Scientists from the United States, Canada and Mexico recently met about a common interest – the effect North America’s geology has on the way we live. On Oct. 7 representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey, the Geological Survey of Canada  and the Servicio Geológico Mexicano gathered for the 2008 tri-national meeting in Houston, Texas. There they discussed relationships between geology and human health, climate change and the ongoing need for nonrenewable natural resources.

“The recent tri-national meeting continues a collaborative effort that has been ongoing for 13 years,” said USGS Director Mark Myers. “The partnership is a very successful demonstration of how we all benefit by leveraging the assets of each of our countries to understand the makeup of North America.  This continent is home to all of us, and each country benefits from the sharing of resources and data as we strive to understand the geology that transcends our borders and impacts our economies, as well as the health and security of our citizens.”

The Geological Society of America’s annual meeting provided the venue for the 2008 tri-national meeting, which began with updates from each country about ongoing work. Kicking off the session was discussion about a dynamic ongoing study of the chemical composition of the soils of North America. This study brings together a range of federal, state/provincial, and local partners with diverse interests in geology, soil science, and chemistry. 

Although many of us take soil for granted, it is a critical natural resource that plays a key role in determining human health and ecosystem integrity.  At the same time, it supports food production and plays a key role in natural recycling of carbon and essential nutrients into the environment. The United States, Canada and Mexico recognize that current knowledge about the concentration and distribution of naturally occurring and man-made chemicals in the soils of North America is limited. Consequently, they are working on a first-ever collaborative survey of soils. Scientists from all three countries will analyze soil samples by using common protocols. The data they generate will provide a baseline of information about the chemical makeup of North American soils to land-management, regulatory, and public-health agencies. The leadership of the tri-national partners is key to success of this endeavor.

The tri-national meeting also provided an opportunity for USGS to showcase a new mineral assessment for copper in northern Mexico. They conducted the assessment with the Servicio Geológico Mexicano  as part of a USGS-led project assessing areas of the world having the potential for certain undiscovered, nonfuel mineral resources.

Participants used the meeting to consider the viability of other opportunities for collaborative research in the following areas:

• climate change
• studies related to the quality and quantity of North American ground water
• assessments of coalbed methane
• methodologies required for identification of new North American uranium supplies

The tri-national partnership has proved to be very successful. In 2002, the group published the Aeromagnetic map of North America, which incorporated data from a variety of sources. The map has proved to be a powerful tool for evaluation of the structure, geologic processes, and tectonic evolution of North America. For additional information on the Aeromagnetic Map of North America visit http://crustal.usgs.gov/projects/namad/.