Outlines of New Global Geochemical Mapping Program

Abstract

Abstract:Since 1988, great efforts and enthusiasm had been paid by applied geochemists in the implementation of global geochemical mapping through the International Geological Correlation Program's Projects 259 and 360, and the Task Group on ‘Global Geochemical Baselines’ established by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), in collaboration with the International Association of Geochemistry (IAGC). But how to use extremely low‐density sampling to obtain a global picture of the distribution of most elements in the periodic table in a reasonably short time is still a great challenge faced by the applied geochemistry community. It will depend on the continuous development of new mapping concept, and the advisable and courageous innovation of methodology for searching other suitable sample media and sampling layout. Based on the encouragement results obtained from the representativeness study of delta sediments conducted at the mouth of Yangtze River, and at the mouths of its four major tributary, it is expected to broadly apply the geochemical fractal self‐similarity nature to main rivers and their estuaries with catchments up to hundreds of thousands or over a million square kilometers in the world. With this new mapping concept, a new outlines of a Global Geochemical Mapping Program was advanced and the establishment of an International Research Center of Global Geochemical Mapping was also suggested to facilitate the programs implementations.