The problem of defining geochemical baselines. A case study of selected elements and geological materials in Finland

Although the term ‘geochemical baseline’ appears in the international geochemical mapping programmes IGCP 259 and 360, it has never been well defined. Several considerations relevant to such a definition are discussed. A geochemical baseline for an element refers to its natural variations in concentration in the surficial environment. Geochemical baselines were studied in Finland by comparing results from regional geochemical mapping programmes based on samples of till, clay and organic stream sediment. The geochemical background changes regionally with the basic geology and locally with the type and genesis of the overburden. Baseline concentrations depend on sample material collected, grain size and extraction method. In Finland, concentrations of potentially harmful elements tend to be higher in fine-grained marine and lacustrine sediments than in glacial till. Concentrations are also systematically higher in the < 0.06 mm fraction than in the < 2 mm size fraction of till samples. Only small proportions of the total heavy metal concentrations in Finnish marine clays are bioavailable. Geochemical baselines are needed for environmental legislation and political decision-making, especially in the assessment of contaminated soil. In many areas of Finland, natural concentrations of several heavy metals exceed the guide or limit values designated for contaminated soils. Thus baselines must always be verified in any assessment of sites for contamination.     

Antimony in the environment: Lessons from geochemical mapping

The distribution of Sb in a variety of sample materials, including soils, plants and surface water, was studied at different scales, from continental to local, combining published data sets with the aim of delineating the impact and relative importance of geogenic vs. anthropogenic Sb sources. Geochemical mapping demonstrates that variation is high at all scales – from the detailed scale with sample densities of many sites per km² to the continental-scale with densities of 1 site per 5000 km². Different processes govern the Sb distribution at different scales. A high sample density of several samples per km² is needed to reliably detect mineralisation or contamination in soil samples. Median concentrations are so low for Sb in most sample materials (below 1 mg/kg in rocks and soils, below 0.1 mg/kg in plants, below 0.1 μg/L in surface water) that contamination is easier to detect than for many other elements. Distribution patterns on the sub-continental to continental-scale are, however, still dominated by natural variation. Given that the geochemical background is characterised by a high variation at all scales, it appears impossible to establish a reliable single value for “good soil quality” or a “natural background concentration” for Sb for any sizeable area, e.g., for Europe. For such a differentiation, geochemical maps at a variety of scales are needed.     

Geochemical exploration in China

Geochemical exploration in China was commenced in the early 1950's. In 1951, the first experimental work was carried out in Yeshan, and a geochemical exploration section was set up in the Ministry of Geology in 1953.Regional geochemical reconnaissance (metallometric surveying) was initiated in 1956 on a nation-wide scale. Soil samples have been collected, and analyzed by semiquantitative spectrography. The results were heavily biased and were not adequately processed and utilized. Renewed efforts have been made to reprocess the vast amount of data accumulated and to utilize them more fully in mineral exploration.Meanwhile, another nation-wide project of regional geochemistry using more refined techniques is in its preparatory stage. It is the Regional Geochemistry-National Reconnaissance Project. In this project stream sediment sampling with a density of one per km² will be used in China Proper, and low-density sampling of various kinds of media in different environments will be used in remote areas. Pilot surveys covering areas of several thousand square kilometers are being undertaken in several provinces.Beside regional reconnaissance, geochemical prospecting has been carried out at virtually all phases of mineral prospecting in China.A brief summary of current research in exploration geochemistry taken by research institutes and universities is given, including studies on the methodology of regional geochemical surveys, primary halos around various types of ore deposits, mercury vapor survey techniques, refinement of analytical methods and instrumentation, and computerized data processing and plotting techniques.Several case histories are described where geochemical exploration techniques have led to successful ore discoveries in China.     

Representativity of wide-spaced lower-layer overbank sediment geochemical sampling

