After a long wait and careful preparation, the signing ceremony for the Agreement establishing the UNESCO International Research Center for Geochemistry at the Global Scale (hereinafter referred to as: the Center) has finally been successfully held.

　　According to the plan, after its establishment, the center will focus on the following research activities over the next six years, based on its objectives and functions: establishing a global geochemical baseline network, conducting global resource assessments and monitoring environmental changes; carrying out geochemical mapping (and compilation) for the Belt and Road Initiative to support its development; developing a global geochemical atlas and building a Chemical Earth platform to provide services to the public; and actively preparing for the International Big Science Program “Chemical Earth.”

　　Relevant experts stated that this is a milestone event for the domestic geochemistry community. Among these developments, the “Chemical Earth” International Big Science Program has attracted considerable attention. During the event, Peng Xuanming, Director of the Global-scale Geochemical International Research Center, also gave a special presentation on the “Chemical Earth” International Big Science Program.

　　Draw the periodic table on Earth.

　　The National “13th Five-Year” Plan outlines the goal of “actively proposing and taking the lead in organizing major international science programs and large-scale scientific projects, and building several platforms for international innovation cooperation.” The implementation of the “Chemical Earth” large-scale science program is a concrete action to put the “13th Five-Year” Plan into practice in the field of geochemistry.

　　At the 2016 National Geological Survey Work Conference, Jiang Daming, Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and国土资源部, pointed out that it is necessary to more effectively establish new platforms for international cooperation in the resource sector and actively explore and propose major international scientific programs in the geological field. At the same conference, Zhong Ziran, Director of the China Geological Survey, also put forward 18 measures for implementing a science-and-technology innovation-driven strategy, one of which is to explore and implement large-scale scientific programs.

　　According to geochemical experts, chemical elements are the smallest building blocks of Earth. "Chemical Earth" refers to the creation of a geochemical atlas that maps the concentrations and distributions of all chemical elements from the periodic table across the globe. This atlas provides foundational data for the sustainable use of global resources and research on global environmental changes, offers scientific evidence for government decision-making, and delivers public services to society.

　　Peng Xuanming introduced that the “Chemical Earth” international mega-science program aims to systematically measure the concentrations of chemical elements in Earth’s five major spheres, continuously collect and record global baseline and changing scientific data on chemical elements, and create a geochemical atlas of Earth. The program primarily involves seven key tasks: First, establishing a global geochemical baseline network; second, setting up a geochemical observation network for Earth’s critical zone; third, estimating the distribution and total resource reserves of 50 major ore-forming elements worldwide; fourth, assessing environmental changes related to heavy metals, radioactivity, and carbon elements globally; fifth, studying the geochemical responses to major geological events such as mass extinctions and ancient climate changes; sixth, collaborating to produce a series of geochemical maps along the Belt and Road Initiative; and seventh, creating the “Chemical Earth” platform and a big-data sharing system to provide public services for global geochemical big data and knowledge.

　　Dr. Wang Xueqiu’s statement is even more vivid: “The International Big Science Program ‘Chemical Earth’ aims to establish and complete a comprehensive, chemically-based Earth navigation system.”

　　Make rational use of resources to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

　　In fact, exploring and implementing major scientific initiatives is not merely a policy requirement—it is also an urgent necessity given the current political, economic, and environmental circumstances.

　　From the perspective of today’s global ecological environment, issues such as air, water, and soil pollution, as well as resource scarcity, are drawing increasing attention. UNESCO needs an authoritative body to provide systematic and continuous global scientific data and solutions. The approval by UNESCO and the Chinese government of the establishment of an International Research Center for Global-Scale Geochemistry in China reflects the international community’s expectation that China will make greater contributions to humanity. The Geochemistry Center has already formulated an ambitious scientific plan: to map the periodic table onto the Earth, systematically record global geochemical data, and serve the global geoscience community. The implementation of the “Chemical Earth” mega-science program is of great significance for innovating and developing geoscience theories, protecting the ecological environment, and promoting the rational use of natural resources.

　　To date, humans have identified 92 chemical elements present on Earth. However, systematic studies on the distribution of these elements across the lithosphere, pedosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere have been lacking, which has hindered research and solutions to major global resource and environmental issues. Systematically measuring the concentrations of chemical elements in Earth’s five major spheres can provide essential baseline data for studying the interactions among these spheres and the mechanisms underlying the exchange of matter and energy. This represents a critical need for innovation and advancement in Earth system science. Furthermore, establishing an internet-based “Chemical Earth” platform to offer geochemical knowledge from a global perspective is also essential for enhancing public scientific understanding of our planet.

