Master thesis
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Item Glacial-like landforms in Nilosyrtis Mensae, Mars: A geomorphological study of ice-rich landforms in the fretted terrain of the northern mid-latitudes(2025-09-16) Rydell, Wilma; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperThe prospect of life on Mars has been a driving factor for the exploration and studies of the planet, based on the geochemical and geomorphological evidence for liquid water found on its surface. However, under current cold and arid climatological conditions, liquid water cannot be sustained. The current water inventory left on the planet is mainly locked as water ice on the surface and subsurface, at the poles and in the mid-latitudes. This geomorphological study investigates the region of Nilosyrtis Mensae (34°-28°N, 68°-75°E), located at the dichotomy boundary in the northern mid-latitudes and consisting of characteristic fretted terrain. Features and deposits were mapped using data from the Context Camera (CTX) mosaic of 6m/px, MOLA DEM of 100m/px, and High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) imagery of 10-20m/px. This study shows the regional distribution and preservation of glacial-like landforms and their topographical context, with evidence found for cold-base glaciation. These features are similar to those found through previous studies in neighbouring regions, and are most abundant in the valley systems of the northern half of the region. There is a presence of ice-rich features in the south, but they can only be found within narrow valleys where sufficient insolation can be found. The map classification of this study shows the presence of an amplitude of ice-rich features at different degradational stages, indicating local climatological conditions affecting the conditions for the preservation of ice. These features show a prevalence on northern-facing slopes and in valleys of north-south orientation, and consist of flow-features such as viscous flow features, glacial-like forms, lobated debris aprons, lineated valley fill and concentric crater fill. Ice-rich non-flow features were also identified such as dipping layered deposits and crater-associated irregular cellular structures. Observations of escarpment erosion and asymmetrical permafrost degradation offer insights into local preservation conditions. Gravitational features such as avalanche-like deposits with ice-rich content found on poleward-facing slopes may be indicators for tectonic activity in the region’s vicinity. Similarly, deposits from mass wasting events can be found in the study area, further indicating previous tectonic activity. Evidence for past fluvial activity was identified through fan-shapes and sedimentary deposits in large parts of the area, with the strongest prevalence in the southern part of the study area largely due to the flat topographic setting. The mapping of the study thus highlights the importance of Nilosyrtis Mensae for understanding regional climatological conditions and Martian glacial processes. Future studies may aid in further understanding the correlation between past climate evolution and the regional geomorphology, by providing refined interpretations from more detailed investigations on the basis of the identifications made in this study.Item INFLUENCE OF REINDEER ON METHANE FLUXES IN ARCTIC TUNDRA ECOSYSTEMS(2025-08-05) Wadling, Maja; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperAtmospheric methane (CH4) contributes to global warming and Arctic amplification. CH4 fluxes are important in the Arctic, since approximately 50 % of the global soil organic carbon is stored in the Arctic. Soil moisture and soil temperature are key factors for CH4 fluxes as they regulate microbial activity and redox state, while other factors such as plant functional types and isotopic signature (e.g. δ13C) are also important. Large mammalian herbivores, mostly reindeer in the Swedish Arctic, can change vegetation communities, soil microclimate and soil physico-chemical properties due to trampling, nutrient input and grazing/browsing. This thesis aims to determine the difference in net CH4 fluxes of wet and dry Oro-arctic vegetation between reindeer herbivory excluded areas and ambient areas. Two sites, a wet grass meadow and a dry shrub heath, near Ritsem, Sweden, were investigated. CH4 fluxes were measured six times during the snow free season at reindeer herbivory excluded and ambient areas at both sites. It was measured over two focal shrubs: deciduous shrubs (Betula nana) and evergreen shrubs (Empetrum nigrum). The results showed an overall uptake of CH4 at both the grass meadow and the shrub heath. At the grass meadow this could be due to high quality carbon, while the shrub heath acts like a typical upland habitat. The grass meadow showed no impact of reindeer herbivory on the CH4 fluxes or soil moisture. Variations in the fluxes at the grass meadow were instead affected by soil moisture, soil temperature, surface temperature, δ13C and seasonality. At the shrub heath, reindeer exclusion had an impact on the CH4 fluxes by increasing the uptake under Betula nana. Soil moisture was also lower at the same plots. There was an increase in Betula nana cover at herbivory excluded areas at both study sites, with the biggest difference being at the shrub heath. These findings point towards increased evapotranspiration that dry the shrub heath soil and consequently increase the CH4 uptake under Betula nana at these herbivory excluded areas. In conclusion, there is a larger reindeer herbivory effect at the dry shrub heath than the wet grass meadow.Item DETERMINING THE ACCUMULATION OF MICROPLASTICS IN LAKE ICE A Case Study of Lake Följesjön, Sweden(2025-07-04) Vesmes, Aili; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperMicroplastics are an emerging pollutant of global concern due to their persistence, widespread distribution, and potential ecological impacts. While the presence of microplastics in marine environments has been extensively studied, knowledge