Authors / CoAuthors
Cooper, M. | de Caritat, P.
Abstract
Many countries around the world have carried out national-scale geochemical surveys, providing important information on the natural concentration of chemical elements and compounds in the near-surface regolith. Resultant data and information layers have been put to a multitude of uses: Identifying targets for mineral exploration; improving land-use management and environmental policy development; and providing information for studies into the health and well-being of humans, animals and plants. Between 2003 and 2007 several regional geochemical pilot surveys were conducted in Australia. These surveys have identified element concentrations that relate to soil acidity and salinity, reflect known areas of mineralisation, or are above or below national and international agricultural soils guidelines. In 2007, following on from the success of the pilot surveys, Geoscience Australia established Australia's first national geochemical survey. Working in collaboration with State and Territory geoscience agencies, ultra low-density sampling of catchment outlet (overbank) sediments from two depths (0-10 cm below surface and from a 10 cm interval at around 60-90 cm) has commenced. Samples are prepared and split into <2 mm and <75 mm fractions before both are analysed using a wide range of analytical techniques including XRF and ICP-MS. To date, 80% of samples have been collected and 50% of the total number of samples have been analysed. Ultimately the National Geochemical Survey of Australia project will rapidly and cost-effectively deliver a national geochemical atlas and a new dataset that will underpin positive outcomes in the exploration and mining, environmental, agricultural, forestry, recreational, and health and well-being sectors.
Product Type
nonGeographicDataset
eCat Id
69216
Contact for the resource
Custodian
Point of contact
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
Keywords
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- External PublicationAbstract
- ( Theme )
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- geochemistry
- ( Theme )
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- regolith
- ( Theme )
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- mineral exploration
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- AU
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Earth Sciences
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- Published_Internal
Publication Date
2009-01-01T00:00:00
Creation Date
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unknown
Topic Category
geoscientificInformation
Series Information
Lineage
Unknown
Parent Information
Extents
[-44, -10, 112, 154]
Reference System
Spatial Resolution
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