To develop a technique of implementing global ultra-low density geochemical sampling and as a contribution to the International Geochemical Mapping Program (IGCP Project No. 259), an orientation study in the use of deep (lower-layer) overbank sediments was conducted in Jiangxi Province of Southeast China in 1989–1990. Ninety-four samples were collected at depths of 50 to 120 cm from overbank terraces at an average density of 1 site per 1800 km². The total area of sampled catchment basins is approximately equivalent to 18% of Jiangxi Province. Most of the samples were collected at outflow sites of catchment basins with areas of 100 to 800 km². The samples were analyzed for 39 elements.The representativity of wide-spaced lower-layer overbank sediment sampling is discussed from various perspectives; the following features have been observed: (1) Widespaced lower-layer overbank sediment data and the data from China's national geochemical mapping (RGNR) project show similar geochemical patterns for W, Sn, Pb, Cu and Zn. (2) The results of wide-spaced lower-layer overbank sediment sampling demonstrate that catchment basins with areas of 100 to 800 km² are suitable sample site locations for the global geochemical reference network. (3) Wide-spaced lower-layer overbank sediment sampling is a fast and cost-effective way to identify geochemical provinces and has strategic significance in mineral exploration. (4) There is a significant correlation between the W content of wide-spaced lower-layer overbank sediment samples and the presence of W mineralizations within the catchment basins. (5) The distributions of Ni, Cr and V in wide-spaced lower-layer overbank sediment samples distinctly reveals the boundary between the Yangtze sedimentary platform and the South China Caledonian fold system in Jiangxi Province. (6) Distributions of Rb and Be coincide with the Yanshan granites, which are closely related to the major ore-forming episodes in Jiangxi Province.     

平原区中大比例尺土壤地球化学调查采样方法--浙江省平湖市试验研究

文章以浙江省平湖市为典型三角洲平原区,开展了多种尺度、不同采样方法的对比试验。结果表明,田块内土壤元素分布较为均匀,小范围内元素的空间分异性较小,而田块之间土壤元素含量差异性明显增加;Hg,Cd等典型污染元素空间分异性较强,而人为污染扰动较弱的元素的空间分布较为均一;不同采样方法取得的区域性资料,其统计值接近,空间分布模式也相似,但有些元素仍有较明显差异。因此,中大比例尺地球化学调查时,应根据调查研究的目标任务,充分考虑地块分布、土壤类型和土地利用方式,选择合理的采样点。土壤样品可采取多坑点采集、多子样组合的方式,以保证样品的代表性,同时减少分析测试工作量。     

Geochemical patterns from local to global

The historical development of geochemical exploration is, in a sense, a process of progressive enlargement of areal coverage by exploration projects and progressive widening of sampling space. Along with this process, a hierarchy of geochemical patterns from small to large is gradually discovered and understood. In this paper, we try to summarize systematically the whole hierarchy of geochemical patterns from local, regional, provincial, megaprovincial to global, using examples obtained in China.Local anomalies (various types of dispersion halos, trains and fans) within areas not exceeding a few km², can be delineated when sampling is done with very close intervals in limited areas. Regional anomalies within areas of tens to hundreds km² and threshold values lower than local anomalies can be identified only when large areas of more than thousands of km² are mapped with wider space sampling. Geochemical provinces with areas of thousands or tens of thousands of km² can be discovered if even larger areas, of more than tens or hundreds of thousands of km², are covered with very low density sampling. More than millions of km² should be covered in order to discover geochemical megaprovinces somewhere in the world. Such megaprovinces are often associated with extraordinarily large mineral resources. If ultra-low density geochemical mapping can be carried out across national boundaries on a continental or global scale, we could find even broader geochemical patterns which will reflect the global tectonic features.The classification of geochemical patterns according to their sizes is necessary because it will be extremely useful in planning sampling layout in order to hit targets of certain size ranges. This in turn is arranged in different geochemical projects for achieving specific aims.     

Geochemistry of overbank and high-order stream sediments in Belgium and Luxembourg: a way to assess environmental pollution

