RMO - 1081

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

SEARCH FOR AND APPRAISAL OF RADIOACTIVE DEPOSITS

TRACE ELEMENTS MONTHLY REPORT

(

Prepared for U.S. Atomic Energy Commission

( Monthly Report September 1956 '\

-··..::7

REPRODUCED FROM BEST AVAILABLE CQ,JY

Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

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CONTENTS

Page Highlights of the Trace Elements Programeaeoooooeaeaooo••o••• 5 Geologic mappingoooooooooooooooooooooooo•••o••o•o••••••• 5 region8 by Ao Lo BrokaWooooooooooo 5 Central regionooooooooooooooooooooooooooo••o•••o••• 6 Maybell-Lay area9 Colorado, by M. J. Bergin •••• 6 Eastern regionoooooooooo•••o•o•oooo~ooooo•o•oo••••• 7 Hauch Chlmk 9 Pennsylvania, by tlarry Klemic •••• 7 Geologic topical StUdiSSooooooooooooooooOooooooooooooooo 8 Alaskaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 8 Brazilooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 9 Geophysical investigationSoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 10 Colorado Plateau regional geophysical studies9 by Ho Ro Joestingooo•o•ooo•o•••••••••••• 10 Geophysical studies in uranium geology, by Ro Mo HazleWOOdooooooooooooooooooooooe•••••••• 1l Research, development and maintenance of radiation equipment, by w. w. Vaughn ••••••••••••• 12 Gamma-r~ logging9 by Co Mo Bunkeroooooooooooooooo• 12 Natural radioactivity of the atmosphere, c by Ho Eo EVanSoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo••• 12 \ Physical behavior of radon9 by A. B. Tanner •••••••• 13 Laboratory services and research on methods ••• o ••••••• .,. 13 Geochronology9 by LoR. Stieff••••••••••••••••••••• 13 X-r~ servicesD by George Ashby •• .,••••••••••••••••• 13 Analysis of raw materials 9 by Irving Hay ••••••••• , • 14 Mineralogy of uranium deposits, by A. D. Weeks •• ••• 15 Synthesis and solution chemistry of uranium- bearing mineralsD by c. R. Naeser •••••••••••••••• 16 Geochemistry of thorium, by E. S, Larsen9 3rd •••••• 18 Reports issued and processed for publication• by Donna Bow.man and Dora Conklinoooo••o••••••••••••••••••••••• 23 TEI Reports issuedooooooooooooooooooo••••••••••••••••••• 23 TEM Reports issuedoooooooooooooooooooooo•••••••••••••••• 23' TEI Reports in process9 October 1~ 1956••••••••••••••••• 23 TEM Reports in processD October 1 9 1956••••••••••••••••• 26 Trace Elements Reports published by the Survey •••••••••• 27 Trace Elements Reports published outside the Survey ••••• 27 4

T.ABLES

Page 1. Analytical work completed and sample inventory, September 1956ooooooooooooooooooooooooooeoooooo•ooooo 19 2. Status of Trace Elements investigations, September 1956ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 20 5

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRACE ELEMENTS PROGRAM

Geologic mapping

Colorado Plateau Region by A. L. Brokaw

Mapping of the Echo Cliffs monocline shows that two fault zones parallel the monocline: one system is slightly down-dip from the trace of the axial plane of the anticlinal bend of the monocline and extends for a distance of several miles; the other system coincides approximately with the trace of the axial plane of the synclinal bend of the monocline. Extreme fracturing in the Navajo sandstone is associated with the faulting. The fracture zones have been recemented with sufficient calcium carbonate to make the fault zones crop out as resistant ridges. Calcite, iron and map.ganese oxides occur along the faults ;;·here they cut the Shinarump member of the Chinle formation.

In the Temple Mountain area of the San Rafael Swell, dolomitization and the development of chromium-bearing silicate minerals are spatially and, with little doubt, genetically related to the uranium deposits in the Moss Back sandstone member of the Chinle formation. This feature should be a good ore guide within the district.

The Plio-Pleistocene conglomerate discovered in the L~ Sal Creek area, Utah-Colorado has been named the Deep Creek conglomerate.

