UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE 

INTERIOR J. A. Krug, Secretary 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. E. Wrather, Director 

CULAR 28 August 1948 

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PAPERS ON 

GEOCHEMICAL PROSPECTING FOR ORES 

Compiled by 

H. E. Hawkes 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 
. r 

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PAPERS. ON. 

GEOCHEMICAL PROSPECTING FOR ORES 

Compiled by H. R Hawkes 

INTRODUCTION 

This bibliography is a list of papers dealing with geochemical prospecting for ores. This field iiiclude~ methods of exploration for metallic and nonmetallic mineral deposits by chemical studies of ore• 

elements in soil, vegetation, and water. 

No papers on general ge'ochemistry are included in this l~st, nor are there references to ·geochemical prospecting for petroleum which has been adequately covered in the Geophysical Abstract series. 

Papers on analytical methods are listed only where the subject matter is directly related to geoche~cal. 

prospecting problems. 

Unless otherwise indicated, the papers are in English. The "stannometric survey" mentioned in 

some Russian papers refers to systemati-c sampling and analysis of soil material or alluvium for traces of 

tin. 

The list may be incomplete, and the compiler would be grateful to anyone who could refer him· to 

other publications o:n the subject. 

Where abstracts have already been published, a notation follows the reference indicating where the 

abstract may be fol!Ild· The following method of notation is used. 

CA 40, 3075-3 

GA 5540' . 

EG 14-1, 909 

GSA 9-71 

ME 7 ,200-1· 

"Chemical Abstracts," volume 40, column 3075, index line 3. 11 Geophys~cal Abstracts, 11 Geological Survey (July 1936 to 

1942, 1947 to date) and Bureau of Mines {1929 to June 1936, 

1943 to 1946), Item 5540. . "Annotated Bibliography of Economic Geology," volume 14, 

number 1, item 909. 

Geological Society of America, "Bibliography and Index of 

Geology Exclusive of North America, 11 volume 9, page 71. 11 Bibliography of References to the Literature on the Minor 

Elements," Chilean Nitrate Educational Bureau, 7th 

supplement, column 200, item 1. 

1 
Babicka, J ., Komarek, J ., and Nemec, B., Gold in animal bodies: Academie tch~que sci. Bull. iliternat., 

vol. 45, pp. 131-137, 1945. 

The gold content of the antlers of roebuck browsing in ·a gold-bearing district was found to be 

higher than that of roebuck in unmineralized terrane. The gold content of a species of insect 

(cockshafer) showed a similar relationship. 

Dorn, Paul, Plants as indicators of ore deposits [in German]: Der Biologe (Munich), vol. 6, pp. 11-13, 

1937. (GSA 9-71; EG 15-l, 24] . , 

A review of indicator plants that are reported to be useful in prospecting for deposits of zinc, tin~· 

lead, gold, silver, copper, and mercury. 

Flt:!rov, B. L., The application of the stannometric survey for the exploration of primary tin deposits [in 

Russian]: Redkie Metal., no. 1, 1935. -

(Not reviewed) 

Flerov, B. L., On methods of prospecting for primary tin deposits [in Russian]: Sovet. Geol., vol. 8, 

no. 10, pp. 63-81, 1938. [CA 33, 9210-8] t 

A general and fairly elaborate 'discus::;ion of the laws governing the dispersion of tin in · deluvium and alluvium and of the applicability of the stannometric method to tin prospecting under various conditions. 

Hawkes, Herbert E., ~r., The Geological Survey's geochemical prospecting ·unit (abstract]: Washington 

Acad. Sci. Jour., vol. 37, pp. 375-376, 1947. (GA 9436] 

An outline of the research program of the Geological Survey on geochemical methods of 

prospecting for ores. -. 

Hedstr~m, Helmar, and Ngrdstr~m, Allan, New-aspects of ore prospacting (in Swedish]: Meddel. 

1ernkontorets Gruvbyra, vol. 39, pp. 1-10, 1945. 

A review of modern exploration techniques, including spectrographic analysis of plant 

ash, . as a prospecting method. Graphs show the variation in chromium content of plant 

ash from a profile across a Greek chromite deposit and the· variation in zinc, copper, and silver content of· plant ash from two profiles across a S:wedish lead-zinc deposit. 