A geochemical survey of Belgium and Luxembourg was carried out as part of an international research project entitled ‘Regional geochemical mapping of Western Europe towards the year 2000'. The aim of this research was to map regional background geochemical patterns based on pristine or at least pre-industrial overbank samples and to deduce regional information on the degree of environmental pollution of floodplain and present-day river sediments. Over the entire study area (about 33,000 km²), 66 overbank sites have been sampled. Catchment areas range between 60 and 600 km². At each site an overbank profile has been dug out in the immediate vicinity of the river and described in detail. A first composite sample was taken 5–25 cm below the surface. This sample is supposed to represent deposition over the last centuries. Human interferences in this interval are often inferable based on changed sedimentary characteristics and the presence of anthropogenic particles such as charcoal, slags and brick fragments. A second composite sample was taken at depth, usually >1.5 m below the surface over an interval of about 20 cm. In most sites, the profile characteristics allowed to assume pre-industrial or even pristine conditions for this lower overbank sample. In some profiles this was confirmed by ¹⁴C-dating and/or by the absence of anthropogenic particles. Finally, a present-day stream sediment was sampled on the site to infer the actual pollution status. After drying at 80°C, disaggregation and sieving, the <125 μm fractions of the three sediment samples were analysed by XRF for major elements and several trace elements. Lower overbank samples generally show a direct link with the geological substrate and allow to assess natural background concentrations. Results from the mapping exercise as well as from the statistical analyses display a clear contrast between the northern part of Belgium where Cenozoic unconsolidated sandy and silty formations dominate which are especially vulnerable for erosion, and the southern part of Belgium and Luxembourg where Paleozoic and Mesozoic sandstones, carbonates, marls and shales are the prevalent lithologies. Here the shales are the most intensively eroded lithologies. This is especially reflected in the element patterns of Al₂O₃, MgO, K₂O, Ga, Ni, Rb, Sc and V which negatively correlate with SiO₂. Despite the human related pollution, the geological contrast between north and south Belgium is still recognisable in the geochemical pattern of the upper overbank and present-day stream sediment samples for the above-mentioned elements. Furthermore there is a clear increase in heavy metal contents (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu), As and in certain locations in Ba from the lower to the upper overbank sediment, as well as to the present-day stream sediment. The relative increase in element content allows to assess the degree of pollution and helps to define those drainage areas where more detailed research is needed.     

固体矿产地球化学勘查进展与成果

为庆祝第三十届国际地质大会在北京召开,让世界各国地质同行们了解中国地矿部门固体矿产地球化学勘查工作的进展,本文主要介绍我国地球化学勘查的成果。近十五年来已完成区域化探覆盖面积517万km2,中比例尺化探普查面积约90万km2,发现各类化探异常约4.3万处,通过检查化探异常和工程验证发现具工业价值的大、中、小型矿床569处,找矿效果非常显着,特别是化探找金、银矿方面取得突破性成果,化探方法技术不断提高和广泛推广。特殊景观区的野外工作方法、化探样品微量、痕量元素测试方法技术、化探异常的查证方法及化探数据处理与成图等方面均接近或达到国际水平。回顾过去,地球化学勘查进展迅速,成果丰硕,技术水平不断提高。展望未来,地球化学勘查目标明确,任务繁重,地质找矿潜力巨大。     

Arsenic distribution in the environment: The effects of scale

The distribution of As in a variety of sample materials was studied at different scales, from continental to local, combining published data sets with the aim of delineating the impact and relative importance of geogenic vs. anthropogenic As sources. Geochemical mapping of As with a variety of sample materials demonstrates that variation is high at all scales (local to continental) – from sample densities of 400 sites per km² to 1 site per 5000 km². Different processes govern the As distribution at different scales. A high sample density is needed to reliably detect mineralisation or contamination in soil samples. In both cases the impact on the much larger geochemical background variation is limited to a local scale. Distribution patterns in geochemical maps on the sub-continental to continental scale are dominated by natural variation. Given that the geochemical background is characterised by a high variation at all scales, it appears impossible to establish a reliable single value for “good soil quality” or a “natural background concentration” for As for any sizeable area, e.g., for Europe. For such a differentiation, geochemical maps at a variety of scales are needed.     

Geological and geochemical examination of arsenic contamination in groundwater in the Holocene Terai Basin, Nepal

Geological and geochemical study has been carried out to investigate arsenic contamination in groundwater in Nawalparasi, the western Terai district of Nepal. The work carried out includes analyses of core sediments, provenance study by rare earth elements analyses, ¹⁴C dating, and water analyses. Results showed that distribution of the major and trace elements are not homogeneous in different grain size sediments. Geochemical characteristics and sediment assemblages of the arsenic contaminated (Nawalparasi) and uncontaminated (Bhairahawa) area have been compared. Geochemical compositions of sediments from both the areas are similar; however, water chemistry and sedimentary facies vary significantly. Extraction test of sediment samples showed significant leaching of arsenic and iron. Chemical reduction and contribution from organic matter could be a plausible explanation for the arsenic release in groundwater from the Terai sediments.     

