Academic CentreThe main aim of the Doctoral school is to prepare young scientists for the study of Latvian resources, their properties, and solutions for their use, promoting rational and sustainable use of those resources and the development of technologies related to their use.
Students of the school are offered studies aimed at ensuring the acquisition of skills necessary for research and innovative activities. Training is organised in the form of lectures, seminars and demonstrations of the latest equipment and research methods. During the course of the training, special attention is paid to field research methods and sample collection approaches. The school provides systematic seminars on methods of resource research and utilisation with the participation of various social partners, namely producers, along with presentations by doctoral and master's students.
Main research areas:
- Targeted studies on the policy of identification and use of underground resources for the sustainable use of resources. Development and research of natural resource types and availability – classification, research, value determination and extraction control methods and sustainable use strategy. Biotic and abiotic factors of formation of soil properties and composition in different types of parent soil.
- Studies of the location characteristics and quality of mineral deposits, their properties, conditions of formation and possibilities of use. Identification and research of new natural raw materials. Development of indirect and non-destructive geological research methods in land resources research. Studies of the dynamics of the formation of construction minerals (sand-gravel, boulders, quaternary clay and peat), quality and characteristics of their placement in relation to the changes in the environmental conditions for this type of resources and the possibilities of their use.
- Studies of peat, its properties and possibilities of use. Study of the formation processes of peat composition and properties. Development of peat sorbents for the sorption of organic and non-organic substances. Investigation of the properties and possibilities of use of peat humic substances.
- Studies of clay mineral structures and properties of ceramic materials. Development of X-ray structural analysis and X-ray fluorescence methods in the study of dynamics of structures and phase transitions. Development of new innovative clay sorbents and ceramic materials. Research on oxide ceramics.
- Studies of the composition of underground waters and the factors affecting their formation. Development of dynamic resource quantity and quality research methods.
- Processing solutions and research of technological possibilities for waste resulting from the use of resources. Development of new materials made from the waste from usage of land resources and studies of the possibilities of improving their properties. The formation of compost and the possibilities of its use. Transformation processes of organic substances.
During the time of operation of the Doctoral school, cooperation has been established between doctoral students of environmental science of the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University. Following this cooperation initiative, IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results & Discussion) discussion cycle events are held on important topics for doctoral students and young scientists, involving industry experts.
Branches of science represented by the Doctoral school: environmental science, geography, geology, chemistry, biology, ecotoxicology, climatology, circular economy.
Management Board of the Doctoral school:
- Māris Kļaviņš, Dr. hab. chem (UL Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences) – Chairman;
- Vitālijs Zelčs, Dr. geol. (UL Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences) – Vice-chairman;
- Inese Silamiķele (UL Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences) – Secretary;
- Ismena Revina, Dr. math. (UL Faculty of Business, Management and Economics);
- Aija Dēliņa, Dr. geol. (UL Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences);
- Zaiga Krišjāne, Dr. geogr. (UL Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences);
- Jānis Švirksts, Dr. chem. (UL Faculty of Chemistry);
- Jānis Kļaviņš, Dr. sc. ing. (corporation "Lode", Zemitāna iela 9, k-3, Rīga, LV-1012);
- Agris Lācis (Latvian Peat Association, Bauskas iela 20, Rīga, LV-1004);
- Rein Vaikmäe, PhD (Techincal University of Tallinn, Division of Quaternary Geology: Department of Geology, Akadeemia tee 14, Tallinn, Estonia);
- Lars Lundin, Dr. (Uppsala University)
(approved on 27.11.2009 by UL rector's order No. 1/309)