Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL)
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.

PEARL has the most northerly set of geostationary communication antennas on the planet. Photo credit: Jim Drummond
Name | 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

A spectrometer is readied for measurements of the atmosphere by studying the absorption of sunlight. Photo credit: Pierre Fogal

A 360 degree panoramic view of the instrument deck on top of the Ridge Laboratory. Photo credit: Pierre Fogal

An operator clears the ice and snow from instrumentation on the 10m flux tower. Photo credit: Pierre Fogal