PEARL has three sites: The PEARL Ridge Laboratory 15km from the Eureka weather station at 610m elevation, the 0PAL laboratory next to the weather station and the SAFIRE site which is far from structures for undisturbed measurements. PEARL makes many atmospheric measurements year-round as well as hosting special campaigns. PEARL is a facility of the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change (CANDAC) which is an open consortium of university and government scientists.

	Name	Email	Phone Number
Primary Contact	Prof. James R. Drummond	James.drummond@candac.ca	(902) 494-2324
Secondary Contact	Dr. Pierre Fogal	pfogal@atmosp.physics.utoronto.ca	(416) 978-8991

Download Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) profile as a PDF document

Owner
The PEARL Ridge Laboratory building is owned and maintained by Environment Canada and the 0PAL and SAFIRE buildings owned and maintained by the University of Toronto. Research equipment in the buildings is owned by various university and government organizations.

Membership
Regular Member

Website
www.candac.ca

Latitude
80

Longitude
-86.4

Location
Eureka

Nearest Community
Grise Fiord, Nunavut (450km)

Territory/ Province
Nunavut

Aboriginal Government/ Homeland
None

Facility Type
Year-Round Research Station

Research Hinterland
Atmosphere, Continuous Permafrost, Polar Desert, Terrestrial

Main Research Disciplines
Astrophysics, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Climatology, Environmental Sciences, Geophysics

Research History
Research at the PEARL Ridge Laboratory site began in about 1993 as the Eureka Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Laboratory with observations of ozone and related chemicals in the atmosphere. PEARL was founded in 2005 with a broader mandate encompassing climate, pollution and ozone. The installation of a permanent internet connection has permitted development of remote operation of experiments. Research at the site has broadened to other areas including seismology, geology and astronomy.

Current Projects
The major current project is the ‘Probing the Atmosphere of the High Arctic’ (PAHA) project that seeks to understand the polar atmosphere with a particular emphasis on the Polar night.

Power
Generator, External Electrical Grid

Communications
Telephone, Internet, Computer, Printer/scanner

Local Transportation
By either PEARL or Environment Canada vehicles by prior arrangement

Equipment Storage
With either PEARL or Environment Canada by prior arrangement

Dormitory/Sleeping Facilities
The Environment Canada weather station provides facilities

Dining/Kitchen Facilities
The Environment Canada weather station provides facilities

Laboratory Facilities
Workshop, office, garage, observation laboratories, roof space, liquid nitrogen

Fuel Availability
By arrangement with Environment Canada weather station or Polar Continental Shelf Program

Research Requirements
Nunavut licensing

Special Rules and Regulations
Access must be agreed with Environment Canada

Local External Resources
PEARL operates in close collaboration with the Environment Canada weather station at Eureka, who provides accommodation, some logistical support and operate the Eureka airport

Nearest Medical Service
Weather station has first-aid capacity. Nearest medical personnel in Resolute Bay

Safety Considerations
General safety precautions for working in remote areas. Most research is performed within the limits of the weather station reserve, which limits the exposure to some hazards.

Cost
Contact PEARL or the Environment Canada weather station at Eureka.

Other Information
Access to the site is only by charter plane. There is an annual sealift that arrives in late August/early September.

Last Updated
15-03-03