HR: 12:00h
AN: SF32A-06 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: SESAR: Addressing the need for unique sample identification in the Solid Earth Sciences
AU: * Lehnert, K A
EM: lehnert@ldeo.columbia.edu
AF: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 United States
AU: Goldstein, S L
EM: steveg@ldeo.columbia.edu
AF: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 United States
AU: Lenhardt, C
EM: clenhradt@ciesin.columbia.edu
AF: Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 United States
AU: Vinayagamoorthy, S
EM: sri@ciesin.columbia.edu
AF: Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 United States
AB: The study of solid earth samples is key to our knowledge of Earth's dynamical systems and evolution. The data generated provide the basis for models and hypotheses in all disciplines of the Geosciences from tectonics to magmatic processes to mantle dynamics to paleoclimate research. Sample-based data are diverse ranging from major and trace element abundances, radiogenic and stable isotope ratios of rocks, minerals, fluid or melt inclusions, to age determinations and descriptions of lithology, texture, mineral or fossil content, stratigraphic context, physical properties. The usefulness of these data is critically dependent on their integration as a coherent data set for each sample. If different data sets for the same sample cannot be combined because the sample cannot be unambiguously recognized, valuable information is lost. The ambiguous naming of samples has been a major problem in the geosciences. Different samples are often given identical names, and there is a tendency for different people analyzing the same sample to rename it in their publications according to local conventions. This situation has generated significant confusion, with samples often losing their "history", making it difficult or impossible to link available data. This has become most evident through the compilation of geochemical data in relational databases such as PetDB, NAVDAT, and GEOROC. While the relational data structure allows linking of disparate data for samples published in different references, linkages cannot be established due to ambiguous sample names. SESAR is a response to this problem of ambiguous naming of samples. SESAR will create a common clearinghouse that provides a centralized registry of sample identifiers, to avoid ambiguity, to systematize sample designation, and ensure that all information associated with a sample would in fact be unique. The project will build a web-based digital registry for solid earth samples that will provide for the first time a way to uniquely name and identify samples on a global scale, along with the generation of barcodes for sample labeling. We will describe a prototype of the registry, demonstrating its structure, user-friendly web interface, and functionality, and outline future plans for further enhancement of the system, pertaining to interoperability within the Geoscience Cyber-infrastructure. With the ability to track a sample through its history, the system will facilitate the ability of investigators to build on previously collected data on samples as new measurements are made or techniques are developed. The unique identifiers will also dramatically advance interoperability among existing and emerging data and information management systems for sample-based data such as CHRONOS, EarthChem, SedDB, PaleoStrat, opening an extensive range of new opportunities for discovery and for interdisciplinary approaches in research.
UR: http://www.geosamples.org
DE: 3655 Major element composition
DE: 3670 Minor and trace element composition
DE: 1035 Geochronology
DE: 1065 Trace elements (3670)
DE: 1000 GEOCHEMISTRY (New field, replaces Rock Chemistry)
SC: Special Focus: Advances in Data Acquisition, Management, Analysis and Display [SF]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting