Geochemical Baseline Atlas | 15 Nov 2019
Why in News
Recently, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) has released the first ‘Geochemical Baseline Atlas of India’ for environmental management.
- The atlas aims to document the concentration and distribution of the chemical elements in the soils of India.
- It consists of 44 maps of metals, oxides, and elements present in top and bottom soils across India.
Significance
- Both human activities and natural processes are continuously modifying the chemical composition of our environment. Hence, it will help to assess the chemical compositional changes on the Earth’s surface.
- It will help the country to assess the presence of toxic chemicals in soil and how it varies from place to place. It also helps in identifying how soil pollution is contributing to groundwater contamination
- Further, the map will also support in choosing the right soil that’s rich in certain micronutrient elements required for each plant growth.
- The geochemical data presented in these maps will be a part of the global map to be prepared by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGC).
About CSIR-NGRI:
- The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) is a geoscientific research organization established in 1961 under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGC)
- It is a non-governmental scientific organization founded in 1961 which promotes and encourages the study of geological problems, and facilitates international and interdisciplinary cooperation in the earth sciences.
- The Union consists of 121 members nations. India is the member.
- At present IUGS gives considers issues related to:
- Geoscience education,
- Geoscience information,
- Environmental management and hazards