REGIONAL GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING OF WESTERN-EUROPE TOWARDS THE YEAR 2000

The Directors of the Western European Geological Surveys (WEGS, presen tly the Forum of European Geological Surveys, FOREGS) created in 1985 a Working Group on ''Regional Geochemical Mapping'' for the study of d ifferent aspects of regional geochemical surveys, The Working Group pr oposed to the Directors a systematic low sampling density regional geo chemical mapping project to obtain baseline data. Following this propo sal for a systematic low sampling density regional geochemical mapping programme of Western Europe a three-year (1988-1990) Pilot Project wa s carried out. Its objectives were (1) to prepare an inventory of regi onal geochemical mapping already completed in Western Europe, and (2) to assess the scope and limitations in the use of overbank and stream sediment as sample media in wide spaced regional geochemical mapping. Based on the results obtained in the Pilot Project, the Directors deci ded that more research was required before taking a final decision. Th e Working Group was asked to carry out further research and to submit its final report in 1993. The WEGS Working Group collected and evaluat ed a substantial amount of information during the pilot and research p rojects, This paper summarises the main results of the research work c arried out from 1986 to 1992.