Environmental Measurements

ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS

Common environmental researches in the whole BSP area.
Methods used: bioindicators, physical and chemical analyses.
Outside partners: industrial, municipal and scientific laboratories.
Now going on: Pine Needle Project, Chemical Water Analysis Project, Moss Bag study In studying the state of Nature we seek for new ideas (like Swedish Disc Study). We would also like to be the growing ground for new friendship school nets.

The Pine Needle Project
Eighteen schools from 10 countries participated in the Pine Needle Project. The state of the wax layer upon the needles was examined by scanning electron microscope pictures and sulphur content was examined by the X-ray fluorescence method. For these studies, we got help from the industrial laboratories of Kemira Pigments. At the end of May, we had our international environmental camp school, and then our guests also visited Kemira labs in order to see how this kind of measurement can be done. The participants in the Pine Needle Project each year get a report that includes the measurement results of all participating schools.
 
The average contents of sulphur were highest in 1999. After that there was a decrease, but the values have been about the same since 2003. For some reason, the state of the wax layer upon the needles has been very bad for several years.
 
Hanna Numminen
Simo Korpela
Meri-Pori Environmental Upper Secondary
Rieskalantie
28800 Pori
Finland

Chemical Water Analysis Project
(total nitrogen [Ntot] and total phosphorus [Ptot] in different parts of the Baltic Sea, since 2004)
 
the leader of this study: Anja Hokajärvi, Meri-Pori Upper Secondary
 
Participating schools: ten schools from six countries (2008)
 
With regards to new members, the applications for joining our group can be sent to the following e-mail address: I would especially like to get sea water samples from you.
 
The schools get instructions and bottles in the middle of October and the sampling time will be at the beginning of November. The samples are measured by the Finnish Institute of Marine Research. The schools will get the report about results in order to make their own conclusions.
 
The recommended way to do the sea water sampling would be to take one sample from the coastal waters and another from the open sea area. To get the open sea area sample, we would suggest for instance asking help from some fishermen, or maybe it would be even easier to ask help from harbour pilots. The exact descriptions of the sampling places are also needed (the location coordinates if possible).
 
Students' part: Students can take samples, draw maps, pack and mail samples, and take part in the international BSP Project. As samples are being taken and after the report is received, it is easy to discuss the importance of pure water—how we can save our environment for future generations! Everyone can have an influence by taking small steps forward!
 
Anja Hokajärvi
Meri-Pori Environmental Upper Secondary
Rieskalantie
28800 Pori
Finland
Tel. +35826215380

Programme coordinator: Simo Korpela

Mr Simo Korpela Meri-Pori Upper Secondary Rieskalantie 28800 Pori Finland Tel: +35826215380 (or +35826215382) Fax: +35826215381 e-mail: Home: Vanharaumantie 601, 28660 Pori, Finland Home gsm. +358440301050