因子图解法预测雅克拉构造含油气性及图形数据再处理

雅克拉构造位于中国新疆塔里木盆地东北部，沙雅隆起的中段，为一高断块，地处南北侧两个生油拗陷油气运移指向的聚集地带。布于构造上的沙参２井于奥陶系获高产工业油气流。在油气化探工作中，土壤气体测量法属多指标找矿法。在数学地质领域内，因子分析（Ｒ型或Ｑ型）是一种多元统计方法，是用以进行系统分类和成因分类的重要手段。本文通过对雅克拉工区１９５个土壤样品、１３个气测指标（烃类气体１２个，稀有气体１个）进行Ｒ型因子分析，根据因子图解特征，划分因子得分异常区带。以预测该区含油气性。随着地质资料的日益丰富，为进一步对比研究地表异常划分和异常分布特征，作者于１９９３年再次对图形数据进行处理，采用电子计算机成图，对工区异常区带的划分作了修改。     

Low-density geochemical mapping in Portugal

This paper reports the first results of a low-density geochemical survey covering the whole continental area of Portugal, taking both topsoils and active stream sediments as the sampling media. The data were obtained in a consistent way from 653 sites at a sampling density of 1 site/135 km². The samples were analysed for 31 elements by ICP-AES and after quality control the following 19 were selected: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, Th, V and Zn. The baseline levels for these elements are presented. The first geochemical maps of Portugal were prepared and the geochemical patterns are generally well correlated to geological factors sometimes combined with anthropogenic influences. Some general trends can be observed between geochemical patterns and soils distribution.     

High resolution regional hydrogeochemical baseline mapping of stream water of Wales,the Welsh borders and West Midlands region

The stream water hydrogeochemical database, produced by the Geochemical Baseline Survey (GBASE) of the British Geological Survey, has recently been enhanced in the light of experimental pilot studies in North Wales, to meet a wider range of economic and environmental objectives which require modern, integrated and strategic geochemical surveys for their implementation. Hydrogeochemical data are therefore now collected, in conjunction with geochemical data for stream sediments, soil samples and mineral concentrates. The density of sampling, based on the collection of stream water at near-baseflow conditions during the late summer period each year, has been increased to one site per 1.75 km² and a broader spectrum of geochemical determinants introduced. Provisional regional datasets are being prepared for an extensive region covering Wales, the Welsh Borders, and part of the West Midlands representing over 17 000 sample sites. Bedrock geology and base metal sulphide mineralisation are particularly well reflected in the stream water chemistry at the regional scale. The influence of secondary factors, such as geomorphology, atmospheric controls, and anthropogenic contamination due to agriculture, urban, industrial and military developments, can also be readily distinguished.The data obtained by systematic high resolution sampling of first and second order streams, vary in concentration over three or four orders of magnitude for many of the analytes studied here. This compares with a range of only one or two orders of magnitude for many of the analytes in stream sediment samples. The extended range in values for stream water is an important factor in the gridding, plotting and production of relatively stable maps. They are relatively unaffected either by short temporal changes in stream water flow, which are attributable either to storm events noted during the sampling campaign, or by annual differences between wet and dry summers in different years. This has enabled a series of robust surface hydrogeochemical maps to be prepared for analytical data collected during the summer sampling campaigns conducted annually from 1989 to 1994. These maps provide a unique source of synoptic baseline information for a wide range of economic and environmental applications especially, when combined with other geoscience datasets in a GIS environment.     

Spatial filtering of exploration geochemical data using EDA and robust statistics

The spatial filtering techniques that are used for the analysis and interpretation of exploration geochemical data to define regional distribution patterns or to outline anomalous areas are, in most cases, based on non-robust statistical methods. The performance of these techniques is heavily influenced by the presence of outliers that commonly exist in the data. This study describes a number of filtering techniques motivated by the development of exploratory data analysis (EDA) and robust statistical procedures. These are the median filter (MF) and the adaptive trimmed mean filter (ATM) for the smoothing of regional geochemical data to reduce spurious variations; two new filters, the fence filter (FF) and the notch filter (NF), have been developed to define geochemical anomalies.The application of the spatial filtering techniques is illustrated by Zn data from approximately 3100 stream sediment samples taken in a regional geochemical survey over 25,000 km² of the western margin of the São Francisco Basin, Brazil. Regional distribution patterns for Zn obtained by the MF and ATM filters are clearly related to known stratigraphic units. Anomaly filtering using the FF and NF has delineated most known base metal and gold occurrences, as well as a number of anomalies located in geologically favourable environments but unrelated to any known mineralization. The two anomaly filters have, for the most part, defined the same anomalies in the study area but only the NF highlights the anomaly associated with the important Morro Agudo Pb-Zn deposit, which is too subtle to be immediately apparent in the unprocessed data.     

