G-BASE: urban geochemistry

BGS Research — Applied geochemistry

An integral part of the G-BASE and TellusNI survey programmes was to map and establish the soil geochemical baselines of urban areas in the UK.

Systematic geochemical sampling and analysis of soil samples was carried out in 25 urban centres. Soil samples were collected from two depths (5–20 cm topsoil and 35–50 cm deeper soil) at an average density of four every 1 km2. Samples were collected according to the methods described in the G-BASE Field Procedures Manual. Topsoil samples were analysed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for a range of major and trace elements; topsoil pH and loss on ignition (LOI) were also determined. The deeper soil samples were stored in the G-BASE sample archive.

soil sample sites
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Figure 1: UK Urban Centres Shallow (5-20 cm) Soil Sample Sites. See main outputs section for further information and links to reports.

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In addition to the standard urban soil dataset, stream sediment and stream water samples were collected within the Glasgow urban area.

The urban surveys were carried out according to the methods outlined in:

 

The resultant data provides the most extensive set of systematic soil chemical information available for UK urban environments and are used to:

  • assess the condition of soil within populated areas.
  • identify and quantify human impact on soil in urban areas through comparison with the rural, natural soil geochemical background
  • assess pollution and potential risks to the health of ecosystems and humans, as an aid to environmental protection

 

Applications are relevant to land-use planning and sustainable development, urban regeneration and land contamination legislation.

Reports are available for a number of urban centres. Click on the links in the table below to download the reports. Additional information is available for Glasgow and London.

* See Figure 1

Locality Urban centre
1Glasgow
2York
3Kingston upon Hull
4Scunthorpe
5Doncaster
6Manchester
7Sheffield
8Lincoln
9Mansfield
10Stoke-on-Trent
11Derby
12Nottingham
13Telford
14Wolverhampton
15Leicester
16Peterborough
17Corby
18Coventry
19Northampton
20Ipswich
21Swansea
22Cardiff
23London
24Belfast
25Derry/Londonderry

 

London Earth map viewer
London Earth map viewer. BGS © UKRI.

For project information and outputs see:

 

Urban soil geochemistry of Glasgow
Urban soil geochemistry of Glasgow.
Clyde tributaries report
Clyde tributaries report.

The G-BASE, TellusNI and BGS urban geochemical datasets have been used extensively in studies to understand geochemical processes in urban environments to help inform land quality assessments and sustainable urban development.

Stream sediment and stream water

CREW urban diffuse pollution project

 

Urban soil

 

Groundwater and soil pollutants project (GRASP):

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