Further mapping has indicated that this unit \~as deposited prior to the last major structural movement of salt in the La Sal Hountains area. Inasmuch as the last major movement is believed to have occurred at the 6

end of Tertiary time 9 the Deep Creek conglomerate is tentatively con­ sidered to be of Pliocene(?) ageo Detailed mine studies in the Lisbon Valley area have shown that the uranium minerals occur more often in sandstone than in any other lithologic type and that the uranium and vanadium are not distri­ buted coincidentally o The vanadium tends to follow the bedding, while . the uranium is more irregular. Copper minerals are generally uncommon and show no close spatial relation to uranium or vanadium. The copper minerals are oxidized9 the uranium-vanadium minerals unoxidized.. Study of the ore bodies shm;s that there is rarely any discernible difference in lithology at the edge of an ore pod or between high and low grade pods of ore. lfust ore bodies contain orange chert which9 however, has no detailed relation to the grade of the ore. The chert occurs in mineralized and unmineralized rock, and in both the Chinle and Cutler formations.

Central Region lfuybell-Lay area, Colorado, by !1. J. Bergin Geologic mapping of the area has shown that some north and northwest-trending normal faults displace the basal conglomerate of the Late Tertiary Browns Park formation 100 feet or more vertically. These faults are difficult to trace into the upper nonconglomeratic sandstone­ siltstone part of the Browns Park formation. which contains the larger known uranium deposits of the area. North-trending, nearly vertical faults of unknown displacement are exposed in mine and prospect pits in 7 ( two of the mineralized areas near !.faybell, but the role of the faults,

if a:ny 9 in localizing the uranium minerals is not f'ulJ.;)r understopd.

Eastern region

Hauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. by Ha..=:ry Klemic

Several small uranium occurrences in Columbia, Lycoming, and Sullivan Counties in north-central Pennsylvania, were examined during this period for comparison and correlation with the occurrences in Devonian rocks in Carbon County. The uranium is in gra::r and greenish- gra::r cupriferous sandstone and shale interbedded with red sandstone

and shale in upper Devoilian rocks. The uranium is concentrated in silty zones with carbonaceous plant fossils in rock that generally is

I stained with malachite or chrysocolla; at some localities azurite and \ chalcocite are in the radioactive rock. Some of these localities have been prospected for copper as well as for uranium, but appear to be too small or low grade to be economic for either copper or uranium. They are of interest, however, in that they indicate widespread uranium and copper mineralization in a favorable host rock, and there is a possi- bility that at some place either uranium or copper ma::r exist in con- centrations of economic value. 8 (

Geologic topical studies

Alaska

Geologic mapping and reconnaissance in the Kendrick Bay area

of Prince of 11ales Island continued until September 12, when the field

work was stopped for the year. During the field season, geologic map-

ping of the area from the South Arm of Moira Sound to about a mile

south of the West Arm of Kendrick Bay was completed. The prospects in

this area were examined and the principal deposits of radioactiv~

minerals were mapped in detail. Information available from the drilling

program of Climax Molybdenum Company was recorded. \'iork to be done ne:x:t

summer includes the geologic mapping of the area between the Hest Arm

! I of Kendrick Bay and Stonerock Bay 9 examination of the prospects in this area, mapping of the principal deposits near Bokan Hountain as they are

developed for mining, and a reconnaissance of the surrounding area to

obtain the structural setting of the intrusives that contain the radio-

active mineral deposits.

A prospect in the \mite l{ountains near Lime (or Lion) !1ountain

was examined. The claims are in a coarse-grained granite intrusive that

gives the extremely high background readings of 0.07 to 0.11 mr/hr. No

localizations of radioactivity were found nor were any prominent

structures seen. The area is of interest because of the high radio-

activity of the granite but no indication of the presence of a uranium

deposit has as yet been found.

I 9 ( In interior Alaska prospecting for radioactive minerals

appeared to have decreased from the previous year, but several men were still actively engaged in uranium prospecting.. Areas in which

prospecting is knmm to have been carried on include the Taylor and

Steese Highways and the White !1ountains o Near the end of the season a radioactive anomaly was reported dmm-river from Eagle, Alaska. In southern Alaska there was some renewed interest in the Shirley Lake

areao

Bra.Zil

No field work was done during the month inasmuch as all field operations were suspended on advice of the Embassy on August 31 in view ( of the published intention of the Brazilian Government to give six­ months notice of cancellation of the uranium prospecting agreement. Such suspension was decided upon because: (l) Elisiario Tavera, the Brazilian representative on the Joint Worki..'lg Group and Chief of technical operations of the Brazil part of the program, announced his intention of resigning as soon as the Brazilian Government made public its intention of cancelling the agreement, (2) a field party wae on the eve of departure to the Rio do Peixe coal basin in northern Parana to initiate a field project for the detailed study of uranium occurrences in the coal of that region, and it was decided in view of