Geochemical prospecting for stratabound mineralization in late Precambrian sediments of East Greenland (72–74°N)

A geochemical investigation was carried out mainly in a 14-km thick sedimentary sequence of late Precambrian age. The project included analysis of rock samples and drainage samples for Cu, Co, and Zn. The drainage samples were heavy-mineral concentrates and stream sediment samples.The results for the drainage sediments distinguish three well defined cupriferous horizons in the sedimentary column. Lithogeochemical studies of quartzites, pelites, and carbonates confirm that the anomalous values obtained in the drainage sediments arise from several Cu-mineralized horizons.The study has shown that geochemical prospecting appears to be well suited to Cu prospecting in Central East Greenland under arctic climate conditions even with a low sampling density of one sample per 5–10 km² for the drainage samples, and one sample per 10–100 m of the sedimentary stratigraphic column for the rock samples.     

The Soil Geochemical Atlas of Portugal: Overview and applications

The continental area of Portugal is now entirely covered by a soil geochemical survey (1 site/135 km²), taking as the sampling media topsoils (upper mineral horizons, A) and organic horizons (humus, O). Standard methods for sampling, sample preparation and analysis were used in order to achieve high quality and consistent data. Each sample was analyzed for 32 chemical elements, pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter content.The main purpose of the survey was to obtain baseline levels for various chemical elements. The compilation of all data (nearly 45,000 individual data) in an organised way, led to the production of the first Soil Geochemical Atlas of Portugal. In this Atlas it is possible to find for each chemical element a set of information statistics (basic statistical parameters, boxplots, cumulative frequency curves, etc.), maps of spatial distribution, among other information of geochemical and environmental interest. This paper gives an overview of the Soil Atlas and examples of application. The data were used to calculate reference values for 9 elements of environmental importance and to obtain empirical formulae allowing the estimation of elements in the coarse fraction of soils (< 2.00 mm) from known concentration in a finer fraction (< 0.18 mm).     

Geochemical mapping in northern Honshu,Japan

Geochemical mapping of northern Honshu in the Northeast Japan Arc was carried out using stream sediments at a sampling density of one sample per 130 km². More than 50 elements were determined in 395 stream sediment samples (<0.18 mm fraction). In geochemical maps, areas with especially low concentrations of large ion lithophile elements (LILE), Be and Li widely overlap with the distribution of Quaternary volcanic rocks along the volcanic front. The areas rich in mafic elements are associated with mafic rocks in many cases. On a regional scale, Ni, Cr and Cu contents are higher in the eastern Paleozoic–Mesozoic basement zone, Pb and Tl tend to be higher on the western zones, and Zn and Cd are high in the western back-arc zone. The areas especially rich in Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Bi and Tl coincide with the distribution of large mineral deposits. High concentrations related to Kuroko, hydrothermal-vein, and skarn-type deposits are recognized. High values of As and Sb are related to active geothermal areas near volcanoes and ore deposits. Chemical variations of K, Ce, Th and Sn in the stream sediments are concordant with chemical variations in major rocks. The median and mean concentrations for the stream sediments in northern Honshu, showing arc signatures, are lower in Rb, Cs, Th, Li, K, Be, Ta, LREE, Ni, Hg and Sn, and higher in Sc, Ca and Cd relative to the whole area of Japan, largely because of the contribution of Cenozoic island-arc volcanic rocks that are generally poor in incompatible elements. The averaged chemical compositions of the stream sediments for the geologic zones show systematic variations of many elements. The contrasting variations of LREE and Th contents, which are lower in the zones of Cenozoic rocks relative to the zones of pre-Neogene basements, reflect the regional variations in the main rocks, and also reflect the change of geological settings of the studied area from the continental margin to an island arc during the Cenozoic.     

Overbank sediment: a representative sample medium for regional geochemical mapping