　　Global change issues—such as climate change driven by carbon emissions, changes in heavy-metal pollution, and variations in radioactive input—are today hot topics of widespread public concern. However, a major reason for the significant controversy surrounding global change is the lack of standardized measurement criteria. To monitor both natural and anthropogenic environmental changes worldwide, it is essential to establish global geochemical baselines as quantitative benchmarks. For example, by comparing baseline data from China, the United States, Europe, and Australia, we find that sampling sites exceeding the threshold levels for heavy-metal elements are distributed as follows: 10.9% in Europe, 4.1% in China, 2.6% in the United States, and 1.8% in Australia. This indicates that Europe suffers the most severe heavy-metal pollution, followed closely by China; the United States fares slightly better than China, while Australia remains the cleanest. These patterns align with historical industrialization trends and population densities. Therefore, launching a large-scale global geochemical science initiative to establish geochemical baselines for all 76 elements worldwide and to carry out comprehensive assessments and monitoring of global heavy-metal pollution, radioactive inputs, and carbon emissions has become an urgent necessity for improving the ecological environment, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and accelerating the construction of a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly society.

　　The total amount of Earth’s mineral resources upon which humanity depends for survival, as well as the sustainability of our development, have long been among the key issues drawing societal attention. In the past, estimates of global resource totals have been based on crustal Clarke values. To address the significant limitation of using only a single global Clarke value for resource estimation, research experts have adopted a grid-based geochemical baseline with a unit of 20,000 to estimate global resource totals and provide a comprehensive background framework for ore-forming materials worldwide. This approach will deliver more accurate estimates of resource quantities, offering crucial evidence for humanity’s sustainable use of natural resources.

　　Currently, China has proposed the “Belt and Road” development initiative. The countries along the Belt and Road are extremely rich in mineral resources and serve as a major global supplier of mineral raw materials, playing a pivotal role in global economic and social development. At the same time, some of these countries also face challenges such as fragile natural environments. Collaboratively conducting geochemical mapping and compilation can provide foundational data for the coordinated development and utilization of resources and the environment in the countries along the Belt and Road, thereby supporting both the economic construction and environmental protection efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative. This is essential for fostering complementary advantages, achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and promoting open development.

　　Jointly promote globally

　　Earth science has entered a new stage of development, requiring us to gain a better understanding of the Earth from a broad perspective, at large scales, and with big data, in order to address major resource and environmental challenges.

　　So, with clear goals and objectives in place, how will the “Chemical Earth” international mega-science program be implemented?

　　Peng Xuanming stated that we should follow the technical approach—from acquiring geochemical data and managing data, through research evaluation and map production, to disseminating results—and adopt working methods such as systematic sampling, meticulous analysis, and scientific assessment to effectively implement the “Chemical Earth” Big Science Program.

　　The “Chemical Earth” International Big Science Program will establish 18,000 sub-grids based on a global geochemical baseline grid of 5,000 reference grids, according to seven major task objectives. Samples will be collected at the outlets of the world’s largest drainage basins and analyzed for 76 chemical elements. The program will set up 1,000 long-term, three-dimensional geochemical observation stations to continuously gather data on the variations and cycles of heavy metals, radioactivity, and carbon elements. Global resource totals will be estimated using parameters such as surface metal content, mineralization enrichment coefficients, and minimum industrial grade thresholds. Soil pollution levels will be assessed in accordance with Chinese and EU soil heavy-metal standards. The natural radioactive contents of uranium, thorium, and potassium in the air will be calculated, and carbonaceous rocks and other geological formations will be monitored. The program will also evaluate the potential risks posed by these elements and compounds, providing comprehensive data for environmental risk assessment and management.

　　According to reports, currently nearly 30 countries worldwide have jointly implemented the IGCP 259 International Geochemical Mapping Program and the IGCP 360 Global Geochemical Baseline Program, covering a land area of 32 million square kilometers and analyzing up to 81 indicators. It can be said that a solid foundation for future work has already been laid.

　　From a domestic perspective, China has now established a mature system of theories, methodologies, and technologies. Among these, two areas are world-leading: first, the theory for sampling water-body samples from various geomorphological landscapes; and second, a precise and large-scale experimental analysis system. China has systematically developed more than 250 types of standard substances—the most comprehensive globally and widely used internationally—and has taken the lead in drafting a series of technical guidelines. Moreover, China has successfully organized and implemented three national geochemical survey programs covering regional geochemical exploration, land resources, and groundwater resources, thereby establishing a systematic management framework.

　　Meanwhile, a large pool of highly qualified technical and professional personnel has been globally assembled. A total of 69 countries, along with teams led by 169 scientists, have participated in the Global Geochemical Reference Program. Europe has established a dedicated geochemistry expert panel, while the United States, Mexico, and Canada have each set up working groups for the North American Geochemical Landscape Initiative. China has built a specialized team dedicated to global geochemical reference studies, having organized 26 international training workshops on geochemical mapping, trained over 600 participants from more than 60 countries, and engaged in geochemical mapping collaborations with 25 countries.

　　Next, over the next six years, the UNESCO International Research Center for Geochemistry at the Global Scale will implement the Big Science Initiative for Chemical Earth in a phased and orderly manner across three stages. In the first stage, this year, we will widely solicit opinions and formulate an implementation plan for the Big Science Initiative for Chemical Earth. In the second stage, from 2017 to 2020, we will establish a geochemical baseline network covering 50% of the world’s land area and build a geochemical observation network for the Earth’s critical zone, completing related monitoring and research tasks. In the third stage, in 2021, we will evaluate and summarize our achievements and prepare a report on the outcomes of the Big Science Initiative. The Center also plans to carry out regional deployments targeting three types of situations: First, for developed countries in Europe, the United States, and Australia—where baseline networks have already been established—we will conduct supplementary analyses of elements that have not yet been tested; second, for countries that have signed memoranda of understanding with China, we will collaborate on geochemical mapping projects; and third, for developing countries that have not yet established baseline networks, we will organize applications for international cooperative projects on geochemical mapping.

　　According to forecasts, in the future, by leveraging global-scale regional and big data acquisition and monitoring, we will achieve a series of groundbreaking results that are firmly grounded in theory, marked by outstanding innovation, and endowed with international influence. By 2021, we will have established a geochemical reference network comprising 10,000 benchmark sites; built a geochemical observation network platform with 100 experimental observation stations set up across China; developed a “Chemical Earth” big data platform; and produced geochemical maps covering 5 million square kilometers for key countries along the Belt and Road Initiative. We will also release the first batch of reference values for 76 chemical elements along with corresponding baseline geochemical maps. To realize these goals as soon as possible, the UNESCO International Research Center for Geochemistry at the Global Scale will intensify efforts to cultivate internationally collaborative, multidisciplinary talent, explore the establishment of a coordinated work mechanism featuring unified planning, division of labor, and cooperative sharing, and refine a scientific, practical, and mutually supportive technical support system. Furthermore, we will establish a diversified, stable, and specialized funding mechanism involving participation from international organizations and individual member countries. Meanwhile, from 2016 to 2021, China’s fiscal budget will allocate between 600 million and 800 million RMB to ensure the successful implementation of the “Chemical Earth” grand scientific initiative and the achievement of its intended objectives.

　　Bravely scaling the heights with high expectations.

　　At the signing ceremony of the Agreement on the UNESCO International Research Center for Geochemistry at the Global Scale, Jiang Daming emphasized the need to continuously summarize China’s experience in geochemical research and advance the “Chemical Earth” Big Science Initiative.

　　He stated that over the years, China has successively implemented the National Regional Geochemical Survey Program, the National Land Quality Geochemical Survey Program, the National Groundwater Quality Survey Program, and the National Geochemical Reference Network Program, achieving significant accomplishments. Globally, geochemical mapping theories and analytical techniques have achieved remarkable progress, laying a solid foundation for launching the “Chemical Earth” mega-science initiative. He called for accelerating the establishment of a global geochemical reference network and monitoring network, creating geochemical maps, and continuously documenting changes in chemical elements at the global scale, thereby providing strong support for the sustainable development of natural resources and the environment.

　　He proposed that the UNESCO International Research Center for Geochemistry at the Global Scale should fully leverage its role as an international platform to drive new developments in geochemistry worldwide. Since its establishment, the International Research Center for Geochemistry should take the initiative in innovative endeavors, maintain its innovative vitality, and continuously elevate its level of innovation. It should closely align with the goals and functional positioning set forth in the agreement, meticulously formulate and implement a six-year development plan for the center, and ensure that all targets and tasks are effectively carried out. The center should deepen cooperation, actively promote the implementation of the “Chemical Earth” Big Science Initiative, engage in pragmatic collaboration with countries around the world, establish a globally comprehensive geochemical reference network and monitoring network, and build a collaboratively constructed and shared big data platform for “Chemical Earth,” providing a benchmark for monitoring future geochemical changes and supporting science-based decision-making. Furthermore, the center should strengthen exchanges, broadly attract international talent, and accelerate the translation of geochemical research findings into practical applications. It should regularly provide technical assistance in global-scale geochemical methods to developing countries, thereby enhancing their geochemical research capabilities and promoting the application of research outcomes to benefit people across nations.

　　Strength determines execution capability. Currently, China’s achievements in the field of geochemistry have made it possible to launch a large-scale scientific initiative—the “Chemical Earth” program—that integrates research, mapping, exploration, and engineering. The “Chemical Earth” international mega-science program will summarize China’s nearly 40 years of experience in geochemical mapping and the methodological and technological systems that have gradually evolved, develop global geochemical technical standards, and leverage the UNESCO Global Geochemical Mapping Center platform to establish a globally comprehensive geochemical reference network and a data management and sharing center, thereby ensuring authoritative publication of global data. Conducting technical training for developing countries and sharing China’s geochemical survey results and advanced technologies are essential for China to shoulder greater international responsibilities and contribute to economic and social development.