Welcome to the Pratt Lab blog! Dr. Kerri Pratt is an assistant professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Earth & Environmental Sciences and faculty associate of the Program in the Environment at the University of Michigan. We study the chemical interactions of atmospheric trace gases, particles, clouds, and snow, with a focus on the Polar Regions and wintertime environments. Our interdisciplinary research has relevance to climate change, air quality, and human health. As an analytical chemistry lab, we primarily apply novel mass spectrometry techniques to our field research. We invite you to follow our adventures in (and outside!) the lab!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Trip out to the Sea Ice

Today Kyle, Angela, and I rode snow machines out onto the sea ice with our ice guide and bear guard Glenn Roy (thank you!).  It was really windy (~30 mph), so it was pretty cold (wind chill of approx. minus 30F)!  Many folks have said "it's colder here in Ann Arbor!" with the polar vortex dipping down, but there is something about wind whipping across the frozen tundra and sea ice and blowing snow that makes it really cold!  We bundled up in many layers, my face mask froze solid, and we had duct tape on our faces in places that might be exposed (like between my face mask and ski goggles) to prevent frostbite.  The bits of uplifted blue sea ice were beautiful out by the lead (open water in a large crack in the sea ice).  Here are a few photos of our adventure to collect snow samples!
Uplifted sea ice with clouds over the open lead in the background
Our bear guard Glenn Roy keeping watch for polar bears while we collect snow samples
Kyle and Angela with our snow machines

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