In China research and exploration activities has centred on the following large projects, China Geochemical Baselines, Multi-purpose Geochemical Mapping, Geochemical Exploration and Assessment for Mineral Resources in Remote Landscape Terrains of China, Geochemical Mapping across the Boundary Regions of China and Mongolia.
China Geochemical Baselines
China Geochemical Baselines Networks Project (CGBP) was launched in 2008 and a 5-year term from 2008 to 2012 was designed for covering the whole China mainland. The project is to provide China nationwide geochemical baseline data, spatial distribution and evolution of all elements, and finally to establish a holistic “China Digital Element Earth”. Approximately 1500 CGB grids cover the whole China mainland (9.6 millions km2). Each CGB grid is approximately equal to a quarter of one Global Reference Network (GRN) grid. Total 6 000 soil (overbank/floodplain) samples and 10 000 typical rock samples will be collected in the whole China. Nearly all elements except gases in the periodic table will be determined. Half of China land has been covered in the past two years. It is expected to publish the whole data and atlas in 2013. Prof. Xie Xuejing is the Steering committee Chairman, Professor Xueqiu Wang is the project leader.
Multi-purpose Geochemical Mapping
The RGNR’ project, which has bee carried out 32 years, mainly covered hilly and mountainous regions. The eastern China with urban and developed agricultural regions was not covered by the project. Thus a new project named Multi-purpose Geochemical Mapping project focusing on environmental quality assessment, land use planning and geochemical hazards was jointly initiated since 2002 under the China Geological Survey and provincial governments.
Soils are taken as the key sampling media. Lake sediment, water and vegetables (crops) are collected in some regions. 52 elements and organic carbon and pH were determined. It is expected to cover most of the Quaternary plain land of China in ten years. An area of 1.5 millions km2 has been covered till 2009.
Geochemical Exploration and Assessment for Mineral Resources in Remote Landscape Terrains of China
The project is to develop geochemical knowledge and methods for remote landscape regions, which are under-explored terrains, such as arid desert terrains, Forestry and grass land and tundra.
Geochemical Mapping across the Boundary Regions of China and Mongolia
China is cooperating with Mongolia in geochemical mapping at Scale of 1:1Million covering an area of approximately one million sq km across two countries. The project was launched in 2008 under the agreement issued by the China Geological Survey and Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority of Mongolia. The Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration will offer help with sampling training and free chemical analysis for the samples from Mongolia.
An area of 500 000 km2 have been covered with one sample per 100km2 till September, 2010. 54 elements are determined for each sample. It is expected to publish the geochemical atlas in 2011.
The 3rd China National Applied Geochemistry Symposium
The 3rd China National Applied Geochemistry Symposium will take place in Guangzhou, southern China, December 2010.