Annual report 2009 - The Building Blocks of Society

• A hectic COP 15
• Preface
• Databanks and information
  • Storage, quality assurance and presentation of geological knowledge and data
    • Explore Ilulissat Icefjord
    • Invaluable data about the subsurface of Denmark
    • More user-friendly access to geophysical data
    • Geoscience magazine (Geoviden) popular in schools
• Water resources
  • Procuring knowledge to permit optimal management of Danish water resources
    • New methods for restoration of lakes
    • Updated platform for national assessment of water resources
    • Mapping Denmark's groundwater
    • The warning system for pesticide leaching (VAP) is secured up to 2016
• Energy resources
  • Procuring of knowledge for continuing exploration and exploitation of energy resources in Denmark and Greenland
    • Great interest in Arctic oil resources
    • Full steam ahead on the work to delimit the continental shelf
    • New assesment of geothermal energy
    • Geological storage of CO₂
• Mineral resources
  • Creating the scientific basis for targeted and environment-friendly exploitation of mineral deposits in Greenland and Denmark
    • Important mineral resources for building and construction
    • New geochemical data from South-East Greenland
    • New mineral finds
    • Servicing the mining industry
• Nature and climate
  • Identifying processes leading to today's climate and environmental conditions in Denmark and the North Atlantic in particular
    • Ice and climate surveys
    • Assessment of the safety of long-term storage of radioactive waste
    • Geological maps for planning and land management
    • Online data from the Greenland ice sheet
• Glimpses of the year
  • News 2009
    • Prominent Russian visit at GEUS
    • Young Elite Reseacher's Award for GEUS researcher
    • The Geocenter Denmark trainee programme
    • Popular school activities
    • Danish geological prize
• GEUS around the world
  • Knowledge building in developing countries through research and consultancy
    • New research centre for sustainable small-scale mining operations
    • Developing the water sector in Zambia
    • The climate, water resources and agriculture in Tanzania
    • Theatre to ban mercury in Tanzania
• Key figures
• Organisation

GEUS had a good and productive year in 2009, where the goals set for the year, to a very high extent, were met, and where GEUS succeeded in obtaining research and advisory tasks to realise these goals. GEUS also managed to obtain a positive financial result for the year, while also securing a substantial portfolio of projects, reaching into 2010.

With COP15 in Copenhagen and GEUS' affiliation to the Ministry of Climate and Energy, GEUS' research and advisory services within climate and energy became the focal point of the 2009 activities. GEUS mainly participated in a wide range of information activities.

Geological knowledge is a central part of tackling the climate challenge. It provides understanding of the causes of climate change, and it helps evaluate the impacts of climate change and the possibility of neutralising or adjusting to these changes. In connection with development of renewable energy sources, geology has be come more important than many people realise. Climate challenges must be tackled whilst also ensuring adequate energy sources for society. In this regard, fossil energy sources continue to play a dominant role, while providing a considerable contribution to the economy. GEUS' research and assignments have never been more important to society than in recent years.

Geothermal energy has attracted strong and increasing interest, and in 2009 GEUS made a new assessment of the geothermal potential in collaboration with the Danish Energy Agency. The conclusion was that large parts of Denmark have the potential for heat supply with hot water from the subsurface. Storage of CO₂in the subsurface is another instrument, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and which is highly prioritised in Europe. In the course of the year, GEUS, together with European cooperation partners, completed a number of large EU projects including mapping the potential for CO₂ storage at European level.

In June 2009, Greenland obtained self government, which meant that effective from 1 January 2010, Greenland has taken over the management of minerals via the Greenland Mineral Resources Act. As the basis for continued collaboration, an advisory services agreement be - tween Denmark and Greenland about GEUS' work in this area should be concluded according to the Greenland Self Government Act. The agreement was made in December 2009 and marks a new milestone in the collaboration on making mineral extraction a leading industry in Greenland. Meanwhile, mining and oil companies have shown great interest in the possibilities of exploration, and this looks promising for a good and fruitful cooperation between GEUS and the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum in Nuuk in future years.

For the Continental Shelf Project, 2009 was the most active year ever, with numerous expeditions, including LOMROG II to the North Pole area. The first claims for an area north of the Faeroe Islands were also submitted to the UN.

In the water and nature areas, GEUS focused on groundwater mapping and monitoring, including adaptation of the assignments to accord with the municipal reform. It has been decided to continue the Warning System for Pesticides('Varslingssystem for Pesticider'), and in 2009, GEUS developed its own advanced, national, hydrological models, which make it possible to make the necessary calculations for water manage ment. In the past year, GEUS saw increasing demands for hydrological knowledge from municipalities, including queries about infrastructure design, seen in the light of a changed and wetter climate.

GEUS has successfully obtained many strategic projects within central areas of its research, and accordingly, GEUS has proven competitive, at national as well as international levels. However, this is taking up increasing proportions of GEUS' basic funding for co-financing. Academically, GEUS is well-positioned for the new tasks required by society where geological knowledge is of importance.

We look forward to ensuring that GEUS' knowledge will continue to benefit Denmark and Greenland in 2010.