Geochemical Landscapes
Geochemical Landscapes of Alaska
Objectives
In 2001, the USGS published new geochemical maps for the conterminous United States
based on a low-density soil survey conducted by H.T. Shacklette during the 1960s and
1970s. A similar low-density data set, collected by L.P. Gough and R.C. Severson in the
1980s, exists for Alaska. However, the only geochemical maps published are black-and-white,
point-symbol maps released in 1988. We proposed to generate state-of-the-art full-color
geochemical maps using the same mapping algorithm used to produce the maps of
the conterminous U.S. In addition, we investigated opportunities to conduct additional
soil-related geochemical landscape studies in Alaska.
The objectives of this task were to 1) produce a USGS professional paper (similar to USGS Professional Paper 1648) to show the geochemical landscape of Alaska based on the low-density soil survey conducted by Gough and Severson; and 2) identify opportunities to conduct collaborative soil geochemistry studies in Alaska.
Products
Presentations
- Gough, L.P., Lamothe, P.J., Sanzolone, R.F, Drew, L.J., and
Maier, J.A.K., 2009, The regional geochemistry of soils and willow in a metamorphic bedrock
terrain, Seward Peninsula, and its possible impact on moose: Proceedings of the 2009
Western Alaska Conference on Native Subsistence and Ecosystem Processes, 1 p.
- Wang, B., Gough, L.P., Smith, D.B., and Guvtasson, N., 2006, Geochemical
landscapes of Alaska: Abstracts of the 18th World Congress of Soil Science, July 9-15, 2006, Philadelphia, PA (CDROM).
- Wang, B., Gough, L., Smith, D.B., and Gustavsson, N., 2006, Geochemical landscapes of Alaska: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 38, no. 5, p. 74. View Wang GSA abstract.
- Wang, B., Gough, L.P., Smith, D.B., and Gustavsson, N., 2005, Geochemical landscapes of Alaska: 2005 Goldschmidt Conference, May 20-25, 2005, Moscow, Idaho, p. A698.
- Wang, Bronwen, Woodruff, L.G., Cannon, W.F., Gough, L.P., and Smith,
D.B., 2008, Geochemical transect of Alaska—The chemical weathering of soil as it relates to
climate and biota: 2008 Joint Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America,
American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of
America, and Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, 5-9 October, Houston, Texas,
CD-ROM. View Wang 2008 Joint Meeting Absract.
Reports
- Gough, L.P., Lamothe, P.J., Sanzolone, R.F, Drew, L.J., and Maier,
J.A.K., 2009, The regional geochemistry of soils and willow in a metamorphic bedrock terrain,
Seward Peninsula, Alaska, and its possible relation to moose: U.S. Geological Survey
Open-File Report 2009-1124, 41 p. Available online at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1124/.
- Gough, L.P., Wang, Bronwen, Smith, D.B., and Gustavsson, Nils, 2005, Geochemical
landscapes of Alaska-New map presentations and interpretations for 23 elements
in surficial materials: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1716,
36 p. Available online at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/2005/1716/.
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