Compilation of the European Quaternary marine geology (section of Germany). The original map consists of data at highest available spatial resolution, map scale („multi-resolution“-concept) and data completeness vary depending on the project partner (as of 2019 April). Project partners are the national geological services of the participating countries. According to the Data Specification on Geology (D2.8.II.4_v3.0) the geological map (section of Germany) provides INSPIRE-compliant data. The WMS EMODnet-DE Quaternary (INSPIRE) contains layers of the geologic units (GE.GeologicUnit) displayed correspondingly to the INSPIRE portrayal rules. The geologic units are represented graphically by stratigraphy (GE.GeologicUnit.AgeOfRocks) and lithology (GE.GeologicUnit.Lithology). The portrayal of the lithology is defined by the first named rock. Via the getFeatureInfo request the user obtains detailed information on the lithology, stratigraphy (age) and genesis (event environment and event process).

Considering water as the primary resource necessary for social life, agriculture, industry, and wealth, the importance of groundwater investigation is clear. Apart from many other pollutants, this work focusses on geogenic uranium (U) and radium (Ra), which both stand for natural radionuclides (NORM) that need to be considered frame of groundwater exploration and monitoring programmes due to their specific mobility and chemo-/radiotoxicity. As investigation of U and – to a lesser extent - Ra is done by an increasing number of scientific working groups, the global dataset is improving continuously. In order to give a summarized overview on available and recent literature, scientific papers, reports, and governmental documents have been reviewed for U-238 mass concentrations and Ra-226 and Ra-228 activity concentrations and collected in tables and global maps. Further natural isotopes of U and Ra have been rarely subject of investigation. The collected data were evaluated and interpreted in frame of an associated scientific publication (see citation). From the available data it can be concluded that high geogenic U occur mainly under oxidizing conditions and carbonate rich groundwater, which might be seen as indicator for elevated U concentrations. Certain geological formations, as for example sedimentary, granitic, and volcanic host rocks, promote high U concentrations in groundwater. For geogenic Ra, the search for definite indications proved difficult, since less clear correlation is given for any observed factor. In a global perspective, the most promising evidence for elevated Ra are highly reducing redox conditions, as well as the occurrence of Fe/Mn mineral phases. Furthermore, barite represents a sink for Ra due to its ability to incorporate Ra isotopes. Dissolution of those mineral phases eventually results in co-dissolution of Ra, when Ra is found in host rocks of investigated aquifers, or downstream of such groundwater reservoirs. Furthermore, cation exchange might enhance Ra mobility process, especially in case of sedimentary aquifers with low sorption capacity and/or aquifers with high salinity. Given those chemical requirements for the occurrence of U and Ra, a negative correlation between mother and daughter nuclide can be established. When knowledge on present geological and geochemical constraints is available, elevated U and Ra concentrations might be predictable, as long as anthropogenic influence is excluded.

The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) consists of more than 100 organisations assembling marine data, products and metadata to make these fragmented data resources more available to public and private users relying on quality-assured, standardised and harmonised marine data which are interoperable and free of restrictions on use. EMODnet is currently in its fourth phase. BGR participates in the EMODnet Geology theme and is coordinating the “seafloor geology” work package from the beginning. In cooperation with the project partners BGR compiles and harmonises GIS data layers on the topics geomorphology, pre-Quaternary and Quaternary geology and provides those, based on INSPIRE principles, via the EMODnet Geology portal https://www. emodnet-geology.eu/map-viewer/. These map layers present the pre-Quaternary and Quaternary sea-floor geology and Geomorphology of the European Seas, semantically harmonized based on the INSPIRE data specifications including the terms for lithology, age, event environment, event process and geomorphology. The data are compiled from the project partners, the national geological survey organizations of the participating countries. The data set represents the most detailed available data compilation of the European Seas using a multiresolution approach. Data completeness depending on the availability of data and actual mapping campaigns. This open and freely accessible product was made available by the EMODnet Geology project (https://www.emodnet-geology.eu/), implemented by EMODnet Geology Phase IV partners, and funded by the European Commission Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. These data were compiled by BGR from the EMODnet IV Geology partners. All ownership rights of the original data remain with the data originators, who are acknowledged within the attribute values of each map feature.

The WMS GÜK250 (INSPIRE) represents the surface geology of Germany on a scale of 1:250,000. In general, the term “surface geology” refers to geologic formations up to a depth of two meters. However, particularly in the south of Germany, considerable deviations of this concept exist and thicknesses of a couple of hundred meters may be displayed. According to the Data Specification on Geology (D2.8.II.4_v3.0) the geological map provides INSPIRE-compliant data. The GÜK250 (INSPIRE) contains a base layer and an overlay layer which usually represents thin Quaternary deposits. The WMS GÜK250 (INSPIRE) contains correspondingly two layers for the geologic units (GE.GeologicUnit.BaseLayer and GE.GeologicUnit.OverlayLayer). Additionally the WMS comprises layers representing the faults (GE.GeologicFault), marginal position of the ice shield (GE. NaturalGeomorphologicFeature) and quartz veins (GE.GeologicUnit.QuartzVein). The layers are mostly displayed according to the INSPIRE portrayal rules. The geologic units are represented graphically by stratigraphy (GE.GeologicUnit.BaseLayer.AgeOfRocks and GE.GeologicUnit.OverlayLayer.AgeOfRocks, stored in group layer GE.AgeOfRocks) and lithology (GE.GeologicUnit.BaseLayer.Lithology and GE.GeologicUnit.OverlayLayer.Lithology, stored in group layer GE.Lithology). Because INSPIRE doesn’t provide portrayal rules for the genesis (event process und event environment), this display mode is not available compared to the original WMS GÜK250. In case of different geochronologic minimum and maximum ages, e.g. Pleistocene - Holocene, the portrayal is defined by the colour of the geochronologic minimum age (olderNamedAge). The portrayal of the lithology is defined by the rock or rock group representing the main part of the petrographic composition of the geologic unit. For the portrayal of different petrographic main components the corresponding colours are superimposed in a dot pattern. Analogous to the original WMS GÜK250 the petrographic content is represented graphically according to the generic terms of the main components, e.g. clastic sedimentary rock, pure carbonate sedimentary rock or metamorphic rock. In case of the geologic units the user obtains detailed information on the stratigraphy, lithology and genesis via the getFeatureInfo request.

