This dataset represents lithogeochemistry of Saskatchewan samples.

This dataset represents lithogeochemistry of Saskatchewan samples. This dataset represents the exhaustive mapping and sampling program of the Athabasca Group between 1975 and 1981 by the Saskatchewan Geological Survey (SGS), the results of which are contained in Ramaekers (1990). These samples are now stored at the Ministry of Energy and Resources, Subsurface Geological Laboratory in Regina, Saskatchewan. A selection of these samples was chosen to help characterize the background geochemical signature of the Athabasca Group and to identify anomalous regions. A total of 837 samples were chosen. All samples in this data set were processed at the Geoanalytical Laboratories at the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 certified facility (i.e., meets the General Requirements for the Competence of Mineral Testing and Calibration Laboratories). Samples were crushed, split, agate ground, and then run with Sandstone Exploration Package ICPMS 1. The package produces three separate analysis types: inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP MS) partial digestion for trace elements; ICP MS total digestion for trace elements; and ICP–Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP–OES) total digestion for major and minor elements. Details and detection limits are available on the SRC’s website. ICP total digestion: a 0.250 g pulp is gently heated in a mixture of ultrapure HF/HNO3/HClO4until dry and the residue dissolved in dilute ultrapure HNO3; ICP MS total digestion: a 0.250 g pulp is gently heated in a mixture of ultrapure HF/HNO3/HClO4until dry and the residue dissolved in dilute ultrapure HNO3; ICP MS partial digestion: a 2.00 g pulp is digested with 2.25 ml of 8:1 ultrapure HNO3:HCl for 1 hour at 95° C; Detection limits are from the SRC's 2011 Analytical Fee Schedule; null values indicate that elements are below the detection limit. NOTE: Attribute data headings ending with TD indicate Total Digestion, those ending with PD indicate Partial Digestion. Majors oxides are in percent; all other elements are in ppm. **Please Note – All published Saskatchewan Geological Survey datasets, including those available through the Saskatchewan Mining and Petroleum GeoAtlas, are sourced from the Enterprise GIS Data Warehouse. They are therefore identical and share the same refresh schedule.