

of material to the top of the dump at the face, allowing waste rock to form a continuously 

renewed veneer on the face. The dump progresses outward horizontally as successive layers are 

added to the face. However, some dumps are engineered in other ways, resulting in significantly 

different internal structures. For instance, in order to enhance dump stability and to minimize the 

release of fine sediment into the down-stream environment, some dumps have been designed 

with a French drain, a layer of coarse, durable rock, such as chert, placed at the base to allow 

unrestricted flow of a stream through the base of the dump. At other locations, waste rock 

dumps have been constructed in layers or raises resulting in a sequence or stack of dumps. 
10 

Figure 3. View north of several waste rock dumps at the Waterloo mine near Montpelier, ID. 

Limitation of Data 

As noted in the introduction, studies of mine wastes may contribute to understanding the source 

characteristics, mobilization, and transport of trace elements of concern; however, the sampling 

and analyses described here are reconnaissance in nature. Clearly, every dump constitutes a 

unique set of physical and chemical conditions, and one or two samples collected from the 

surface, or near surface, are not representative. Consequently, the data presented here do not

constitute a characterization of mine wastes nor are the data considered to be representative of 

any of the mine sites investigated. 

Sample Sites and Data 

The region studied includes portions of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming (figure 4 and table 1) where 

31 samples were collected from 20 mines and prospects. Twenty-five samples were collected in 

southeastern Idaho (figures 5-18), two in northern Utah (figures 4 and 19), and four in western 

Wyoming (figures 4 and 20-22). Of the samples, 25 were collected from waste rock dumps, 2 

from stockpiles, and one each of a mill shale pile, tailings (figure 16), slag (figure 15), and an 

outcrop (figure 18). Mine names, sample locations, sample types and methods, and brief 

lithologic descriptions are listed in Table 1, and detailed sample information and geochemical 

analyses for the 31 samples collected are presented in Appendix tables A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4. 

Federal Geographic Data Committee compliant metadata are listed in Appendix B. 
11 

NNN N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

NN NN

NN

NN

N

IDAHO

UTAH

WYOMING

WYOMING

NEVADA

UTAH

COLORADO Tooele

Sweetwater

Fremont

Box Elder

Sublette

Lincoln

Uintah

Moffat

Utah

Uinta

Cassia

Duchesne

Summit

Rich

Blaine

Caribou

Power

Bingham

Cache

Rio Blanco

Lincoln

Oneida

Wasatch

Bannock

Bonneville

Davis

Teton

Bear Lake

Weber

Daggett

Salt Lake

Minidoka

Franklin

Morgan

Jerome

Butte

-114°00' -113°00' -112°00' -111°00' -110°00' -109°00' -108°00'

See Figure 5

See Figure 6

Figure 4. Generalized map of southeast Idaho, western Wyoming, and northern Utah showing phosphate sample 

numbers, and locations of figures 5 and 6. 

WPD2009C 

WPD2012C WPD2011C 

WPD2014C 

WPD2015C 

WPQ2013C 

WPD2010C 
12 

Table 1. List of phosphate mine sites sampled showing mine type, feature sampled, lithology, 

and sample type. 

SITE NAME COUNTY MINE 

TYPE 

FEATURE 

SAMPLED LITHOLOGY SAMPLE NUMBER 

SAMPLE 

TYPE 

QUADRANGLE 

MAP 

IDAHO 

Ballard Mine Caribou open pit waste dump shale WPD2005C composite Lower Valley 

Champ Mine Caribou open pit waste dump black shale & limestone WPD2001C composite Dry Valley 

Conda/Woodall

Mountain Mine Caribou open pit & 

UG waste dump gray-black shale WPD2024C composite Soda Springs 

Conda/Woodall 

Mountain Mine Caribou open pit & UG waste dump tan-brown shale, limestone, & pelletal phosphorite WPD2025C composite Soda Springs 

Diamond Gulch 

Mine Caribou open pit waste dump black shale & limestone WPD2004C composite Fossil Canyon 

Gay Mine Bannock open pit mill shale pile gray-black shale WPQ2026C composite Yandell Springs 

Gay Mine Bingham open pit waste dump brown-gray shale & 

limestone WPD2027C composite Yandell Springs 

Georgetown Mine - 

plant Bear Lake open pit slag pile gray, metallic WPQ2028C select Harrington Peak 

Georgetown 

Canyon - Church 

Hollow 

Bear Lake open pit tailings 

brownish-gray, fine-grained, 

phosphatic shale w/ peasized gravel WPD2029C composite Harrington Peak 

Henry Mine, central Caribou open pit waste dump gray-black shale WPD2018C composite Lower Valley 

Home Canyon Mine Bear Lake UG waste dump black shale WPD2007C composite Montpelier Canyon 

Home Canyon Mine Bear Lake UG stockpile phosphorite WPD2008C composite Montpelier Canyon 

Hot Springs Mine Bear Lake Prospect 

Pit outcrop flat-lying organic-rich shale & 

phosphorite WPQ2013C chip (4.5') Bear Lake North 

Maybe Canyon adit Caribou UG waste dump black shale WPD2006C composite Dry Valley 

Mountain Fuel Mine Caribou open pit waste dump black shale & limestone WPD2002C composite Dry Valley 

Mountain Fuel Mine Caribou open pit waste dump black shale & limestone WPD2003C composite Dry Valley 

Rattlesnake Canyon 

Mine Bear Lake UG waste dump brown-black shale WPD2016C composite Fossil Canyon 

UG = underground workings 
13 

Table 1. List of phosphate mine sites sampled showing mine type, feature sampled, lithology, 

and sample type. – continued 

SITE NAME COUNTY MINE 

TYPE 

FEATURE 

SAMPLED LITHOLOGY SAMPLE NUMBER 

SAMPLE 

TYPE 

QUADRANGLE 

MAP 

IDAHO (continued)

Waterloo Mine Bear Lake open pit & 

UG waste dump dark gray to black phosphatic shale WPD2030C composite Montpelier Canyon 

Waterloo Mine Bear Lake open pit & 

UG waste dump 

beige-tan fissile sandy shale 

and limestone w/ brownorange iron oxide stains WPD2031C composite Montpelier Canyon 

Wooley Valley Mine, 

Unit 1 Caribou open pit waste dump brown-black shale WPD2017C composite Lower Valley 

Wooley Valley Mine, 

Unit 4, face level 5 Caribou open pit waste dump dark brown shale WPD2019C composite Lower Valley 

Wooley Valley Mine, 

Unit 4, face level 4 Caribou open pit waste dump brown-black shale & chert WPD2020C composite Lower Valley 

Wooley Valley Mine, 

Unit 4, face level 3 Caribou open pit waste dump brown-black shale & chert WPD2021C composite Lower Valley 

Wooley Valley Mine, 

Unit 4, face level 2 Caribou open pit waste dump brown shale, chert, 

limestone, & siltstone WPD2022C composite Lower Valley 

Wooley Valley Mine, 

Unit 4, face level 1 Caribou open pit waste dump gray-brown shale, chert, 

siltstone, & limestone WPD2023C composite Lower Valley 

UTAH 

Benjamin Mine Rich UG waste dump black shale & phosphorite WPD2010C composite Rex Peak 

Little Diamond Utah UG waste dump black shale & phosphorite WPD2009C composite Billies Mountain 

