See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Soil Geochemistry: Databases and Applications at Regional to Continental Scales
Abstract:
Developing a set of protocols to ensure a consistent data set for North America is not without its challenges, some of which are noted as follows: (1) the enormous size of the continent; (2) three international and numerous state and provincial boundaries; (3) the complexity of the operation - sampling is horizon- and depth-based and involves many types of analyses, all requiring field, laboratory, quality assurance, archiving, and data handling protocols; (4) the many types of mineral and organic soils and field situations (e.g. permafrost areas) that require diverse equipment and procedures; and (5) the need to anticipate and accommodate possible future requirements. From the outset of the Project, attention has been paid to developing and documenting the protocols necessary to provide a data set that serves as a common national and international standard applicable at all levels of government. Samples will be collected and data generated by many organizations in many geographic areas over a long time period. Use of consistent protocols ensures that the resultant data sets will stitch together to produce a final seamless geochemical database.
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Soil Geochemistry: Databases and Applications at Regional to Continental Scales