Advancing FAIR geochemical data: 25 Years of GEOROC database service

The GEOROC synthesis database, a pioneering open-access resource for geochemical and isotopic data, marks 25 years of service to the geoscience community. Over its history, GEOROC has compiled data from more than 22,750 publications in the field of geochemistry, and provides free access to over 39 million individual data values, primarily on igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals and their inclusions. As a cornerstone for interdisciplinary research, GEOROC is complementary to other geochemical synthesis databases like PetDB, AstroMat and GeoReM, in facilitating reuse of data for innovative studies that leverage data analytics and machine-learning approaches across geoscientific disciplines and beyond.

The Digital Geochemical Data Infrastructure (DIGIS) project for GEOROC 2.0 is providing an up-to-date IT infrastructure that aligns GEOROC with the FAIR principles. Data findability and accessibility are ensured through the newly developed API and the improved GEOROC web interface that allows users to retrieve a variety of distinct data products and services, including a fully customizable search functionality. Interoperability is achieved via implementation of a feature-based data model compatible with the OGC Observations and Measurements standard and controlled, machine-readable vocabularies that harmonize geospatial, analytical and sample-related metadata, and enabling seamless integration in multiple databases and portals (e.g., EarthChem). Reusability is further supported by archiving time-stamped GEOROC data products in the DIGIS Data Repository, hosted by GFZ Data Services, where datasets with digital object identifiers (DOIs) are archived for the long-term. Additionally, researchers are encouraged to directly submit new or already “published” datasets to this domain repository—through standardized (meta-)data templates, ensuring high-quality data submissions that facilitate data quality assessment and reuse.

In collaboration with national and global initiatives, such as OneGeochemistry and NFDI4Earth, the DIGIS project further promotes practical approaches to the FAIR principles for geochemistry by developing unified controlled vocabularies for geochemical data and their metadata (e.g., analytical methods, sample description, location). These vocabularies also integrate external standards, such as the International Mineralogical Association’s "List of Minerals" and MinDat’s "Subdivisions of Rocks," alongside newly developed (and published) frameworks for categories such as geological setting and analytical methods (collaboration with EarthChem). By harmonizing metadata across geospatial, analytical and sample-related categories, these efforts ensure consistency, improve data quality assessment and control and enhance interoperability across data systems, including but not limited to GEOROC, PetDB, and AusGeochem. Such advancements expand the potential applications of geochemical data, fostering innovation in fields such as environmental science, remote sensing, archaeology and geohealth.

With 25 years of experience and ongoing innovation through the DIGIS project, the GEOROC database exemplifies how operationalizing the FAIR principles enhances its value as a critical resource for the geoscience community. By providing both FAIR and open data, GEOROC empowers researchers to conduct reproducible, impactful studies and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, driving innovation and advancing progress across the geosciences.