New Challenges in Sample-Based Data Implementation

Geochemical data on rocks are now widely available in relational databases (PetDB, GEOROC, NAVDAT) served over the internet, using the schema of Lehnert et al. (2000). The widespread access to data has significantly increased the overall efficiency of researchers. It has aided the complete range of research activities including teaching, proposal writing and publication, and allows people from related fields to address geochemical problems (e.g Kellogg 2002). Future advances have to include more than simply adding more analytical data in the same formats: (1) A scheme of universal sample identification will be essential for terrestrial samples to allow compilation of data from different sources on the same sample. How to develop and implement such a scheme is challenging and should happen in coordination and cooperation with existing and emerging efforts for terrestrial sample archives (e.g. Goldstein et al., 2001). (2) The ability to integrate geochemical with geophysical and geological data is vital. Visualization of data on maps and comparison of geochemical data to grid-based data presentations requires effective integration of relational databases with GIS and other information technologies such as XML. The industrial and government orientation of widespread commercial products may not satisfy the specific and flexible needs of researchers. (3) Easy access to other published material needs to be dealt with in terms of intellectual property. For example, published sample location maps are often not available in digital format, and reproduction of those (copyrighted) maps from publications, with links to the data would be valuable. It would also be useful to provide access to pdf files of complete publications through a simple database link, which would require a different level of cooperation with publishers. (4) Derivative products that compile data from different sources and their presentation on appropriate maps or other visualizations would be a further advantage for a wide variety of research problems. Automated update of such products would require successful resolution of the previous three challenges. Goldstein, S.L., W. Melson, Geochemical News: 108: 19-20, 2001. Kellogg, J.B. et al., Geochim Cosmochim Acta 66, A391, 2002. Lehnert, K. et al., Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 1, 2000.