events the time was most unpropitious for starting any such project,

(3) if the Brazilian Government was to cancel the agreement, the six months' period prior to date of cancellation would be needed for 10 ( complete liquidation of all phases of the agreement, Elisiario Tavera presented his rP.signation to President Kubitschek. No decision has been announced regarding the resignation. The National Research Council is reported to have submitted to the President the name of a subsitute for Tavera. The Brazilian Govern- ment has not presented official notice of intent to cancel the pros-

pecting agreement, ne'ither has it made a:rry official connnent regarding

its action of publishing its intent to cancel, nor has it made any public statement of its intention to not cancel the agreement, or

negotiate another agreement. In effect, it has made no move whatever since the August 30 declaration of policy in atomic energy that included the cancellation statement.

( \ K. J. Murata of the Geological Survey spent a few days in the project laborator'J in connection 1'1ith certain work he has been doing in conjunction with the Brazilian Government on the characteristics of monazite in pegmatites.

Geopnysical investigations

Colorado Plateau regional geophysical studies by H. R. Joesting

Gravity surveys were continued on the northwest side of the

La Sal !1ountains. Bouguer, second derivative gravity and magnetic, structure and areal geologic maps were completed of the Inter-River

area. These will form part of a report on the Inter-River area vlhich is in an advanced state of preparation. Work is continuing on the ll

compilation of the aeromagnetic maps and the report of the Lisbon Valley

areao Temperature measurements were made across several large drilled-out uranium deposits in the Grants district, New Hexico, and

for comparison in holes drilled in barren ground outside the deposits. Preliminary analysis of the results indicates that onJ,y small temperature effects are likely to be found over even large deposits and that ambient thermal effects are probably generally larger than those due to the

radioactivity of the deposits.

Geophysical studies in uranium geology by R. ·11. Hazlewood

The seismic refraction crew completed field work on the Elk ( \ Ridge project and returned to Denver on September 3. The results indicate that where the Hossback directly overlies the Hoenkopi, both faults and channels can be traced successfully by the seismic refraction

method. During the past month 681 gravity stations were occupied in

the survey of the southern Black Hills, South Dakota. To date 10 quad- rangles and parts of other quadrangles have been covered by the gravity survey. Preliminary interpretation of the data shows a clear correlation between geology and gravity. l2 (

Research9 development and maintenance of radiation equipment by w. >v. Vaughn

The gamma and cosmic ray monitoring system that was set up

last month has given a certain amount of trouble, mostzy because of

the effect of temperature on the parts mounted in the roof-top probes.

Experiments are underway to determine a more efficient method of _

monitoring natural atmospheric radioactivity. Delivery has been made

of a large vTell-type plastic scintillation phosphor. Tests are being

made to determine the feasibility of using this phosphor with a photo-

tube in conjunction with a laboratory type ratemeter as a semiquantitative

ore analyzer.

( \ Gamma-ray logging by C. H. Bunker

Six of eight proposed simulated drill holes have been con-

structed at the Denver Federal Center. These holes contain

ore ranging itl grade from 0.009 to 4.25 percent eUJOs. The holes_ will

be used to calibrate l!EC and USGS gamma-ray logging units.

Natural radioactivity of the atmosphere by H. B. Evans

A plastic core container has been developed and tested for use

in radon diffusion studies. It is expected that accurate diffusion

measurements should be started in two to three weeks.

( 13 ( Physical behavior of radon by Ao B, Tanner

The radon measurement system from Denver has been transferred

to San Antonio where it will be used in conjunction with the Texas Coastal Plain project, A new type of reflux condenser for extracting radon from liquids has been constructed, The condenser is made of standard components and is considerably cheaper and much easier to clean than the condenser previously used,

Laboratory services and research on methods

Geochronology by Lo Ro Stieff

( Preliminary isotopic analyses of the lead in Oklahoma z~rcon were completed during the month, Additional samples of fresh and meta- mict zircon are now being prepared for analysis.

The source and collector for the 1211 radium mass spectrometer

have been assembled9 wired9 and mounted on the instrument. Preliminary tests of the machine will be started in the next month.

