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!

Friday, August 10, 2018

Adventures in Longyearbyen


Completing the transit from Helsingborg, we arrived at Longyearbyen, Svalbard on July 28. This gave us a couple days to get off the ship and explore before everyone joined for the official start of the expedition. I made sure to enjoy my last chance to be on land for 8 weeks.

Longyearbyen is on the Svalbard archipelago, and is known for polar bears, mountains, and a history of coal mining. Now, the town is a main tourist hub for outdoor adventuring. And also claims the northern most brewery in the world!
There are great mountain views right from town. Also a good spot to watch for Arctic terns!  
Longyearbyen is located on a fjord and right up to the mountains. Great place to start an outdoor adventure. But as soon as you leave town, everyone is strongly advised to bring bear protection!

But we’re not removed from the world yet – even at 78 deg N, Longyearbyen has a Radisson hotel! While we were in town, we also enjoyed our last chance to have internet access before continuing on the cruise.

Disembarking the ship for an afternoon in town also provided a great opportunity to get a photo of Oden, our home for these 10 weeks.
Once the full science team was onboard, excitement about the upcoming expedition took over. After leaving Longyearbyen on Aug 1, next stop: Marginal Ice Zone!

- Rachel Kirpes, Pratt Lab PhD student on the Oden!
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