Remote and Field Studies

Environment Canada carries out air quality research projects in the field, where intensive studies can be undertaken on how human activities and natural processes affect Canada's air quality.   These projects may be carried out as short-term intensive field studies, which often rely on mobile measuring equipment; or as longer term research at remote field stations. 

Researchers depend on these studies to develop and test air quality models, which are used to produce air quality forecasts for major Canadian centers, and to understand the potential effects of proposed regulations, new technologies and other changes in the environment.

Our air quality research stations include:

• Borden Forest Research Station, ON
  
  
• Whistler Peak High Elevation Research Station, B.C.
  
  
• The Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmospheric Watch Observatory, Nu
  
  
• Bratt’s Lake Observatory, SK

Our air quality field projects include:

• Ocean atmosphere sea ice snowpack (OASIS) program
  
  
• Intercontinental Arctic Transport of Anthropogenic Pollutants to the Arctic (INCAPTA), Nu and NWT
  
  
• Pacific 2001 Air Quality Study, B.C.
  
  
• Continuous Non-Methane Hydrocarbon Measurements (NMHC), ON
  
  
• Nitrogen Scoping Study, SK, ON, QC, NS