Category: research

I have set-up the GC-FID again and things are running fine. The system works after I had a few problems with broken connectors. However, the baseline (BL) has stabilised at 16 pA after several days of equilibration.

I have therefore cut the column at the detector end to reduce column bleeding that had occasionally occurred – no luck. The spikes that appeared every once in a while were mostly gone, but the BL stayed at 16 pA (identical with the BL of my colleague running a similar system next to me). In Alert, however, my BL was much better (4-5 pA). When cleaning the system I found out that my BL dropped to 13 pA, strange given the higher temperature and load on the column.

But my hypothesis is that the (standard) compressed air is the culprit. The cleaning program uses a lower air-flow, thus introducing less contamination into the detector system. Additionally, I have used Ultra-zero air in Alert (much cleaner), which I have ordered now and that is due to arrive on Monday.

I gave my first presentation on my field trip to Alert yesterday. It was a group meeting presentation and presented mostly background information (reasoning behind decisions, ancillary data, procedures) and some preliminary results.

It was a good exercise, because it served as a first test about how well embedded my VOC measurements in air and snow are in the overall dataset (consisting of my own ancillary data and Environment Canada meteorological data). I also could inform the group in more detail about what I have done and if it is conclusive to them as it is to me.

So a very enjoyable presentation with good feedback; I was only quite busy the day before putting everything together. I finished up with some nice pictures from Alert

I was busy unpacking the last couple of days and setting up the GC in a new lab to make some space in the rather crowded lab, where it stayed before. I have requested a new 20 Amp jack to be installed and while I wait I am busy finishing 2 manuscripts that have been sitting on my desk on a while. That includes writing as well as data analysis, the latter of which takes up a good junk of my time. Typically, I have to browse through > 100 peaks per run (for qualitative analysis), which is quite demanding.

Everything else I could put away swiftly, although some boxes still need to be stored away. Long awaited equipement has finally arrived for other members of the lab to use (pH meter, GC spare parts, stir plates).

Finally, my equipment (and my personal baggage) have arrived from Alert last Friday. As before I have rented a van to pick things up and everything went smoothly. People at the base (I did not have to go to Toronto this time) were really helpful getting my stuff released and into the truck. Now the unpacking starts …

I have compiled the first data sets from ancillary measurements, such as temperature, snow layer depth, wind direction, which will help me to interpret my data. I have also made tables of my snow and air samples, fibre usage,… in order to have a good overview.

After a nice flight back with stops in Resolute Bay and (overnight) in Iqualuit I have arrived back in Montreal after a pleasant train ride from Trenton.

I have seen my coolers in the back of the plane and time in transit was 35 hrs, good enough for them to stay frozen. After some questions I was reassured that they would to into the freezer immediately. I also learned that my personal baggage was not loaded onto the plane, so I will be without it for another week.

After a phone call from Montreal I received the message that the coolers are fine (in the freezer) and that they could stay their until the arrival of my remaining equipment.

Finally the day of my departure has arrived. I got an another unexpected extension for the delivery of my coolers and packed them only today in the early morning. I filled them with ice-packs and snow and off they went to the airfield 3 hours before planned departure.

We departed at 12.00 noon and I spotted my coolers in the back – they should be good for 40 hrs. Originally we were destined to go to Thule, but shortly before we boarded the plane, it was re-routed to Iqaluit (where we spent the night) via Resolute Bay.

Arrival was in the late afternoon in Trenton. I could not see my samples go into the freezer (they would not let me), but the air crew assured me that they will let cargo know and the labels should be fine anyway. I keep my fingers crossed (and will phone them tomorrow). My check-in baggage, however, got lost – still being at Alert. It should arrive in Trenton next week. Let’s hope for the best and that I have some clothes left back home.

I spent my last day mostly packing my equipment and personal stuff. My check-in baggage had to be at the HAPS ramp at 1.00 p.m., so I did that right after breakfast at 7 a.m., so that I could continue with my scientific gear.

I found a drill that could go in both directions and some bits – so this time I opened and closed the GC Box without getting my hands sore and packing the GC was a snap. I prepared the coolers (left them outside for a couple of hours) to load them with my samples later tonight – I got an extra day before loading after some negotiations.

There is quite a bit of dangerous stuff to ship back (waste, standards, cylinders,…) and I will work things out, when I get back.

Finally things started winding down. In the morning I fetched my gear from the GAW Lab and the SST. I sorted MOUDI substrates for the last time and hauled all my gear back with the sled (from the GAW Lab and the SST). It is high time I get the “Sled-dog”-Award 🙂 I then headed back with the truck and started packing. I also enjoyed a hot lunch, yeah! It was not often that I had the pleasure in the past three weeks. I had a last good look at the gorgeous views, the mountains and the Lincoln Sea. I miss them already!

Packing went fine – at least the first part. It seems that I have more space (no standards, fewer batteries, consumables). I will easily be able to finish by tomorrow night with the items that get shipped later. I have spoken to the Traffic guys to leave the coolers outside the aircraft as long as possible and store them in the rear near the ramp on the plane, where it is cooler during the flight. In Trenton there will be space in a freezer, until I pick my stuff up. Nothing to worry about, unless we break down for an extended period of time.

I rose early today to prepare my last sampling trip to the BAY Site today. I have also tested packing the snow sample bottles, which have to ready by tonight (although I still have to verify that). Otherwise I started packing, once I got back from sampling.

I headed out for sampling around noon with two armed guards. I bravely steered the trusty Nuuk off-road down to the inlet. The snow was deep and wet with small pits appearing. We made it fine down to the inlet. I hauled my gear onto the ice upwind from the truck – 500 m onto the inlet – passing a few cracks on the way. Water had already started melting on the ice surface, giving the impression of open water and the boots sinking occasionally deep into melted snow.

The armed guards followed bravely, then stayed and watched, while I was busy sampling air and snow. I never felt so safe in my life – after telling them not to mistake me for a polar bear, when I had
put on my white clean sampling gear 😉 Sampling went well – SPME with air & a canister, snow in glass bottles and HDPE containers. The snow was already in a state of advanced metamorphism and quite high in liquid water content (read: slushy). I sampled three layers of approximately 9 cm each after digging a nice pit. We got back just in time for dinner.

After a quick dinner I ran the remaining SPME fibres, where I had ad-sorbed compounds sampled from air. Because of the humid conditions, the water in the fibre holders and the needle froze, resulting in the breakage of one of my fibres. Thank God – it is the last day, today. I let the other fibre warm up a bit (risking a loss of compounds, though), but this one was fine.

A comparison of GC Traces showed no differences between the two fibres, so even the broken fibre ran successfully, so surprise – the broken fibre pieces desorbed fine stuck in the liner.