The Hindu Business Line : India to start geochemical baseline studies

FOR identifying suitable locations to site industrial areas or to start mining operations one of the necessary inputs is the availability of baseline information of the geochemicals scenario.

India will soon become part of a global geochemical baselines project, which has been on for more than a decade in Western countries. The Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) has been identified as the nodal agency to coordinate the studies in India.

Baseline maps would provide information about the availability of toxic elements from the rocks as well as potential sources of future contamination due to manmade sources. This data is essential to accurately assess how natural and manmade geochemical variations affect the environment, wildlife and human health.

NGRI has already initiated baseline studies in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is proposed to formulate a national programme as part of the global baseline programme with the participation of NGRI, Geological Survey, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Madras University, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Osmania University.

NGRI is organising a two-day workshop on `Global geochemical baselines in India for environmental management' beginning on Wednesday. The global leader of the Baseline Programme, Dr David B. Smith of the United States Geological Survey, will inaugurate and highlight the studies carried out in the US and European countries and the benefits for environmental management.

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