GEOROC 2.0: A globally connected geochemical database to facilitate interdisciplinary, data-driven research

Abstract

The GEOROC database is a leading, open-access source of geochemical and isotopic datasets that provides access to curated compilations of igneous and metamorphic rock and mineral compositions from >20,600 publications. It is global a data resource that supports hundreds of new research publications each year across multiple geoscientific and related disciplines (Chamberlain et al., 2021; Klöcking et al., 2023). The Digital Geochemical Data Infrastructure (DIGIS) initiative is developing a new IT and data infrastructure for GEOROC 2.0 to enable modern solutions to data submission, discovery and access (Fig. 1). GEOROC data compilations are made accessible via a web search interface and an API. In addition (Fig. 2), DIGIS maintains a direct data pipeline of GEOROC compilation data to the EarthChem Portal, which enables combined searches across six distinct geochemical databases. The DIGIS infrastructure further includes a domain repository for submission of geochemical datasets by the community (Fig. 2). This repository is hosted and curated in partnership with GRO.data and GFZ Data Services, and is also used for archiving citeable database versions. In an effort to standardise geochemical data reporting, DIGIS collaborates with EarthChem, Astromat and MetBase to develop common vocabularies that will enhance international interoperability of geo- and cosmochemical data systems. Part of this cooperation is the development of a joint, browser-based data entry tool for the GEOROC, PetDB and Astromat synthesis databases, which will avoid duplication and ensure consistent data and metadata quality through common curation policies. With these efforts, and as a participant of the OneGeochemistry initiative, DIGIS is working towards the goal of globally harmonised geochemical data to enable interdisciplinary, data-driven research.