Canadian Database of Geochemical Surveys

The website contains several very large index tables, which can be sorted and filtered to make them more manageable.  The tables all contain two header rows.  The first, blue header row contains the column descriptions, and is used for sorting.  The second row contains input fields or "filter boxes", one for each column, which allow the data to be filtered.

WARNING: Some of the tables are very large (several thousand rows) and will require a lot of computer memory to process efficiently.

Here are some tips on working with these index tables:

Sorting

Clicking on a column heading will sort the column alphabetically (text) or numerically (numeric values) according to the contents of the column.  Clicking once will produce an ascending sort.  Clicking a second time will produce a descending sort.  By default, the index tables are initially displayed using an ascending sort of the left-most column.

Keyboard users can achieve the same result by tabbing to a column, and pressing [ enter].

Filtering

The contents of the table can be reduced to topics of interest, or filtered, by entering values in the "filter" box, immediately below the column heading.  Simple text strings can be entered.  For numeric columns, the filter can be preceded by < or >.

To return to the full index table list after reducing the list by filtering, delete the text in the filter box.  Multiple filter boxes can be used at one time (e.g. Prov and Year in the Surveys Index Table).

Tips

Try using the filter boxes of a relatively small table.  For example, the list of chemical elements has the same features as the index tables but contains just over 100 rows, so it is much easier to experiment with.  On initial display, the rows are sorted by atomic number.  Try experimenting by typing in different values in the "filter" boxes.

For example, if "t" (without quotation marks) is entered into the filter box for the Symbol column, the table will shrink to 12 records which include the letter "t" somewhere in the abbreviation.  If "t?" (no quotation marks) is entered, the table will shrink to just the eight records, where the symbol begins with "t".

Experiment with the atomic number column, to filter numerically.  Enter "<10" to shrink the table to elements with atomic numbers below 10.

The Surveys Index Table provides a summary list of all of the surveys catalogued in the database and available for viewing on the web site.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each survey in the Surveys index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

Key

This column contains a unique number that is assigned to each survey.  When the Key associated with each survey is clicked, the survey's metadata page is displayed and it provides detailed information about the survey.  A description of the layout and contents of the Survey Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Surveys.

Grouping

Each survey has been assigned to a group.  The groups are generally based on the sample material collected (e.g. till, soil), but may also be based on other criteria (e.g. indicator minerals).  If a survey has been assigned to more than one group, each group will have an entry in the table, with all other column information being the same.  Clicking on the entry for either group displays the same Survey Metadata Page.  Sorting on this column (by clicking the column name) allows rapid identification of all surveys belonging to a specific group.

Prov

This column lists the province or territory where the survey was carried out.  If a survey crosses a provincial boundary, there will be an entry in the table for each province, with all other column information being the same.  Clicking on the entry for either province displays the same Survey Metadata Page.  The column can be sorted by clicking on the column name.

Year

This column lists the year the survey was carried out.  If a survey spanned multiple years, the year the work began is given.  Sometimes the survey year is unknown and the Year column will be blank for that survey.  The column can be sorted by clicking on the column name.  Regardless of sort order, the unknown/blank years will always appear at the bottom of the list.

Survey

This column provides a short description of the survey, which typically summarises what was collected, where it was collected and when it was collected.  Although this column can be sorted using the column name, it is more useful to reduce the list to surveys of interest by typing a search word into the filter box.

Raw Data

The Raw Data column uses a flag to indicate whether or not the survey has data in a standardised format that is available for download (MS-Excel® and KML).  If a check-mark is displayed in this column, the data exist and can be downloaded by clicking on the Key column to access the Survey metadata page, and then clicking on the green button labelled Extended Metadata and entering the section titled Analytical History.  More detailed instructions on how to access the Analytical History and other sections are found in the Help section Extended Metadata Subsections.  The Raw Data column can be sorted to display all the surveys with standardised data for download at the top of the list.  The filter box for this column is not useful.

The Projects Index Table provides a summary list of all of the projects defined for surveys in the database and available for viewing on the web site.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each project in the Projects index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

Key

The Key column displays a unique number that is assigned to each project.  When the Key associated with each project is clicked, the project's metadata page is displayed and it provides detailed information about the project.  A description of the layout and contents of the Project Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Projects.

Name

This column displays a project title and provides a mix of geographic and administrative information.

Organisation

A link to the organisation responsible for managing the project is provided in this column.

Leader

The name(s) of the principal investigator(s) for the project can be found in this column.  Using the filter box to search on a name effectively reduces the list to those projects of interest.

The Publications Index Table provides a summary list of all of the publication citations stored in the database and available for viewing on the web site.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each publication in the Publications index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

ID

A unique number assigned to each publication.  When the ID associated with each publication is clicked, the publication's metadata page is displayed and it provides more information about the publication.  A description of the layout and contents of the Publication Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Publications.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Year

The year the document was published is presented.  This column can be sorted and/or filtered to reduce the list of publications to those of interest.

