Influence of liming on metal burdens in lake sediments

During the last three decades, liming has been used as a large-scale treatment of acidified lakes in Sweden. Since the mobility of many metals decrease with increasing pH of the water, application of lime directly into the lake might increase metal deposition to the sediments. The aim of this project is to investigate the difference in metal deposition to the sediments in limed and non-limed lakes. Surface sediments from 11 limed and 10 non-limed lakes were collected during the summers of 1998 and 1999 and analysed for a number of elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, V and Zn). With reference to treatment method or acidification status, the lakes were divided into four sub-groups and the weighted mean areal metal burdens were statistically compared. Generally, the highest metal burdens were found in the surface limed group and the lowest burdens were found in the acidified reference group. Potential factors influencing the metal deposition were also evaluated by a multivariate analysis (PLS). The PLS indicated that liming is an important factor for the deposition of metals to lake sediments

Legitimation of value practices, value texts, and core values at public authorities

A large number of Swedish public authorities produce 'platform of values' texts that present core values. This article presents a study of how such texts and practices, including the core values they revolve around, are legitimized. Using Van Leeuwen's legitimation framework, three different data sets are analysed: 47 'platform of values' texts, a focus group discussion with seven senior HR officers, and a quantitative questionnaire study answered by civil servants at three public authorities. The analysis shows how the existence of 'platform of values' texts and practices is legitimized through rationalizations, above all by describing the texts as concrete means for reaching specific ends and, with regard to the choice of core values, through a custom-conformity type of authority. Thus, this article addresses discursive transformations of contemporary organizations with a particular focus on available discursive space for critical thinking in the wake of New Public Management and related developments