The WMS Nicht-konventionelle KW (INSPIRE) presents the results of the NiKo project according to data specifications Energy Resources (D2.8.III.20) und Geology (D2.8.II.4_v3.0). NiKo stands for „unconventional hydrocarbons“, „Nicht-konventionelle Kohlenwasserstoffe“ in German. In the NiKo project the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) has investigated the potential resources for shale oil and shale gas in Germany. The study was published in 2016 as a report titled „Schieferöl und Schiefergas in Deutschland – Ressourcen und Umweltaspekte“ (available in German only). The colloquial terms shale oil and shale gas refer to oil and natural gas resources in sedimentary shale rock formations, with high organic matter content. In the study, seven formations were identified to have a shale oil and/or gas potential in Germany and their distribution has been mapped in small scale. For each of the formations the organic-rich facies distribution is provided as layer and, if appropriate, the regional potential resource distribution: Fischschiefer (Oligocene), Blättertone (Barremium - Lower-Aptian), Wealden (Berriasium), Posidonienschiefer (Lower-Toarcium), Middel-Rhaetium (Oberkeuper), Permokarbon (Stefanium - Rotliegend) und Lower Carboniferous (Upper Alaunschiefer (Kulm-Facies) + Kohlenkalk-Facies). According to the overview maps in the report the following layers are provided, omitting however the sub-category “possible potential regions”. Bituminous facies distribution (0-5000 m depth) – data specification Geology: GE.GeologicUnit.Fischschiefer_distribution, GE.GeologicUnit.Blaettertone_distribution, GE.GeologicUnit.Wealden_distribution, GE.GeologicUnit.Posidonienschiefer_distribution, GE.GeologicUnit.Mittelrhaetium_black_shale_thicker_20m_distribution, GE.GeologicUnit.Permokarbon_black_shale_distribution, GE.GeologicUnit.Unterkarbon_Hangende_Alaunschiefer_distribution und GE.GeologicUnit.Unterkarbon_Kohlenkalk Facies layers are coloured according to the corresponding oldest formation age (olderNamedAge). Distribution shale oil and shale gas – potential resources (1000 - 5000 m depth) – data specification Energy Resources: ER.FossilFuelRessource.Blaettertone, ER.FossilFuelRessource.Wealden, ER.FossilFuelRessource.Posidonienschiefer, ER.FossilFuelRessource.Mittelrhaetschiefer, ER.FossilFuelRessource.Permokarbon und ER.FossilFuelRessource.Unterkarbon The shale oil and shale gas distribution layers are not coloured according to INSPIRE guidelines, but rather as common international practice in green and red, respectively. The distribution maps of the potential resources for shale oil and gas are based on geoscientific criteria. Further non-geoscientific limiting criteria, e.g. exclusion areas, have not been taken into account for the assessment. These assessments are based on appraisements of input parameters naturally with large uncertainties for the potential resources and their distribution in the deep underground. Based on the incipient exploration status of unconventionals in Germany, these resources are considered as undiscovered. The assessed shale oil and gas resources for Germany, represent the order of magnitude of potential resources. Source: BGR 2016 - Schieferöl und Schieferöl in Deutschland in 2016: - Potenziale und Umweltaspekte https://www.bgr.bund.de/DE/Themen/Energie/Downloads/Abschlussbericht_13MB_Schieferoelgaspotenzial_Deutschland_2016.html

The WMS of the map „Organic Matter Content of Top-Soils in Germany 1:1,000,000 (INSPIRE)“ highlights the results of a Germany-wide compilation of typical soil organic matter contents in top-soils differentiated according to groups of soil parent material, four climatic areas and the main land use. The evaluation is based on more than 9000 soil data profiles with information about Soil Organic Matter (SOM) from a period of about 20 years. The report 'The Organic Matter Content of Top-Soils in Germany', BGR Archive, No. 0127036 (in German) documents the methodology. To transform the organic matter content (of the original dataset HUMUS1000OB) into INSPIRE-relevant organic carbon content (CORG), we applied the van Bemmelen factor (1.724). According to the “Data Specification on Soil“ (D2.8.III.3_v3.0) and the “Guidelines for the use of Observations & Measurements and Sensor Web Enablement-related standards in INSPIRE“ (D2.9_v3.0) the map “Organic Matter Content of Top-Soils in Germany 1:1,000,000“ provides INSPIRE-compliant data. The data has been transformed into the following INSPIRE-Feature Types (Spatial Object Types): “SoilDerivedObject“, “OM_Observation“ and “OM_Process“.

During the period from 1974 to 2018 various cruises from BGR acquired seismic lines worldwide. The aim of these marine expeditions was a detailed survey of the geological structure.

The “Geological Map of Germany 1:1,000,000 OneGeology-Europe (GK1000-1GE)” shows Germany’s surface geology: All geological units are described by their age (stratigraphy) and composition (lithology). The geological units and terms used in this map were semantically harmonized within the OneGeology-Europe project and have been - in a number of regions - geometrically and semantically made consistent with the neighbouring OneGeology-Europe participants.