The BGS geochemistry database : history, design and current usage

This short report provides an introduction to the history of the BGS Geochemistry Database and traces its origins back to 1970 when the first field cards were used by the forerunner of EMGB. Subsequent data collection by the Mineral Reconnaissance and the Geochemical Baseline Programmes led to the creation of large data files in the BGS G-EXEC data system and in simple ORACLE databases. This data was incorporated into a unified Geochemistry Database, the design of which was proposed in 1992. The present Geochemistry Database largely follows the logical design put forward in 1992 by Harris and Coats but a number of changes are listed which were implemented in ORACLE in 1993. These changes, along with some relatively minor changes carried out subsequently, are discussed and the reasons given for their adoption. Information Systems have changed markedly over the last ten years and the current Client – Server model used for interrogating the database would have been previously impossible because of the lack of desktop power. Five methods of linking to the database using this model are described along with their capabilities. A number of problems or defects in the database are identified and in the final section some conclusions and recommendations are presented for consideration. A full bibliography of the internal reports and publications on the database is given along with a glossary of technical terms.