Browsing by Subject "public sample program"

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    Information Circular 22. Analytical Results of the Public Geologic Sample Program, 1983-1985 Biennium
    (Minnesota Geological Survey, 1985) Morey, G.B.; McSwiggen, Peter L.; Kuhns, Mary Jo P.; Jirsa, Mark A.
    In 1983 the Minnesota Geological Survey, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Minerals, began a geologic sample program whereby the general public was encouraged to submit samples of geologic material for identification and possible analysis. The program was roughly patterned after a similar program in Finland. The Finnish program has resulted in a heightened public interest in the mineral potential of that country and has resulted in the discovery of several ore deposits. It was for those reasons, as well as the potential increase in geologic knowledge that could result, that a similar program was initiated in Minnesota. As originally conceived, the geologic sample program was to focus on samples submitted to the Minnesota Geological Survey by the general public. As part of its public service function, the Survey was to identify and classify rock or mineral samples that were collected in the state. If any of the samples were thought to have potential scientific or economic interest, they were to be submitted for chemical analyses or other appropriate tests. A copy of a brochure that was prepared to advertise the program is shown in Figure 1, and the sample submittal form that sets forth the operating conditions for the program is shown in Figure 2. The brochure and other publicity about the program led to requests for 238 submittal forms and to approximately 500 walk-in and telephone requests for additional information. Unfortunately, of the more than 700 inquiries, only 9 samples were ultimately judged suitable for additional chemical analysis (Table 1). The "suitability" rate of only slightly more than 1 percent was due to a number of factors. Many people only became aware of the program very late in the biennium. Other people who had samples of scientific or economic interest were unwilling to submit those samples to the Geological Survey for several reasons, including (a) the expense of mailing samples, (b) an unwillingness to part with a "prized" specimen, or (c) a lack of knowledge about mineral rights (i.e., a fear of jeopardizing their rights by revealing the location of a sample). However the great majority of samples were submitted by individuals who simply wanted them identified without concern as to possible scientific or economic value. Because of the sluggish public response, the program was modified in early 1985 to include samples of scientific or economic interest that were submitted by personnel of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Minerals, or the Minnesota Geological Survey. This programmatic change led to the additional analysis of 304 samples from various components of the Early Proterozoic Animikie basin on the Mesabi and Cuyuna ranges and in east-central Minnesota (Tables 2, 3, 4, and 7) and from various poorly known rock units in southwestern (Tables 5 and 8) and southeastern Minnesota (Tables 6 and 9).
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    Information Circular 25. Analytical Results of the Public Geologic Sample Program, 1985-1987 Biennium
    (Minnesota Geological Survey, 1987) Morey, G.B.; McDonald, Linda L.
    In 1983 the Minnesota Geological Survey, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Minerals, began a geologic sample program involving the chemical analysis of geological materials, in part submitted by the general public. This Information Circular summarizes the results of that program during the 1985-1987 biennium. In all, 163 samples were analyzed for a variety of minor and trace elements (Tables 1-6); 111 samples were analyzed for major elements as well as minor and trace elements (Tables 7-12). The tables within those categories are organized by the geological age of the materials analyzed.
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    Information Circular 29. Analytical Results of the Public Geologic Sample Program, 1987-1989 Biennium
    (Minnesota Geological Survey, 1989) Morey, G.B.; McDonald, Linda L.
    In 1983 the Minnesota Geological Survey, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Minerals, began a geologic sample program involving the chemical analysis of geological materials, in part submitted by the general public. This Information Circular summarizes the results of that program during the 1987-1989 biennium. In all, 166 samples were evaluated by Survey geologists as potential candidates. Of that total, 129 samples were rejected because they were not deemed suitable for analysis and 25 samples were rejected because the submitters were unwilling or unable to provide locations as required by the program. In the end, 4 public samples (Tables 1, 4, and 9) were analyzed for a variety of constituents. Additionally, 326 samples submitted by Survey geologists were analyzed for a variety of major, minor, and trace constituents. The analytical results from 10 other miscellaneous samples were also donated to the Survey during the biennium and are included in this report. Tables within those categories are organized by the geological age of the material analyzed.
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    Information Circular 38. Analytical Results of the Public Geologic Sample Program, 1989-1991 Biennium
    (Minnesota Geological Survey, 1992) Morey, G.B.; Day, L.S.
    In 1983 the Minnesota Geological Survey, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Minerals, began a geologic sample program involving the chemical analysis of geologic materials, in part submitted by the general public. This Information Circular summarizes the results of that program during the 1989-1991 biennium. In all, 106 samples were evaluated by Survey geologists as potential candidates. In addition we received 115 written and phone requests for information about the program. In the end, only one public sample (Table 1 and 7) was analyzed for a variety of constituents. Also, 308 samples of Archean to Quaternary age submitted by Survey geologists were analyzed for a variety of major, minor, and trace constituents. Tables within those categories are organized by the geologic age of the material analyzed. In addition, 39 samples of water derived from the Hinckley-Mt. Simon aquifer of southeastern Minnesota were analyzed for their trace-element contents (Table 13), as were 33 samples for the del S34 content (Table 14). Effective July 1.1989, the program was discontinued; this is the last report in this series.