Everyone was starting to get familiar with life on board; a few have already been on the ship for several weeks. There were also returning scientists and newbies like myself. The day went by quickly with people getting ready for experiments, clearing out laboratory areas and sorting through equipment. I am planning to take daily air samples for the analysis of organic pollutants as part of the IPY INCATPA program while taking similar air samples to test for perfluorinated compounds (Scotch-guard-related chemicals) for my colleague Mahiba Shoeib (Environment Canada). I will also be checking the mercury vapour analyzer which measures gaseous elemental mercury in air and equipment for the IPY OASIS program for measurement of BrO (bromine oxide), O3 (ozone) and SO2 (sulphur dioxide). These activities are all linked to the Circumpolar Flaw Lead (CFL) Study program on board. While setting up the laboratory, there was an announcement for power outage and test of the fire alarms and doors. A safety inspector is on board to re-licence the icebreaker and will be here for about a week while we have fire drills etc. The power outage put everyone busy at ensuring all equipment was functioning properly and data were saved. After docking at Kugluktuk for a few days, the Amundsen finally set sail around 8 pm (Mountain time). We will be heading west towards Sachs Harbour in the next 2 days. When the ship started moving, I took my first air sample for perfluorinated compounds after an hour of fighting with the post where it is mounted.


Air sampler for perfluorinated compounds at the bow of the ship