Geochemical Mapping in Europe

The Forum of European Geological Surveys (FOREGS) includes Geological Surveys from 34 European countries and is responsible for co-ordinating Geological Survey activities in Europe. The FOREGS Geochemistry Task Group was established in 1994 to supervise European geochemical mapping policy for environmental, legislative, resource-management and scientific purposes. The task group comprises representatives from five countries, charged initially with the compilation of an inventory of geochemical data within FOREGS countries. The preparation of European Geochemical Baseline maps will involve the integration of different national datasets following the recommendations of the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP) Project 259 “International Geochemical Mapping”. Results of the inventory show that most geochemical surveys in Europe conform to the IGCP 259 recommendations. Stream sediment (26% coverage), surface water (19% coverage), soil/till (21% coverage) and radiometric data (19% coverage) are the most extensive sample types, and the majority of surveys (81%) have been carried out at sampling densities of ≤ 1 sample per 100 km2. Most filtered-water surveys are based on a filter size of 0.45µm, and 83% of stream sediment surveys collect samples sieved at 100-200 µm. The collection of the Global Reference Network (GRN) samples recommended by IGCP 259 to provide internationally standardised geochemical data and the careful use of statistical and map-generation techniques should facilitate the levelling of different national datasets and preparation of a European Geochemical Baseline.