WYOMING 

Cokeville Mine Lincoln UG stockpile shale & oolitic phosphorite WPD2011C composite Cokeville 

Dry Creek - USBM 

adit Lincoln UG waste dump black shale WPD2015C composite Red Top Mountain 

Raymond Creek Lincoln UG waste dump black shale WPD2014C composite Geneva 

South Mountain 

Mine Lincoln Open Pit waste dump black oolitic phosphorite WPD2012C composite Sublet 

UG = underground workings 

 
14 

"8

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Fort Hall

Pocatello

Georgetown

Soda Springs

Lava Hot Springs

Caribou

Bannock

Bear Lake

Bingham

Oneida

Franklin

Bonneville

Power

Gay

Waterloo

Smoky 

Canyon 

Mountain

Fuel

Champ

Georgetown

Canyon

Diamond Gulch

Home Canyon

Rattlesnake

Canyon

-112°15' -112°00' -111°45' -111°30' -111°15'

See Figure 6

Figure 5. Generalized map of phosphate mines in southeastern Idaho showing selected sample 

sites and location of figure 6. 

WPD2027C 

WPD2026C 

WPD2005, 6, 17-25C 

WPD2027C 

WPD2002,3C 

WPD2004C 

WPD2016C 

WPD2028C 

WPD2029C 

WPD2007-8C 

WPD2030-31C 
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24

10

30

25

24

25

12

27

13

27

10

12

13

36

30

26 25

10

18

36

18

11

36

19

23

14

30

15

20

13

18

31

27

15

31

30

14

17

30

19

12

19

12

36

22

33

18

19

10 11

19 24

34

22

32

11

16

24

35

22

10

12

Woodall Mountain

Ballard

Conda

Henry

Enoch Valley

Dry Valley Maybe Canyon

Wooley Valley

Rasmussen Ridge

Trail Canyon

Lanes Creek

R. 42 E. R. 43 E. R. 43 E. R. 44 E.

T. 6 S.

T. 7 S.

-111°30' -111°20'

Blackfoot

Reservoir

(Boise Meridian)

R. 7 S.

R. 8 S.

Figure 6. Map of selected phosphate mines in the Blackfoot River watershed, Caribou County, 

Idaho, showing sample sites. 

WPD2018C 

WPD2005C 

WPD2019C-23C 

WPD2017C 

WPD2024

WPD2025

WPD2006C 
16 

 

Figure 7. View north of the Wooley Valley mine waste rock dump at Unit I, Caribou County, 

Idaho, showing sample site WPD2017C. 

 

Figure 8. View south of the Wooley Valley mine waste rock dump at Unit IV, Caribou County, 

Idaho, showing sample sites WPD2019C-23C. 

WPD2017C 

WPD2019C 

WPD2020C 

WPD2021C 

WPD2022C 

WPD2023C 
17 

 

Figure 9. View west of the Ballard mine and waste rock dumps, Caribou County, Idaho, 

showing sample site WPD2005C. 

 

Figure10. View northeast of a waste rock dump at the Henry mine, central, Caribou County, 

Idaho, showing sample site WPD2018C. 

WPD2018C 

WPD2005C 
18 

 

Figure 11. View north of a waste rock dump at the Woodall Mountain mine, Caribou County, 

Idaho, showing sample site WPD2024C. 

 

Figure 12. View south of the Champ-Champ Extension mine, Caribou County, Idaho, showing 

sample site WPD2001C. 

WPD2024C 

WPD2001C 
19 

 

Figure 13. View west of reclaimed waste rock dump at the middle part of Mountain Fuel mine, 

Caribou County, Idaho, showing sample site WPD2002C. 

 

Figure 14. View southwest of partially-reclaimed waste rock dump on the west side of the 

Mountain Fuel mine, Caribou County, Idaho, showing sample site WPD2003C. 

WPD2002C 

WPD2003C 
20 

 

Figure 15. View south of Georgetown mine, Bear Lake County, Idaho, processing plant near 

sample site WPQ2028C. 

 

Figure 16. View north of Church Hollow tailings near Georgetown Canyon mine, Bear Lake 

County, Idaho, showing sample site WPD2029C. 

WPD2029C 
21 

 

Figure 17. View north of waste rock dumps at the Waterloo mine, Bear Lake County, Idaho, 

showing sample sites WPD2030C (dark rock) and WPD2031C (light rock). 

 

WPQ2013C 

Figure 18. View southwest of sample site at Hot Springs mine, Bear Lake County, Idaho; 

showing sample WPQ2013C cut along line. 

WPD2030C 

WPD2031C 
22 

 

WPD2009C 

Figure 19. View northwest of waste rock dump at Little Diamond Creek mine, Utah County, 

Utah, showing sample site WPD2009C. 

 

WPD2011C 

Figure 20. View north of waste rock dumps at Cokeville mine, Lincoln County, Wyoming, 

showing sample site WPD2011C. 
23 

 

Figure 21. View north of adits and dumps at Raymond Creek mine, Lincoln County, Wyoming. 

Sample WPD2014C collected from waste rock dump in area from which photograph is 

taken. 

 

Figure 22. View west toward waste rock dump sampled at South Mountain mine, Lincoln 

County, Wyoming, showing sample site WPD2012C. 

WPD2012C 

WPD2014C 
24 

DISCUSSION 

The analytical results for waste rock dump and other samples exhibit a wide range of element 

concentrations. Although the data set of 31 samples (tables A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4) is too small 

for detailed statistical analysis, a summary of general observations of the chemical analyses is 

warranted. Several elements occur in concentrations at or below the detection limit of the 

analytical method. In all samples analyzed, Au, Sn, and Ta are below detection, Bi and U were 

detected only in one sample each, and Be is at or near detection limit (2 ppm) in all but two 

samples. Be was detected in the tailings (WPD2029C) and slag (WPQ2028C) samples, both of 

which were collected from the Georgetown Canyon mine area. 

Table 2 lists reported maximum and minimum concentrations and calculated average 

concentrations for a suite of selected analytes for all 31 samples. Because this reconnaissance 

was primarily focused on waste rock dumps, table 2 lists similar data for the subset of 25 

samples collected only from dumps. For comparison, the average abundance for each element in 

shale (Carmichael, 1989) is also included in table 2. Maximum and minimum ranges and 

average concentration for fourteen of the analytes from the two data sets listed in table 2 are 

illustrated graphically in figures 23a and 23b. The graph in figure 24 plots the average 

concentration of the fourteen selected analytes in the 25 waste rock dump samples normalized to 

that of the average abundance of each element in shale. In the 25 waste rock dump samples, only 

Co is significantly lower while Ce and Pb concentrations are essentially the same as that of 

average shale. Several elements – As, Sb, Tl, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V – are moderately elevated, 

ranging from 1.5 to 5.6 times those in shale. However, the average concentration of four 

elements in the waste rock dump samples are significantly elevated compared to their average 

abundance in shale – Se (x 77), Cd (x 172), Mo (x 19), and Zn (x 12). 

