G-BASE : Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment

Geochemistry is the study of the distribution and movement of chemical elements within the Earth and at its surface. Applications range from the atomic scale in mineral structures to a global overview of element distributions on a continental scale. As an earth science, geochemistry is used in many specialisations including mineralogy, petrology, economic geology, hydrogeology, volcanology, isotopic dating and medical geology. Geochemists also make significant contributions to the environmental sciences where chemistry is a significant component of ‘earth systems science’. The near-surface zone is where the earth meets man and the distribution and migration of chemical elements is of fundamental importance. Geochemical methods can be applied to map and monitor changes in the surface environment whether they be caused through natural (e.g. the weathering of surface rocks) or anthropogenic (human) activity (e.g. agriculture). We rely on the near-surface environment for the majority of our resources and the results of man's activities can lead to an imbalance of the Earth’s natural equilibrium.