Jakoski, J. J ., Dreyer, R. M., and Wilson, C. H.1 Geophysical investi~ation in the Tri-State zinc and lead 

mining district: Kansas Geol. Survey BUll. 44, pp. 51-77, 1942. L GA 6823; EG 16-1, 290] 

A summary of results of extensive geophysical and geochemical experiments in the Tri-State 

district. Spectrographic analysis of surface soils for Mn, Ga, Ti, Ni, Pb, Mo, and V showed 

no 'apparent correlation with the distribution of ore at depth. 

Konovalov, E. P., On the hydrochemical method· of prospecting for gold [in Russian]: Sovet. Geol. vol. 11, 

no. 2, pt>. 114-117, 1941. [CA 36, 6454-9] · 

Principally a criticism of a suggested method of gold prospecting by analysis of river water 

for gold held in solution or suspension. Main objections are lack of sensitivity of present 

analytical methods, and lack of basic data relating gold in rivers to gold in deposits and rocks 

of the drainage basin. . 

~ 

Landergren, Sture, On spectroanalysis and its application in investigating and :erospecting for ore deposits 

[in Swedish]: Teknisk Tidskr., Bergsvetenskap, vol. 69, pp. 73-78, 1939. LEG 12-2, 176] 

A general discussion of the application of geochemistry to mineral exploration, with a 

brief review of Swedish work on spectrographic analysis of plant ash as a prospecting method. 

Leach, Pall!, Simple chemical tests to aid prospectors: Eng. and Min. Jour., vol. 148, pp. 78-79, 1947. 

( CA 42, 'f9d) · . .· ' 

A nontechnical article outlining some of the current· research work of the GeologicSl Survey on 

geochemical prospecting. -
Lundberg) Hans, The future of geophysics in the light of new developments: Canadian Min. Jour., vol. 61, 

pp. 22::>-226, 1940. (GA 5540] 

A nontechnical outline of the prit:lciples of spectrographic analysis of plant ash as' a prospecting 

method. 

-:---Future of geophysics in connection with plant life: California Min. Jour., vol. 9, no. 9, p. 5, 1940 

(GA 5672] 

A nontechnical outline of the principles of spectrographic analysis of plant ash as a prospecting 

method. ' 

-New techniques in geoexploration: Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 22, pp. 257-258, 1941. [GA 6198; EG 

14-1, 909] . 

A nontechnical outline of the principles of spectrographic analysis of plant ash as a prospecting 

method. 

Maliuga, D.P., On soils and plants used in'the search for metals [in Russian]: Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. Izv., 

Ser. Geol. 1947, no. 3, pp.135-138, 1947. 

The nickel and cobalt content of three soil samples and two plant samples collected over known 

niGkel-cobalt deposits is ip the order of 10 to 100 times higher than that in similar samples from 

unmineralized areas. Both nickel and cobalt are apparently enriched in the upper soil horizons. 

Ozerov.t I. M., T.he stannometric survey as a prospecting method [in Russian]: Razvedka .Nedr. no. 24, 

pp. ::>2-56, 1937. ' 

General discussion of historical development and theory of s#mnometric surveying • . / Rankama, Kalervo, On the use of the trace elements in some problems of practical geology: Soc. gaol. 

Finlande C. omptes rendus, no. 14, Pf·· 90-106, 1940; Comm. g~ol. Finlande Bull., no. 126, pp. 90-106, 

1940. [CA 40, 3075-3; GSA 11-262 

The enrichment of nickel in plant ash from two nickel mining districts in Finland has been 

investigated by optical spectrography. 

--On a new method of prospecting (in German]: Geol. Rundschau, vol. 32, pp. 575-578, 1941. 

Anoutline of principles and summary of previous work on spectrographic analysis of plant ash as 

a prospecting method. · ' · 

--Chemi~try as an aid in the search for ore; geochemical and radioactive methods of prospecting [in 

Finnish]: Kemian Keskusliiton Eripainoksia, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 3-11, 1945. 

(Not reviewed) 

--Some recent trends in prospecting; chemical, biogeochemical, and geobotanical methods: Mining and 

Metallurgy, vol. 28, pp. 282-284, 1947. ( 

Summary and history of development (exclusive of Russia) of pro~pecting methods based on 

chemical and biological studies of plants, soils, and water. 

