Gypsum Applications and Impact Monitoring Underway in Åland

© Kim Luoma

The gypsum treatment pilot in Åland, led by the John Nurminen Foundation as part of the GYPREG project, has been advancing according to plan. By early autumn 2024, approximately 460 tons of gypsum had been delivered to farmers, who are currently applying it to their fields. The goal of the GYPREG project is to assess the suitability of gypsum treatment in different countries and to expand its use to new areas. For the Åland pilot, two field parcels were selected, from which soil and vegetation samples are being collected to monitor the treatment’s potential effects on cultivation conditions.

Monitoring and Sampling to Continue through 2026

The first grass and soil samples from the observation fields were collected in summer 2024, before the gypsum treatment.  A 10-meter-wide strip was left untreated as a control area, enabling comparison samples to be taken in the coming years. Additionally, the untreated strip makes it easier to inspect any differences in vegetation, such as through aerial imagery. Soil and vegetation samples will continue to be collected throughout 2025 and 2026. The results will be analyzed and reviewed in collaboration with local stakeholders. The pilot aims to demonstrate the suitability of gypsum for the selected fields. The ultimate goal is to reduce nutrient runoff into Åland’s water bodies by expanding gypsum treatment to other agricultural fields.

Gypsum Spreading in Åland, August 2024.
Video: Fredrik Gripenberg

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