Abstract:

Since the projects of “International Geochemical Mapping (IGCP259)” and

“Global Geochemical Baseline (IGCP360)” were met with approval by UNESCO in 1988, decisive

contributions of working out the methodological guidance and the technical standard of

global geochemical mapping have been made by China and Europe.  Though demonstrations have

been made by China and Europe through carrying out the projects of “Environmental

Monitoring Network and Dynamic Geochemical Mapping” and “FOREG geochemical baseline

mapping”, respectively, the expectation of acquiring a general picture of global

geochemistry in 10 years has not yet been realized. Geochemists from China and Norway are

now deliberating, through International Association of Hydrological Sciences/International

Commission on Continental Erosion (IAHS/ICCE), about a major international cooperative

project on “Global Geochemical Mapping and SedimentBound Flux of Major World Rivers”, on

carrying out a new round global geochemical mapping, and planning to start working first on

the Arctic region under the project of the Year of Polar (IPY317). The practical plan for

the Global Geochemical Mapping is based on the “Draft of Sampling Plan of Floodplain

sediments” for the Global Geochemical Mapping suggested by China and the “Draft of

Sampling Plan of Overbank Sediments in Deltas” suggested by Norway, thereby further

strengthening the advantages of Chinese methodology in geochemical mapping. After analyzing

the opportunities and challenges to China, this article suggests that the competent

authorities of science and technology should take the initiative of supporting the new round

global geochemical mapping.

Key words:

Key words: global geochemical mapping; output of heavy metals; China