Inventory of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Data
Sources and Surveillance Activities

Inventory of Data Sources

Geochemical Database (SMGV1_Published) (Geological Survey of Canada)

Contacts
Guy Buller
Geochemical Database Expert
Geological Survey of Canada
Natural Resources Canada
601 Booth St.
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0E8
Tel: (613) 947-1889
E-mail: gbuller@nrcan.gc.ca

Richard Laframboise
Computer Scientist
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 992-6837
E-mail: Richard_romeo.laframboise@nrcan.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada

Purpose of Database
The purpose is to collect and preserve geochemical and geoscientific data which may, over time, become otherwise irretrievable; with the goal of improving management of and access to these data in order to further the understanding of geology and geological processes.

Content
Geological and geochemical data on all collected samples (e.g., minerals, heavy metals, radioactive geological samples). Data are national and provincial (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia). Data types: metals; ionizing radiation. All analytical chemical testing results (e.g., both high and low values) and metadata are stored in the database. Where contamination of material may have taken place, the values received are entered but flagged to show contamination and to indicate that the numbers are not reliable. Geolocators: geo-coordinates.

All collected data are entered for all the samples that have been gathered. Metadata for each sample are maintained as are the analytical results from chemical testing. As both the high values and the low values have significance in the field of geology, all analytical results are recorded. Where contamination of material may have taken place, the values received are entered but are flagged to show contamination and the numbers should not be trusted.

Year Database Established
2000

Coverage Period
1998 to 1999

Data Updates
Irregularly

Data Providers
This is a distributed data system that uses a common data model; data are supplied by a variety of providers but they are all the collectors of the information, including Saskatchewan Energy and Mines, Manitoba Energy and Mines, and Nova Scotia Natural Resources.

Data Availability
The primary users of the data are geochemists, exploration companies, prospectors and geoscientific researchers. There are protocols restricting access to the database; guests have only select permissions under SQL server protocols, and other access is limited to the development team. Restrictions on disclosure and use of the data: a user agreement and business rules to release only published data are the main restrictions. Some data are available to the public and can be accessed via the website.

There are data-sharing agreements between geoscientific departments in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba; along with the Canadian Geoscience Knowledge Network (federal-provincial-territorial agency).

Reports
Geoserv is produced in electronic format and is available at:
www.Geochemiatest.cgkn.net

Additional Comments
Documentation on the database is available in printed and electronic formats.