GSC Open File

The open file number of the GSC Open File is presented.  This column displays n/a (not applicable) for GSC publications that are not open files and for non-GSC publications.  This column can be sorted and filtered if the Open File number of interest is known.

Recommended Citation

The publication title is presented in a standardised format.  This column can be sorted and/or filtered.  Filtering by author effectively reduces the list to publications of interest.

Org

A link to the Publications web page for the geoscience organisation that published the document is presented.  Many geochemical reports are difficult to obtain through inter-library loans, but they are often available for purchase at low cost from the publishing organisation.

The NGR Open Files List Index Table presents a summary list of all of the open files produced between 1974 and 2000 by the National Geochemical Reconnaissance (NGR) group at the Geological Survey of Canada or their counterparts at the British Columbia Geological Survey (RGS Open Files).  These open files publish details of lake and stream sediment and water surveys, including data.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each open file in the NGR Open Files List index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

OF

This column displays the open file number for each NGR/RGS publication in the list.  When the OF number is clicked, the metadata page for the open file displayed and it provides information about the open file, some of which is not readily available elsewhere.  A description of the contents of the NGR Open Files List page can be found in the Help section NGR Open Files.

Please note: the database from which this information was derived required that all datasets have an open file number (i.e. that they are published).  There are some entries in the list for which this is not the case and the open file number (OF) has a meaningless value of 9999.

Prov

this column displays the province where the lake/stream sediment and/or water survey was carried out.  This column can be sorted.  Filtering on this column reduces the number of open files listed to those of interest.

Type

This column indicates if the samples collected in the survey are from streams or lakes, or both.  This column can be sorted and/or filtered.

Summary

A short description summarising the main details of the survey is provided and may include the area sampled (± NTS map sheet), the survey year, the number of sites and/or sampling density, the analytical method, reanalysis information or related publications.

The GSC Open File Release Notices Index Table presents a summary list of all of the release notices for GSC geochemical open files published until 2005, when this project ceased cataloguing release notices.  For more details on the history of the cataloguing of GSC Release Notices, please see GSC Open File 5314.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each release notice in the GSC Open File Release Notices index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

Link

This column provides a link to a reproduction of the release notices for older GSC geochemical open files, which appear exactly as they did in the original Information Circular.  When the link is clicked, the release notice page for the open file displayed in the language(s) it was originally published.  A description of the contents of the GSC Open File Release Notices page can be found in the Help section GSC Open File Release Notices.

Release notices that refer to more than one open file have one entry in the list for each open file referred to in the notice.  In these cases, the link for all the related open files is the same: the number of the first open file number in the series with an "ff" after the open file number.  The distinct open file numbers that are referred to in the single release notice are listed in the column Open File.

Open File

The open file number of the GSC open file is presented.  The release notices for some GSC geophysical series maps were catalogued and these maps do not have an open file number.  They are identified by miscXXXX in the Link column.

Date

This column provides the release date of the Information Circular containing the release notice.  Unknown (or unrecorded) release dates are blank and appear at the bottom of the list if this column is sorted, regardless of sort order.

The Organisations index table provides a list of all of the organisations that have carried out the geochemical surveys catalogued in the Canadian Database of Geochemical Surveys (CDoGS).  Each survey has been assigned to an organisation.  The organisation may have information about the survey on their website or in their library.  Over the years, the name of an organisation can change quite frequently (e.g. those for provincial ministries) but its internal structure and mandate changes less frequently.  CDoGS catalogues the current name of an organisation so that a user can go to that organisation to start their search for archived material.

Occasionally, major restructuring leads to the disappearance of some organisations.  Surveys will be re-assigned to a "successor" organisation, if one exists.  For example, surficial sediment surveys carried out by the GSC's Mineral Resources Division were reassigned to GSC Northern Division.

Organisations in the index table include federal and provincial geological surveys as well as other provincial and federal agencies who have carried out geochemical surveys.  The organisation "Unassigned" was created for surveys carried out by contractors or university researchers.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each organisation in the Organisations index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

ID

This column contains a unique number that is assigned to each organisation.  When the Key associated with each organisation is clicked, the organisation's information page is displayed and it provides details of the organisation and its history, when available.  A description of the layout and contents of the Oranisations Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Organisations.  Currently this page has not yet been populated for many organisations.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Name

This column displays the full name of the organization.  If a web site (or web page) for the organisation exists, the name is hyperlinked to that site.  In some cases, the main organisation has been subdivided into smaller organisational units e.g. Geological Survey of Canada into GSC - Northern Canada Divsion, GSC - Pacific Division, etc.  For historical interest, names of some former GSC divisions are also listed.

