Methodological approach and general guidelines to geochemical mapping and background-baseline analysis for environmental assessment: a case study in the Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil

We present this manuscript as a methodological approach and general guidelines for geochemical mapping background/baseline projects environmental assessment in tropical areas. A case study was carried out the Itacaiúnas River watershed (IRW), Eastern Amazon, to fill gap knowledge on distribution of chemical elements, particularly those potentially toxic, near-surface environment area. The high-impact results research project revealed need similar scientific investigation across globe with implementation systematic methodology. shows, example, importance well-planned field activities, multi-medium sampling, analytical methods, laboratory procedures, database construction, aspects data processing statistical treatment. contribution is that it can be used reference support geospatial analysis within scope background-baseline projects. accessible through web-based geographic information system front-end; Geochemical Atlas IRW will available soon possible.