4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
[U12-09] Archive and curating system for astrogeoscience material
★Invited Papers
Keywords:Building of an archive system of samples
This presentation will introduce the current status and problems of the storage and distribution of geological samples, and of open access to journals and data. Since the dawn of modern science in the Meiji era, many valuable scientific resources of geology, rocks, meteorites, fossils and drilling samples, as well as paleo-topographic and geological photographs, geological maps, and basement data, were collected by Japanese researchers from Japan and foreign countries. And, they are stored at universities, institutions and museums in Japan. In addition, a large amount of rock samples were collected through a number of large-scale research projects since the 1990s, which were used to provide important data to drive the projects. However, such research materials would not become waste even after the initial purposes were achieved, but will be the initial investment for new research frontiers. And, scientific history such as the Apollo samples and Burgess’s fossils also has proven that the systematic archiving of research materials by governments can create significant breakthroughs. Once samples were lost, it would be very difficult to obtain the samples again. Therefore, storage of samples with high academic values is very advantageous and important in creating a frontier of research. Actually, the storage can reduce the time and cost involved in reappraisal because these samples are already well-described.
However, the current situation of the archive and curation system of geological samples in Japan is in a very serious situation. At present, only the National Museum of Nature and Science in Japan receives samples stored by researchers belonging to other research institutions, and encourages curators to receive a number of samples. This effort is now the most effective way to save samples belonging to retired researchers. However, even the effort has its limit. On the other hand, meteorite samples in the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) and dredge and piston core samples in the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) are managed by the institutions, respectively. And, curation systems of the institutions have been already established. However, it is quite difficult for even the institutions to permanently keep the storage systems because the storages will be filled up soon. Except for these institutions, most geological samples in Japan are basically managed by the individuals who collect them. Even non-meteorite samples including Antarctic samples in the NIPR and non-marine operation samples in the JAMSTEC are managed by the individuals. Therefore, there are several problems with continuous and permanent storage and management of samples. The most serious problem is space. In many universities and institutes, researchers have only small spaces so that only small amounts of samples can be stored there. The second concerns samples of retired researchers. Due to space and management issues, such samples are often abandoned. Third, there is no systematic archiving and curation system so that the samples are managed by owner’s own systems. The fourth is employment of curators.
Recently, there have been moves to improve these situations. First, symposiums on archiving and curation of samples have been held at GSJ and so on. Second, the AIST Geological Survey Research Center and other related organizations have become active after our program was selected for Large Research Projects 2020.
In recent years, the need for open access to digital data and the storage of data sources has been strongly urged by European countries. In Japan, open access to journals is recommended, but it is actually far behind. Many Japanese magazines, written in English and Japanese, are registered in the J-stage, so everybody can access to them. However, open access to papers published in foreign journals is left to each author, and it costs a lot of money. As a result, only few papers are open to the public. If the domestic journals were widely accepted by overseas researchers and all Japanese researchers submitted to the domestic journals, the problem of open access would be automatically solved. But, it is quite difficult because there is no substitute for Nature or Science, and even ordinary scientific journals in Japan.
It is necessary and important that both research samples and digital data are archived and stored on a common platform in order to investigate the samples in the future, to prove and reproduce research results, to preserve scientific heritages, and to give back to society. Establishment of archive and curating systems for astrogeoscience material is very important and should be addressed urgently.
However, the current situation of the archive and curation system of geological samples in Japan is in a very serious situation. At present, only the National Museum of Nature and Science in Japan receives samples stored by researchers belonging to other research institutions, and encourages curators to receive a number of samples. This effort is now the most effective way to save samples belonging to retired researchers. However, even the effort has its limit. On the other hand, meteorite samples in the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) and dredge and piston core samples in the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) are managed by the institutions, respectively. And, curation systems of the institutions have been already established. However, it is quite difficult for even the institutions to permanently keep the storage systems because the storages will be filled up soon. Except for these institutions, most geological samples in Japan are basically managed by the individuals who collect them. Even non-meteorite samples including Antarctic samples in the NIPR and non-marine operation samples in the JAMSTEC are managed by the individuals. Therefore, there are several problems with continuous and permanent storage and management of samples. The most serious problem is space. In many universities and institutes, researchers have only small spaces so that only small amounts of samples can be stored there. The second concerns samples of retired researchers. Due to space and management issues, such samples are often abandoned. Third, there is no systematic archiving and curation system so that the samples are managed by owner’s own systems. The fourth is employment of curators.
Recently, there have been moves to improve these situations. First, symposiums on archiving and curation of samples have been held at GSJ and so on. Second, the AIST Geological Survey Research Center and other related organizations have become active after our program was selected for Large Research Projects 2020.
In recent years, the need for open access to digital data and the storage of data sources has been strongly urged by European countries. In Japan, open access to journals is recommended, but it is actually far behind. Many Japanese magazines, written in English and Japanese, are registered in the J-stage, so everybody can access to them. However, open access to papers published in foreign journals is left to each author, and it costs a lot of money. As a result, only few papers are open to the public. If the domestic journals were widely accepted by overseas researchers and all Japanese researchers submitted to the domestic journals, the problem of open access would be automatically solved. But, it is quite difficult because there is no substitute for Nature or Science, and even ordinary scientific journals in Japan.
It is necessary and important that both research samples and digital data are archived and stored on a common platform in order to investigate the samples in the future, to prove and reproduce research results, to preserve scientific heritages, and to give back to society. Establishment of archive and curating systems for astrogeoscience material is very important and should be addressed urgently.