about their accumulation and behavior in freshwater systems, particularly in seasonally ice-covered lakes, remains limited. This thesis investigates the presence, concentration, and characteristics of microplastics in lake ice and water from Lake Följesjön, Sweden, during the winter season of 2024/2025. The results are compared to water samples collected from the same lake during the summer of 2024 to assess seasonal variation and the role of lake ice as a potential sink and source for microplastics. Samples of lake ice, water under the ice, and summer surface water were collected and processed using a combination of size-fractionated sieving, chemical digestion (10% KOH), oil extraction, and μ-Raman spectroscopy for particle identification. Microplastics were detected in all sample types, with concentrations ranging from 51,32 MP/L in the ice sample to 333,33 MP/L for the water under the ice sample. The combined winter concentration (384,65 MP/L) was nearly double that of the total summer concentration (200,00 MP/L), indicating seasonal accumulation. Approximately 13% of the total winter microplastic concentration was incorporated into the ice, suggesting that most particles remain suspended in the water column during ice-covered periods. Particle morphology analysis showed a predominance of small particles with low circularity across all samples. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was the most frequently identified polymer in limited range μ-Raman analyses; however, full spectrum analysis revealed a shift toward polyethylene (PE) and uncategorized plastics (UNC), highlighting the importance of spectral range in accurate identification. These findings suggest that lake ice plays a limited but measurable role in microplastic storage and may contribute to seasonal redistribution of microplastics upon melting. The study contributes new knowledge to the underrepresented field of microplastics in seasonally icecovered freshwater lakes and emphasizes the need to better understand microplastic dynamics in ice-covered environments.Item Fast or slow – identification and description of hydrogeological pattern (structures) transmitting pressure and flow A case study of the Varberg tunnel(2025-06-24) Scekic, Sandra; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperGroundwater can reside and flow in sediment and bedrock yet they exhibit different hydrological behaviors (Eveborn et al., 2017). Understanding hydraulic properties (e.g. porosity, transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, connectivity), groundwater recharge, water-bearing structures and flow dimensions is essential for assessing groundwater movement. In addition, these factors must be evaluated to ensure that groundwater responses do not result in slope stability issues or settlement hazards (Gustafson, 2012). Underground construction projects, e.g. tunneling is likely to influence groundwater and have impact on the surrounding environment for rock and sediment (Gustafson, 2012). Groundwater inflow into tunnels may result in lowered water levels above the structure. Other hazards include dry wells, reduced groundwater availability and settlement risks to buildings in the nearby area. In cities such as Gothenburg (Sweden) where old buildings are built on clay-filled depressions, the drawdown of groundwater beneath these layers can lead to subsidence and structural instability (Gustafson, 2012). The objective of this master’s thesis is to identify and describe flow and pressure-bearing hydrogeological structures based on geological maps and data from the Varberg tunnel project. This is consistent with a study by Freer et al. (2002), but the emphasis here is on the depressions in bedrock where higher hydraulic conductivity is assumed. The methodology is a combination of literature study and simplified conceptual model to provide an overview of the area using published geological data. Comparison of the model with hydrological test results from WSP was used to confirm and/or reject the accuracy of the model. Data on fluctuations in groundwater level due to disturbances were incorporated in the discussion of groundwater connectivity in the area. The results of this study suggest that hydraulic conductivity (K-value) is higher in and along bedrock depressions, based on K-values derived from single-hole tests around Varberg and for sediment within bedrock depressions. Disturbances in groundwater levels due to infiltration and tunnelling were also observed. The connectivity among the groundwater wells in terms of flow and pressure can possibly be the result of Nye-channels, bedrock-incised channels active during the last glacial period, or to till that has been subjected to erosion resulting in higher hydraulic conductivity.Item MICROPLASTICS’ EFFECT ON THE MELTING BEHAVIOUR OF LAKE ICE(2025-06-24) Camén, Sara; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperResearch regarding lake ice and microplastic is very limited. It is not known exactly how microplastics interact with lake ice nor how they affect it. As lake ice plays an important role both for natural ecosystems and for humans, it is of great value to understand how microplastic might affect it. This study investigated how microplastic affects the melting behaviour of lake ice by producing artificial columnar ice cores in a laboratory environment both with and without microplastic. UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy was used to compare if a difference in absorbed light, and thereby energy could be detected between the two types of samples. Artificial columnar ice cores were produced in an ice laboratory at University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Three types of microplastics dyed with black, green, or red dye were added to the ice cores. Light absorption measurements were done using a spectrometer. Samples with lower concentration of microplastic showed a higher absorption than samples without microplastic. Samples with higher concentration of microplastic in the colour green showed