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Multivariate statistical analyses were performed on data from 156 mineral-spring sites in nine Western States to analyze relationships among the various parameters measured in the spring waters. Correlation analysis and Rmode factor analysis indicate that three major factors affect water composition in the spring systems studied: (1) duration of water circulation, (2) depth of water circulation, and (3) partial pressure of carbon dioxide. An examination of factor scores indicates that several types of hydrogeologic systems were sampled. Most of the samples are (1) older water from deeper circulating systems having relatively high salinity, high temperature, and low Eh or (2) younger water from shallower circulating systems having relatively low salinity, low temperature, and high Eh. The rest of the samples are from more complex systems. Any of the systems can have a relatively high or low content of dissolved carbonate species, resulting in a low or high pH, respectively. Uranium concentrations are commonly higher in waters of relatively low temperature and high Eh, and radium concentrations are commonly higher in waters having a relatively high carbonate content (low pH) and, secondarily, relatively high salinity. Water samples were collected and (or) measurements were taken at 156 of the 171 mineral-spring sites visited. Various samples were analyzed for radium, uranium, radon, helium, and radium-228 as well as major ions and numerous trace elements. On-site measurements for physical properties including temperature, specific conductance, pH, Eh, and dissolved oxygen were made. All constituents and properties show a wide range of values. Radium concentrations range from less than 0.01 to 300 picocuries per liter; they average 1.48 picocuries per liter and have an anomaly threshold value of 171 picocuries per liter for the samples studied. Uranium concentrations range from less than 0.01 to 120 micrograms per liter and average 0.26 micrograms per liter; they have an anomaly threshold value of 48.1 micrograms per liter. Radon content ranges from less than 10 to 110,000 picocuries per liter, averages 549 picocuries per liter and and has an anomaly threshold of 20,400 picocuries per liter. Helium content ranges from -1,300 to +13,000 parts per billion relative to atmospheric helium; it averages +725 parts per billion and has an anomaly threshold of 10,000 parts per billion. Radium-228 concentrations range from less than 2.0 to 33 picocuries per liter; no anomaly threshold was determined owing to the small number of samples. All of the anomaly thresholds may be somewhat high because the sampling was biased toward springs likely to be radioactive. The statistical variance in radium and uranium concentrations unaccounted for by the identified factors testifies to the complexity of some hydrogeologic systems. Unidentified factors related to geologic setting and the presence of uranium-rich rocks in the systems also affect the observed concentrations of the radioactive elements in the water. The association of anomalous radioactivity in several springs with nearby known uranium occurences indicates that other springs having anomalous radioactivity may also be associated with uranium occurrences as yet undiscovered. Introduction Purpose of study Mineral springs have fascinated mankind for centuries and have long been used for medicinal purposes. Only recently has modern science sought to determine the origin of such springs and found ways to utilize the water or precipitates for various other commercial purposes. Thermal mineral springs have been studied as possible geothermal energy sources. Minerals precipitated by spring waters have been mined for the metals they contain or for their quality as ornamental stone. Some mineral springs have provided insights into the nature of hydrothermal ore-forming solutions. Our study was undertaken to examine the geochemical environment of radioactive mineral springs and to determine if the properties of the springs could be used as geochemical tools in uranium exploration. Data on numerous radioactive and nonradioactive parameters for both water and precipitates from a variety of springs were gathered and interpreted. This report presents the data pertaining to the water at the springs studied. It emphasizes the radioactive properties of the mineral-spring waters and speculates on the relationship between the radioactivity in the waters and the source of radioactivity in the rocks of the associated hydrogeologic systems. It discusses the relationships among all the measured parameters, as determined by multivariate statistical analysis, and interprets the major factors affecting the geochemistry of the spring systems. Sampling was directed toward "mineral springs" as opposed to common fresh-water springs. By definition, a mineral spring is "a spring whose water contains enough mineral matter to give it a definite taste, in comparison to ordinary drinking water, especially if the taste is unpleasant or if the water is regarded as having therapeutic value" (Gary and others, 1974). The minimum amount of mineral matter necessary to impart a taste is not stated, presumably because the amount is variable and depends on the ions or gases involved. Water containing more than 1,000 mg/L (milligrams per liter) total dissolved solids is usually considered undesirable for drinking; therefore, most saline springs can be called mineral waters. Thermal springs are commonly used as health spas and are considered to be mineral water even though the total dissolved-solids content may be less than 1,000 mg/L. In an effort to examine a variety of mineral springs, the literature and maps were searched for references to spas or resorts and to hot springs, warm springs, salt springs, soda springs, and sulfur springs. Many mineral springs in widely scattered localities were visited, as well as fresh-water springs in some areas. The springs sampled range in dissolved-solids content from 83 to 35,000 mg/L and in temperature from 6°C to 94°C. Area of study From 1975 to 1980, 171 spring sites were visited in nine Western States. Water samples were collected and (or) measurements were taken at 156 sites; precipitate or sediment samples were taken at 97 sites. The distribution of sites by State is shown in the following table:

Radioactivity and geochemistry of selected mineral-spring waters in the Western United States; basic data and multivariate statistical analysis