Completion plan for the Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment (G-BASE)

Johnson, C.C.; Flight, D.M.A.. 2011 Completion plan for the Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment (G-BASE). Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 55pp. (IR/11/065) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

In response to NERC national capability (NC) prioritisation which seeks to end systematic regional geochemical mapping, this report contains options and recommendations for the completion of a national geochemical baseline by the G-BASE project by 31st March 2016. The plan delivers samples and analyses from southern England, an area estimated to be 35,500 km2, approximately 7,000 km2 of which is underlain by Chalk (and so would be unsuitable for drainage sampling). A number of options for completing a national geochemical baseline are presented based on the current G-BASE strategy but with an overall reduced sampling density. The Panalytical arrangement for XRFS analysis until January 2016 substantially reduces the analytical budget required, and is therefore a most important criterion of the completion plan. However, the Panalytical deal should not be the sole factor that drives the strategy for finishing off G-BASE. In order to maximise the science and opportunities for collaborative research secondary options are proposed for the collection of a variety of sample media from areas of greatest environmental interest. These secondary options will require additional funding to complete the non-XRFS analyses of samples which could include contributions from external organisations. The proposed work plan is primarily concerned with the “observe and monitor” part of NERC national capability. It excludes any proposal for the data interpretation, modelling and knowledge exchange, and adding value to current geochemical baseline tasks (e.g. London Earth and Clyde Basin) or anything beyond the data gathering phase of completing the geochemical mapping of southern England. It is important that the completion plan does not drive the BGS geochemistry activity into just a sample and data gathering exercise. We must continue to deliver science and information outcomes alongside completing the G-BASE baseline or we will lose the capacity to deliver any science in the future.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Programmes:	BGS Programmes 2010 > Land Use, Planning and Development
Funders/Sponsors:	BGS Science Budget
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed. This report was made open by lead author September 2012
Additional Keywords:	geochemical mapping stream sediments
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	11 Sep 2012 08:41 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/19492

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