Survey Metadata

During August 2004, a regional stream sediment and water survey was carried out in the Travaillant Lake area, Northwest Territories.  Samples were collected from 37 sites at an average density of 1 sample site per 13 km².

The data are published in GSC Open File 4951.  This publication also contains kimberlite indicator mineral data from heavy mineral concentrates.

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

NGR stream sediment, water and HMC

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.

Material for heavy mineral concentrates was collected from the upstream points of mid-channel bars, at a single point where possible.  Material was wet-sieved through a 12-mesh stainless steel sieve into a 5-gallon plastic pail lined with a heavy-duty plastic bag until a sample weight of 10-15 kg was attained.