X-ray services by George Ashby

Improvements were made in the methods of measuring unit cells of metamict or partially metamict zircon. Using the counting rate com- putor and step scanner. peak positions were measured with a reproduci- bility of plus or minus ,002 degrees two theta in the forward reflection

region, \

A set of sphene samples submitted by Howard Jaffe indic~tes a possible relationship between radiation damage and color. Yellow

sphenes shmi little radiation damage. Medium brown sphenes show line broadening, while dark brown sphenes are metamict. The relationships between cleavage and diffraction pattern of sphalerite and fluorite were studied. As would be expected from its cleavage the single crystal patterns of sphalerite are from the (110) plane. The ring patterns are likewise a random array of re-

flections from this plane. Fluorite, however9 gave single crystal

patterns from the (110) pla~e and only rarely from the normally well developed cleavage plana (lll). The ring patterns from fluorite shmi very few reflections unique to the (lll) plane. ( Analysis of raw materials by Irving May

The determination of calcium and magnesium in 82 carbonate rocks was completed. The performance of the automatic photometric titrimeter was most satisfactory.

Several chemists have been trained in the thiocyanate method

for uranium i.."l order to keep up with the increased demand for these determinations. 15 ( Hineralogy of ural

Cobaltomenite9 rose-colored cobalt selenite, has been found

in samples from the AEC No. 8 m:L11e at Temple Hour1tain, Utah •

.Analysis of a sample of clausthalite from the Corvusite mine,

Beaver Hesa, Utah show it to be very pure lead selenide with small

amounts of S and AB.

The identification of vanadium minerals in vanadiferous-

rich samples of the Phosphoria formation has been completed. In addition

to the hewettite and sincosite already known from the Phosphoria,

and duttonite and many nonvanadiferous minerals were found. A

preliminary report is in progress and will be completed as soon as

( \ spectrographic analyses are received.

Vesignieite9 the rare copper-barium vanadate, ;ras found at the Paradox Bell mine • A new green fibrous v4, v5 mineral occurring in

seams in partially oxidized ore in the Golden Cycle mine was purified

for spectrographic and chemical analyses. This material, it is hoped,

is sufficient to complete the description. The mineral was first found

in the Todilto limestone at Grants, New Mexico, in 1952 by T. \v. Stern,

but not in sufficient quantity to characterize the mineral.

A large quantity of orange water-soluble vanadate that occurs

as thick efflorescence on some mine walls was collected from the Little

Alice mine in Wild Steer Canyon, Colorado. The orange coating was dis-

solved in distilled water and recrystallized. The solution yielded,

successively, crystals of hummerite, then an unknown thought to be sodium ( 16

magnesium vanadate" and then pascoite, indicating an order of increasing oolubility. One batch of the solution was heated during the evaporation and formed a fine precipitate of blue-green vanadate, a new mineral tentatively called sherwoodite. Among the least oxidized samples from the Uravan district

is one from the Shattuck Denn mine containing , paramontroseite, pyrite, and sphalerite. The sphalerite has been purified for deter- mination of temperature of formation.

Synthesis and solution chemistry of uranium-bearing minerals by C. R. Naeser

In studies of the synthesis and solution chemistry of uranium

/ \, ores, the picture derived on the Colorado Plateau of a primary unoxidized ore with low valence minerals that has been modified by exposure to oxygen as the water table drops during the recent erosional cycle is generally applicable to the deposits inspected in the \'Jyoming-3outh Dakota area. However, the low vanadium content of the ores in this' region permits the oxidized uranium to move liiUCh more freely than it

does in the vanadiferous Plateau deposits. As a result, not only is oxidation migration an important factor in the control of commercial

values, but seconda_~ enrichment of uraninite at or near perched water tables may also be extremely important in producing ore. Carbonaceous materials are effective localizers of reduced uranium minerals. Naterial

derived from wood is9 L~ many places, apparantly responsible for essentially all uranium deposited" inasmuch as there is a l:l correspondence of the 17

distribution of urani= and woodo l,fuereas "wood" is apparently a sufficient precipitating agent, it is not a necessary one, at least on a macroscopic basis, for a number of deposits seem to contain noneo However, woody mat-erials in ore are almost invariably sites of high uranium concentrationo It appears that most material derived from wood is an effective precipitant of uranium from migrant solutions, and that the.presence of "hot wood" with "cold wood" nearby reflects high uranium concentrations in the solutions that encountered the "hot wood" and low concentration in those encountering "cold wood" o It appears that the

cutoff amount of uranium in solution below which "wood" will not remove is very low indeed (less than 1 ppm?), the implication being that ore is formed by relatively restricted bodies of "concentrated" solutions

