325-6 Importance of Consistent Protocols for National and International Projects

See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Soil Geochemistry: Databases and Applications at Regional to Continental Scales

Wednesday, 8 October 2008: 3:00 PM
George R. Brown Convention Center, 342CF

Inez Kettle1, P.W.B. Friske2, G.E.M. Hall1, R.G. Garrett2, David Smith3 and L.G. Woodruff4, (1)Natural Resources Canada - Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
(2)Natural Resources Canada - Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON
(3)Denver, CO
(4)U.S. Geological Survey, St. Paul, MN
Abstract:
Soil geochemical data are required to satisfy the requirements for environmental assessments and regulations pertaining to land use, development and remediation. Examination of the information posted on state/provincial and federal government web sites reveals variability in the specified methodology for obtaining these data. At present, there is no systematic continent-wide data on variation in soil composition that provides a common environmental view of North America. The aim of the North American Soil Geochemical Landscapes Project is two-fold: (1) develop a continental-scale framework for generating soil geochemistry and related data; and (2) provide soil geochemical data that are available and useful for a wide range of applications and disciplines.

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