Identification Information:
Citation:
Citation Information:
Originator: Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Originator: Alberta Geological Survey
Originator: Fenton, M.M.
Originator: Pawlowicz, J.G.
Originator: Prior, G.J.
Publication Date: 2005
Title: Geochemical soil survey over the K4B kimberlite, Buffalo Head Hills, northern Alberta
Geospatial Data Presentation Form: document
Series Information:
Series Name: Geo-Note
Issue Identification: GEO 2005-09
Publication Information:
Publication Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey
Description:
Abstract:

The K4B kimberlite, one of three kimberlites forming the K4 kimberlite complex, is located in the southeastern Buffalo Head Hills of northern Alberta. The K4B kimberlite is covered by as little as 7 m of overburden composed largely of till. During the summer of 2001, an organic soil and mineral soil (B- and C-horizons) sampling program was completed over and west of the K4B kimberlite. A total of 122 routine soil samples and 22 field site duplicate samples were collected from 42 sites. Multi-element chemical results were obtained for all samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy/mass spectrometry (ICP-AES/MS) analyses following aqua regia digestion. Additional results were obtained on the B- and C-horizon soil samples by a) four-acid digestion ICP-AES, b) four-acid digestion ICP-MS, c) instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and d) cold vapour atomic absorption (CVAA).

Aqua regia extractable results for most elements are lower in the organic soil samples than in the C-horizon soil samples. Exceptions are K, Ca, Co, Zn, Sr, Nb, Mo and Ba, for which the median values are similar, and B, P, S, Mn, Se, Ag, Cd and Hg, for which the median organic soil values exceed the median C-horizon values.

Total and near-total results, determined by four-acid ICP-AES/MS and INAA, indicate B-horizon depletion of Mg, P, S, Ca, Mn, Co, Br, Sr and Cd, coupled with B-horizon enrichment of Cr, Rb, Y, Zr, Ag and Sn. Aqua regia extractable results indicate B, Na, Mg, P, Ca, Mn, Co, Sr, Ag, Cd and Ba values are generally lower and Li, Be, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Ga, Se, Rb, Y, Nb, In, Sn, Te, Th, U and rare-earth element values are generally higher in B-horizon soil relative to C-horizon soil. Variability in Mg, P, Cr and Nb concentrations in mineral soil related to depth have implications for the use of soil geochemistry in diamond exploration as they may serve as kimberlite pathfinder elements.

Evidence of anomalous soil geochemistry related to kimberlite is found in the results of the organic soil survey for which elevated Mg/Fe, Ni/V and B values are spatially associated with the K4B kimberlite.

Purpose:
To release geochemical data obtained from samples of organic soil, B-horizon soil and C-horizon soil collected in the area of the K4B kimberlite, Buffalo Head Hills, northern Alberta.
Supplemental Information: In English
Time Period of Content:
Time Period Information:
Range of Dates/Times:
Beginning Date: 2001
Ending Date: 2005
Currentness Reference: ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency: None planned
Spatial Domain:
Bounding Coordinates:
West Bounding Coordinate: -116
East Bounding Coordinate: -115.5
North Bounding Coordinate: 57
South Bounding Coordinate: 56.75
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme Keyword Thesaurus:
Theme Keyword: b horizon
Theme Keyword: c horizon
Theme Keyword: geochemistry
Theme Keyword: geology
Theme Keyword: kimberlite
Theme Keyword: organic soil
Theme Keyword: soil
Theme Keyword: till
Place:
Place Keyword Thesaurus:
Place Keyword: 84b
Place Keyword: alberta
Place Keyword: buffalo head hills
Place Keyword: canada
Place Keyword: sawn lake
Access Constraints: Public
Use Constraints: Credit to originator/source required. Commercial reproduction not allowed.
Point of Contact:
Contact Information:
Contact Organization Primary:
Contact Organization: Alberta Geological Survey
Contact Person: Communications Advisor
Contact Position: Communications Advisor
Contact Address:
Address Type: mailing and physical
Address: Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Address: 4th Floor, Twin Atria Building
Address: 4999-98 Avenue
City: Edmonton
State or Province: Alberta
Postal Code: T6B 2X3
Country: Canada
Contact Voice Telephone: (780) 422-3767
Contact Facsimile Telephone: (780) 422-1918
Contact Electronic Mail Address: eub.ags-infosales@gov.ab.ca
Hours of Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Distribution Information:
Distributor:
Contact Information:
Contact Organization Primary:
Contact Organization: Alberta Geological Survey
Contact Person: Information Sales Coordinator
Contact Position: Information Sales Coordinator
Contact Address:
Address Type: mailing and physical
Address: Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Address: 4th Floor, Twin Atria Building
Address: 4999-98 Avenue
City: Edmonton
State or Province: Alberta
Postal Code: T6B 2X3
Country: Canada
Contact Voice Telephone: (780) 422-3767
Contact Facsimile Telephone: (780) 422-1918
Contact Electronic Mail Address: eub.ags-infosales@gov.ab.ca
Hours of Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Distribution Liability:
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board/Alberta Geological Survey (EUB/AGS) and its employees and contractors make no warranty, guarantee or representation, express or implied, or assume any legal liability regarding the correctness, accuracy, completeness or reliability of this publication. The data are supplied on the understanding that they are for the sole use of the user and will not be redistributed in any form, in whole or in part, to third parties. Any references to proprietary software in our documentation, and/or any use of proprietary data formats in our releases, do not constitute endorsement by the EUB/AGS of any manufacturer's product.
Metadata Reference Information:
Metadata Date: 20051122
Metadata Contact:
Contact Information:
Contact Organization Primary:
Contact Organization: Alberta Geological Survey
Contact Person: Communications Advisor
Contact Position: Communications Advisor
Contact Address:
Address Type: mailing and physical
Address: Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Address: 4th Floor, Twin Atria Building
Address: 4999-98 Avenue
City: Edmonton
State or Province: Alberta
Postal Code: T6B 2X3
Country: Canada
Contact Voice Telephone: (780) 422-3767
Contact Facsimile Telephone: (780) 422-1918
Contact Electronic Mail Address: eub.ags-infosales@gov.ab.ca
Hours of Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Metadata Standard Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata Standard Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata Time Convention: local time
Metadata Access Constraints: none
Metadata Use Constraints: none