( \ migrating through the rocks o Field observations were consistent with the deposition of a primary ore from solutions moving through water-

saturated, deaerated rocks 9 though the picture is complicated by local post-depositional oxidation and migration. In other words, a two-step cycle may be visualized: (a) deposition of a reduced ore frcm ;mter migrating at depth (hundreds or thousands of feet below the water table) and (b) oxidation of this ore during recent erosion cycle. Inspection

of numerous pre- and post-ore faults did not disclose any evidence that

these faults may have functioned as sources from which ore fluids might have emanated or as barriers controlling the lateral extent of ore o One of the few characteristics of sandstone-type uranium deposits that seems to hold regionally is the preference of ore fluids for bulk transport through permeable sands in preference to migration along secondary openingso ( 18 ( This perhaps results from the discontinuity of near-vertical fractures

in the lenticular sands and shales of the typical channeled continental

host rocks. There was no evidence incompatible with a concept that

uranium and associated elements were carried in unusually alkaline

(pH ; 9) alkali carbonate solutions in equilibrium with the containing

rocks. Precipitation probably would occur as a result of acidification

and/or decrease of Eh.

Geochemistry of thorium by E. S. Larsen, 3rd

lY!ajor effort continued on development of analytical methods

for -Th in migrogram quantities. X-ray fluorescence methods, using Tl

as internal standard, yield consistent quantitative results down to 5j i \ Th. Improved manipulative techniques have proven useful in working 1cith

hydroxide precipitates which give better results than the quinolate.

Colorimetric method~ show increasing promise. "~ r"",

Table 1.--ANALYTICAL \'fORK CONPIETED AND SANPIE INVENTORY 9 September 1956 Samples Samples Completed Chem. Detns. " Radio~ Spec. on hand rec'd in in On hand Source u 9ther activit~ {samEles) X··ray Min. Age sf2oL'26 SeEto SeEto 9L2ob6 vlashington Lab. AEC 33 2 36 ~~~~ 5 10 14 24 ll6 39 101 Colorado Plateau

-...... ~ sandstones --- 84 -~-·-- -- -~- -- 499 12 7 504 Sandstones··Other than Plateau ~-L~ --- -- ·------~ 17 106 12 ill Veins and igneous

*-~ ...... ~=~ rocks ------ll --~ ll ~- Carbonaceous rocks 1 --- 1 12 ""~-- - 199 114 13 300 Southeast Phosphate --- ...,_.,.._ ~ ...... Northwest Phosphate 120 363 60 ~-- -·~- -- 180 --- 180 ...... ~ Alaskan _ 41 --- 74 ------~---- 38 2 40 Public samples 39 -- 54 1 19 -·- --· 242 270 ll7 395 1--' l:fineralogical -cJ Projects 61 342 40 92 96 --- ~- 601 101 230 472 ~ochemistry of U 58 194 --- 18 62 --- -- 719 133 210 642 Miscellaneous 26 . !±9 23 !±Z 2 17 --- 88 81 71 98 Total- 379 1.034 288 170 184 27 14 2.618 935 699 2.854 Denver Lab. AEC 97 84 63 25 28 2 --- 280 143 218 205 P:].ant s and soils ------· --- 91 ------91 Qolorado Plateau sandston~s 1 535 152 164 2 --- - 1.506 417 281 1.642 Sandstones-Other than Plateau 65 185 18 --- 6 --- -- 551 107 128 530 Veins and igneous rocks ------3 24 19 --- -- 206 89 49 246 Carbonaceous rocks 1 --- 1 ------67 18 2 83 Phosphates Waters 196 i 182 ------74 34 62 46 Public samples 5 --- 8 ------3 --- 22 17 8 31 Geochemistry of U --- 2 ------96 -- 1 95 Miscellaneous 96 !J:8 !±7 18 17 3 - 608 726 .2.22 li002 Total 461 1.036 292 231 72 8 -- 3,501 1,551 1,081 3.971 Grand Total 840 2,070 580 401 256 35 14 6,ll9 2,486 1.780 6.825 20

