Poster Children
The Anglo American Environmental Geochemistry Poster Competition winners were announced at an evening event in Burlington House, writes Dawne Riddle
The 2009 Anglo American Environmental Geochemistry Poster Competition winners were announced at Burlington House on October 5. Dr Christopher Oates (Head of Geochemistry, Anglo American plc) told Geoscientist that the purpose of the Competition had been “to underline our commitment to improving environmental quality for all by funding a prize for the best poster on environmental geochemistry by a young researcher”. Dr Oates, who instigated the Award, also acted as Anglo representative on the judging panel.
The presentation of three awards came at the end of an evening ceremony celebrating the environmental work of Anglo American and their research partner, Imperial College London. President Designate Bryan Lovell (Cambridge University) welcomed the distinguished guests to the Society, and Dr Ian Gibson, former MP and Chair of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, thanked Anglo American plc for their generous sponsorship. Professor Jane Plant (Imperial College) reviewed some of the environmental geochemical research currently being jointly pursued by Imperial College scientists in collaboration with Anglo American, including risk assessments associated with Anglo mining operations worldwide.
“Western mining companies have long tradition and depth of experience in managing mines sustainably” said Prof. Plant. “Mining industries in rapidly developing countries like China and India desperately need their help” she said.Baroness Jenny Tonge, the House of Lords Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, presented the awards to the winners. Anglo offered a total £6000 to be divided among winners as the judges saw fit. Baroness Tonge explained that there had been 30 entrants and seven shortlisted posters, from whom three winners had been chosen.
In third place was Madeleine Bell (Durham University) for Biochar application to temperate soils: a carbon sink with environmental co-benefits? . Second came Ramanan Baheerathan (Glasgow University) for Quantifying Mass transport Processes in Biofilms with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Overall winner in first place was Theresa Mercer, (Hull University) for The Environmental Impacts of Chromated Copper Arsenate Treated Wood.