Number of Surveys

The number of surveys catalogued in CDoGS that have been assigned to the organisation are displayed.  Note that former divisions of the GSC, for example, have no surveys assigned as the surveys have been transferred to the succeeding division.

Having a controlled vocabulary associated with geochemical surveys makes it easier to search for them.  Although there is currently no generally recognized controlled vocabulary or thesaurus for geochemical data, the Canadian Database of Geochemical Surveys has compiled a list of standard keywords to describe geochemical surveys.  These Keywords are listed in the Keywords Index Table.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each keyword in the Keywords index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

Key

This column contains a unique number that is assigned to each keyword.  When the Key associated with each keyword is clicked, the keyword's definition page is displayed.  A description of the layout and contents of the Keyword page can be found in the Help section Keywords.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Keyword

The keyword is listed.

Category

Each keyword is assigned to one of the following seven categories, based on what the keyword describes:

Analysed Material

A hierarchical classification of sample material collected in the field, beginning with "sample".

Analysed Quantities

A list of measured "quantities" which can be classified into one of the following types:

Sample Classification	Explanation
Element	The quantity measured is an element; Cu or Ag, for example.
Oxide	The quantity measured is an oxide; MgO or Al 2O 3, for example.
Gaseous	The quantity is measured from a gas.
Aqueous	The quantity is measured from an aqueous solution.
Gravimetric	The quantity measured is the result of a gravimetric (weight) analysis.
Grain Count	The quantity measured results from the counting of indicator minerals.
Ratio	The quantity measured results from creating a ratio from other measurements or analysed quantities.
Sum	The quantity measured is the result of summing analytical quantities, for example, or summing the total number of grains counted for each indicator mineral.
Inferred	The quantity measured is inferred from other measurements or observations.  For example, indicator mineral grain counts may be reassigned based on a different classification scheme.  This may be done in an effort to apply a uniform classification scheme across several different surveys which used a variety of different schemes.
Count	The quantity measured is obtained by counting the number of “something”, e.g. the number of observations made at a site. It excludes grain counts, which are classified separately.
Multi-element	Several elements are determined together as a single entity e.g. cold-extractable “heavy metals”.

Analytical Techniques

A hierarchical classification of analytical techniques, beginning with "technique".

Decomposition Techniques

A hierarchical classification of sample decomposition techniques, beginning with "decomposition".

Geographic

Place name keywords.

Geological

Geological keywords.

Geological/Geographic

Keywords that have both a geological and geographic aspect.

Thesaurus

When possible, keywords are taken from authoritative thesaurus reference works such as GeoRef and the Canadian Geographic Names Database (CGNDB).  The Canadian Database of Geochemical Surveys (CDoGS) maintains its own thesaurus of keywords as well, for keywords that could not be found in one of the authoritative sources.  The thesauri are a source for keywords but do not provide definitions for them.

Source

When the keyword Category is "Geological" or "Geographic", an authoritative source for the definition of the keyword is given in this column.  Examples of authoritative sources are the AGI Glossary of Geology, Government web sites, specific pages in scientific publications.

The Analytical Samples Bundles Index Table provides a list of all of the sample bundles, or groups of samples, that have been sent for geochemical analysis.  These analytical metadata do not yet exist for all of the surveys catalogued, but they are being created as part of the process of getting raw data into the database for display and download via this site.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each sample bundle in the Analytical Sample Bundles index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

ID

A unique number assigned to each sample bundle.  When the ID associated with each sample bundle is clicked, the bundle's Analytical Sample Bundle Metadata Page is displayed and it provides extensive information about the samples and what was done to them analytically.  A description of the layout and contents of the Analytical Sample Bundle Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Analytical Sample Bundles.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Analytical Sample Bundle

A title or short description to help identify the bundle is given.  The title contains a mixture of information and may include the location, the person who collected the samples, the size fraction and the analytical technique.

Year

The year that the samples were submitted to the laboratory for analysis is given.

Laboratory

The name of the laboratory that analysed the sample bundle is given.

Package ID

Each sample bundle is analysed by an analytical package offered by the laboratory.  The ID of the analytical package that corresponds to the analytical sample bundle is given.  The ID is hyperlinked to the Analytical Package Metadata Page.

The Laboratories Index Table provides a summary list of all of the labs that have carried out analyses on sample bundles defined for the database.  The list is not yet complete and more laboratories will be added as raw data are loaded into the database.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each laboratory in the Laboratories index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

ID

A unique number assigned to each laboratory.  When the ID associated with each laboratory is clicked, the corresponding Laboratory Metadata Page is displayed and it provides more information about the lab and the analytical packages it has offered over the years and carried out on samples bundles.  A description of the layout and contents of the Laboratory Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Laboratories.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Laboratory

The name of the laboratory responsible for offering an analytical package is given.