The effect of heterogeneous lithology on the chemistry of a waste rock dump is illustrated by the 

analyses of two samples (WPD2030-31C) from the Waterloo mine near Montpelier, ID (figures 

5 and 17). Sample WPD2030C was collected from an exposure of dark gray to black phosphatic 

shale whereas sample WPD2031C was collected from an exposure of iron-oxide-stained sandy 

shale and limestone about 15-ft away on the face of the same dump. The sandy shale and 

limestone sample exhibits low concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Se, Sb, and V, and the 

highest concentration of Ba - distinctly different than the black shale, which contains much 

higher concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Se, Sb, and V and lower Ba. 

The full data set of 31 samples (figure 23a) shows a wider concentration range of certain 

elements compared to the 25 collected only from waste rock dumps (figure 23b). The sample of 

slag (WPQ2028C) exhibits a chemical composition radically different than that of unprocessed 

rock. The slag sample contains the highest concentration for 17 of the elements determined - Ag, 

Co, Cr, Cu, Eu, Fe, Ga, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Th, Ti, V, Yb, and Zr – and the lowest concentration 

for 17 others - Al, C, Ca, Cd, Hg, K, La, Li, Mg, Na, S, Sc, Se, Sr, Tl, Y, and Zn. However, the 

extremely high temperature conditions associated with elemental phosphorus production are not 

typical of the natural processes that operate at the Earth’s surface, including waste rock dumps or 

other impoundments. 
25 

Element concentrations vary considerably because of the differing rock types and wide 

geographic distribution. That samples from the same waste rock dump exhibit very different 

chemical compositions calls attention to the caution that must be exercised when attempting to 

characterize a waste-rock dump. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors appreciate the help and participation of a number of individuals and companies. 

Staff from several phosphate mining companies - in particular, Rob Squires, Monty Johnson, and 

Alan Haslam, Agrium U.S. Inc., Larry Raymond, J.R. Simplot Company, Dan Bersanti, Rhodia, 

and David Farnsworth and Mike Vice, Monsanto - were very helpful, providing access, maps 

and historical information for several sites. Land management agency staff also provided 

logistical support for and input into this research effort. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Land 

Use Council granted permission for field reconnaissance and sampling at the Gay mine, and Sam 

Hernandez, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Hall, ID, provided historical information, maps, and a 

tour. 
26 

Table 2. Average, maximum, and minimum concentrations for selected individual and ICP-40 

analytes for the 25 samples from waste-rock dumps and for all 31 samples, and average 

abundance of elements in shale (ppm, parts per million; %, percent; NR, not reported). 

 WASTE DUMP SAMPLES ALL SAMPLES 

 

ANALYTE, 

Unit of 

Measure 

AVERAGE 

ABUNDANCE 

IN SHALE1 AVERAGE MAXIMUM MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM MINIMUM 

As, ppm 6.6 28.0 92.8 5.6 27.1 92.8 5.6 

Hg, ppm 0.4 0.4 0.78 0.02 0.4 0.92 0.01 

Se, ppm 0.6 46 285 1.3 42 285 1.3 

Sb, ppm 1.5 6.0 24.3 0.8 6.2 24.3 0.8 

Tl, ppm 1 3.0 13.7 0.3 3.1 13.7 0.05 

C, % 0.1 5.2 10.2 1.77 4.8 10.2 0.47 

CO2, % NR 6.5 30.2 0.36 5.7 30.2 0.36 

CRBNT_C, % NR 1.8 8.24 0.1 1.6 8.24 0.1 

INDIVIDUAL ANALYSES 

S, % 0.022 0.74 2.17 0.025 0.74 2.17 0.025 

Al, % 8 3.33 5.23 0.405 3.04 5.23 0.405 

Ca, % 2.5 13.4 31.7 4.16 14.7 31.7 1.27 

Fe, % 4.7 1.5 2.6 0.36 2.4 31.6 0.36 

K, % 2.3 1.4 2.04 0.25 1.3 2.04 0.2 

Mg, % 1.34 1.4 8.365 0.16 1.1 8.365 0.125 

Na, % 0.66 0.5 0.99 0.245 0.5 0.99 0.067 

P, % 0.077 4.7 12.0 0.395 6.1 18.5 0.395 

Ti, % 0.45 0.1 0.27 0.017 0.1 0.337 0.017 

Ag, ppm 0.1 6 12 1 7 27 1 

Ba, ppm 580 221 433 64 207 433 64 

Cd, ppm 0.3 52 225 3 59 225 1 

Ce, ppm 50 48 70 14 46 70 14 

Co, ppm 20 4 8 1 7 111 1 

Cr, ppm 100 564 1880 8 1617 30800 8 

Cu, ppm 57 83 230 23 227 4330 23 

Eu, ppm 1 2 8 1 3 9 1 

Ga, ppm 19 15 45 4 19 164 4 

Ho, ppm 1 5 14 2 4 14 2 

La, ppm 40 115 420 21 125 420 10 

Li, ppm 60 22 47 7 21 47 3 

Mn, ppm 850 195 1240 20 262 2200 20 

Mo, ppm 2 39 225 3 75 1150 3 

Nb, ppm 20 6 14 2 6 35 2 

Nd, ppm 23 76 249 4.5 82 249 4.5 

Ni, ppm 95 180 486 19 408 7280 19 

Pb, ppm 20 14 27 6 15 35 6 

Sc, ppm 10 7 11 1 6 11 1 

Sr, ppm 450 518 1150 175 558 1150 53 

Th, ppm 11 7 12 3 7 28 3 

V, ppm 130 628 3200 74 1852 35840 74 

Y, ppm 30 155 511 20 170 511 14 

Yb, ppm 3 7 18 2 9 39 2 

ICP-40 PACKAGE 

Zn, ppm 80 992 3570 118 1030 3570 56 

 (1/ Carmichael, 1989, table 71) 
27 

0.01

0.1

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

As Se Sb Tl Cd Ce Co Cr Cu Mo Ni Pb V Zn

Log Concentration (ppm)

Figure 23a. Range and average concentrations of selected elements for all 31 samples analyzed 

(ppm = parts per million). 

0.01

0.1

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

As Se Sb Tl Cd Ce Co Cr Cu Mo Ni Pb V Zn

Log Concentration (ppm)

Figure 23b. Range and average concentrations of selected elements for 25 waste rock dump 

samples analyzed (ppm = parts per million). 

Individual Analyses ICP-40 Analyses 

Individual Analyses ICP-40 Analyses 
28 

4.2

77

3.0

172

1.0

0.2

5.6

1.5

19

1.9

0.7

4.8

4.0

12

0.1

1.0

10.0

100.0

1000.0

As Se Sb Tl Cd Ce Co Cr Cu Mo Ni Pb V Zn

Log Sample/Shale

Figure 24. Graph of average concentration of selected elements for 25 waste-rock dump samples 

normalized to the average abundance of the elements in average world-wide shales 

(Carmichael, 1989, table 71). 
29 

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basins and economic resources: Berlin, Springer-Verlag, p. 292-312. 
30 

Herring, J.R., Desborough, G.A., Tysdal, R.G., Grauch, R.I., and Gunter, M.E., 1999a, Selenium 

in weathered and unweathered parts of the Meade Peak Phosphatic member of the 

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31 

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32 

APPENDIX A. Data Tables 

Table A-1. Sample descriptions and locations. 

Table A-2. Individual and ICP-10 analyses. 

Table A-3. ICP-16 analyses. 

Table A-4. ICP-40 analyses. 
Table A-1. Sample descriptions and locations. 

