Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment(G-BASE)
The Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment (G-BASE) is a major BGS project that has an annual campaign of geochemical sampling within many parts of the UK. Our core function is to provide a national capability in baseline geochemical mapping.
Beginning in the late 1960s, the primary focus was mineral exploration, however the project has now evolved into a multi-media, high-resolution geochemical survey producing baseline data relevant to many environmental issues. G-BASE a focal point for geochemistry within the BGS.
G-BASE is a project within the Geochemical Baselines and Medical Geology Team area. Its main activities can be classified as either Regional or Urban geochemical baseline mapping. Recent work has focused on the geochemical mapping of London — the London Earth project.
Our capability in geochemical mapping is applied to International projects and the samples and data from our work is used in many Research Activities.
Latest G-BASE news
The advanced soil geochemical atlas of England and WalesThe advanced atlas presents analyses and maps for a total of 53 elements, which includes the original 17 elements described in The Soil Geochemical Atlas of England and Wales.
Defra Project SP1008: Normal Background Concentrations of contaminants in soilThe BGS has been commissioned by Defra to provide guidance on what are 'normal" levels of contaminant concentrations in English soils in support of the revision of the Part 2A Contaminated Land Statutory Guidance.
Urban Mapping BookThe G-BASE team has developed great experience in mapping the chemical environment of urban areas. As part of a EuroGeosurveys Expert Geochemistry Group initiative Dr Chris Johnson (GBMG Team Leader) has led the editing and production of a book on "Mapping the chemical Environment of Urban Areas" published by Wiley-Blackwell. The book contains many contributions from the BGS.
London EarthLondon Earth is the systematic high-density geochemical soil survey of the Greater London Area (GLA). Geochemical maps and interpretations as well as an interactive soil geochemistry viewer are now available.
Clyde Basin Geochemical SurveyThe G-BASE project has recently completed the geochemical survey of the Clyde Basin. Over a period of 12 weeks some 1000 soil, 1800 stream water and 700 vegetation samples were collected. Survey results will feed directly into the Glasgow and Clyde Basin Urban Super Project (CUSP).
The advanced soil geochemical atlas of England and WalesThe advanced atlas presents analyses and maps for a total of 53 elements, which includes the original 17 elements described in The Soil Geochemical Atlas of England and Wales.
Environmental Geochemical Atlas of Central and Eastern EnglandCovering digital soil, stream sediment and stream water geochemical maps of ten environmentally sensitive elements, including Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Selenium (Se), Uranium (U), Zinc (Zn) and acidity (pH). Download Central and Eastern England Atlas 40MB pdf
National geochemical mapsG-BASE regional stream sediment data for a selection of elements (Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, U, V, Zn and Zr) and acidity (pH) and conductivity data in stream waters across Great Britain. Download National geochemical maps 36MB pdf
Sample index mapsThese pages show site locations from important environmental data sets held by BGS for a variety of sample types - stream water, stream sediment and soils. The Google Earth place marker labels describe the chemical results available from each site. Download Google earth to use this application.
Further information
Contact Dr Chris Johnson for further information.
