Leading environmental chemists convening in Örebro
The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty for reducing the use of persistent organic pollutants. In order for the treaty to have an effect however, constant and extensive environmental monitoring is required. On 24-25 October, researchers and experts within the field will assemble at Örebro University, Sweden to discuss the current situation, challenges and possible advancements of the analytical methods applied. Participating in the symposium are representatives from a number of universities and research institutes, as well as from the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP.
The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty for reducing the use of persistent organic pollutants. In order for the treaty to have an effect however, constant and extensive environmental monitoring is required. On 24-25 October, researchers and experts within the field will assemble at Örebro University, Sweden to discuss the current situation, challenges and possible advancements of the analytical methods applied. Participating in the symposium are representatives from a number of universities and research institutes, as well as from the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP.
One part of the symposium will also focus on ways in which marine environments are affected by the increasing amount of litter in the oceans.
The symposium is organised by Örebro University with the support of Waters Corporation, manufacturer and developer of analysis technology, and begins with the official opening of the Waters Center of Innovation at Örebro University. Being recognised as a member of the Waters Centers of Innovation Program gives the university access to very sophisticated laboratory equipment and the opportunity to work together with Waters on the development of new instruments.
- It will enable us to maintain our leading position in environmental monitoring and help us to make new breakthroughs in our research, says Bert van Bavel, professor of environmental chemistry at Örebro University.
According to John Gebler, General Manager, Waters Centers of Innovation Program, Örebro University is the ideal partner.
- The MTM Research Center has a worldwide reputation for doing excellent science and for helping build analytical testing capacity in developing countries in order to better track and reduce levels of pollutants. As a leading provider of high resolution analytical instrumentation, Waters Corporation wants to partner with laboratories and scientists regarded as being the best at what they do and provide them with state-of-the-art technology to answer fundamental scientific questions.
The Waters Centers of Innovation Program is a partnership programme with prominent researchers from all over the world. With this recognition, MTM at Örebro University becomes the first Waters Center of Innovation in Scandinavia. Of the other 13 member institutes, seven are found in the US, four in Europe, and one each in Asia and South America. The partnership programme runs over three years at a time.
- Analytical instrumentation of the kind that Waters Corporation designs and develops plays a vital role in the protection of the world's wildlife and their ecosystems. The need for analytical measurements continues to grow rapidly as awareness of the prevalence and effects of specific pollutants becomes better known.
Text: Ingrid Lundegårdh
Photo: Dan Lindberg