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News

A selection of the latest news from SGI.

News

Showing 1-10 news out of 10

Messuring in the woods
  • Research
  • Contaminated areas
  • PFAS

Pilot-scale trials show: PFAS can be stopped before reaching groundwater

The spread of PFAS from contaminated soil to groundwater can be reduced by more than 99 per cent. This is shown by pilot-scale trials conducted by the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI) in heavily PFAS-contaminated soil and groundwater at fire training areas near airports. In one of the tri-als, PFAS-contaminated water passed through an activated carbon barrier. PFAS levels were reduced by 99.99 per cent, to levels comparable with the current limit value for PFAS in drinking water.

Slagg

By-products can help treat metal-contaminated water

By-products from the metal and wood processing industry may find a new application in the treatment of polluted water. A research project funded by the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI) demonstrates that materials such as bark and slag can sorb several environmentally hazardous metals and thereby reduce their dispersion from contaminated sites.

  • Coastal erosion
  • Climate change adaptation
  • Erosion

Nature-based erosion protection along fairways can benefit biodiversity

Shorelines along fairways are exposed to erosion caused by vessel traffic. Various types of erosion protection are used to mitigate this erosion. Traditionally, these have consisted of different types of hard protection, often rock revetments, which can have negative impacts on the environment. In new guidance, the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI) presents nature-based erosion protection as an alternative and provides guidance on how such measures can be designed and constructed.

Mäter i skogen.
  • Research
  • Contaminated areas
  • PFAS

Subsurface activated carbon barriers can reduce the spread of PFAS in groundwater

Researchers at the Swedish Geotechnical Institute have evaluated whether an activated carbon barrier can reduce the spread of PFAS at a heavily contaminated site. The results show that it can. After two years, PFAS concentrations had fallen by more than 99.9%. The technology could become an important tool for protecting drinking water and nature from persistent PFAS chemicals. The findings have been published as a peer-reviewed scientific article in the Remediation Journal.

Person vid odlingsbädd
  • Landfill
  • Research
  • Contaminated areas

Biochar may help immobilise heavy metals in contaminated soils

Contaminated soils are often excavated and disposed of in landfill. This requires financial resources, energy and raw materials. Researchers at the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI) have investigated whether contaminants can instead be immobilised in situ, reducing their mobility and environmental risk. This approach has the potential to reduce the need for soil excavation while allowing continued land use.

  • Research
  • Climate change adaptation

Where you live affects concern about climate impacts

An increasing number of Swedish municipalities are being affected by climate-related extreme events such as floods, droughts and storms. But what do the people living in these areas think about it?

En grupp män som arbetar på ett tågspår.
  • Research
  • Geotechnical works

New method could reduce the climate impact of reinforcing railway embankments on peat

For hundreds of years, roads and railways have successfully been built on peatland. A new research project can explain why embankments on peat provides such good stability, as well as how its strength should be investigated. With a newly developed in situ method for determining strength, certain reinforcement works may be avoided, providing environmental and economical benefits.

Skred E6 september 2023
  • The Göta River
  • Landslide

Article in IOP Conference Series

At the 3rd International Workshop on Landslides in Sensitive Clay (IWLSC 2025), SGI will present a paper about the ongoing work to reduce landslide risks along the Göta River.

  • Research
  • Contaminated areas
  • Climate change adaptation

SGI tests new dredging method for contaminated fibre sediments

Dredging of contaminated bottom sediments can release hazardous substances into the water. However, a new method is now being tested to reduce this risk. At the same time, the volume of material that needs dewatering is reduced. The Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI) and the Municipality of Sundsvall are conducting trials to handle contaminated fibrebanks more efficiently and gently, using the so-called CDS method.