SAMPLE INFORMATION LOCATION 

FIELD 

NUMBER 

LAB 

NUMBER SITE NAME FEATURE TYPE LITHOLOGY DATE QUADRANGLE MAP COUNTY STATE LON_dec LAT_dec 

WPD2001C C-136960 Champ Mine waste dump composite black shale & limestone 06/19/99 Dry Valley Caribou ID -111.2712 42.6752 WPD2002C C-136961 Mountain Fuel Mine waste dump composite black shale & limestone 06/19/99 Dry Valley Caribou ID -111.2758 42.6399 WPD2003C C-136962 Mountain Fuel Mine waste dump composite black shale & limestone 06/19/99 Dry Valley Caribou ID -111.2859 42.6465 WPD2004C C-136963 Diamond Gulch Mine waste dump composite black shale & limestone 06/20/99 Fossil Canyon Caribou ID -111.4401 42.6031 WPD2005C C-136964 Ballard Mine waste dump composite shale 06/21/99 Lower Valley Caribou ID -111.4730 42.8359 WPD2006C C-136965 Maybe Canyon adit waste dump composite black shale 06/24/99 Dry Valley Caribou ID -111.2982 42.7472 WPD2007C C-136966 Home Canyon Mine waste dump composite black shale 06/25/99 Montpelier Canyon Bear Lake ID -111.2353 42.3309 WPD2008C C-136967 Home Canyon Mine stockpile composite phosphorite 06/25/99 Montpelier Canyon Bear Lake ID -111.2350 42.3311 WPD2009C C-175612 Little Diamond waste dump composite black shale & phosphorite 06/08/00 Billies Mountain Utah UT -111.4654 40.1008 WPD2010C C-175613 Benjamin Mine waste dump composite black shale & phosphorite 06/09/00 Rex Peak Rich UT -111.0791 41.6926 WPD2011C C-175614 Cokeville Mine stockpile composite shale & oolitic phosphorite 06/11/00 Cokeville Lincoln WY -110.9374 42.0992 WPD2012C C-175615 South Mountain Mine waste dump composite black oolitic phosphorite 06/11/00 Sublet Lincoln WY -110.5823 41.9813 

WPQ2013C C-175616 Hot Springs Mine outcrop chip (4.5') flat-lying organic-rich shale & phosphorite 06/13/00 Bear Lake North Bear Lake ID -111.2528 42.1322 

WPD2014C C-175617 Raymond Creek waste dump composite black shale 06/13/00 Geneva Lincoln WY -111.0217 42.2772 WPD2015C C-175618 Dry Creek - USBM adit waste dump composite black shale 06/14/00 Red Top Mountain Lincoln WY -110.8729 42.6886 WPD2016C C-175619 Rattle Snake Mine waste dump composite brown-black shale 06/21/00 Fossil Canyon Bear Lake ID -111.3948 42.5497 WPD2017C C-175620 Wooley Valley Mine, Unit 1 waste dump composite brown-black shale 06/23/00 Lower Valley Caribou ID -111.3866 42.7951 WPD2018C C-175621 Henry Mine, central waste dump composite gray-black shale 06/23/00 Lower Valley Caribou ID -111.4764 42.8721 WPD2019C C-175622 Wooley Valley Mine, Unit 4, face level 5 waste dump composite dark brown shale 06/23/00 Lower Valley Caribou ID -111.3913 42.8168 WPD2020C C-175623 Wooley Valley Mine, Unit 4, face level 4 waste dump composite brown-black shale & chert 06/23/00 Lower Valley Caribou ID -111.3927 42.8183 WPD2021C C-175624 Wooley Valley Mine, Unit 4, face level 3 waste dump composite brown-black shale & chert 06/23/00 Lower Valley Caribou ID -111.3945 42.8201 WPD2022C C-175625 Wooley Valley Mine, Unit 4, face level 2 waste dump composite brown shale, chert, limestone, & siltstone 06/23/00 Lower Valley Caribou ID -111.3960 42.8217 

33 
Table A-1. Sample descriptions and locations. - continued 

SAMPLE INFORMATION LOCATION 

FIELD 

NUMBER 

LAB 

NUMBER SITE NAME FEATURE TYPE LITHOLOGY DATE QUADRANGLE MAP COUNTY STATE LON_dec LAT_dec 

WPD2023C C-175626 Wooley Valley Mine, Unit 4, face level 1 waste dump composite gray-brown shale, chert, siltstone, & limestone 06/23/00 Lower Valley Caribou ID -111.3966 42.8223 WPD2024C C-175627 Woodall Mountain Mine waste dump composite gray-black shale 06/26/00 Soda Springs Caribou ID -111.5094 42.7451 WPD2025C C-175628 Conda Mine waste dump composite tan-brown shale, limestone, & pelletal phosphorite 06/26/00 Soda Springs Caribou ID -111.5156 42.7214 

WPQ2026C C-175629 Gay Mine mill shale pile composite gray-black shale 06/26/00 Yandell Springs Bannock ID -112.1264 43.0222 

WPD2027C C-175630 Gay Mine waste dump composite brown-gray shale & limestone 06/26/00 Yandell Springs Bingham ID -112.1294 43.0326 

WPQ2028C C-175631 Georgetown Mine - plant slag pile select gray, metallic 06/26/99 Harrington Peak Bear Lake ID -111.2617 42.5297 

WPD2029C C-185794 Georgetown Canyon - Church Hollow tailings composite brownish-gray, fine-grained, phosphatic shale w/ pea- sized gravel 09/12/00 Harrington Peak Bear Lake ID -111.2792 42.5056 WPD2030C C-185795 Waterloo Mine waste dump composite dark gray to black phosphatic shale 09/12/00 Montpelier Canyon Bear Lake ID -111.2400 42.3119 WPD2031C C-185796 Waterloo Mine waste dump composite 

beige-tan fissile sandy shale and limestone w/ brown-orange iron oxide stains 

09/12/00 Montpelier Canyon Bear Lake ID -111.2397 42.3117 

34 
Table A-2. Individual and ICP-10 analyses. (C_Tot, total carbon; C_Crbt, carbonate C; ppm, parts per million; %

analyzed; < = less than). 

SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL ANALYSES ICP-10 PACKAGE AN

FIELD 

NUMBER As, ppm Hg, ppm Se, ppm Sb, ppm Te, ppm Tl, ppmC_Tot, % CO2, % C_Crbt, % S, % Ag, ppm As, ppm Au, ppm Bi, ppm Cd, ppm Cu, ppm 

