Survey Metadata

During July 2004, a regional stream sediment and water survey was carried out in the Macmillan Pass – Sekwi Mountain area, Northwest Territories.  Samples were collected from 916 sites at an average density of 1 sample site per 13 km².  The data are published in GSC Open File 4949.  Some data from this survey are also included in GSC Open File 5344.

This survey was carried out using National Geochemical Reconnaissance (NGR) protocols.

NGR stream sediment and water

At each site a pre-labelled Kraft paper bag was two-thirds filled with silt or fine sand collected from the active stream channel.  In practice, the silt sample was collected after water samples were collected but before a bulk sediment sample.  Handfuls of silt from various points in the active stream channel were collected while gradually moving upstream.  A moss mat sample was sometimes collected when a suitable sample was scarce or absent.

At every site, waters were sampled mid-channel, from flowing water where possible.  At sites where sediments were taken for heavy mineral concentration (approximately every second site) two water samples were generally collected.  Samples were collected in 125 mL Nalgene bottles.  The bottles were rinsed two or three times before collecting the sample.