Gold in geologic material is dissolved using a solution of hydrobromic acid and bromine, extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone, and determined using an atomic-absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace atomizer. A comparison of results obtained by this flameless atomic-absorption method on U.S. Geological Survey reference rocks and geochemical samples with reported values and with results obtained by flame atomic-absorption shows that reasonable accuracy is achieved with improved precision. The sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the method allows acquisition of data on the distribution of gold at or below its crustal abundance.

Journal of Geochemical Exploration↗

USGS1979

Geochemical data for Cohutta Wilderness, Georgia-Tennessee

Trace-element data obtained from stream-sediment, soil, and rock-chip samples by semiquantitative spectrographic and atomic absorption analyses. Geochemical data are grouped alphabetically by letter prefix and arranged in numerical order within the lettered groups. The listed data were obtained from samples collected in 1977 and 1978 by Jacob E. Gair and John F. Slack, assisted by Andrew Grosz, Richard Ketelle, Donald Henry, Thomas Hanley, Ann Stevens, and Gregory R. Morley. The spectrographic and atomic absorption analyses were done in laboratories of the Branch of Exploration Research, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver. The spectrographic analyses were done by David F. Siems and Elwin L. Mosier; the atomic absorption analyses, by Allen L. Meier. Data retrieval from the computerized storage file of the U.S. Geological Survey was made by Nancy A. Wright.

Georgia, Tennessee↗