Mining consists of a long chain of actions starting from exploring suitable mineral deposits, building up the mine infrastructure and finally initiating and conducting the production. Every step has own environmental concerns. Besides the environmentally adverse effects, mine production may affect nearby population and pollute the working environment. The main categories of particles in mines are mineral dust, combustion products of explosives and diesel engine emissions. Both mineral dust and diesel engine emissions have serious health concerns. This project focuses on different issues in mining environments, which help in making the future mines more sustainable and environmentally sound.

Team

Jorma Keskinen, Topi Rönkkö, Panu Karjalainen, Sampo Saari, D.Sc. (Tech.), Antti Rostedt, Jenni Alanen Ernesto Gramsch Hilkka Timonen

We aim at elucidating how plants acquire and use information about their abiotic and biotic environment. Perception of visible and ultraviolet regions of the daylight spectrum and the acclimation responses triggered by these cues are the main focus of our current research. Understanding cross-acclimtaion mechanisms can be used to develop new environmentally-friendly crop management strategies based on environmental cues, such as the light spectrum and/or temperature, replacing applications of chemical growth regulators and of some pesticides. Another application is enhancement of post-harvest shelf life of cut flowers, and leafy vegetables.

Team

Pedro J. Aphalo, Sari Siipola, Fang Wang, Neha Rai, Yan Yan (HU); Åke Strid (ÖU), Gareth I. Jenkins (GU), Andreas Albert (HZM), Susanne Neugart (IGZ), Otmar Urban (CZG), Victor O. Sadras (SARDI), Tarja Lehto (UEF), Anders Lindfors (FMI).

The main focus of the project has been in Capacity Building in the area of Meteorological Network Design and Development, Hydrometeorological Data Management, Data Quality Control Procedures, Early Warning Systems and New Services Development.

Team

The objective of institutional partnership stemmed from the need for capacity building in the field of energy and environmental education in the Faculty of Engineering in the National University of Laos. Networking between teachers and researchers in Laos and Finland has provided possibilities for improved curriculum development and exchange of expertise within a new Sustainable Energy Futures Programme.

Team

Jyrki Luukkanen (FFRC), Venla Kinnunen (FFRC), Jari Kaivo-Oja (FFRC), Mika Korkeakoski (FFRC), Khampone Nanthavong (NUOL), Sengraty Kythavone (NUOL), Xayphone Houngboungnouang (NUOL), Yrjö Majanne (TUT), Juha Leppänen (Tamlink Ltd.), Suvisanna Mustonen (TUT)

We will make use of Finnish research expertise to improve the laboratory infrastructure, management practices, and education of the local personnel, first in Burkina Faso and then elsewhere in Africa.

Team

Christina Lyra, Leena Räsänen, Edina Rudner, Isidore Bonkoungou