SGP Data
The SGP project is focused on several goals for the short to medium term. One such goal is the creation of an extensive multi-proxy sedimentary geochemical database for Neoproterozoic through Paleozoic time slices from Neoproterozoic through Paleozoic times. To meet this objective, vast amounts of data will need to be compiled which includes iron, carbon, sulfur content, major and trace metal content and isotope ratio information. Once complete, this database will become accessible to researchers through various online portals as well as permanent geochemical data repositorys.
SGP is an open source software package for conducting statistical analyses within R. It is available on Windows, OSX and Linux computers and can be compiled to run on virtually all. In order to use SGP effectively requires some familiarity with its software as well as training in statistical analyses; for those newer to statistics the SGP website offers resources and tutorials to get you up and running quickly with this tool.
Another aspect of the SGP project involves creating new software tools for data visualization, analysis, and publishing of its database. This software will feature an interface that enables users to easily browse, filter, visualize and export their data for use elsewhere.
Like other SGP projects, access to data and tools will be made freely available to the scientific community, with an emphasis on providing reuse, reproduction and extension capabilities of these data sets. Software will be licensed under CC-BY terms for ease of integration into other existing software solutions.
Accessing SGP data requires accessing an internet-connected computer equipped with R software for Windows, Mac or Linux operating systems – available free from CRAN website – as well as some prior familiarity with its operation – prior to beginning SGP analyses. It is recommended that users familiarize themselves with R before initiating analyses using it.
SGP data are currently hosted on a server at the University of Toronto as part of an expansive global data repository called Geological Data Repository (GDR), used both academics and industry to perform geological events and processes research.
The SGP database features over 50,000 digitalized geochemical records spanning from the mid-Palaeozoic period up to modern times, featuring chemical and isotopic measurements on sedimentary rocks. As one of the world’s largest such resources, it will prove an invaluable asset for researchers. The Sedimentary Geochemical Database Project is an integral step towards our long-term goal of creating an all-encompassing sedimentary geochemical database for Earth history research. This database will answer a broad array of environmental change-related queries regarding ocean chemistry, terrestrial ecology, climate and more – such as ocean acidification. Furthermore, its data will serve as an invaluable resource for future geologists as well as researchers of all stripes – undergraduate students to postgraduate scholars alike.