The data from this instrument consists of sets of measurements of Xray intensity as a function of diffraction angle. Almost all of it is collected using a position-sensitive detector (PSD), and is stored in CIF format.

This dataset contains X-ray diffraction (XRD) results for coal samples from the Usibelli Coal Mine and fly ash samples from the Atkinson Heat and Power Plant in Fairbanks, AK. Additionally, X-ray diffraction results from the solid phase residuals of leaching experiments with the same fly ash are reported. The leaching experiments were performed with either 18 mega-ohm or simulated rainwater for up to 90 days and XRD was performed on solid phase residuals from sacrifical timepoints (1 hour, 2 days, 7 days, 14 days, 28 days, and 90 days).

Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data and estimates of mineral abundances determined using Rietveld refinement included in this data release were generated as part of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI; https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/earth-mri). Earth MRI is a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and state geological surveys and was developed by the USGS to evaluate critical mineral resources in the USA in response to Federal directives to address the shortfall in critical mineral supply for national defense and economic security. Earth MRI involves generating data to support a national critical mineral assessment of subsurface resources, such as mineralized rock, and above ground resources including mine wastes. The mine waste component of Earth MRI involves generating an inventory of mine waste features and the geochemical and mineralogical characterization of mine wastes collected by state geological surveys. The results of the mineralogical characterization of mine waste samples are provided in this data release and include XRD data for each mine waste sample, and the interpretation of those XRD data to estimate mineral abundances using the Rietveld method (Albinati and Willis, 2006). The results of the geochemical characterization of mine wastes are published in the following data release which contains additional sample attribute data: Geochemical data generated by projects funded by the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (https://doi.org/10.5066/P9WHRLXH). These data are being released in support of the ongoing Earth MRI mine waste characterization effort; additional mineralogical data will be released periodically as they are generated. Albinati, A., Willis, B.T.M., 2006, The Rietveld method. In: Prince, E. (eds) International Tables for Crystallography Volume C: Mathematical, physical and chemical tables. International Tables for Crystallography, v. C. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1107/97809553602060000614, accessed July 24, 2024. U.S. Geological Survey, 2021, Geochemical data generated by projects funded by the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (ver. 10.0, June 2024): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9WHRLXH, accessed July 24, 2024.

Calibration panels are used as reference materials with known reflectance characteristics to convert remote sensing image pixel values to scientific units such as reflectance. At the time of purchase, the panel vendor typically provides the customer with reflectance data for the panel. The vendor-provided spectral data as a reference for each panel’s reflectance values at the time of purchase. Over time, the panel’s reflectance can change due to exposure of its surface to elements such as the sun, dirt, dust, sand, and more during the panel’s use in the field. The purpose of this dataset is to enable the assessment of calibration panel reflectance changes over time. In addition to the vendor-provided spectral data for a series of panels at each panel's respective time of purchase, we measured the reflectance characteristics of each panel using a handheld spectroradiometer instrument and share those spectra in this data release. These Calibrated Reflectance Panels were manufactured by MicaSense (MicaSense Inc., Seattle, WA, USA; http://www.micasense.com/), which was also the source of the vendor-provided reflectance data. The vendor-provided data is provided as absolute reflectance (a value between 0.0 and 1.0) in the range of 400 nm to 850 nm (in increments of 1 nm). These vendor-provided spectra are provided in Comma Separated Value file format (files with a .csv extension) with two columns (wavelength, reflectance). We combined the vendor-provided spectral data into a single .csv file for this data release. On February 10, 2020, USGS researchers collected a series of reflectance spectra using a handheld field spectroradiometer for five calibration panels, each delivered to the customer on different dates between 2015-2019 and subjected to different field work conditions over time. This enables an assessment of calibration panel reflectance changes over time. The instrument used to measure the panel reflectance spectra was the Analytical Spectral Devices FieldSpec® 4 Hi-Res (ASD FS4; ASD Inc., a Malvern PANalytical Company, Longmont, Colorado) covering the range from 0.35 to 2.5 µm. These handheld collected reflectance spectra were exported in the .txt format from the ASD ViewSpecPro software, and we combined the collected spectral data into a single Comma Separated Value file format (with a .csv extension).

CAL_IIR_L2_Swath-Standard-V4-20 is the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) Infrared Imaging Radiometer (IIR) Level 2 Swath, Version 4-20 data product. Data for this product was collected using the CALIPSO IIR instrument. This product contains emissivity and cloud particle data assigned to IIR pixels on a 1 km grid centered on the lidar track. Data generation and distribution of this V4.20 product ended on July 1, 2020 to support a change in the operating system of the CALIPSO production clusters. The V4.21 data product covers July 1, 2020 to current. CALIPSO was launched on April 28, 2006 to study the impact of clouds and aerosols on the Earth's radiation budget and climate. It flies in the international A-Train constellation for coincident Earth observations. The CALIPSO satellite comprises three instruments, Cloud-Aerosol LIdar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP), IIR, and Wide Field Camera (WFC). CALIPSO is a joint satellite mission between NASA and the French Agency, CNES.

The VIIRS/Suomi-NPP Cirrus Reflectance 6-Min Swath 750m product is a Level-2 product generated at 750-m (at nadir) spatial resolutions. The algorithm employs a series of visible and infrared threshold and consistency tests to specify confidence that an unobstructed view of the Earth's surface has been observed. An indication of shadows affecting the scene is also provided. Radiometrically-accurate radiances are required, thus holes in the Cloud Mask will appear wherever the input radiances are incomplete or of poor quality assurance. For more information consult Product Page at: https://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/MVCM/