a higher absorption of UV radiation between 188-240 nm and throughout the visible and near infrared spectrum compared to samples without microplastics. Samples with higher concentration of red plastic showed less absorption of UV radiation between 188-240 nm and higher absorption throughout the visible and near infrared spectrum compared to samples without microplastic. Samples with low concentration of one type of black microplastic and high concentration of two different types of green microplastic had higher total energy absorption than samples without microplastic. The results suggest that more light and thereby energy is absorbed by artificial columnar ice cores containing microplastic compared to columnar ice cores without microplastic. This study is a first step to investigate the effect microplastic has on the melting behaviour in lake ice and more research is needed.Item RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DEGLACIAL FENNOSCANDIAN SHORELINE AN UPDATED AND IMPROVED MODEL(2025-06-19) Rink, Veit Leonard; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperThis work presents a fully numeric model of the shoreline displacement of Fennoscandia and neighbouring areas for the past 20000 years since the last glacial maximum. 3126 relative shoreline points from different databases have been combined and recalibrated with the ‘OxCal’ calibration software. The data has been resampled dependent on their geographical position in order to create relative shoreline curves for as many locations as possible (resulting in 2866 curves in total). These curves have been used for optimizing glacio-isostatic adjustment (GIA) curves that represent location-specific GIA models. This led to an empiric model for the glacio-isostatic adjustment covering the entirety of Fennoscandia. Combined with previously published elevation data, data for the eustatic variability and a deglaciation model, raster data sets have been calculated for the paleo-topography of Fennoscandia and its shoreline. The resulting model is overall consistent with other models for the shoreline displacement and with different simulations for the glacio-isostatic adjustment but shows lower accuracy for Denmark and Skåne. The model is written in the R programming language and provided as a package that includes an interface to allow an easy calculation of models for any time period without need to store several hundred GB of data.Item DUMPING ON STOCKHOLMARNA A GEOCHEMICAL, HYDROGEOLOGICAL, SEDIMENTOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL EXAMINATION OF A MID-1900S DUMPSITE(2025-06-19) Samuelsson, Oscar; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperThis study examines an early 1900s dumpsite in the estuary of the Nordre Älv river, which is currently located within a nature reserve. It investigates several factors, including the degree of contamination of the dumped masses, to what extent the surrounding estuary is contaminated by the dumpsite, and which measures might be taken to reduce the risk of future damage to the estuary. PXRF analysis of fine material extracted from sediment samples is used to determine comparative contaminant concentrations in said samples. The investigated contaminants are the heavy metals chromium, copper, zinc, lead, mercury and arsenic. The study attempts to substanitate oral records of the active years of the dumpsite through basic historical and archaeological research, and broadly agrees with the 1925 – 1942 active dates proposed by previous researchers. These dates have been refined, with a definite end in October 1941. The study finds that the dumpsite is significantly contaminated in heavy metals, with regards to both its soil and groundwater. The river sediment surrounding the dumpsite is found to be contaminated by it, but not symmetrically, with the majority of contamination seemingly occurring through mechanical erosion of the dumpsite into the bay to the southwest. Erosion control of the bank facing this bay is therefore suggested as a means of significantly limiting further contamination. The dumpsite is known to be used for intermittent sheep farming and has been used in the past for potato cultivation. Based on the heavy metal concentrations in the soil and groundwater of the dumpsite, neither of these activities are deemed suitable, and I strongly suggest that all agriculture and animal husbandry on the dumpsite cease immediately. Among livestock, sheep are especially prone to consuming soil along with vegetation, and it is my opinion that any products of the sheep raised on the dumpsite should be treated as suspect. At minimum, an investigation into the heavy metal contents of meat, bone, leather and milk is suggested prior to human consumption.Item Geografilärarens didaktiska verktygslåda - relationen till erfarenheter & traditioner En kvalitativ studie om undervisning i skolämnet geografi(2025-06-19) Nilsson, Hampus; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperGeography, derived from the Greek meaning "the study of the Earth," is a discipline with strong traditions and a rich history. Throughout different historical periods and intellectual movements, however, the focus of the subject has shifted between physical geography and human geography, influenced by scientists, philosophers, and various thinkers who have proposed differing perspectives on what the subject should represent (Couper, 2015). Due to the impact of these actors, geography education in today's Swedish school system is of an interdisciplinary nature, blending elements of both physical and human geography, with components such as environmental issues, sustainable development, digital learning, and fieldwork. However, this task is more complex than it may initially appear. The subject is shaped by various traditions, including national curricula, institutional customs, and the geographical perspectives held by individual teachers. Furthermore, it is affected by both the opportunities and limitations provided by the specific workplace, such as access to