Geologian tutkimuskeskus (GTK) The Geologian tutkimuskeskus (GTK), which was established in 1885, is a government funded agency responsible to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. It has a central administration based in Espoo and regional offices in Kuopio and Rovaniemi. The GTK is one of the leading geological organizations in Europe with a permanent staff of 700, including nearly 300 geologists, geophysicists and geochemists. It has an annual budget of USD 50 million. The GTK acquires, assesses and makes available geological information in promoting the balanced, long-term use of natural resources, particularly for exploration and mining companies and the construction industry, as well as for land use, environmental protection and public health authorities. The GTK offers its services to customers both in Finland and world wide. With its extensive data bases and wide range of expertise in the geosciences, the GTK is particularly well equipped for conducting multidisciplinary studies. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES The primary tasks of the GTK are in mapping the Earth's surface using geological, geophysical and geochemical methods and in searching for exploitable resources in both bedrock and surficial deposits, including peat reserves. In addition to research of a basic nature, the GTK undertakes studies on behalf of clients both in Finland and abroad. The GTK releases the results and findings of its research as periodical papers, reports and maps. Data are also available in numerical form or as computer printouts. Bedrock investigations A wide-ranging understanding of crustal composition, age and evolution is essential to the search for exploitable mineral resources. Studies of the Finnish bedrock support directly and indirectly exploration for ores, industrial minerals, building stones, rock aggregate and underground construction. Geological maps of bedrock are a basic reference source for information concerning the Earth's crust. In Finland, geological maps are mostly published at a scale of 1:100 000, and should be available for the whole country within 25 years. Rock and mineral aggregate studies Rock and mineral aggregate studies undertaken by the GTK provide the information needed to secure the supply of building stone aggregate for the construction industry, roadmaking and other civil engineering works and to help in the planning and implementing nature conservation programmes. The GTK investigates and assesses areas having potential as commercial sources of building stone and aggregate, and performs the required feasibility studies. The GTK also investigates, lists and recommends the preservation of sites having intrinsic or educational geological and geomorphological value. In addition, contracts and commissioned investigations of bedrock and mineral aggregates are undertaken. Research into nuclear waste disposal and applied geology The safe disposal of nuclear waste requires a thorough understanding of the properties of the bedrock and the quality and movements of bedrock groundwater. The GTK is currently participating in a research programme, sponsored jointly by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and nuclear power utilities, to find a safe repository for nuclear waste. The GTK also takes part in studies related to the construction of underground storages for natural gas and other chamber and tunnel structures. Quaternary geological studies The results of research on Quaternary deposits are applied to land use planning, the search for and assessment of surficial resources, agricultural and forestry purposes and to groundwater studies and planning of environmental protection policies. Surficial deposits are mainly mapped at a scale of 1:20 000 and their structures, age and evolution stages are examined. Fossiliferous sedimentary rocks are also investigated. The GTK maintains a file of drilling data. Mapping of the sea floor provides information about marine deposits and resources. Sea bed gravel reserves are assessed and alternative routes for cables and natural gas pipelines are delineated as commissioned undertakings. The results of groundwater studies are applied in the appraisal and protection of groundwater resources and when coordinating the usage of groundwater and gravel resources. Research of surficial deposit resources The GTK studies the quality and assesses the reserves of materials, such as sand, gravel, till and clay, in accordance with the specifications of potential users. Investigations are conducted into the impact that gravel extraction might have on groundwater and on how rehabilitation should be carried out once extraction has ceased. The GTK has a nation-wide land resources file that is continuously up-dated. The GTK undertakes commissioned research on eskers and assesses their resources, also advising clients concerning research methods and on investigation strategies at each site. The GTK serves in an consulting capacity in planning regional and multiple land use policies, environmental studies and gravel extraction. It studies and appraises the availability of land resources and documents their distribution. Peat research The GTK investigates and assesses mire and peat resources in Finland and undertakes basic research into the physical and chemical properties of peat. The findings are applied in peat processing and environmental studies. The results of peat research are used by the peat industry, the chemicals industry, power and wood-processing companies, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of the Environment, regional water and environment agencies, local authorities, regional planning associations, private land owners and health resorts. The data collected in the course of peat studies are stored in a national peat archive, which provides assessments of the regional availability and adequacy of peat. Environmental research The GTK studies the environment with geoscientific methods and promotes the application of geological knowledge in the prevention of environmental damage and in solving environmental problems. The GTK participates in domestic and international environmental studies, including undertakings co-ordinated by the Ministry of the Environment. Owing to the multidisciplinary nature of environmental problems, the GTK also applies the methods from other disciplines in its environmental research. Economic geology The GTK is active in prospecting for metallic ores and industrial mineral deposits and assesses the potential of known occurrences. Priority is given to those raw materials currently in high demand and on the regional probability of their discovery. Targets are selected in the light of geological, geophysical and geochemical data. Every year tens of thousands of samples sent in by members of the public are investigated; about 5% of these lead to follow-up studies. Geophysical research The results of geophysical research are applied in exploration, in petrological, surficial and environmental studies. Using geophysical methods, the GTK investigates geological formations in the crust on the basis of their physical properties, such as density, magnetism, electric conductivity and radioactivity. Measurements are made from aircraft, on the ground and in drill holes. The structures of geological formations are delineated with the aid of computer-based interpretations. Geochemical research The results of geochemical research are applied in exploration, petrographic and soil studies, agriculture, forestry and environmental investigations. The studies seek to establish the abundance and distribution of elements in the upper crust. Environmental geochemistry investigates and monitors changes in the distribution and bahaviour of nutrient elements vital for agriculture and forestry and of hazardous heavy metals, resulting from acidification. The findings of geochemical studies either alone or supplemented with geological and geophysical data, improve the chances of identifying significant exploration targets. Analytical laboratory services The chemistry laboratory of the GTK is provided with versatile and up-to-date equipment for carrying out inorganic analyses. The laboratory offers its services to outside clients in all fields relevant to soil, bedrock and groundwater studies. Analytical data are increasingly in demand for environmental, water, metals and clinical studies. Laboratory specialities include the planning of equipment, facilities and computer systems for laboratories, the preparation and study of comparative samples and standards, and development co-operation. The chemistry laboratory features an automatic data handling system with output options to meet client needs. The laboratory performs over 1.5 million analytical determinations from about 200 000 samples annually. Computer services The computer services underpin all the research conducted by the GTK, emphasized in map production, systems deliveries, geoscientific data bases, consultations, computer running services and training both within the GTK and for outside clients. The data-analytical methods development project was established to programme, develop and refine image processing and expert systems. Information services The GTK information services promote the dissemination and use of geological information in Finland and abroad. The GTK sells its own publications and maps. These and other publications and maps can be borrowed from the library of the GTK, which is open to the public. The material in the archives is also accessible for public examination. The mineralogical museum is open to the public at specified times and also by arrangement. The drill core store at Loppi is available for research. The surficial soil and bedrock information acquired by the GTK, which forms the most comprehensive geological database in Finland, is readily available for industry and the public to use. The extensive research, interpretation and imaging methods developed by the GTK can also be applied to clients' own data. GTK Website: http://www.gsf.fi