Troll Research Station, NO
Troll Research Station, NO
Troll is a Norwegian research station located at Jutulsessen, 235 kilometres (146 mi) from the coast in the eastern part of Kronprinsesse Märtha Kyst i Dronning Mauds Land, Antarctica. It is Norway’s only all-year research station in Antarctica, and is supplemented by the summer-only station Tor. It is operated by the Norwegian Polar Institute.
TROLL on the nunataks of Jutulsessen is the starting point for biological, glaciological and geological field work during the summer season. It is a full-year base for continuous, long-term monitoring series in meteorology, radiation, atmosphere, upper atmosphere, environmental toxins, and seismology. Currently, the Troll Observing Network (www.npolar.no/en/tone/)is established by Norwegian Polar Institute and partners.
Contribution to POLARIN key research challenges:1, 2, 4, 5, 6.
Contact: christina.pedersen[at]npolar.no
Website address: www.npolar.no/en/troll/
https://polardex.org/ –Troll
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61073506e9b0073c7eaaf464/t/611497cc1ece1b43f0eeca8a/1628739608968/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf
Facilities
Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) provides access to the station for Norwegian and international research groups. Troll Research Station functions as a hub for summer field work, and is a year round platform for continuous, long-term monitoring. The Norwegian research community is currently establishing the Troll Observing Network, expanding the monitoring capabilities in Dronning Maud Land.
The main service building is 500m2, and has bedrooms for the overwintering staff, kitchen, dining area, communication room and entrance hall/wardrobe. For recreation, there is an exercise room and sauna. The station also includes several separate buildings such as guest office, storage, workshops, waste handling facilities, etc. The station has its own medical staff and facilities.
The services provided at Troll Research Station include board and lodging, basic support for research, leasing of field equipment, transport and storage facilities, office facilities, access to workshops, outdoor clothing, and technical assistance. Other services may be available on request.
Services offered
The services offered at TROLL include basic support for research, leasing of field equipment and personnel, board and lodging, transport and storage facilities, workshop and technical assistance, and medical assistance. Other services may be available on request. The station regularly hosts international research groups.
What is included in the Access
Unit of access: User/day
Modalities of access offered: In-person access.
The services include board, lodging, simple office facilities, access to workshops, and some outerwear. Other services available on request but depending on need should be included in individual access budgets. The typical duration of work is 1 month, which is due to the flight schedule. The researchers will be integrated into normal station operations along with other research and monitoring teams and will have to work within the operational framework of the research station.
Availability for access in the 2024 call
Access will be available during the Antarctic summer of 2025/26.
Time frame for access preparations
In principle, NPI could host a research project with about six months’ notice, given that:
– There is sufficient time to notify the project according to the regulations set forth in “Regulations relating to the protection of the environment and safety in Antarctica”
– The project do not requires sending heavy equipment or dangerous goods that cannot be sent by plane (f.ex. batteries). In such cases the equipment must be shipped to Antarctica/Troll the year before. The annual ship due south normally leaves Tromsø/Europe in early December.
NPI normally start the booking of flights in May for the coming Antarctic season.
Permits, licenses and training
Researchers must familiarize themselves with applicable regulations and obtain relevant permits from the relevant authorities. In particular, all activity in Antarctica must be carried out in accordance with the regulations set forth in “Regulations relating to the protection of the environment and safety in Antarctica”. If the project is led by a Norwegian institution, the notification about planned activity must be sent to the NPI no later than one year before commencement. More details can be found here: https://www.npolar.no/en/regulations-activities-antarctica/. If the project is led by a researcher from an institution located in another country, the activity must be notified according to the procedures in that country.
Depending on the research activity, specific training will be offered at Troll. This often includes first-aid courses, and other courses depending on the project activity.
Medical guidelines
All researchers that would like to visit Troll Research Station are required to meet the health standards and must provide a health certificate. Fulfillment of the health requirement is mandatory. NPI may stipulate specific vaccines for travel to Troll and will ask for a copy of the vaccination card or confirmation thereof.