didactic tools like textbooks, maps, or possibilities for outdoor education. Personal experiences and interests also influence how a teacher chooses to approach the subject in the classroom. As a result, these factors significantly shape the everyday practice of geography teachers and can be challenging to navigate. Nevertheless, today’s geography educators demonstrate a humble attitude toward the subject's interdisciplinary nature and strive to reflect this in their teaching. This pedagogical stance has developed within a specific historical and institutional context, which continues to influence how teachers understand and deliver geography education today.Item Physical and geochemical properties of groundwater in Kungälv municipality(2025-06-09) Ferm, Andreas; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperThe topic of groundwater levels and quality is relevant to many topics, such as agriculture, drinking water access, and geotechnical engineering; especially when considering the dramatic changes wrought as a result of the greenhouse effect. This study is an attempt to evaluate these questions at a local scale, namely by studying the groundwater found in Kungälv municipality. In evaluating these questions, the decision was made to divide the study into three phases: one pertaining to charting physical groundwater properties, one charting chemical characteristics and looking for pollutants, and one investigating the local viability of other methods to investigate groundwater levels. The results for the survey of physical properties revealed a general groundwater depth of 0-2 m across the municipal territory. In total, seven functioning groundwater observation wells could be found in the survey, excluding those in Dösebacka; however, the true number of pipes are likely more, though their location, condition, and visual appearances are unknown at this point due to time constraints. From the chemical analyses performed in the municipality, all water samples gathered from lowlands or depressions with connections to a larger stream were dominated by bicarbonate, while those outside of these had a distinct lack of bicarbonate, which may vary with flow distance and availability of biological refuse. In addition, the results indicate that sodium content increases closer to salt water and in the absence of quick clay. Lastly, the low concentration of tritium and decent levels of metals detected at almost all sampled sites reveal that the water is relatively safe to utilize, though more research should be performed to ascertain the veracity of the latter claim. As for the alternative surveying methods, it was discovered that all of the evaluated methodologies (surface water, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and dry crustal clay) were accurate, though the latter was of limited practical use. The method that would be optimal, based on the sampled data, would be a combination of surface water measurements and ground-penetrating radar in long continuous profiles, where the surface water would provide a reliable reference point from which accurately detecting the water table in a clay layer would be facilitated.Item INVESTIGATING POST-FIRE TREE GROWTH AND VEGETATION RECOVERY. A comparison of fire resilience in mixed and coniferous forests(2025-06-05) Widell, Emma; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperClimate change entails risks of more frequent and intense weather events such as droughts, thunderstorms and a prolonged fire season. Forest fires are essential as a natural disturbance that creates variation in distribution of species and ages, as well as reducing competition of nutrients, water and light. Despite the high importance of forest fires, it is in human interest to prevent forest fires in environmental, social and financial aspects. The interests could include maintaining forests as a carbon sink, secure residents and properties in fire areas, as well as protecting forest capital from destruction of forest fires. The risks of uncontrollable destructive forest fires can be reduced by creating more fire resilient forests with the ability to recover from a forest fire, without significant loss. Simultaneously, the desired environmental, social and economic aspects can be fulfilled. This thesis investigates post-fire growth and vegetation recovery for mixed and coniferous forests, aiming to compare their fire resilience. The study is conducted in the nature reserves Nötberget Södra and Ängrabrännan, in Ljusdal municipality, which experienced a significant forest fire in 2018. Tree-ring width (TRW) of pine and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were analyzed before and after the fire, to assess regrowth and vegetation recovery patterns. Results indicate that the mixed forest of pine, spruce and birch exhibit a higher fire resilience compared to pure coniferous forests. Specifically, mixed forests showed an earlier and more substantial post-fire TRW regrowth and an ability in vegetation recovery while preventing significant loss. The reason for high fire resilience for mixed forests could be explained by the higher diversity that a mixed forests possess, where different species possess varied tolerances for different climate and weather conditions. Some tree species might withstand drought, while another is less ignitable. In that way, the entire forest population is not at risk of collapse in an extreme weather event or another attack. As discussed in this thesis, it is important to enlighten that all mixed forests do not have a high fire resilience. If tree species with different fire sensitive traits are combined, the risk of ignition in a forest could increase. This thesis has contributed with more knowledge about fire resilience in mixed and coniferous forests. There are currently knowledge gaps about specific tree species combinations to optimize the forests’ fire resilience and its productivity. Further research is required to meet future challenges regarding climate change and human interests with environmental, social