WPD2001C 30.4 0.49 33.1 5.1 <0.1 1.7 4.16 3.33 0.91 0.50 4.2 20 0.2 3 38.3 116.0 WPD2002C 16.2 0.20 20.6 6.3 <0.1 1.0 1.77 2.14 0.58 0.17 1.7 12 <0.1 1 21.0 62.9 WPD2003C 38.1 0.68 20.5 6.3 0.1 1.7 2.08 0.43 0.12 0.31 5.7 33 0.3 3 15.5 117.0 WPD2004C 17.6 0.33 9.4 4.5 0.1 1.5 2.83 2.93 0.80 0.43 3.3 10 0.2 3 65.7 69.0 WPD2005C 33.2 0.78 33.2 9.8 0.2 1.0 4.31 5.09 1.39 0.37 9.4 27 0.2 3 25.5 132.0 WPD2006C 17.2 0.35 84.0 7.2 <0.1 13.7 7.81 5.73 1.56 1.70 4.3 14 0.5 9 231.0 85.7 WPD2007C 18.3 0.25 35.8 4.3 <0.1 3.6 5.87 8.35 2.28 1.59 4.4 15 0.4 6 101.0 55.0 WPD2008C 17.2 0.25 37.5 4.6 <0.1 4.0 5.98 7.22 1.97 1.33 4.5 14 0.4 5 99.6 54.5 WPD2009C 28.4 0.25 3.6 5.3 NA 0.3 2.12 6.37 1.74 0.92 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2010C 13.4 0.11 32.7 2.9 NA 3.7 3.48 5.20 1.42 1.49 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2011C 42.6 0.36 77.9 6.1 NA 3.3 6.63 5.49 1.50 1.48 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2012C 36.0 0.44 51.2 11.6 NA 12.0 5.79 4.73 1.29 0.94 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

WPQ2013C 38.4 0.92 71.7 11.1 NA 2.1 6.98 5.39 1.47 0.79 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

WPD2014C 92.8 0.36 66.9 10.7 NA 3.4 8.13 7.52 2.05 1.49 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2015C 45.1 0.46 285.0 24.3 NA 13.6 9.35 2.90 0.79 2.07 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2016C 40.6 0.47 16.9 8.1 NA 4.0 4.81 6.84 1.87 0.64 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2017C 32.6 0.55 147.0 8.1 NA 1.7 10.20 1.44 0.39 1.02 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2018C 23.6 0.31 23.5 3.2 NA 1.6 2.05 0.87 0.24 0.13 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2019C 26.5 0.36 23.2 3.3 NA 1.1 3.00 4.26 1.16 0.29 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2020C 22.2 0.36 20.7 3.9 NA 1.8 2.58 1.07 0.29 0.26 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2021C 9.9 0.15 14.3 1.6 NA 1.7 9.57 30.20 8.24 0.20 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2022C 24.1 0.39 19.2 4.7 NA 4.6 3.06 2.42 0.66 0.30 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2023C 26.2 0.49 16.9 4.5 NA 1.5 3.35 0.36 0.10 0.31 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2024C 34.2 0.48 80.8 5.0 NA 1.7 8.32 2.56 0.70 2.17 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2025C 10.8 0.30 8.5 2.3 NA 0.8 5.78 14.30 3.90 0.59 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

WPQ2026C 30.0 0.75 9.0 10.3 NA 5.5 1.55 0.84 0.23 0.29 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

WPD2027C 15.8 0.13 9.1 1.8 NA 1.2 2.28 4.78 1.30 0.10 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

WPQ2028C 14.4 <0.02 1.3 3.5 NA <0.1 0.47 0.45 0.12 <0.05 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

WPD2029C 13.3 0.22 13.2 4.0 NA 1.2 3.05 4.05 1.11 0.23 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2030C 26.4 0.29 33.1 6.5 NA 0.9 6.86 15.40 4.20 0.73 NA NA NA NA NA NA WPD2031C 5.6 0.02 1.3 0.8 NA 0.4 3.89 13.80 3.77 <0.05 NA NA NA NA NA NA 

35 
 Table A-3. ICP-16 analyses (ppm, parts per million; %, percent; < = less than; > = greater than). 

ICP-16 PACKAGE ANALYSES SAMPLE FIELD 

NUMBER Al, % Ca, % Fe, % K, % Mg, % Na, % P, % Si, % Ti, % Ba, ppm Cr, ppm Mn, ppm Nb, ppm Sr, ppm Y, ppm Zr, ppm 

WPD2001C 3.37 12.90 1.62 1.43 0.56 0.60 5.05 19.80 0.23 195 1030 213 <10 537 172 170 WPD2002C 4.80 5.64 2.55 1.83 1.02 0.72 2.09 26.00 0.29 319 440 1280 <10 216 89 195 WPD2003C 4.51 9.09 2.30 1.88 0.18 0.92 3.76 23.00 0.33 242 1630 281 <10 482 193 239 WPD2004C 2.40 20.50 1.15 0.92 0.39 0.63 8.15 13.90 0.15 181 666 168 <10 560 126 66 WPD2005C 4.02 11.30 1.98 1.83 0.50 0.59 3.29 20.40 0.26 235 1900 212 14 572 138 159 WPD2006C 1.10 25.80 0.60 0.55 0.95 0.77 10.50 6.26 0.08 102 614 <100 <10 843 102 96 WPD2007C 2.18 22.30 0.99 0.73 0.62 0.42 7.32 11.00 0.16 151 648 116 <10 682 119 141 WPD2008C 1.46 26.80 0.69 0.50 0.35 0.30 9.37 7.12 0.10 93 635 146 14 863 132 89 WPD2009C 0.41 33.70 0.50 0.23 0.17 0.97 11.80 4.62 0.03 95 447 <100 <10 1130 485 72 WPD2010C 0.98 29.90 0.55 0.48 0.58 0.82 11.10 6.82 0.08 104 563 <100 <10 963 173 102 WPD2011C 1.51 25.20 0.76 0.82 0.86 0.52 9.38 7.79 0.10 96 1010 <100 <10 884 321 105 WPD2012C 4.51 7.02 1.99 1.81 1.61 0.46 1.88 23.60 0.31 339 1180 119 <10 179 119 266 

WPQ2013C 2.49 20.10 1.34 1.11 0.49 0.17 7.09 11.10 0.14 179 2050 <100 <10 778 278 99 

WPD2014C 3.85 11.60 1.69 1.90 1.22 0.76 2.59 19.20 0.26 223 833 256 <10 472 117 229 WPD2015C 4.78 6.73 2.21 1.94 1.00 0.51 2.05 22.20 0.33 222 1180 144 <10 197 129 268 WPD2016C 1.39 27.40 0.70 0.78 1.01 0.33 9.64 7.63 0.08 129 699 <100 <10 624 146 81 WPD2017C 3.55 11.90 1.74 1.34 0.45 0.51 4.94 18.60 0.22 195 1950 118 <10 646 248 196 WPD2018C 5.22 4.34 2.40 1.69 0.61 0.50 1.59 29.10 0.31 280 1090 311 13 240 117 247 WPD2019C 3.33 10.20 1.68 1.24 1.11 0.65 3.41 24.10 0.23 203 798 186 <10 526 143 217 WPD2020C 4.20 10.80 1.88 1.40 0.50 0.62 4.34 23.40 0.27 273 986 297 <10 482 173 252 WPD2021C 1.21 17.60 0.57 0.53 8.31 0.24 1.44 9.89 0.08 63 405 124 <10 246 56 71 WPD2022C 4.18 9.70 1.82 1.44 0.85 0.46 3.68 24.10 0.26 200 1110 255 10 468 157 221 WPD2023C 4.41 7.78 1.83 1.55 0.24 0.70 3.85 24.90 0.30 244 1370 <100 <10 766 187 301 WPD2024C 3.57 13.40 1.93 1.66 0.73 0.45 5.22 17.50 0.22 198 1270 <100 12 625 176 169 WPD2025C 1.27 24.60 0.36 0.68 3.77 0.32 7.68 6.87 0.08 84 685 <100 <10 779 143 77 