Ratsbaum, E. A., Method of increasing the precision of results of spectral d~terminations for tin in field 

exploration [in Russian]: Razvedka Nedr, no. 8-9, pp. 50-52, 1938. (CA 34, 7778-5] · 

The precision of semiquantitative spectrographic determinations for tin in prospecting work may be increased by using cobalt as an internal standard. 
I . I 

/ // 

_~Field spectr~yticallaboratory for supporting prospecUag parties [in Russian}: Razvedka Nedr, -- ./ no. 1, pp. 38-41, 1939. . . 

· Equipment is listed for o~itting a portable field spectrograph inclu<iiD:g power plant, spectrographic and photographic equipment, and 'tl.uXillaty supplies. 

. . 

Robinson, W. 0.; L~, H. w., and Reichen, Laura ~:L~he zinc content of plants of the Friedensville zinc - slime ponds in reJ.a.Uon to biogeochemical prospecung: Econ. Geology, vol. 42, pp. 572-582, 1947 • 

. The zinc content o{ 30 species of plants growing on a ziric-rich slime pond ranges from 39 p.p.m. 

to 5400 p.p.m. The zinc contents of aspen, ragweed, and horsetail grown on normal soils are 

compared with those on the slime ponds, and it is recommended that aspenand ragweed be studied 

further as indicators of ziilc ore bodies. 

·Rokhl~r M. 1.1 Experiment in the application of the stannometric survey in the Arctic under permafrost con01tions tin Russian]: Problemy Arktiki, no. 4, pp. 61-90, 1938. _ 

A study of tin-bearing areas in the Arctic indicates that stannometric surveys of soil, alluvium, 

and beach sands can be used successfully for prospecting areas of permanently frozen ground. Distribution of tin according to gratn size was investigated with results shown on five sectional 

diagrams. 

Rosenqvist, A.M., and Vogt, Thorolf,.Determination of co,per in water samples; the analytical method 

rin Norwegian, with Enj;lish summary]: K. norske vidensk. selsk. Forh., vol. 15, no. 22, pp. 83-86, '1942. (CA 39, 3?62-9j · ·.· . -

Analytical method for copP8r is described in which Cu acts catalytically on the reduction of ferric 

iron with sodium thiosulfate,' with thiocyanate as the indicator. The method was used at•Rpros in 

geochemical prospecting work. 

Saf+onov, A. P., and Sergeev, E. A., New· ~ophysical methods of prospecting for deposits based on the · study of "dispersion halos" [in Russianj: Razvedka Necn, no. 18, pp. 24-25, 1936. (GA 3611] ' . ' 

General review of soil analysis as a prospecting methOd, including a discussion of spectrographic, 

polarographic, and electrode polarization methoas. -

Saukov, A. A., Geochemistry of mercury rin Russianl: Inst. Geol. Nauk Trudy, Akad. Nauk. S.S.S.R., 

vol. 78, Mi.neral-Geokhim. Ser. no. 17, 129 pp., 1946. 

A comprehensive treatise on the geochemistry of mercury, with 89 references. The possible applications· bf secondary dispersion halos of mercury as a guide in prospecting is discussed 

(p. 99) but ~o reference to experimental work is made.; · 

Sergeev, E. A., Use of spot tests in mineral exploration [in Russian]: Razvedka Nedr, no. 12, pp. 27-2~, 

19~6. 

Samples of residual.soil were analyzed for borate by chemical methods in Indersk region., Soils 

rich,.in borate can be correlated with underlying borate beds. 

~The.J>hysico-chemical method of searching for ores [in Russian, wit..~ English summary]: Materialy Vsesoilizn. Nauch.-Issledovatel. Geologicheskogo Inst., Geofiz., no. 9-10, pp. 3~55, 1941. 

A comprehensive detailed summary to 1940 of Russian work in son analysis as a method Qf pros- pecting. The author describes the theory, equipment, field procedure; give-s results of several 

surveys; and lists the mineral discoveries attributable to soil analysis. 19 illustrations and 49 

references. 

-Water analysis as a P.rospecting method (in-Russian]: Razvedka ~edr, no. 5, .pp. 51-55, ~946. (GA 9251; CA 40,5673-7] . 

The principles of dispersion "trains" of heavy metals in surface water.draining mineralized 

areas are 1 outlined. Data on the heavy metal content Of streams draining two mining districts m 

the Altai are. presented. 

/ 

I _. 