and financial aspects.Item Assessing the relationship between Urban Morphology and Mean Radiant Temperature - A study over 5 cities in Sweden(2025-01-17) Fahlström, Jesper; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperThermal comfort has become an increasingly important topic in urban areas due to climate change and rapid urbanization. The most critical meteorological variable influencing experienced heat and thermal comfort during warm and clear weather is the mean radiant temperature (Tmrt). This study examines how the thermal environment is influenced by variations in urban morphology. Modeling of Tmrt using SOLWEIG was performed for five cities in Sweden: Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Östersund, and Luleå. For each city, simulations were executed twice - once including vegetation and ground cover, and once without. This approach allowed for a clearer assessment of the influence of vegetation and urban geometry on the thermal environment. The results for each city were compared, identifying the most influential variables affecting Tmrt. The findings indicate that trees have the highest influence and correlation with lower Tmrt in urban areas, primarily due to the shade they provide. The impact of trees varies depending on the surrounding urban geometry, with their cooling effect diminishing in denser areas, especially those with tall buildings. The relationship between urban geometry and the thermal environment is complex, with many variations on a microscale. On average, higher density leads to lower Tmrt over an entire 500 x 500mcell for an entire day. Due to morphological differences among the five cities, Malmö emerged as the warmest city thermally, mainly due to its low number of trees. Conversely, Luleå was the least thermally warm city, showing the highest decrease in Tmrt for both geometry and vegetation. Despite having the fourth-lowest density and tree fraction, Luleå's results suggest that solar altitude significantly influences Tmrt, indicating that the geographical location of cities affects the spatial variations of Tmrt.Item Skarn units in the Leveäniemi and Gruvberget mines An overview of the skarns in Svappavaara, northern Sweden(2024-12-16) Lindell, Johan; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperSkarns have been investigated a lot worldwide and are used as a common term for calc-silicate-rich rock with associated minerals, usually connected to some sort of mineralization. In Sweden, the term usually is used a bit more freely and as a term for waste rock or side rock around mineralization. In this thesis, the definition of skarns by Varela and Mannelqvist (2023) and Meinert (1992) will be used. LKAB is one of Sweden's biggest mining companies, owning three big mines in northern Sweden, mining iron from magnetite and skarns of different kinds can be found in these mines. However, even if LKAB knows about the different skarn types, there has been very little to no deeper investigation of these rock types in Gruvberget and Leveäniemi in the Svappavaara mining area. With the use of LA-ICP-MS and SEM, information about the Sr-isotopes in the minerals found in the skarn samples and trace elements in magnetite located in the different skarns has been gathered. With this information, together with logging data from LKAB, this thesis has tried to find connections and relations between the different skarns and if they also have any connection with the main mineralization. 5 different skarn types are being investigated in this thesis. The skarns are Actinolite skarn (Ask), Limestone skarn (Lsk), Albite altered skarn (Alb), Skarn (SKA) and Anthophyllite skarn (Ant). The results from the discrimination diagram from Ovalle, J. T. (2018) shows that the Svappavaara main mineralization (Sample 19.2 Mag) was formed during higher temperatures than the Kiruna field and that the magnetite samples were all (except sample 13 Ask) formed during moderate temperatures of 300 – 500 °C. However, discrimination diagrams should be seen as a pointer and not solid facts. The samples nearest to the main mineralization has 87Sr/86Sr ratio values similar to 87Sr/86Sr ratio values found when magnetite is forming. Samples that are further away has an increase in 87Sr/86Sr ratio values. The theory is that the Sr in the surrounding rocks of the deposit has been leeched and transported further away, increasingly precipitating as the temperatures, pH and chemistry of the fluid changes. If this trend and theory is correct, then finding skarns with a low 87Sr/86Sr ration could mean that an iron mineralization are close by, where the ratio would determine the distance to the ore. A new skarn type may have been discovered. The Diopside skarn (Dsk) has a clearer matrix which represents a carbonate-rich parent rock, compared to the Ask, where the protolith usually is completely altered beyond recognition. Also, the Dsk usually has another appearance than the Ask, lighter in colour and more carbonates visible on the core. Sample 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18.1, 18.2, are, with the data collected in this project, skarns. Sample 19.1 Ant could be one, but there is too little information to be able to decide that in this thesis.Item Cryoconite: organic matter content and genesis from Nigardsbreen, Norway(2024-09-12) Nevo, Hanna; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperGlobal temperatures have risen because of anthropogenic emissions, making glaciers retreat. Several factors affect glaciers and how they respond to climate change, one of them is cryoconite. Cryoconite is a dark fine-grained material made up of inorganic and organic material. Because of its dark colour, cryoconite has a different albedo than the glacier and absorbs more heat energy that makes cryoconite holes in the glacier. In this study cryoconite from the Norwegian glacier Nigardsbreen was analysed. The aim was to describe the organic material in the cryoconite and see where it came from using IR spectrometry, NMR, IRMS and LOI analyses. The