BASE-LINE GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING OF SARDINIA (ITALY)

A total of about 20,000 stream sediment samples from about 13,000 km(2 ) were collected in Sardinia and analysed for eleven elements (Ag, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn) by Ente Minerario Sardo (EM S), aimed at mineral exploration We have reutilized 16,890 samples (co vering an area of 7987 km(2)) of the above data to compile geochemical baseline maps for all single elements as well as maps showing the reg ional variability of factor scores resulting from R-mode factor analys is. This type of maps has a particular relevance to environmental issu es, especially in a region such as Sardinia which has been mined since pre-Roman times. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.