EGT-TWINN at EGU 2025: Young Estonian Researchers Share Groundbreaking Work in Vienna

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The EGU General Assembly 2025 brought together over 15,000 scientists in Vienna to share the latest developments in Earth, planetary, and space sciences. Among the thousands of contributions, Estonia was well represented by young researchers from the Geological Survey of Estonia and the University of Tartu — many of them supported and connected through the EGT-TWINN project.

With topics ranging from groundwater vulnerability and peatland hydrology to seabed geochemistry and Paleozoic redox environments, the diversity of presentations reflected both Estonia’s research strengths and the EGT-TWINN initiative’s commitment to international collaboration and early-career support.

From left: Marlen Hunt, Johannes Vind, Magdaleena Männik, Liina Hints from the Geological Survey of Estonia and Raul Paat from the University of Tartu

List of Our Presentations and Topics

  • Oral presentation

A Novel Method for Determining Vertical Hydraulic Properties of Peat Using Naturally Occurring Pressure Fluctuations
Raul Paat, Argo Jõeleht, Grete Sabine Sarap, Marko Kohv
Abstract link
This presentation introduced a novel technique that uses natural pressure fluctuations in peat soils to estimate vertical hydraulic conductivity — a key parameter for understanding water and carbon exchange in wetlands.

  • Poster presentation

A Risk Assessment Approach to Drinking Water Safety: Integrating EU Water Policy Principles in Estonia
Marlen Hunt, Joonas Pärn, Madis Osjamets, Elina Kuusma, Valle Raidla, Liina Hints, Andres Marandi
Abstract link
This interdisciplinary work proposes a method to integrate EU drinking water directives into national risk assessment strategies, improving water safety planning in Estonia.


  • Poster presentation
Johannes Vind proudly next to his poster

Millimeter-scale scanning of redox-sensitive elements in Tremadocian Alum Shale for revealing subtle redox variations and cyclicity, northwestern Estonia, Baltic Palaeobasin
Johannes Vind, Jüri Plado, Kairi Põldsaar
Abstract link
High-resolution geochemical scanning was used to detect fine-scale redox changes in Early Ordovician black shales, offering new insight into the environmental history of the Baltic Palaeobasin.



  • Oral presentation

Mobile phosphorus in the seabed sediments of the northern Baltic Proper, Baltic Sea: hypoxic conditions limit large-scale phosphorus release
Markus Ausmeel, Martin Liira, Sten Suuroja
Abstract link
The team examined how low-oxygen conditions in the Baltic Sea affect the mobility of phosphorus in marine sediments, with implications for nutrient cycling and eutrophication.

  • Oral presentation

Insights into the genesis and geological significance of iron-manganese precipitates in the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Finland seafloor
Johanna Maria Ojap, Martin Liira, Aivo Lepland, Michael E. Böttcher, Sten Suuroja, Peeter Somelar, Kalle Kirsimäe
Abstract link
This work revealed the formation processes and environmental significance of iron-manganese coatings found on the seafloor in the Gulf of Finland.

  • Oral presentation

Advancing harmonized groundwater vulnerability assessments for sustainable management in the Estonian-Latvian transboundary aquifers
Magdaleena Männik, Jānis Bikše, Enn Karro
Abstract link
Focusing on the cross-border aquifers shared by Estonia and Latvia, this project promotes harmonized groundwater vulnerability mapping for better joint water resource management.

  • Poster presentation

Leveraging Drilled Well Data into a Modified DRASTIC Framework for Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping in Estonia
Liina Hints, Magdaleena Männik, Raivo Aunap, Andres Marandi
Abstract link
This study enhanced a widely used vulnerability assessment model (DRASTIC) by integrating Estonia’s rich national well data, supporting better decision-making for groundwater protection.

Why EGU Participation Matters for EGT-TWINN

For many of the young researchers involved, this was their first opportunity to present at an international conference of this scale. Participation in EGU 2025 aligns with EGT-TWINN’s core goals of fostering research excellence, boosting the visibility of Estonian geoscience, and connecting early-career scientists with global networks.

These presentations demonstrate the growing capacity of Estonia’s geoscience institutions to contribute to international discourse on critical topics such as water resource management, environmental monitoring, and subsurface characterization. They also highlight the strong synergies created through collaboration between research and public sector institutions — a hallmark of the EGT-TWINN project.

We thank all participating researchers for their excellent work and congratulate them on their successful contributions. We look forward to continued collaboration and future opportunities to represent Estonian science on the European stage.


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