WPQ2026C 3.15 19.00 1.45 1.29 0.28 0.24 7.90 16.80 0.19 243 1620 <100 12 590 298 176 

WPD2027C 4.03 8.43 1.69 1.49 1.22 0.59 2.12 26.90 0.24 380 387 326 <10 281 81 282 

WPQ2028C 0.50 1.36 >30 0.20 0.14 0.07 18.00 6.08 1.50 134 39630 2430 138 50 15 431 

WPD2029C 3.03 14.80 1.54 1.24 0.95 0.38 4.66 18.40 0.19 200 650 569 10 533 118 142 WPD2030C 2.52 15.00 1.03 1.31 3.44 0.31 3.00 12.80 0.15 140 573 128 <10 400 126 100 WPD2031C 3.11 12.00 1.39 1.17 0.69 0.45 0.37 20.80 0.21 416 65 394 <10 193 21 102 

36 
Table A-4. ICP-40 analyses (ppm, parts per million; %, percent; < = less than). 

ICP-40 PACKAGE ANALYSES SAMPLE 

FIELD 

NUMBER Al, % Ca, % Fe, % K, % Mg, % Na, % P, % Ti, % Ag, ppm As, ppm Au, ppm Ba, ppm Be, ppm Bi, ppm Cd, ppm Ce, ppm 

WPD2001C 3.558 12.000 1.60 1.48 0.513 0.420 4.895 0.127 5 20 <8 207 <1 <50 35 49 WPD2002C 5.067 5.834 2.60 1.91 1.002 0.575 2.195 0.222 <2 17 <8 340 <1 <50 19 51 WPD2003C 4.686 9.516 2.29 1.92 0.166 0.801 4.180 0.152 8 26 <8 275 <1 <50 15 63 WPD2004C 2.519 20.200 1.13 1.06 0.385 0.438 8.945 0.114 4 10 <8 208 <1 <50 62 48 WPD2005C 4.239 11.300 2.01 1.89 0.499 0.447 3.700 0.152 12 19 <8 235 <1 <50 25 52 WPD2006C 1.208 25.100 0.72 0.62 0.964 0.651 11.500 0.070 3 13 <8 122 <1 <50 225 24 WPD2007C 2.298 22.200 0.97 0.83 0.618 0.310 8.310 0.102 3 13 <8 178 <1 <50 90 31 WPD2008C 1.546 25.900 0.64 0.59 0.361 0.226 10.600 0.070 3 11 <8 103 <1 <50 97 25 WPD2009C 0.405 31.700 0.46 0.25 0.160 0.990 11.900 0.017 2 11 <8 88 <1 <50 51 65 WPD2010C 1.080 27.200 0.57 0.53 0.585 0.860 12.000 0.050 <2 18 <8 110 <1 <50 77 14 WPD2011C 1.590 24.000 0.76 0.89 0.840 0.550 10.100 0.050 5 39 <8 103 <1 <50 94 51 WPD2012C 4.635 6.625 1.98 1.97 1.540 0.490 1.915 0.209 7 29 <8 334 <1 <50 79 69 

WPQ2013C 2.500 18.600 1.23 1.17 0.455 0.185 7.270 0.055 14 26 <8 181 <1 <50 85 43 

WPD2014C 4.125 11.300 1.79 2.03 1.185 0.810 2.855 0.182 5 85 <8 237 <1 <50 64 51 WPD2015C 4.975 6.285 2.26 2.04 0.950 0.555 2.125 0.270 11 39 <8 242 <1 <50 186 61 WPD2016C 1.445 24.900 0.69 0.82 1.035 0.335 10.200 0.050 5 42 <8 137 <1 <50 65 31 WPD2017C 3.385 11.400 1.64 1.38 0.410 0.530 5.130 0.094 11 25 <8 189 <1 <50 43 61 WPD2018C 5.230 4.160 2.39 1.78 0.590 0.530 1.680 0.226 4 25 <8 287 1 <50 13 50 WPD2019C 3.380 9.760 1.75 1.33 1.045 0.685 3.745 0.121 5 21 <8 201 <1 <50 23 64 WPD2020C 4.220 10.100 1.85 1.47 0.465 0.650 4.545 0.121 7 18 <8 269 <1 <50 36 58 WPD2021C 1.325 16.700 0.56 0.57 8.365 0.245 1.570 0.044 <2 <10 <8 64 <1 <50 40 16 WPD2022C 4.135 9.345 1.81 1.53 0.830 0.470 3.890 0.116 8 23 <8 211 <1 <50 61 54 WPD2023C 4.445 7.285 1.80 1.60 0.220 0.715 3.955 0.138 9 18 <8 255 <1 <50 28 70 WPD2024C 3.715 12.800 1.83 1.82 0.695 0.485 5.435 0.116 6 26 <8 208 <1 <50 17 62 WPD2025C 1.290 23.300 0.36 0.72 3.740 0.345 8.165 0.044 6 <10 <8 89 <1 <50 71 24 

WPQ2026C 3.215 18.200 1.40 1.40 0.275 0.245 8.485 0.083 21 23 <8 255 <1 <50 145 58 

WPD2027C 4.135 7.870 1.73 1.55 1.185 0.610 2.260 0.187 3 18 <8 388 <1 <50 17 61 

WPQ2028C 0.490 1.270 31.60 0.20 0.125 0.067 18.500 0.337 27 20 <8 121 2 52 <2 26 

WPD2029C 3.215 14.500 1.62 1.34 0.914 0.385 5.095 0.100 3 11 <8 199 2 <50 26 43 WPD2030C 2.720 14.800 1.12 1.43 3.444 0.325 3.280 0.095 5 29 <8 154 1 <50 26 33 WPD2031C 3.315 11.800 1.44 1.28 0.683 0.480 0.395 0.131 <2 <10 <8 433 1 <50 3 23 

37
Table A-4. ICP-40 analyses (ppm, parts per million; %, percent; < = less than). - continued 

ICP-40 PACKAGE ANALYSES SAMPLE 

FIELD 

NUMBER Ga, 

ppm 

Ho, 

ppm 

La, 

ppm 

Li, 

ppm 

Mn, 

ppm 

Mo, 

ppm 

Nb, 

ppm 

Nd, 

ppm 

Ni, 

ppm 

Pb, 

ppm 

Sc, 

ppm 

Sn, 

ppm 

Sr, 

ppm 

Ta, 

ppm 

Th, 

ppm 

U, 

ppm 

V, 

ppm 

p

WPD2001C 13 <4 122 21 202 28 <4 77 238 7 9 <50 490 <40 9 <100 406 WPD2002C 19 <4 77 32 1240 8 <4 55 88 15 10 <50 211 <40 9 <100 295 WPD2003C 18 <4 191 27 304 39 <4 112 297 17 11 <50 488 <40 12 <100 209 WPD2004C 10 <4 114 18 164 15 <4 60 118 9 5 <50 558 <40 9 <100 860 WPD2005C 17 <4 136 27 240 33 <4 78 334 14 11 <50 565 <40 9 <100 300 WPD2006C 4 <4 91 11 37 116 <4 45 302 14 3 <50 857 <40 8 154 2590 WPD2007C 10 <4 89 13 112 62 <4 45 155 10 4 <50 703 <40 <6 <100 873 WPD2008C 8 <4 96 11 81 57 <4 49 151 8 <2 <50 841 <40 6 <100 1070 WPD2009C <4 14 420 7 20 7 <4 249 32 16 <2 <50 1150 <40 <6 <100 96 WPD2010C 6 7 105 17 31 17 <4 77 61 16 2 <50 1020 <40 <6 <100 431 WPD2011C 9 4 226 18 57 41 <4 137 185 17 5 <50 966 <40 <6 <100 684 WPD2012C 45 5 92 29 109 101 9 69 263 21 10 <50 180 <40 9 <100 2420 

