Lyell Collection
Journal of the Geological Society
Lyell Centre  |   Lyell Collection  |   Subscriptions   |   Geological Society  |   Email alerts  |   Online bookshop  |   Help

Keywords:
Author:
Advanced search>>
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Thornton, I.
Right arrow Articles by Plant, J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation
Journal of the Geological Society; 1980; v. 137; issue.5; p. 575-586;
DOI: 10.1144/gsjgs.137.5.0575
© 1980 Geological Society of London

Article

Regional geochemical mapping and health in the United Kingdom

I. Thornton & J. Plant

Geochemical atlases based on the analysis of sediments from surface tributary drainage have been published for Northern Ireland, and England & Wales; the data are smoothed by computer and show regional patterns for the distribution of 20 and 21 elements respectively. Atlases for parts of Scotland present point-source data for up to 25 elements in stream sediments; additional data have been obtained for pan concentrates and stream waters. Regional surveys to provide point-source information are continuing and it is intended that they will in due course cover the whole of the United Kingdom.

Research has been successfully undertaken into the applications of geochemical maps to problems of plant and animal health and production, and maps are currently used to delineate areas of potential trace element deficiency and heavy metal excess, particularly where problems may be of a sub-clinical nature. Applications to human health are illustrated with examples of metal anomalies in old mining areas in Derbyshire (Pb) and Somerset (Cd, Zn). Geochemical atlases continue to provide valuable sources of multi-element data for area selection in food, water and medical surveys, and comprise useful base-line information for epidemiological studies.





This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Geological Society, London, Special PublicationsHome page
J. A. Plant, J. W. Baldock, and B. Smith
The role of geochemistry in environmental and epidemiological studies in developing countries: a review
Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 1996; 113: 7 - 22.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of the Geological SocietyHome page
P. M. Green
Digital image processing of integrated geochemical and geological information
Journal of the Geological Society, 1984; 141: 941 - 949.
[Abstract] [PDF]