Earth Sciences 19 A GLOBAL GEOCHEMICAL DATABASE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Recommendations for International Geochemical Mapping Final Report of IGCP Project 259 by A.G. Darnley (Canada), A. Bjorklund.. (Finland), B. Bolviken (Norway), N. Gustavsson (Finland), P.V. Koval (Russia), J.A. Plant (UK), A. Steenfelt (Greenland), M. Tauchid (IAEA) and Xie Xuejing (China), with contributions by R.G. Garrett and G.E.M. Hall (Canada) Sponsored by International Union of Geological Sciences United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization International Association of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry Association of Exploration Geochemists International Atomic Energy Agency and The Royal Society UNESCO Publishing The designations employed and the presentation of the material throughout the publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The ideas and opinions expressed in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of UNESCO. Published in 1995 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France Second printing 1996, minor revisions ISBN 92-3-103085-X, softcover edition ISBN 92-3-104013-8, revised electronic edition © UNESCO 1995 © UNESCO 2005 (revised electronic edition) All rights reserved Desktop publishing by: Jacqueline Elsmore and Susan Davis, Ottawa Printed by: Love Printing Service Ltd., Ottawa Printed in Canada Preface “Prevention is better than cure” has been the leitmotiv of UNESCO and the International Union of Geological UNESCO, since its creation, in addressing world problems: Sciences (IUGS). This programme contributes to the prevention through education at all levels and in all sectors, advancement of knowledge of earth processes and earth the advancement of science and its applications, cultural resources and to the mutual understanding of the related development and adequate information. Whether in facing problems, both scientific and social, among the family of wars, conflicts or in coping with hazards, natural and nations. technological in origin, UNESCO has constantly favoured an educational, scientific and cultural approach that sees This particular book, developed as part of the IGCP, is an anticipation as the only possible solution. It is the only excellent example of how the earth sciences, and notably possible cost-effective way of dealing with potential risks geochemistry, contribute to the scientific knowledge and disasters. It is of vital importance that the world required to achieve sustainable development. Its community takes the long-term view and learns to be recommendations for a global geochemical database need to proactive rather than reactive. be accomodated within any future plans pertaining to the good husbandry and housekeeping of this planet’s Because of the growing demands on mineral and energy environment and resources. This report demonstrates that resources, water, soils and materials, problems of pollution earth scientists are essential members of the team required to and waste disposal, on a scale never seen before, and the rise respond to the challenges of “global change”. of megacities and human settlements vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic hazards, we require more knowledge of We owe thanks to Arthur G. Darnley and his co-authors for the structure, composition and dynamics of the earth’s crust writing this book and we very much appreciate the support and of effects upon human life-support systems. A better offered by the Royal Society, various geological survey understanding of natural physical and chemical fluctuations organizations and national academies, the International influencing the environment is important in order to Atomic Energy Agency and especially IUGS. elucidate the role of the lithosphere in global change. At the present time, we do not have sufficient knowledge or There is now a general awareness among policy-makers, data to be able to assess or predict with any accuracy the planners and the public at large that the environment is implications of human actions on the environment and on inextricably interlinked with economic development and our resources. Our reactions to these problems and our that the present environmental degradation could threaten feelings about them are defined by our education and our our very survival. Fortunately, there also seems to be a culture. What is needed is some strategy to look into our widespread political will to translate these concerns into attitudes and to create some sort of solidarity on a global action necessary to bring about “sustainable and scale. We hope that the “glue” that can bring about this environmentally sound development”, as advocated in the solidarity and create a partnership of mutual responsibilities Brundtland Report of 1987. is common concern about “global change”. We trust that this book will be a contribution towards that process. In this light, and in the context of follow-up to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and its Agenda 21, UNESCO’s F. Wolfgang Eder scientific activities are focussing on environmental and Director, Division of Earth Sciences, UNESCO developmental issues. This includes work in the earth sciences, notably through the International Geological Vladislav Babuška Correlation Programme (IGCP), a joint activity of Secretary, IGCP iii Contents List of colour plates .................................................................................................................................... viii List of tables .................................................................................................................................................. viii List of figures .................................................................................................................................................. ix Frontispiece ................................................................................................................................................. x 1 Executive summary ................................................................................................................................ 1 - 5 1.1 General ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Summary of principal recommendations ........................................................................................ 1 1.2.1 A global reference network ........................................................................................... 2 1.2.2 Field methods for regional surveys ............................................................................... 2 1.2.3 Geoanalytical requirements ........................................................................................... 3 1.2.4 Radioelement mapping .................................................................................................. 3 1.2.5 Data management .......................................................................................................... 4 1.2.6 Implementation .............................................................................................................. 5 Colour plates .......................................................................................................................................... 6 - 14 2 General introduction .......................................................................................................................... 15 - 27 2.1 Geochemistry and sustainable development ................................................................................. 15 2.2 The current status of geochemical mapping ................................................................................. 18 2.3 The deficiencies of existing multielement datasets ...................................................................... 20 2.4 Origin of the project ...................................................................................................................... 24 2.5 Organization of the project and authorship of the report .............................................................. 25 2.6 Future progress .............................................................................................................................. 27 2.7 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... 27 3 Sampling and global mapping: a review ...................................................................................... 28 - 36 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 28 3.2 Sample media ................................................................................................................................ 29 3.3 Sample spacing ............................................................................................................................. 33 3.4 A standardized global reference network ..................................................................................... 34 3.5 Reliability of the sampling process .............................................................................................