'- i .... 
--A new luminoscope for field use [in Russian]: Razvedka Nedr, no. 5, pp. 41-42, 1946; 

Describes a portable device consisting of a source of ultrav.iolet light and an optical system capable of 25-fold magnification for viewing the irradiated spot. It is 9-esigned for the qualitative 

determination of the abundance of fluorescent mineral particles in undistu:r;-bed soil. 

·Sergeev, _E. A~and Solovov, A., The electrode polarization method of geophysical prospecting [in Russ~]: 

Mater1all, ·n:sentral. Nauch.-Issledovatel. Geologo-Razvedochnyi Inst., Geofiz., no. 3, pp. 1-10, 1937. 

(GA3917j ~· 

The sulfate ion concentration in soil moisture may be determined rapidly in the field by measuring 

the spontaneous potential generated on a specially prepared probing electrode. The physical theory of the method and the construction of the apparatus is discussed. The method is recommended as a means of prospecting for oxidizing sulfide deposits. 

Sofronov, N. I., On the question of dispersion halos from mineral deposits rin Russian, with English 

summary]: Problemy Sovet •. Geol., vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 302-323, 1936. [txA 3458] 

General features of mechanical, saline, and gaseous dispersion halos developed by the weathering of primary mineral deposits are described. The use of spectrographic, polarographic, radiometric, and electrode polarization methods in exploring for dispersion halos is discussed. Data 

of four field silrveys are shown in sectional diagrams. · 

Sofronov, N. I., and Solovov, A. P., Abstracts of_papers: The problem of spectroanalysis in prospecting; Results of spectroanalysis in prospecting for tin veins [in Russian]: Problemy Sovet. Geol., vol. 6, 

pp. 739-740, 1936. (EG 9-2, 384) . . ' 

Brie·f summary of the use of the spectrograph in prospecting for tin, with special reference to a 

project at Khapcheranga where a new tin vein was discovered by soil analysis. . 

Swedish i>rospecting Company; concerning our geochemical prospecting method [in Swedish]: 11 pp., 

Malmo, Sweden, 1939. 

An advertising brochure on spectrographic analysis of plant ash as a prospecting method. Maps 

and charts show the relative tin,. tungsten, lead, and zinc content of plant ash in relation. to known 

deposits of those metals. 

Thlssen, Stephan von, Geochemical and botanical relationships in the light of applied geophysics 

Lin German]: Beitr. angew. Geophysik, vol. 10, pp. 35-84, 1942. 

An extended· theoretical treatise on the chemical composition of vegetation as related to mineraUzation, with 124 references. 

Tikhomirov, N. I., and Miller, S.D., On the physico-chemical method of prospecting for molybdenum in the 

semidesert cllm~te of northern Pribalkhash (in Russian]: Razvedka Nedr, no. 2, pp. 34-39, 1946 •. 

bispersion halos of molybdenum and tungsten in residual material over molybdenitewolframite deposits were found by spectrographic analysis. Data are presented in a series of 

graphs and maps. 

Tkalich, S. M., Investi~tion.of vegetation as a guide in prospec;:ting (in Russian]: Vest. Dal' nevostoch. 

Filiala Akad. Nauk (Vladivostok), no. 32 (5), pp. 3-25, 1938. 

Describes principles of plant analysis as a prospecting method and gives results of culture 

experiments on the uptake of .Cu, Zn, Fe and Na. An experimental survey over a pyritearsenopyrite deposit indicates a positive correlation between the iron content of Calamagrostis 

~d proximity to the ore body. I _ 

Vogt, Thorolf, Chemical and "botanical" ore prospect~ ing in theRpro.s area rin Norwe,_g2.an, With English summary]: K. norske ·vidensk. selsk. Forh., vol. 12, no. 23, pp. 81-84, 1939. -lCA 35, 2095-1] 

The relation of soluble sulfates in surface rainage to ore deposits at Rpros, Norway, is 

described. 

I 
--Vise~~ (L.) G. Don as a sulfide !ndicatJ pl.a.nt r1n Norwegian1 with Engllsh summary]: 

K. norske v1densk. sels~. Forh., vol. 15, no. 2, pp.1-8, 1942. [CA 41, o67-h] _ 

The occurrence of Viscaria alpina particular yon serpentine, dunite, a.zl:d copper-ore outcrops is ascribed to the high tolerance of that speci s for copper in the soil. · ,. 

l 

--Notes on the vegetation at the ore deposits at R¢ os [in Norwegian, with English summary]: K. · norske vidensk. selsk. Forh., vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 21-24, 1942. (CA 41, 668-a] 

A list of plants thriving on copper-rich soil a R,Sros, Norway, is presented. 