WPQ2013C 13 6 211 23 51 59 <4 135 289 16 8 <50 829 <40 <6 <100 891 

WPD2014C 25 <4 101 26 242 68 7 77 217 19 8 <50 521 <40 6 <100 891 WPD2015C 27 5 115 47 139 225 11 78 486 27 10 <50 205 <40 10 <100 3200 WPD2016C 9 6 118 13 81 33 <4 81 150 12 3 <50 656 <40 <6 <100 682 WPD2017C 12 5 184 26 98 47 5 125 243 15 8 <50 652 <40 7 <100 353 WPD2018C 16 5 90 34 292 14 14 67 192 14 10 <50 250 <40 8 <100 200 WPD2019C 12 5 117 13 175 22 6 83 161 12 7 <50 564 <40 7 <100 198 WPD2020C 15 9 114 24 280 21 9 86 187 17 9 <50 509 <40 6 <100 329 WPD2021C 20 <4 42 8 121 9 <4 41 117 6 2 <50 258 <40 <6 <100 194 WPD2022C 16 6 104 26 266 25 9 75 257 16 9 <50 505 <40 7 <100 633 WPD2023C 16 5 133 19 28 12 10 82 107 18 10 <50 794 <40 7 <100 282 WPD2024C 15 6 146 23 61 41 8 94 214 15 10 <50 667 <40 <6 <100 243 WPD2025C 12 5 114 11 79 7 <4 86 97 11 3 <50 815 <40 <6 <100 542 

WPQ2026C 16 7 231 26 81 14 <4 148 129 20 7 <50 642 <40 <6 <100 1620 

WPD2027C 15 6 77 22 309 6 10 54 66 18 6 <50 300 <40 10 <100 207 

WPQ2028C 164 <4 10 3 2200 1150 35 88 7280 10 <2 <50 53 <40 28 <100 35840 

WPD2029C 9 <4 90 32 536 15 <4 41 94 35 6 <50 491 <40 9 <100 516 WPD2030C 6 <4 101 15 119 28 <4 44 133 7 5 <50 372 <40 11 <100 289 WPD2031C 7 <4 21 24 371 3 4 <9 19 13 5 <50 175 <40 8 <100 74 

38 
APPENDIX B. Metadata 

Identification_Information: 

 Citation: 

 Citation_Information: 

 Originator: Phillip R. Moyle and J. Douglas Causey 

 Publication_Date: 2001 

 Title: Chemical Composition of Samples Collected from Waste Rock Dumps and Other 

Mining-Related Features at Selected Phosphate Mines in Southeastern Idaho, Western Wyoming, 

and Northern Utah 

 Edition: 1 

 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map 

 Series_Information: 

 Series_Name: Open File Report 

 Issue_Identification: OF 01-411 

 Publication_Information: 

 Publication_Place: Menlo Park, CA 

 Publisher: U. S. Geological Survey 

 Online_Linkage: http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of01-411 

 Description: 

 Abstract: 

 This text file contains chemical analyses for 31 samples collected from various phosphate 

mine 

 sites in southeastern Idaho (25), northern Utah (2), and western Wyoming (4). 

 Purpose: 

 The sampling effort was undertaken as a reconnaissance and does not constitute a 

characterization of mine 

 wastes. Twenty-five samples were collected from waste rock dumps, 2 from stockpiles, and 1 

 each from slag, tailings, mill shale, and an outcrop. All samples were analyzed for a suite of 

 major, minor, and trace elements. 

 Time_Period_of_Content: 

 Time_Period_Information: 

 Single_Date/Time: 

 Calendar_Date: 2001 

 Currentness_Reference: publication date 

 Status: 

 Progress: Complete 

 Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned 

 Spatial_Domain: 

 Bounding_Coordinates: 

 West_Bounding_Coordinate: -112.1294 

 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -110.5823 

 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 43.0326 

 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.1008 

 Keywords: 

39 
 Theme: 

 Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None. 

 Theme_Keyword: chemical analysis 

 Theme_Keyword: ICP 

 Theme_Keyword: Phosphate 

 Theme_Keyword: Sample 

 Theme_Keyword: mine waste 

 Place: 

 Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None 

 Place_Keyword: Idaho 

 Place_Keyword: Utah 

 Place_Keyword: Wyoming 

 Place_Keyword: Rich County 

 Place_Keyword: Caribou County 

 Place_Keyword: Bear Lake County 

 Place_Keyword: Bingham County 

 Place_Keyword: Bannock County 

 Place_Keyword: Lincoln County 

 Place_Keyword: Utah County 

 Access_Constraints: None 

 Use_Constraints: 

 Any hardcopies utilizing these data sets shall clearly 

 indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in 

 any way, they are obligated to describe the types of 

 modifications they have performed. User 

 specifically agrees not to misrepresent these data sets, nor 

 to imply that changes they made were approved by the U.S. 

 Geological Survey. 

 Point_of_Contact: 

 Contact_Information: 

 Contact_Person_Primary: 

 Contact_Person: Phil Moyle 

 Contact_Organization: U. S. Geological Survey 

 Contact_Position: Geologist 

 Contact_Address: 

 Address_Type: mailing and physical address 

 Address: 904 W. Riverside Ave., Rm 202 

 City: Spokane 

 State_or_Province: WA 

 Postal_Code: 99201-1087 

 Country: USA 

 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 509.368.3109 

 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 509.368.3199 

 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pmoyle@usgs.gov 

 Native_Data_Set_Environment: Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service 

Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 8.1.1.649 

40 
Data_Quality_Information: 

 Attribute_Accuracy: 

 Attribute_Accuracy_Report: 

 Attribute accuracy was verified by manual comparison of the 

 source with topographic maps 

 Logical_Consistency_Report: Longitude and latitude information is unique location for each 

point 

 Completeness_Report: All data created by this project 

 Positional_Accuracy: 

 Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: 

 Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: +- 10 meters 

 Lineage: 

 Process_Step: 

 Process_Description: Data reported on spreadsheet was copied and pasted to text file. 

 Process_Date: 2001 

 Process_Contact: 

 Contact_Information: 

 Contact_Person_Primary: 

 Contact_Person: J. Douglas Causey 

 Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey 

 Contact_Position: Geologist 

 Contact_Address: 

 Address_Type: mailing and physical address 

 Address: 904 W. Riverside Ave., Rm 202 

 City: Spokane 

 State_or_Province: WA 

 Postal_Code: 99201-1087 

 Country: USA 

 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 509.368.3116 

 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 509.368.3199 

 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: dcausey@usgs.gov 

 Hours_of_Service: 8-4 PST 

Spatial_Reference_Information: 

 Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: 

 Geodetic_Model: 

 Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1927 

Entity_and_Attribute_Information: 

 Overview_Description: 

 Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: 

 The columns and their definitions are listed below. All values that were less than (<) were 

converted to minus (-). 

