Pilot Studies

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Task Contacts: Martin Goldhaber, David B. Smith

Task Objectives

The Soil Geochemistry Workshop recommended a sampling design, sample collection protocols, and analytical protocols to conduct a soil geochemical survey of North America. The protocols involve a very detailed horizon-based sampling at each site combined with extensive major and trace element chemical analysis, determination of bioavailability via selective extractions, analysis of selected organic compounds to address the issue of longrange transport of organics and the distribution of pesticides and their breakdown products. Before applying these protocols at the continental scale, they must be tested and refined as needed to optimize the North American scale survey.

The objectives of this task are to carry out the recommended protocols from the Soil Geochemistry Workshop on a limited number of pilot study areas. Different options for sample design will be tested and the recommended sample collection and analytical protocols will be evaluated. Based on these pilot studies, the recommendations of the Soil Geochemistry Workshop will be refined and modified and final protocols for the soil geochemical survey of North America will be developed.

California Pilot Study

Continental-scale Transects

Upper Midwest Pilot Study

Statement of Work

In 2009, sampling and chemical analysis will continue in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as budget permits. We convened a session at the annual meeting of the Geological Survey of America (Oct. 5-9, 2008) titled “Soil Geochemistry: Databases and applications at regional to continental scales”, chaired by David B. Smith (USGS), Andy Rencz, (GSC) and Juan Carlos Salinas (SGM). We will also convene a session at the 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium in Fredericton, New Brunswick (June 1-4, 2009) titled “North American Soil Geochemical Landscapes Project”, chaired by David B. Smith (USGS) and Andy Rencz (GSC). All the final versions of the manuscripts for our special volume of the journal Applied Geochemistry will be submitted to the journal for publication. It is hoped this will be released during 2009.

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