Man-Technology-Environment  started as a project at Örebro University in 1996 and developed into a research programme and a graduate school in 1998. The programme was originally focused on hazardous waste and related problems in a vulnerable society. It has grown and become a multi-disciplinary programme with a core at Örebro University of some 35 people, including some 15 senior scientists representing seven different disciplines, and with a close collaborating network with some additional 30 people at different departments and at other universities.

Research programme

Two areas for research and education have been defined. Some 30 projects are presently conducted with topics listed below.

Biogeosphere dynamics
Analytical geochemistry
Chemical state and distribution of elements in the biogeosphere: Concentrations, mobility, speciation. Element analysis at ultra-trace levels, biogenic organic acids, natural complexing agents.

Biogeochemical processes and dynamics
Large-scale element cycles, carbon dynamics in soil, regional water quality development, regional spreading of persistent agents, regional alterations of the biogeosphere.

Soil remediation and geologic waste deposition
Contaminated land management (risk assessment, remedial technology), long-term waste deposition in geologic environments - radioactive waste, mercury. Geologic filters (reactive barriers), alkaline processes (cement environments).

Environmental chemistry, health and ecotoxicology
Environmental analysis, environmental health
Organic toxic agents in the environment: Occurrence, stability, analysis. Human exposure and uptake of organic pollutants: Halogene compounds (dioxins, bromethers, PCBs, PFOS etc). Environmental health: Cancer risks. Environmental technology: Water, flue gases, waste destruction, organics in incineration residues.

Ecotoxicology
Bioassays and toxicity tests, degradation of toxic agents in the environment (e.g. soil), POPs in the biogeosphere, nitroaromatics in sludge, dioxin degradation in biomass.