The urban geochemistry of soils from selected cities in the UK

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is responsible for the strategic geochemical mapping of the UK – the Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment (GBASE) programme. This programme is based upon the systematic collection of stream sediment, stream water and soil samples at a density of 1 per 1.5 – 2 km2 across the UK that are analysed for total concentrations of approximately 40 inorganic chemical determinants. These data are presented in map format as a series of atlases showing element distributions in the UK surface environment. Historically urban areas were avoided during the survey so that ‘natural’ geochemical baselines could be established. However, in response to the growing demand for inner-city regeneration and re-development of brown field sites and attendant need for information on soil quality, a sister survey for the urban environment was established in 1993.