National Geochemical Survey of Australia: Field Manual

Compiled by Megan Lech, Patrice de Caritat and Andrew McPherson

• Preface
• Download the complete document
• Related links

Preface

The National Geochemical Survey of Australia project represents an essential component of the Australian Government’s Onshore Energy Security Initiative. The national geochemical survey involves the use of field-tested methods for the collection and analysis of transported regolith samples representative of catchments covering most of Australia. The project is a collaborative effort between Geoscience Australia and State and Northern Territory geoscience agencies, which will provide an internally consistent geochemical dataset useful for:

• calibration and ground-truthing of airborne radiometrics surveys;
• filling gaps in current airborne radiometrics and geochemical coverage of Australia;
• providing multi-element characterisation and ranking of radiometric anomalies; and
• aiding in first-order investigation of the nature of geothermal hot-spots.

As a result, the national geochemical survey supports and adds value to numerous other Onshore Energy Security Initiative projects. Results from the survey also will have wider applications for mineral exploration and in environmental assessment and management.

The field manual details:

• the methodology underpinning the determination of the theoretical sampling points using terrain and hydrological analysis; and
• the protocols for sample collection.

The manual will be used for knowledge transfer during training sessions for the State and Northern Territory field parties who also will receive field equipment and consumables, which will ensure there is consistent sampling throughout the project. A digital data entry template has been designed to enable efficient and consistent in-field data capture, which also will streamline data entry into Geoscience Australia’s corporate databases.

[back to top]

Download the complete document

Download the complete publication (PDF, 3.3MB).

[back to top]

Related links

• National Geochemical Survey of Australia
• Onshore Energy Security Program