Serving Geochemical Data Using GeoSciML Compliant Web Services: Next Step in Developing a Generic GeoChemical Database Model
Abstract
The Geochemical Database Model (GCDM) has been developed under the Geoinformatics for Geochemistry Program (www.geoinfogeochem.org) to provide a generic relational database structure for the broadest range of geochemical data collections. GCDM vastly extends the capabilities of the PetDB data model (Lehnert et al., G3, volume 1, 2000), on which it is based, with respect to applicability, flexibility, and comprehensiveness. For example, GCDM accommodates any type of analytical measurement (`observed value'), including time-series data, in-situ sensor measurements, and derived (model) data such as end-member compositions for seafloor hydrothermal springs or age models; data for any type of sample and material (rock, sediment, porewater, water, etc.); and analytical metadata at the level of individual measurements. It tracks relationships between `parent' samples andany number and levels of subsamples. GCDM can easily respond to the frequently changing requirements for geochemical databases and is modular so various components of the model can be developed independently. Currently, the model is being implemented for SedDB, an information system for marine sediment geochemistry (www.seddb.org), and will be applied to other geochemical databases (PetDB, EarthChem, and VentDB) in the near future. The data model represents a multidimensional cube with the observed value as the basic building block that is described by five basic independent components in the data model, each multidimensional in itself: Data Source, GeoObject (sample), Observed Item, Observation Point, and Method. The data model provides for an easy top-down application of metadata and corrections. Observed values can be grouped logically into `:eoModels' that can be used to generate new data such as the end-member compositions for hydrothermal vents. This way, both actual and derived data can be stored together in a fully integrated model. Almost all attributes found in GCDM are defined in GeoSciML, a markup language developed by the IUGS Commission for Geoscience Information to represent geoscience information associated with geologic maps and observations (http://www.opengis.net/GeoSciML/). GCDM model attributes such as method, sample and item measured can easily be mapped to corresponding types within GeoSciML. Others, like observation point or observed value, can be incorporated within GeoSciML concepts of method, event, and measured value. Web services are developed on top of GCDM databases to serve geochemical data in a GeoSciML compliant schema to facilitate interoperability with other Geoscience data systems.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFMIN51B0813D
- Keywords:
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- 1094 Instruments and techniques;
- 9810 New fields (not classifiable under other headings);
- 9820 Techniques applicable in three or more fields