Samples were processed by several methods. As a result, there was duplication of analyses for 

some elements. 

Rock samples were air dried followed by disaggregation in a mechanical jaw crusher. A split 

was ground to <100 mesh (0.15 mm) in a ceramic plate grinder. A riffle splitter was used to 

41 
obtain splits to ensure similarity with the whole sample. One set of splits for all samples was 

archived, and approximately 50-g splits of ground material was shipped to the contract 

laboratory for analysis. 

Forty major, minor, and trace elements were determined for all 31 samples by inductively 

coupled 

plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), also referred to as the ICP-40 package, after 

low-temperature (<150oC) digestion using concentrated hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, nitric, and 

perchloric acids (Crock and others, 1983). 

Splits of all samples were also submitted to a contract laboratory for analysis of 16 major, 

minor, and trace elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Nb, P, K, Si, Na, Sr, Ti, Y, Zr) by ICPAES 

using a lithium metaborate fusion. This technique, also referred to as the ICP-16 package, 

was used especially to provide analysis of silicon (Si) for these siliceous, phosphatic shale 

samples. The samples were fused with lithium metaborate in a graphite crucible. In-house 

standards, and synthetic standards were used to calibrate the instrument. Sample solutions were 

aspirated into the ICP through a high-solids nebulizer, and metal concentrations were measured 

simultaneously. Selenium, arsenic, and antimony analyses were accomplished using hydride 

generation followed by atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy. Tellurium and thallium were 

determined using AA graphite furnace spectroscopy. Total sulfur and the various forms of 

carbon were determined using a LECO furnace followed by gas chromatographic measurement. 

Eight samples were also submitted for a 10- element ICP-AES technique, also referred to as ICP10, for determination of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Zn. Hydrochloric acidhydrogen 

peroxide were used to solubilize metals not tightly bound in the silicate lattice of rocks, 

and metals are extracted as organic halides. Concentrations of the extracted metals were 

determined simultaneously after aspiration into a multichannel ICP instrument. This procedure is 

a partial digestion and results may be biased low when compared to procedures involving 

complete dissolution of the sample. 

 SEQ_NO -Unique sequence number 

 LAB_NO -Laboratory number 

 SAMPLE_NO -Field sample number 

 DATE_COLL -Date sample collected 

 SAMP_TYPE -Type of sample taken 

 FEAT_SAMP -Mine feature sampled 

 LITHOLOGY -Rock type sampled 

 SITE_NAME -Name of mine or property where sample collected 

 QUAD_MAP -U.S. Geological Survey 7.5' Topographic map upon which site is located 

 COUNTY -County 

 STATE -State 

 LONGITUDE -Longitude of sample taken with GPS 

 LATITUDE -Latitude of sample taken with GPS 

 MERIDIAN -Meridian 

 TWSP -Township 

42 
 RANGE -Range 

 SECTION -Section 

 PARCEL -Fractional part of section 

 As_Hyd_ppm -Arsenic in parts per million analyzed by hydride generation-atomic 

absorption spectrometry 

 Hg_CVA_ppm -Mercury in parts per million analyzed by cold vapor atomic absorption 

 Se_Hyd_ppm -Selenium in parts per million analyzed by hydride generation-atomic 

absorption spectrometry 

 Sb_Hyd_ppm -Antimony in parts per million analyzed by hydride generation-atomic 

absorption spectrometry 

 Te_Hyd_ppm -Tellurium in parts per million analyzed by hydride generation-atomic 

absorption spectrometry 

 Tl_Hyd_ppm -Thallium in parts per million analyzed by hydride generation-atomic 

absorption spectrometry 

 C_Tot_pct -Carbon in percent analyzed by combustion in an oxygen atmosphere followed by 

infrared measurement of evolved CO2 

 CO2_Ac_pct -Carbon dioxide in percent evolved after acidification 

 C_Crbt_pct -Carbonate (inorganic) carbon in percent analyzed by coulometric titration 

after acidification 

 S_Tot_pct -Sulfur in percent analyzed by combustion in an oxygen atmosphere followed by 

infrared measurement of evolved SO2 

 Ag_10_ppm -Silver in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 As_10_ppm -Arsenic in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Au_10_ppm -Gold in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Bi_10_ppm -Bismuth in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Cd_10_ppm -Cadmium in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Cu_10_ppm -Copper in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Mo_10_ppm -Molybdenum in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Pb_10_ppm -Lead in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Sb_10_ppm -Antimony in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Zn_10_ppm -Zinc in parts per million analyzed by 10 element method 

 Al_16_pct -Aluminum in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 Ca_16_pct -Calcium in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 Fe_16_pct -Iron in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 K_16_pct -Potassium in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 Mg_16_pct -Magnesium in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 Na_16_pct -Sodium in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 P_16_pct -Phosphorous in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 Si_16_pct -Silicon in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 Ti_16_pct -Titanium in percent analyzed by 16 element method 

 Ba_16_ppm -Barium in parts per million analyzed by 16 element method 

 Cr_16_ppm -Chromium in parts per million analyzed by 16 element method 

 Mn_16_ppm -Manganese in parts per million analyzed by 16 element method 

 Nb_16_ppm -Niobium in parts per million analyzed by 16 element method 

 Sr_16_ppm -Strontium in parts per million analyzed by 16 element method 

 Y_16_ppm -Yittrium in parts per million analyzed by 16 element method 

43 
 Zr_16_ppm -Zirconium in parts per million analyzed by 16 element method 

 Al_40_pct -Aluminum in percent analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ca_40_PCT -Calcium in percent analyzed by 40 element method 

 Fe_40_pct -Iron in percent analyzed by 40 element method 

 K_40_pct -Potassium in percent analyzed by 40 element method 

 Mg_40_pct -Magnesium in percent analyzed by 40 element method 

 Na_40_pct -Sodium in percent analyzed by 40 element method 

 P_40_pct -Phosphorous in percent analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ti_40_pct -Titanium in percent analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ag_40_ppm -Silver in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 As_40_ppm -Arsenic in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Au_40_ppm -Gold in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ba_40_ppm -Barium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Be_40_ppm -Beryllium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Bi_40_ppm -Bismuth in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Cd_40_ppm -Cadmium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ce_40_ppm -Cerium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Co_40_ppm -Cobalt in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Cr_40_ppm -Chromium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Cu_40_ppm -Copper in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Eu_40_ppm -Europium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ga_40_ppm -Gallium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ho_40_ppm -Holmium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 La_40_ppm -Lanthanium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Li_40_ppm -Lithium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Mn_40_ppm -Manganese in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Mo_40_ppm -Molybdenum in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Nb_40_ppm -Niobium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Nd_40_ppm -Neodymium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ni_40_ppm -Nickel in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Pb_40_ppm -Lead in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Sc_40_ppm -Scandium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Sn_40_ppm -Tin in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Sr_40_ppm -Strontium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Ta_40_ppm -Tantalum in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Th_40_ppm -Thorium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 U_40_ppm -Uranium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 V_40_ppm -Vanadium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Y_40_ppm -Yittrium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Yb_40_ppm -Ytterbium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

 Zn_40_ppm -Zirconium in parts per million analyzed by 40 element method 

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44 
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45 
 Contact_Person: J. Douglas Causey 

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46