Table 2o--Sta~us of Trace Elements Investigations, September 1956

Status of Jj Investigation investigation PROJECTS SPONSORED BY DrJISION OF RAW !1ATERIALS Geologic mapping Colorado Plateau region Gateway, Coiorado B Uravan 9 Colorado A Bull Canyon, Colorado A Slick Rock 9 Colorado A Hestern San Juan !1ountains 9 Colorado A Ute l'lounta.L"l.s 9 Colorado A Lisbon Valley, Utah-Colorado A La Sal Creek, Utah A Elk Ridge, Utah A San Rafael Swell, Utah A Inter-River area, Utah A Circle Cliffs, Utah A Abajo Mounta..-tns, Utah A Sage Plain, Utah A ( Orange Cliffs, Utah A East Venni.llion CJ H'fs, Arizona A Grants;, New l1exico A Laguna9 New Hexico A Central region Southern Powder River Basin, Wyoming A Northern Black Hills 9 Wyoming A Southern Black Hills 9 Wyoming A Ha.."'Ciing County 9 Sou:t.h Dakota A Gas Hii l s 9 lvyoming A Hiland, Wyoming A Ralston Buttes9 Colorado A Colorado Front Range 9 Colorado c ~~bell 9 Colorado A Thomas Range 9 Utah A T-llcumcari-Sabinoso area, New Hexico A Pacific region Turtle Lake 9 Washington A Jarbidge9 Nevada-Idaho A Eastern Tegion !1auch Chunk 9 Pennsylvania A Florida phosphate A 2l

Table 2o--Continued

Status of Y' Investigation investigation

Geolofic topical studies Co orado Plateau region Triassic study A Entrada study A General stratigraphic study A Lithologic studies A Regional synthesis9 New Mexico A Regional synthesis9 Utah-Arizona A Regional synthesis, Colorado B Research on selected problems A Hopi Buttes9 Arizona A Central region Dripping Spring, Arizona c Inyan Kara stratigraphy 9 I'Jyoming-south Dakota A Regional synthesis, Montana and Dakotas A Permian sediments of Texas A Pacific region Northwest phosphate c ( Idaho placers C. Alaska RecoP~aissance for uranium in Alaska A Brazil Reconnaissance for uranium in Brazil B General studies Compilation and critical review of data A Relation of fossil wood to uranium concentration A Geophysical investigations Colorado Plateau region Regional geophysical studies A Central region Southwest Texas geophysical studies A General investigations Original-state core studies A Physical properties of ore and host rock A Geophysical investigations of uranium geology A Development and maintenance of radiation detection equipment A Gamma-ray logging A Airborne radioactivity surveying A

I ' 22

Table 2o--Continued

Status of 1/ Investigation investigation Geochemical investigations Colorado Plateau region Distribution of elements A General investigations Botanical research A Geochemistry of uranium-bearing shales A Uranium in asphaltite a~d petroleum A Hineralogic research Colorado Plateau region ()zoe mineralogy A Clay mineralogy A General investigations Hineralogy of uranium A Crystallography of uranium A Research on techniques A Research on analytical methods Radioactivity A ( Spectrography A Chemistry A PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE DIVISION OF RESEARCH

Physical behavior of radon A Gamma-ray absorption and scattering A Raden &'d helilun studies A Uranium in natural waters A Organic geochemistry of uranium A Distribution of uranium in igneous complexes A Synthesis and solution chemistry of uranium A Stable isotope analysis A Nuclear geology A Geochronology A Natural radioactivity of the atmosphere A Thermoluminscence of radioactive minerals A Nuclear magnetic resonance studies A Geochemis·~:cy and geology of thorium A C~ologic the~ometrJ of radioactive macerials A

1/ Ao Field or laboratory work in progress. Bo Field or laboratory work recessed• probable date to be resumed is given. if knowno Co Field or laboratory work completed• repo:rG in preparation. 23 REPORTS TSSUED AND PROCESSED FOR PUBLICATION by Donna Bowman and Dora Conklin

TEI Reports issued

227--"Geology and uranium occurrences in the Miller Hill area, Carbon County, Wyoming," by James D. Vine and George E. Prichard, 78 p., 1 fig., September 28, 1956. (Unclassified).

434--"Uranium deposits in the Dripping Spring quartzite, Gila County, Arizona,• by Harry C. Granger and Robert B. Raup, 110 p., 7 figs., September 10, 1956. (Unclassified).

449--"Exploration for uranium-vanadium deposits in the Beaver Mesa area, Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County, Utah," by L. J. Eicher, 54 p., 2 figs., September 28, 1956. (Official use only).

546--"Uranium resources of the San Rafael district, Emery County, Utah, a regional synthesis," by H. S. Johnson, Jr., 33- p., September 4, 1956. (Unclassified).

588--"Behavior of Colorado Plateau uranium minerals during oxidation," ( by R. M. Garrels and C. L. Christ, 24 p., September 17, 1956. (Unclassified). 626--"Uranium content and leachability of some igneous rocks and their geochemical significance," by George J. Neuerburg, John C. Antweiler, and Barrie H. Bieler, 23 p., September 21, 1956. (Unclassified).