Some laboratories appear several times, with minor variations in their names or locations.  These variations are artefacts of the metadata creation, and are being eliminated as the metadata are verified.

The Analytical Packages Index Table provides a list of all packages currently defined for the data.  As raw data are added to the database, more packages will be defined as needed.  Analytical packages are offered by the laboratory and contain one or more suites (e.g an AAS suite) that defines what is to be analysed.  Packages have a 1:1 relationship with Analytical Sample Bundles (i.e. every bundle is sent to a lab and is subjected to the analyses offered in the analytical package).

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each package in the Analytical Packages index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

ID

A unique number assigned to each package.  When the ID associated with each package is clicked, the corresponding Analytical Package Metadata Page is displayed and it provides more information about the analytical suites used by the laboratory.  A description of the layout and contents of the Analytical Package Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Analytical Packages.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Package

A title to help identify the package is given.  The title contains a mixture of information and commonly includes the laboratory and the technique, but may also include the sample medium, the number elements or a specific list of elements analysed.

Laboratory

The name of the laboratory that provided the analytical package is given.

The Analytical Suites Index Table provides a list of all suites currently defined for the data.  As raw data are added to the database, more suites will be defined as needed.  An analytical suite is a suite of measurements that are made at the same time on a sample, using the same analytical technique, digestion and instrumentation.  Most commonly the measurements are reported as concentrations of elements in the original solid sample, but may also include other measurements like aqueous ions in solution.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each suite in the Analytical Suites index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

ID

A unique number assigned to each suite.  When the ID associated with each suite is clicked, the corresponding Analytical Suite Metadata Page is displayed and it provides more information about the suite and its underlying analytical methods that were carried out within the analytical package.  A description of the layout and contents of the Analytical Suite Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Analytical Suites.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Suite

A title or short description to help identify the suite is given.  The title contains a mixture of information and may include the laboratory, the technique, the number of elements or a specific list of elements and the digestion.

Decomposition

The method used to dissolve the sample prior to analysis is given, if applicable (e.g. no decomposition of the sample is needed for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis).

Technique

The analytical technique (e.g. AAS, INAA) used to analyse the samples is given.

The Analytical Methods Index Table provides a list of all methods found within the suites currently defined in the database.  Each element analysed in a particular suite is considered a method.  For example, a 30 element INAA suite has 30 methods associated with it, one for each element.  Because the elements are in the same suite, each element was analysed by the laboratory in the same manner (decomposition (if applicable) + technique + instrumentation) and at the same time.

Note: the Analytical Methods Index Table is extremely big and may take some time to load.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each method in the Analytical Methods index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

ID

A unique number assigned to each method.  When the ID associated with each method is clicked, the corresponding Analytical Method Metadata Page is displayed and it provides more information about the method (element) and how it was analysed.  A description of the layout and contents of the Analytical Method Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Analytical Methods.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Quantity

The quantity measured in the laboratory or field (e.g. an element or oxide; temperature)

Units

The units of measurement (e.g. ppm, percent).

Det Limit

The detection limit for method is given.  If the detection limit is variable as is common for Au analyses by INAA, the lowest detection limit, known as the determination limit, is given.

Decomposition

The method used to dissolve the sample prior to analysis is given, if applicable (e.g. no decomposition of the sample is needed for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis).

Technique

The analytical technique (e.g. AAS, INAA) used to analyse the samples is given.

The Control Reference (CR) Materials Index Table provides a list of the control references, or standards, that have been analysed with routine samples to provide quality control on the results provided by analytical laboratories.

General help for filtering and sorting index tables can be found in the Overview section above.

The following information is available for each control reference in the Control Reference Material index table, in the order the columns are arranged:

ID

A unique number assigned to each control reference.  When the ID associated with each control reference is clicked, the CR's metadata page is displayed.  It provides detailed information about the control reference, including how the CR was analysed with what group of samples it was analysed.  A description of the layout and contents of the Control Reference Material Metadata Page can be found in the Help section Control References.  Sorting or filtering on this column is not very useful.

Name

The name of the control reference is given.  COmmonly these names are a cryptic combination of alphanumeric characters.  More detail about the CR is provided on its metadata page accessed by clicking the CR's ID.

Material

The control reference's material in its most general form is given (e.g. solid, aqueous).  Sometimes CRs used in a project were given the same name (e.g. 9D-77), even though they were different materials and were to be analysed with different sample types (e.g. lake water, lake sediments).  This column allows similarly named CRs to be distinguised from each other, based on their sample material.  Sorting on this column is useful to group all the sediment and rock (solid) CRs together, for example.

Number of Analyses

The number of control reference analyses that have been loaded into the database to date is displayed.  For CRs that exist but have not yet had analyses loaded into the database, the number of analyses is listed as zero.