Sorindex

Sorindex is a proposed open standard and database designed to index sorption data, including adsorption and desorption experiments, isotherms, and kinetic measurements. It aims to standardize the recording of experimental conditions, materials, sorbates, and data types to enable interoperability and reuse across studies in environmental science, soil science, and related fields.

The core concept of Sorindex is a structured data model that links studies to materials and sorbates, and captures the conditions under which measurements are made. Key entities typically include Study, Material, Sorbate, Condition (such as temperature, pH, ionic strength), Experiment, and Measurement. Data types encompass isotherm points, kinetic curves, thermodynamic parameters, and fit coefficients, all described with standardized units and uncertainty estimates. The model emphasizes provenance, versioning, and traceability of data sources, with emphasis on transparent metadata to facilitate replication and meta-analysis.

Metadata coverage is a central feature, requiring detailed records of material properties, preparation methods, measurement techniques, calibration procedures, and quality flags. Sorindex also envisions interoperability with existing data standards and repositories, enabling cross-linking to related datasets such as material properties, surface area measurements, and environmental context. Version control and data licensing are highlighted to support reproducibility and academic credit.

Access in the Sorindex framework would typically include a standardized API and a web portal for data submission, search, and retrieval, often under an open or permissive license to encourage broad usage. While adoption varies, the concept advocates community governance, peer review of contributed data, and iterative refinement of the schema to reflect evolving scientific practices. See also adsorption isotherms, Langmuir and Freundlich models, and sorption theory.