TEM Reports issued

749--"The disconformity between the Lower and Upper Cretaceous forma­ tions in western Colorado and eastern Utah,'" by William D. Carter, 18 p., September 13, 1956. (Unclassified).

936--"Photogeologic map, Navajo Hountain-14 quadrangle, San Juan County, Utah and Coconino County, Arizona,• by R. J. Hackman, 2 p., 1 fig., September 11 1956. (Unclassified).

938--"Photogeologic map, Hurricane Cliffs-2 NE quadrangle, Mohave County, Arizona," by C. H. Marshall, 2 p., 1 fig., September ll, 1956. (Unclassified). 980--"Application of punched cards to geologic data concerning uranium deposits in sandstone," by W. I. Finch, ·24 p., September 13, 1956. (Unclassifie·

TEI Re arts in Process October 1 1 6 Titles subject to change)

59--"Reconnaissance investigations for uranium in the Colorado Front Range and adjacent areas, 1947-1951," by R. U. King. {

TEI Reports in nrocess, October 1 0 1956--Continued 240--"Uranium deposit at the North Point claim, White Canyon area, San Juan County, Utah," by Albert F. Trites, Jr.

302--"Geology of the Lost Creek schroeckingerite deposits, Sweetwater County, Wyoming," by D. M, Sheridan, C, H. Maxwell, and J, T. Collier,

392--"Search for radioactive intrusive rocks in New Jersey, New York, and New England,'" by Robert R. Coats.

395--"Geology of uranium deposits in Triassic rocks of the Colorado Plateau,• by W, I, Finch.

396--~The equation of continuity in geology with application to the transport of radioactive gas," by A. Y, Sakakura, Carolyn Lindberg, and Henry Faul.

397--"Stratigraphy of Triassic and associated formations in part of the Colorado Plateau region," by J, H, Stewart, G. A. Hilliams, H. F. Albee, and 0, B. Raup with a section on Sedimentary Petrology by R. A. Cadigan.

423--"Geology and uranium deposits of part of the Browns Park formation,' Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah--a preliminary report," by P. K, Theobald, Jr. and R. T, Chew, III,

447--"Proposed nomenclature of part of Upper Triassic strata in southeastern Utah,~ by John H. Stewart, ,

448--"Exploration for uranium deposits in the Yellow Cat and Squaw Park areas, Thompson district, Grand County, Utah," by C. M. Mobley and E. S, Santos,

480--"Laboratory study of high-grade uranium-bearing lignite from Harding County, South Dakota,• by James M. Schopf and Ralph J. Gray.

483-"A study of prec~swn of uranium analyses of samples of the Phosphoria formation," by E. R, Cressman and L, D. Carswell,

485--"Comparison of the isotopic abundance of u235and u23 8 and the radium activity ratios in the Colorado Plateau uranium ores," by F, E. Senftle, L, Stieff, F, Cuttitta, and P. K, Kuroda.

486--"Classification and distribution of uranium-bearing veins in the United States," by George VI. 1·/alker and Frank W. Osterwald.

487--"The gold pan as a quantitative tool," by Paul K. Theobald, Jr.

521--"Preliminary report on geology and uranium occurrences of Upper ( Alamosa Creek Valley, Catron County, New Mexico,~ by G. 0. Bachman, E, H. Baltz, Jr., and R, L, Griggs. 25

TEI Reports in process, October l, 1956--Continued

529--RNotes on the geology of uranium," by M, R. Klepper and D. G, Wyant with contributions by D. C, Duncan, Walter Danilchik, M. H. Staat~, Harley Barnes, and V, E • McKelvey,

547--"Areal geology of the Placerville quadrangle, Colorado,~ by A. L. Bush, C, S, Bromfield, and C. T. Pierson,

549--"Fluorescent silica as a guide to uranium ore in Monument Valley, Utah and Arizona," by Richard Q, Lewis, Sr.

580--"Bibliography and index of literature on uranium and thorium and radioactive occurrences in the United States -Part 5: Northeastern section," by Margaret Cooper,

589--"A fluorimetric study of the thorium-marin system,~ by Robert G, Milkey and Mary H. Fletcher,

594--"Directional resistivity measurements in exploration for uranium deposits on the Colorado Plateau,• by George V, Keller,

596--"Geology of the Carlile mine, Crook County, Wyoming," by M. H. Bergendahl and R. E. Davis. ( 598--RSome uranium deposits in Arizona," by H. C. Granger and R. B. Raup.

