Survey Metadata

In July 2006, a helicopter-supported stream sediment and water survey was carried out in the Nahoni Range area of west central Yukon, covering an area of approximately 5,000 km².  A total of 355 sites were sampled at a target density of 1 site per 13 km², yielding 376 silt and 349 water samples.  The data are published in Geological Survey of Canada Open File 5695/Yukon Geological Survey Open File 2008-2.

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.