Observation systems
are being deployed in all types of water bodies to monitor water quality. In the Chesapeake Bay, for example, nine buoys(seen
to the right) are collecting, for example, weather information, water temperature, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen,
waves, currents, and tides. Doug Wilson, oceanographer with NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office manages this set of buoy. Well,
as part of this program I was asked to develop a web page that allowed students to mine the data, graph it, and then analyze
it. I went on line, started to do this and became completely bored with the prospect. If I was bored, the students would also
be.. so I thought… “what if…” the students could build a buoy, calibrate and install sensors,
and the data can be posted by students to a web site? What if… students from different areas of
the Bay could look at the site and compare their data and experiences with students in other parts of the Bay?
From
this thought, the Basic Observation Buoy was conceived. I went into my shop and, first, built a BOB using a life-ring. This
first iteration was unsuccessful. Off to the local hardware shop and out with a wagon full of PVC pipe, Plastic Pegboard,
and hardware. Back to the shop and the pictured BOB was created, fitted with a Pasco (www.pasco.com) GLX data logger and a bunch of Sensors, including air and
water temp, dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity (temp and conductivity calculates salinity).