result showed that the organic material points to an autochthonous carbon production from microbes in the cryoconite, but also a mixed origin such as transported plant material. The C and 13C values in the cryoconite samples show more decomposition values up-glacierand suggest that the samples get younger in age downhill. Inorganic material was mostly clay material (kaolinite and/or illite) and quartz. The exact source of the cryoconite inorganic material cannot be determined but results point to aeolian transport. The difference in the cryoconite organic material on the glacier may be due to elevation, slope, water leaching and sun exposure.Item The Everyday Travel of Voluntarily Carless People. Exploring Shared Mobility Services as an Accessibility Strategy(2024-09-09) Leppänen, Elsa; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperRapid climate change, fueled by escalating greenhouse gas emissions, presents an urgent global challenge. The transport sector is a significant contributor, responsible for nearly a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing dependence on vehicles and promoting shared mobility services is important to mitigate this impact. Learning from individuals who have successfully transitioned to carless living holds invaluable insights for navigating this transition efficiently. Therefore, this thesis aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the everyday mobility of voluntarily carless people living in urban areas distributing shared mobility services and how these services might act as an accessibility strategy for the carless. The theoretical approach was based on time geography and above all the concepts of activities, projects, and constraints. Qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed through a thematic analysis. The results demonstrated the freedom and flexibility of living carless, several accessibility strategies used by the carless, and the role and complexity of shared mobility services. While shared mobility services were used as an accessibility strategy, did it not fulfill the needs and wishes of the carless. Improvements to these services could, for example, include offering more cargo bikes and a variety of car sizes for carpooling. Further research could investigate a larger sample size within different geographic and demographic areas. It would also be interesting to study the effectiveness of policy interventions and strategies in promoting sustainable mobility.Item Observed & modelled nocturnal air temperature variations within an urban setting in Gothenburg. - and analysis of air temperature modelling with The Air Pollution Model (TAPM)(2024-08-08) Janvik Kardell, Erik; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperClimate change is one of the most pressing concerns of the present day with numerous consequences arising from it, one of the most notably is rising air temperatures. An increasing urbanization and population growth in urban areas has become a key factor in this development, due to a greater expansion of impermeable materials, replacing the natural landscape, which effects the thermal properties of urban spaces. This also means that the effects of climate change have particularly strong effects on cities and its inhabitants. Rising air temperature throughout cities also leads to more people becoming vulnerable to its effects with an increased number of heat related health problems leading to hospital admissions and deaths, asserting an increased pressure on the population. Accompanying these developments is an exacerbation of the Urban Heat Island effect (UHI), meaning that urban areas become warmer than their urban counterparts at a higher intensity and rate. Understanding how different land uses affect air temperature in urban environments and how this will look like in the future, necessitates in-situ observations from different urban spaces and the use of meteorological models using higher resolutions. This study focuses on comparing the effect different land uses have on nocturnal air temperature in an urban setting during warm weather conditions in Gothenburg, by using in-situ observations taken during the summer months of 2023. Furthermore, it investigates how well the three-dimensional meteorological model, The Air Pollution Model (TAPM), can simulate these temperatures at sites located in built up areas classified as urban high. Two study areas and heatwaves were chosen, one at Gårda 17/6-26/6-2023 and one at Heden during 8/7-13/7-1999. Areas classified as urban high in Gårda displayed the highest minimum nocturnal temperatures compared to sites classified as urban low exhibiting the lowest with a difference of >=1°C most nights. A similar trend was found during the period in Heden where urban low indicated the lowest nocturnal temperatures and urban high the highest with a difference reaching >1.5°C. Internal variations at urban high sites were also exhibited during both periods with an average max temperature difference of 0.9°C at Gårda and >1°C at Heden. The meteorological model underestimated nocturnal temperatures in Gårda, achieving an R2 value of 0.15, indicating low correlation. During the Heden period the model overestimated the air temperature but achieved a R2 value of 0,60 indicating a substantially higher correlation. In Gårda, the model showed higher cooling rates when compared to the observations while in Heden the cooling rate where much more similar between observations and simulated. Comparing both study areas cooling rate indicated higher cooling rate at Heden than at Gårda. Indications of an intra-urban thermal breeze (IUTB) in Heden but not in Gårda, different Sky-View Factors and the size & structure of the open areas could provide explanation to the results produced by the model.Item Incorrect disposal of household hazardous waste. A comparison across socio-economically differentiated areas in Gothenburg(2024-08-05) Halvardsson, Ellinore; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperOne essential part when creating