Acid sulfate soils are described as the nastiest soils on Earth and are broadly composed of metal sulfides. These minerals are mostly harmless in a reducing environment. However, when these soils are drained oxygen infiltration occurs. Oxidation initiates a geochemical process, thereby starting the generation of acidity. As the pH drops, a consortium of acidophilic microbiota begin to grow and flourish. These microbes catalyze the oxidation reactions, which further generates acidity, thus driving the pH even lower. The decreasing pH leads to the solubilization of any co-occurring metals within the system. During flushing events the built-up acidity and solubilized metals mobilize and flow out of the soils into surrounding waterways to the potentially lethal detriment of resident flora and fauna.

This dissertation firstly explores the microbial communities that inhabit acid sulfate soils throughout Sweden and around Vaasa, Finland, and secondly the analogous communities of a mine waste rock repository in northern Sweden. Results from Finland showed an increase in relative abundances of extremely acidophilic microbes correlated to the decreasing pH values that followed the oxidation front. Acidity generation was not mitigated by additions of lime. Further laboratory incubations found that higher volumes and finer material sizes of lime delayed acid generation but did not prevent the development of neutrophilic iron and sulfur oxidizing microbes. The survey of Sweden extended the distribution range of acid sulfate soils and found community differences between the northerly and southerly acid sulfate soils, which were hypothesized to be a result of regional temperature variation. Furthermore, regional differences of the field oxidized samples disappeared following laboratory incubations, further supporting temperature as a driver of regional differences. Lastly, the Swedish waste rock repository study suggested that there were tipping points associated with ongoing oxidation. Subsurface associated communities rapidly decreased following excavation and were slowly replaced by a simple acidophilic community; over time a radiation of acidophiles occurred leading to an increase in acidophile diversity.

These studies together show that metal sulfide rich environments are host to resident neutrophilic to extreme acidophilic microbial communities that play integral roles to the generation of acidity and metals leaching. The composition of those communities differ based on temperature, pH, substrate type, and oxidation age. With regard to remediation strategy development, the application of fine grained lime in combination with peat may hold potential to for short termed acidity mitigation. However cautionis required when transitioning from laboratory based approaches to field trials as the communities are dynamic and complex. 

Claiming that cultural heritage must be preserved for sustainable urban development and for the benefit of future generations is common practice in cultural heritage management and urban planning. But when cultural heritage is used as a resource in urban transformation processes, do current heritage practices, including archaeology, promote the socially sustainable urban futures they aim to achieve? 

This research aims to generate new knowledge on how Swedish contract archaeology can contribute to sustainable urban development and goodliving environments in an informed and innovative manner. By adopting a broad perspective, I explore how cultural heritage is utilized as a resource in urban transformation and design processes to promote social sustainability. Employing an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, I examine how the social sustainability effects of current heritage practices, including archaeology, affect sustainable futures making. The research includes three case studies on urban transformation: the Caroli quarter in Malmö (1967–1973), the Valnötsträdet quarter in Kalmar (2008–2018), and the ongoing transformation of Kiruna town. 

The results highlight how contradictions between legislation's focus on the past and cultural and urban planning's future-oriented goals institutionalize ideas about cultural heritage value and the perception that preservation is a sustainable heritage practice in itself. Consequently, archaeology is rarely seen as a process or practice that promotes social sustainability. Instead, focus is on the value of the built historic environment and stories about the past, assuming that using these elements in development and design processes will promote present and future sustainability values, such as attractiveness, security, social cohesion, and collective identities. However, the results show that expected social sustainability goals are rarely met due to a lack of citizen participation and a lack of understanding of what is required to achieve these goals in the present and for the imagined futures. I argue that to effect change, it is necessary to explore futures literacy in theory and practice, deepen comprehension of how archaeology and heritage practices contribute to social value, and broaden participation in discussions and decisions regarding how cultural heritage can be used as a resource in urban development processes.

This dissertation investigates the social construction of Islamic orthodoxy as a form of boundary maintenance within Muslim milieus in contemporary Sweden. It delves into the dynamics of intra-Islamic diversity, examining how different Muslim groups perceive and define what constitutes “correct” Islamic faith and practice in contrast to what they consider “incorrect”. By employing positioning theory, the study explores how perceptions of both selves and others influence discourses on Islamic orthodoxy, particularly through notions of religious duties, rights, and obligations.  

The study is rooted in ethnographic fieldwork conducted in a multicultural suburb where different Islamic congregations coexist. The study investigates the interplay of local, national, and global dynamics, highlighting how these factors impact religious identities and positioning around orthodoxy. Through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and content analysis of sermons and lectures, the study reveals the dialectical nature of how orthodoxy is constructed. It demonstrates how perceptions of “other” Muslims, whether within the same community or across different denominations, are significant for reinforcing one’s own religious identity and practices.

The findings of this dissertation highlight aspects of how local Islamic congregations and individual Muslims navigate the multifaceted challenges posed by Sweden’s multicultural and secular society. Among other things, they are shown to actively negotiate their place within this culturally diverse environment, balancing the pressures of integration with the desire to maintain religious integrity—while positioning both their own and other views on orthodoxy in relation to these contemporary issues.  

Purpose: The overall purpose of this thesis was to explore and describe early response for community safety in rural areas with a focus on parttime firefighters’ work situation and family support.

Methods: The thesis used an inductive approach with an exploratory and descriptive design, including qualitative and quantitative research methods. Each study’s design was selected to align with its specific purpose. The five studies collectively contributed to fulfilling the overall purpose of the thesis. Descriptive and comparative statistics were employed to describe response times in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in relation to population density for volunteer first responders, fire and rescue services, and emergency medical services (I). A literature review was conducted to synthesize literature regarding non-career firefighters, with a focus on recruitment, retention and resignation (II). The Delphi technique was applied to identify pivotal factors that influence the ability of main employers to have employees who are part-time firefighters in rural areas in Sweden (III). Interviews were conducted and analysed using latent qualitative content analysis to describe the experiences of part-time firefighters in rural areas in Sweden (IV). Interviews were conducted and analysed with the Critical Incident Technique to describe the experiences and actions of part-time firefighters’ family members in rural areas in Sweden (V).

Findings: The fire and rescue services had a significant impact on reducing response times in non-urban settings compared to the emergency medical services (I). Culture, recognition and supportive leadership in the fire and rescue services played a crucial role in job satisfaction and retention among non-career firefighters (II). Main employers to part-time firefighters wanted to contribute to preserve a fire and rescue service in the community by encouraging employees to also work as part-time firefighters (III). Part-time firefighters shared a strong commitment and motivation but balanced the service with other responsibilities in life (IV). Family members of part-time firefighters faced challenges and dealt with uncertainties but adapted their daily lives to fit with the part-time firefighters’ work situation (V). The findings revealed that various dimensions and interrelated subsystems have an impact on part-time firefighters’ work situation and support, enabling early response for community safety in rural areas. These interrelated subsystems, driven by individual efforts, support part-time firefighters serving on-call in rural areas, demonstrating a shared commitment that involves responsibility as well as the dedication of time and resources.

Conclusion: The shared commitment found among part-time firefighters, their main employers, and their family members underscores their importance in supporting part-time firefighters’ work situation. This commitment and support are essential for retaining part-time firefighters, which enhances early response efforts and ensures community safety in rural areas. Consequently, “sharing is caring” is of pivotal importance.