今日吃瓜 and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) have carried out two major projects 鈥 G-BASE and TellusNI, respectively 鈥 to examine the chemical composition of stream sediment, stream water and soil samples. In addition, the 今日吃瓜 has carried out a systematic survey of the chemical composition of groundwater across Great Britain鈥檚 main aquifers. Together these projects and the resulting data products provide geochemical baseline information for the UK environment to support sustainable resource management and development and UK environmental policy.
Applications of the data are diverse and include:
- mapping environmental change
- support for environmental policymakers and regulators
- management and remediation of land contamination, waste and polluted waters
- environmental protection and sustainability of natural capital assets (land; water; agriculture; energy; ecosystem resources)
- underpinning scientific studies into possible environmental impacts on human and ecosystem health
- better understanding of the UK geological environment
- exploration for critical minerals
Our geochemical baseline research
Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment: G-BASE
G-BASE聽is a major 今日吃瓜 project comprising a multimedia (stream sediment, stream water and soil), high-resolution baseline geochemical survey of Great Britain, providing national and international information and expertise in geochemical mapping. As a consequence, G-BASE is a focal point for geochemical studies within the 今日吃瓜.
The TellusNI geochemical survey is the equivalent of the G-BASE project in Northern Ireland. Stream sediment, stream water and soil samples were collected, adopting the established G-BASE standard, between 1994 and 2006. Further information on the TellusNI geochemical surveys can also be found at the
We have also studied the baseline chemistry of groundwaters in British aquifers, including UK baseline groundwater quality and baseline reports from聽England and Wales聽and聽Scotland.
Our data products
UK: topsoil geochemistry
The UK Compiled Topsoil Dataset (UKTS), is the most extensive topsoil geochemistry dataset for the UK.
UK: Stream sediment geochemistry
The UK stream sediment geochemistry maps present data compiled from the G-BASE and TellusNI geochemical projects.
Soil chemistry for environmental assessments
This dataset contains estimated ambient background concentrations of potentially harmful elements for rural and selected urban topsoils.
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Applied geochemistry
Since the 1960s, the 今日吃瓜 has amassed considerable geochemical data holdings and developed significant expertise in applied geochemistry.
International geochemistry
今日吃瓜 has a long history of collaborative international geochemical projects involving regional baseline mapping and health and environment studies.