sustainable cities is having a functioning waste management system. In Sweden, the household waste system relies on residents to dispose of their waste correctly. A common problem is that hazardous waste is discarded in the residual waste, which is particularly evident in Gothenburg where 6% of households incorrectly dispose of hazardous waste compared to the national average of 1%. There is a lack of research on household hazardous waste, in particular sorting errors of household hazardous waste and its connection to socio-economic and demographic factors from a spatial context. This master’s thesis brings contributions to these research gaps. The aim of this thesis is twofold: first, to analyze whether households’ disposal methods and missorting of household hazardous waste varies across socio-economical differentiated areas in Gothenburg. Second, to identify underlying factors for missorting hazardous waste and investigate potential measures to supporting correct disposal of hazardous waste. The study’s theoretical framework consists of the concepts accessibility, determinants of pro-environmental behavior and segregation. The method is an online questionnaire survey distributed in numerous Facebook groups to collect peoples’ hazardous waste practices. The survey results were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regressions. Results showed that 50% of the respondents have at least once missorted hazardous waste. Three explanatory factors for the missorting of hazardous waste were found to be statistically significant: size of dwelling, number of people per household, and having property close collection of hazardous waste. The study could not statistically confirm nor identify clear patterns indicating that differences in disposal methods, missorting of hazardous waste, and measures to support proper disposal are due to respondents living in socio-economically differentiated areas. Overall, there is a need for further research on the topic of household hazardous waste, and particularly the missorting of hazardous waste. Two recommendations for further studies are to investigate the missorting of hazardous waste in relation to mobility and time geography.Item Combining in situ measurements of methane fluxes and multi-temporal UAV LiDAR on a degrading palsa(2024-08-05) Hjelmerud, Siri Holm; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperPalsa mires are elevated mounds of peat with a permanently frozen core found in areas of discontinuous permafrost. Peatlands in the subarctic, which is where these landforms are located, hold more than 30 % of the stored global soil carbon, which is a disproportionate amount considering their extent. As permafrost thaws, as a result of the subarctic region warming approximately twice as fast as the global average, this carbon might be released to the atmosphere in the form of CH4 or CO2. The aim of this study is to measure CH4 emissions on a degrading palsa in the Vissátvuopmi palsa mire complex, located in the northernmost part of Sweden, using carbon flux measurements. The 4 m tall palsa under study has been mapped with repeat Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle (UAV) LiDAR data to characterize the intra-annual subsidence of the palsa in high spatial detail. Using the flux measurements and UAV LiDAR data, correlations was investigated between CH4 fluxes and other factors such as topographic position, soil moisture, soil temperature, active layer thickness (ALT) and vegetation. The findings showed high emission of CH4 in areas where the palsa had fully collapsed, and low uptake in areas which had undergone the least amount of degradation. Surprisingly, there was low uptake to low emission in areas of the palsa which had recently degraded significantly. There was no strong correlation between flux and the other factors measured in this study (soil moisture, soil temperature, active layer thickness and type of vegetation). However, a significant difference in CH4 flux was found between plots with soil moisture <40 % and =>40 %, with higher emissions from the latter. Using available geospatial data and field observations, an estimation of the current and future CH4 emissions from the palsa was made.Item Cyclists’ exposure to air and noise pollution within Gothenburg and Mölndal.(2024-07-04) Gao, Josie; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperTravel-related exposure to the surrounding environment remains relatively unknown. Exposure to air and noise pollution are common when cycling within the city, which becomes essential to study as unhealthy concentration can be reached, especially during rush hour traffic. This research focuses on the air and noise exposure within Gothenburg City´s Environmental zone and north of Mölndal. Particulate Matter (PM)2.5, PM10 and LAeq are measured near ground level during and in between rush hour traffic within the period September 2023 to January 2024. Data are sampled through volunteer cyclists within or near the area Medicinareberget. Results show that there is no relation between the nearest PM2.5 and PM10 concentration point to the annual average daily traffic (AADT) year 2018. There is a large variation of concentrations, due to several different factors such as proximity to traffic, topography or the road infrastructure. Concentrations are higher near ground level, especially during morning rush hour traffic, where some concentrations exceed the EU regulation and some of the WHO recommended guidelines. Several factors related to the atmosphere´s conditions or meteorology such as winds and RH percentage affect the pollutants. The planetary boundary layer and the vertical mixing depth could have affected the result. These factors might not be detected at the higher located Femman station that indicate the overall concentration for Gothenburg city. Concentrations differs when comparing to the concentrations near the surface. This indicates that ground level measurements are essential to continue to study, as stations and models might not show a correct