From April 2012 – January 2013 BGS Analytical Geochemistry Facility undertook a substantial
programme of geochemical sample preparation and analysis on behalf of the Geological Survey of
Ireland (GSI). The work formed part of the Tellus Border project to collect scientific data on soils, water
and rocks across the six border counties of the Republic of Ireland (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan,
Monaghan and Louth). The project is a collaboration between the Geological Survey of Ireland, the
Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, the Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University,
Belfast, funded by the INTERREG IVA programme of the European Regional Development Fund and the
Departments of Environment from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The work involved:
- Preparation of 3600 topsoil samples for laboratory analysis;
- Preparation of 4400 stream sediment samples for analysis;
- XRFS analysis of the sediment samples (subcontracted to PANalytical).
Analysis of soil samples (for pH, LOI and by ICP analysis of aqua regia acid digests) was undertaken
elsewhere.
The results of XRFS analyses have been compiled and reported separately in a series of laboratory
reports over the course of the project. This report provides a summary record of the methods, progress
and analytical quality control which were used during the preparation and analysis.