In Scandinavia, most fluvial erosion takes place in the Quaternary glacial overburden at a restricted number of small source areas along individual drainage channels. As a consequence, a sample of active stream sediment is representative of only a very limited portion of the drainage area. This restriction makes stream sediment less reliable for regional exploration than generally expected. Overbank (levee or river-plain) sediment produced during large floods is an alternate more representative sampling medium. The sediment suspended during a flood has a much more widespread origin, and when the load is deposited upon the flood plain, nearly horizontal strata are formed and preserved at levels above the ordinary stream channel. A composite sample through a vertical section of such strata represents a great number of sediment sources that have been active at different times and forms an integrated sample of the entire catchment area. Because young sediments overlay older, the uppermost layers will be contaminated by pollutants in industrialized regions, but those at depth may remain pristine and will to a greater extent reflect the natural pre-industrial environment. In regional geochemical mapping, overbank sediment can be sampled at widely spaced sites, keeping costs per unit area low. Examples from Norway (1 sample station per 500 km²) show that overbank sediment produces broad geochemical patterns with high contrasts reflecting the bedrock geochemistry. Some patterns agree with known geological units and metallogenic provinces, but hitherto unknown major structures have also been indicated. A large Mo-deposit missed by a traditional stream survey is readily detected in the overbank sediment. It is concluded that overbank sediment is a promising alternate sample medium that should be tested in other physiographic regions.     

Orientation studies for gold in the central pediplain of the Saudi Arabian shield

Orientation studies were carried out by the BRGM mission in Saudi Arabia between 1982–1986 to investigate the dispersion of gold in soils and wadi sediments and to define the optimum sample medium around eight prospects in the central Arabian pediplain. A comparison of gold distribution in several sieved fractions with various pedologic horizons shows that the distribution of gold changes abruptly from the coarser sizes near the source to the finest sizes 150 m downstream.The coarse fraction recommended by previous workers is not representative and yields erratic results in the specific environment of the pediplain. Gold is enriched and more homogeneously distributed in the minus 80 μm fraction of the skeletal soils and wadi sediments.Regional geochemical survey can be effective using a sensitive analytical method for gold and the minus 80 μm fraction of the brown gravelly sediment with a minimum density of 2 samples per km². Geochemical halos in the 30–50 ppb range indicate gold mineralization 500 to 1000 m upstream, depending on relief.In a first follow-up stage, continued use of the same size of the upper argillaceous layer with a regular reg sampling grid gives more contrasted and more extensive anomalies than using a coarse material. These anomalies may be slightly offset by the present arid erosion. A second follow-up stage is then recommended at a closer grid and sampling the brown blocky layer below the surficial reg pavement. Again, the use of the finest fraction at this exploration stage has given the best probability of finding a blind gold target.Optical determination of gold on a nonmagnetic fraction of heavy panconcentrate is not recommended, because nugget growth is practically absent in the present arid conditions and flour-sized gold particles are lost in desliming samples.     

The Forum of European Geological Surveys Geochemistry Task Group inventory 1994–1996

The Forum of European Geological Surveys (FOREGS) includes representatives from 33 European countries and is responsible for co-ordinating Geological Survey activities in Europe. The FOREGS Geochemistry Task Group was established in 1994 to develop a strategy for the preparation of European geochemical maps following the recommendations of the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP) Project 259 ‘International Geochemical Mapping’ (now the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) /International Association of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry (IAGC) Working Group on Global Geochemical Baselines).The FOREGS geochemistry programme is aimed at preparing a standardised European geochemical baseline to IGCP-259 standards. The principal aims of this dataset will be for environmental purposes, as a baseline for the assessment of the extent and distribution of contaminated land in the context of variations in the natural geochemical background, but it will also have applications in resource assessment and for the development of policy for the sustainable management of metalliferous mineral and other resources.The first phase of the programme was the compilation of an inventory of geochemical data based on the results of a questionnaire completed by Geological Surveys and related organisations throughout the FOREGS community. The results show that the sample types which have been used most extensively are stream sediment (26% coverage), surface water (19% coverage) and soil (11% coverage). Stream sediments have been collected using a narrow range of mesh sizes (< 150–< 200 μm), but soil samples have been collected according to two different conventions: some surveys used a similar mesh size range to that used for stream sediments while others employed the < 1000 or < 2000 μm fractions traditionally used by soil surveys. Sample densities range from 1 sample per 0.5 km² to 1 per 3500 km². Various analytical methods have been used, but most of the available data have been calibrated using international reference materials, and data for the most important of the potentially harmful elements (PHEs) are available for most datasets. Systematic radiometric data are available for only a small proportion of Europe, a situation which compares very unfavourably with that in Australia, North America, the former Soviet Union and many developing countries.Recommendations are made for increasing the compatibility of geochemical methods between national geochemical surveys as a basis for the preparation of a series of European geochemical maps. The next stage of the FOREGS Geochemistry Task Group will be the collection of the Global Reference Network of samples against which to standardise national datasets according to the methods recommended in the final report of the IGCP 259 programme.