representation when focusing on the cyclist´s exposure. Nevertheless, the calculated potential inhaled concentration dose per kilometers, showed that exposure to air pollution is within EU regulation and other recommended guidelines. How harmful it is, depends on the individual itself and further studies should be conducted. Previous studies show that physical activity can overweigh negative health impacts contributed by air pollutions. The method used for this research was feasible when conducting air pollution measurement but is more challenging when analyzing noise pollution exposures. It is suggested to further develop another method to result in a stronger conclusion. In this study, winds and some other minor factors such as rattling noises, studded tires and more can overshadow the reality, making the noise exposure not representative. Levels are overall high and do exceed the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency´s recommended guidelines. No relation could be seen when comparing AADT year 2018 to the nearest LAeq point. However, infrastructure, the surrounding environment and when several local activities are present such as tram activities, bigger roads or construction sites, could be the reason behind the vast variety of concentrations but also increase exposure overall.Item LATERAL PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL DYNAMICS OF BOREAL PEATLANDS IN SOUTHERN SWEDEN: A Study of Mycklemossen Mire(2024-07-04) Shmarina, Maria; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperPeatlands are important ecosystems that play a crucial role in global carbon cycling, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation. Investigating the lateral physical and chemical properties of mires, such as changes in peat depth, bulk density, organic matter content, and pH, can provide valuable insights into how these ecosystems are responding to environmental changes, and how they may contribute to climate change mitigation efforts. This study has investigated the physical and chemical properties of a typical boreal mire in southern Sweden, in order to create an overview of current physical and biochemical state of boreal peatlands. Historical data of the surface area of Mycklemossen mire has been used to assess the change of its lateral extent, which has shown to decrease by 34% between 1963 – 2021 by the means of shrubification. The surface area decrease has shown to be accelerating overtime, as nearly a third of the mire was lost in the recent five years (2016-2021). In order to investigate the physical and chemical properties of the peat, peat sampling was conducted on the mire using hand saw and a stainless-steel Russian corer in the field, followed by further elemental analysis. The peat sampling has enabled the estimation of the following parameters: bulk density, root mass, SOM content and pH values, as well as total C and N stocks, C:N ratio and the δ13C and δ15N values, all of which showed to be significantly affected by the depth of the peat horizon, while root mas showed to also be significantly affected by surface layer vegetation communities. Total C and N values along with ground-penetrating radar data were used for upscaling total C and N to the entirety of the mire, estimating the total C content of Mycklemossen mire to 34.8 kt and total N content to 0.9 kt, as well as showing a decreasing trend with depth for both parameters. The retrieved data was used as a proxy to gain a better understating of the physical and chemical properties of boreal peatlands in a changing climate.Item Urban Tree Mapping using airborne LiDAR: Analysing vegetation changes between 2010, 2017, and 2022 A Gothenburg case study(2024-06-25) Bladh, Evelina; University of Gothenburg/Department of Earth Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för geovetenskaperIn the years ahead, the escalation of global climate change underscores the crucial need for greater understanding and initiative-taking measures to address its far-reaching effects. In urban settings, climate change is already reshaping daily life, with urban vegetation becoming a vital tool in reducing its adverse effects. In urban environments, the struggle between vegetated and built-up areas intensifies, resulting in concerns about the scarcity of green infrastructure and the reduction of essential ecosystem services. This thesis investigates the changes in high vegetation in the municipality of Gothenburg, focusing on vegetation taller than 2.5 meters, using high-resolution airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. The main purpose was to detect these changes and evaluate the effectiveness of airborne LiDAR datasets and methods in mapping vegetation changes over time. The method of this thesis utilizes Python to process high-resolution 3D LiDAR data from the years 2010, 2017, and 2022 to map vegetation in Gothenburg. The findings indicate a net increase in high vegetation covering an area of +14.02 km2 (179 743 trees with a crown diameter of 10 m) over the specified period. There has been a loss in -9.17 km2 or 117 178 trees, where a significant portion of this loss has occurred in the outskirts of the municipality. This decline can be attributed to changes in urban development, characterized by the expansion of the city centre and the consequent increase in housing requirements, which leads to loss of vegetation. The increase in vegetation can be partly attributed to longer growing seasons due to climate change. However, it is also significantly affected by the complex classification process, leading to numerous errors. Attempts to mitigate these errors through various filtering processes have been unsuccessful due to the dynamic and intricate urban environment. The method employed requires additional optimization for application in urban areas. The primary objective was to develop an automated filtering system for vegetation classification in urban areas. However, extensive manual filtering was necessary, which proved inefficient for such a large study area.