--Trace elements in bog and _lake ores [in No~we~r with E:lf;':lish summary]; K. norske vidensk. 

selsk. Forh., vol. 15, no. 24, pp. 91-94, 1942. (C~~3~, 3763-2J 

· X-ray spectrograms show that Zn, Cu, Ni, Cq, Ca areca-precipitated with Mn02 in bogs and _ lakes. Analysis of bog and lake ore thus may be useful in determining the types of ores to be 

expected within the drainage basin. ' ~ 

Vogt, Thorolf, and Bergh, H., Copper content of soh s mples fin Norwegian.t. with English summary]: K. 

norske vidensk. selsk. Forh., vol. 19, no. 21, pp. 7 -79, 1946. (CA 42, 4~3-h] 

Copper isograds in humus-rich glacial soil n~ar a copper mine in the Rpros district outline a fan 

of gla~ial dispersion. The copper content of 

1

soil within the fan varies fr()m 500 to 7,000 p.p.m. 

as compared with 20 p.p.m. in normal soil. . 1 . • . -

Vogt, Thorolf, and Braadlie, 0., Vegetation and soil atlthe ore deposits at R¢ros [in Norwegian with 

English summary]: K. norske vidensk. selsk. For,., vol. 15, no. 7, pp. 25-28, 194_?. [CA 41, 668-b] 

Chemical analyses of 11 poisoned soils over ulfide mineral deposits are compared with 

analyses of 3 normal soils from the vicinity. 

Vogt, Thorolf, Braadlie, 0., and Bergh, H., Determina ion of Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, and -Fe in plants from the 

R,Oros district fin Norwegian, with English summar ]: ~· norske vidensk. selsk. Forh., vol. 16, no. 15, 

pp. 55-58, 194:!. (CA 39, 3_763-5; ME 7,200-1) 

The Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Fe content of plants ~rowing over a copper deposit is compared with 

that of plants growing on normal soil. The a?thors conclude that the determination of copper and 

zinc in plants does not seem to be useful as a I prospecting _method in the areas under study. _ 

Vogt, Thorolf, and Bugge, Jens, Determ.ihation of copp~r in plants frOm the Rpros district by quantitative 

X-ray analysis [in Norwegian, with English sum y]: K. norske vidensk. selsk. Forh., vol. 16, no. 1i 

pp. 51-54, 1943. (CA 39, 3763-4; ME 7,83-1) 

Analyses of vegetation from normal and mine alized areas indicate that the same parts of the . same species of plant must be collected for c mparative results. The leaves of dwarf birch gave favorable results. The authors conclude that he method does not seem to be useful for copper in 

the areas under study. 

Vo~, Thorolf, and Rosenqvist, A. M., Determination o copper in water samples from the R¢ros district 

in Norwegian, with En_,glish summary]: K. n. orske ~idensk. selsk. Forh~, vol. 15, no. 23, pp. 8-7-90, · 942. (CA 39, 3763-1j ·· - ' I 

A survey of the copper content of surface watf3r in relation to copper deposits in the R¢ros 

district. Four samples containing 2 to 3.2 p.(P.m. Cu came from streams draining known mines; 

six samples containing 0.05 to 0.185-p.p.m. C~ have apparently received their copper from hidde_ n 

ore; and 47 samples containing nil to 0.044 p.:p.m. Cu are believed to represent normal waters. ~ 

Warren, H. V.1 and Howatson, C. H., Biogeochemicalf ospecting for copper and zinc: Geol. Soc. America 

Bull., vol. o8, pp. 803-820, 1947. (CA 42, 1533-c · 

Studies in the vicinity of several mining cam sin British Columbia indicate that the zinc and 

copper content of some trees and lesser plant may reflect the presence of zinc and copper concentrations in the underlying soils or rock fo mations. . I 

Zai<!ln",an<l; Sergeev, Information: on: the work of the gebphyslcal group of TsNIGRI on spectral analysis 

(1n Russ1an]: Ra.zvedka Nedr, no. 7, pp. 55-57, 19~. ~ 

A brief historical summary through! 1937 of t~e de~elopment and application in Russia of spectre:- · graphic analysis of soil material as a method of prospecting for tin, tungsten,. molybdenum, lead, 

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