611--"Reconnaissance for uranium and thorium in Alaska during 1954," by John J, _Matzke and Robert G. Bates,

612--"Geochemical exploration at a uraniferous galena prospect near Fox, Fairbanks district, east-central Alaska, 1952'; by John J. Matzke and Helmuth Wedow,

613--"Uranium-bearing coal in the eastern part of ttle Great Divide Basin, Sweetwater County, \

615--"Uranium distribution in pseudowollastonite slag from a phosphorus furnace," by Edward Young and Zalman S. Altschuler,

616--"Synthesis of calcium vanadate minerals and related compounds," by Richard Marvin,

617--"Summary of reconnaissance for uranium in Alaska, 1955}1 by John J, Matzke and Val L, Freeman,

618--"Lead-alpha age determinations of granitic rocks from Alaska," by J, J. Matzke, H. W. Jaffe, and C, L, Waring,

619--"The physical behavior and geologic control of radon in mountain streams," by Allen S, Rogers, ( 26 622--"The crystal chemistry and mineralogy of vanadium,• by Howard T. Evans, Jr.

623--"The determination of calcium in phosphate, carbonate, and silicate rocks by flame photometer," by Henry Kramer.

624--wUranium content of ground and surface waters in western Kansas, eastern· Colorado, and the Oklahoma Panhandle," by E. R. Landis.

625--"Stratigfaphy of middle Tertiary rocks in part of west-central Florida," by Wilfred J. Carr and Douglas c. Alverson.

TEM Reports in process. October 1. 1956 (Titles subject to change)

568--"Alteration of sandstone as a guide to uranium deposits and their origin, northern Black Hills, South Dakota,• by R. C. Vickers.

831--"Preliminary geologic map of Happy and Hatch Canyons, Orange Cliffs area, '

898--"Uraniferous 1asphaltite 1 of southwestern Oklahoma," by James W. Hill.

( \ 900--"Summary report on the stratigraphy and structure of the northern and western flanks of the Black Hills uplift,• by Charles S. Robinson and William J. Mapel.

943--"Radioactive phonolite and associated thorium - rare earth - niobium veins in the Laughlin Peak area, Chico Hills, Colfax County, New Mexico," by Charles M. Tschanz.

949--"Tectonic map of northern Colorado and northeastern Utah, showing the distribution of uranium deposits,• by F. W. Osterwald and B. G. Dean.

951--"Tectonic map of Wyoming, east of the overthrust belt, showing the distribution of uranium deposits," by F. W. Osterwald and B. G. Dean.

962--"Photogeologic map, Navajo Mountain-S quadrangle, San Juan County, Utah," by A. B. Olson.

974~-"Preliminary geologic map and sections of the western part of the Gateway district, Mesa County, Colorado and Grand County, Utah,• by L. J. Eicher, D. C. Hedlund, and G. A. Hiller.

999--"Glauconitic mica in the Morrison formation in Colorado,'" by W, D. Keller.

1011--"Mineralogical classification of uranium-vanadium deposits of the Colorado Plateau, a by Theodore Botinelly and Alice D•. Weeks. .' \ 27 Trace Elements Reports published by the Survey

Bulletin 1030-F ~Geology and monazite content of the Goodrich quartzite, Palmer area, Marquette County, Michigfu~,n by R, C, Vickers, (TEI-384),

1032-B "Geology and ore deposits of the Freeland­ Lamartine district, Clear Creek County, Colorado," by J, E, Harrison and J, C, Wells, (TEI-295),

1046-A "Inferred relationship of some uranium deposits and calcium carbonate cement in the southern Black Hills, South Dakota, n py Garland. B, Got'G. (TEM-1000).

I 169 °Photogeologic map, Lees Ferry SE quadrangle, Coconino County, Arizona," by Kathleen McQueen. (TEM-956),

I 171 "Photogeologic map, Faria Plateau NW quadrangle, Coconino County, Arizona," by J, P, Minard, (TEM-963).

Trace Elements Reports published outside the Survey

( Feinstein, H. I., The spectrophotometric determination of vanadium as \, thiocyanate in acetone-water medium: Analytica Chimica Acta, v. 15, no. 2, p. 141-144, 1956, (TEI-543).

Fletcher, M. H. and Milkey, R. G., A spectrophotometric study of the thorium-marin mixed-color system: Anal, Chemistry, v. 28, no, 9, p. 1402-1407, 1956, (TEI-460).