dataset · Scotland

Estimated Ambient Background Soil Chemistry Scotland

The BGS Estimated Ambient Background Soil Chemistry Scotland digital soil chemistry data indicates the estimated geometric mean topsoil concentrations (mg kg-1) of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pb). The soil chemistry data is based on GBASE (Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment) stream sediment data converted to top soil equivalent potentially harmful element(PHE) concentrations. This dataset covers Scotland but data is available for the whole of Grea

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Source details

Licence: ["The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in an

Evidence quality: 37.9

Listed in data.gov.uk public catalogue API on 2026-10-16; relevance/value screened (haiku).

Metadata checked: 2026-10-14T13:20:00.000Z

What's in it

Data offered docs-verified: estimated geometric mean topsoil concentration of arsenic (As), mg kg-1 · estimated geometric mean topsoil concentration of cadmium (Cd), mg kg-1 · estimated geometric mean topsoil concentration of chromium (Cr), mg kg-1 · estimated geometric mean topsoil concentration of nickel (Ni), mg kg-1 · estimated geometric mean topsoil concentration of lead (Pb), mg kg-1
Coverage docs-verified: Scotland; data available for the whole of Great Britain except the London area · 2009 (dataset reference date, creation)
Update frequency docs-verified: as needed (publisher metadata: Frequency of update asNeeded)
Access docs-verified: No authentication listed. BGS/NERC copyright: reproduction or transmission requires prior permission of the copyright holder. Licence field on entry is truncated and the page footer cites OGL v3.0 except where otherwise stated.

Useful for

Use cases llm-inferred: Background comparison for Scottish contaminated land screening of As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb in topsoil · Regional baseline topsoil PHE values for site investigation reporting in Scotland · Ambient background context for EIA or planning soil quality assessments
Audience llm-inferred: contaminated land consultants · geotechnical engineers · environmental consultants · GIS analysts

Limitations

Constraints llm-inferred: Values are estimates derived from GBASE stream sediment data converted to topsoil-equivalent PHE concentrations, not direct topsoil measurements · London area excluded due to insufficient geochemical samples · Underlying geochemical reference date is 2009 · No spatial resolution stated in metadata · No warranty on accuracy or suitability; use is at the customer's own risk · Licence conditions are restrictive on reproduction and conflict with the footer's OGL v3.0 statement; check before redistribution · Dataset only; not an MCP server or API

Evidence

Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.