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Geochemical background--concept and reality.

Clemens Reimann1, Robert G Garrett

  • 1Geological Survey of Norway, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway. Clemens.Reimann@ngu.no

The Science of the Total Environment
|May 14, 2005
PubMed
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Defining a universal geochemical background is problematic due to natural variations. Background element levels differ regionally and locally, requiring careful interpretation in environmental and exploration geochemistry.

Area of Science:

  • Geochemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Exploration Geology

Background:

  • The term 'background' in geochemistry is crucial for interpreting elemental concentrations.
  • Defining a single 'background' value for large areas is challenging due to natural variability.
  • Existing methods for background estimation can lead to misinterpretations if spatial and biological factors are ignored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the definitions and applications of 'background' in geochemical contexts.
  • To highlight the difficulties in establishing universal background values.
  • To emphasize the need to consider spatial variation and biogeochemical processes in background assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of geochemical literature and definitions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of data from two subcontinental-scale geochemical mapping projects.
  • Examination of the impact of soil formation processes on element distribution.

    • Main Results:

    • Establishing a single 'background' for large areas is problematic and often inaccurate.
    • Background element concentrations vary significantly across different areas and regions.
    • Using deeper soil horizons to estimate upper soil background can lead to misinterpretations.
    • Natural variations and organism adaptation complicate ecotoxicological threshold setting.

    Conclusions:

    • Universal background element levels cannot be defined; regional or local estimates are necessary with caveats.
    • Ignoring natural biogeochemical soil formation processes leads to misinterpretations of element concentrations.
    • Ecotoxicological thresholds require consideration of spatial variability and the conversion of soluble to solid-phase concentrations.