Overview
Drifting buoys are deployed in bodies of water (both frozen and solid) to help scientists measure meteorological and oceanographic parameters. They float or “drift” via the ocean’s sub-surface current and are usually equipped with numerous sensors that transmit collected data wirelessly to collection centers. The buoys are owned and operated by various organizations, and as a result, come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Related Campaigns & Instruments
Review the instruments operated on this platform for each of these field campaigns
Slide 1 of 9
Oceans Melting Greenland
2015—2021
Greenland
view all deployment dates
14 Deployments
· 11 Data Products| 2021-04-21 | 2021-04-29 |
| 2017-08-22 | 2017-10-23 |
| 2018-08-02 | 2018-09-11 |
| 2019-08-12 | 2019-09-05 |
| 2015-07-25 | 2015-09-21 |
| 2020-03-27 | 2020-04-15 |
| 2020-08-16 | 2020-09-12 |
| 2021-08-11 | 2021-09-16 |
| 2017-03-11 | 2017-03-22 |
| 2018-03-06 | 2018-03-20 |
| 2019-03-05 | 2019-04-16 |
| 2016-09-07 | 2016-10-10 |
| 2016-03-20 | 2016-05-28 |
| 2016-07-05 | 2016-08-16 |
Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors are in situ instruments used to measure water depth, pressure, salinity, temperature, and density in the ocean. CTD sensors can be deployed on various water-based platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), buoys, gliders, or research vessels. When mounted on a vessel, CTD sensors are usually attached to a rosette and then lowered to the seafloor to record water properties. These sensors typically sample at 30 Hz and can provide accurate measurements at specific water depths according to the researcher's needs.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Pressure > Water Pressure
Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/seafloor Topography > Water Depth
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Conductivity
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Density
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Salinity
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Water Temperature
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density
Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment
2021—2023
Centered approximately 300 km offshore of San Francisco, California, USA
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3 Deployments
· 39 Data Products| 2023-04-03 | 2023-05-02 |
| 2022-10-06 | 2022-11-07 |
| 2021-10-17 | 2021-11-09 |
The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is an in situ acoustic sensor used to measure ocean currents. ADCP utilizes the Doppler effect to detect sound waves, providing measurements of the speed and direction of currents throughout the water column. It can be easily mounted on various water platforms such as ships, buoys, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Additionally, it can be deployed on the seafloor to deliver profile measurements of ocean currents.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Circulation > Ocean Currents
Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors are in situ instruments used to measure water depth, pressure, salinity, temperature, and density in the ocean. CTD sensors can be deployed on various water-based platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), buoys, gliders, or research vessels. When mounted on a vessel, CTD sensors are usually attached to a rosette and then lowered to the seafloor to record water properties. These sensors typically sample at 30 Hz and can provide accurate measurements at specific water depths according to the researcher's needs.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Pressure > Water Pressure
Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/seafloor Topography > Water Depth
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Conductivity
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Density
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Salinity
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Water Temperature
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density
EXport Processes in the Ocean from RemoTe Sensing
2018—2021
Northeast Pacific Ocean, Northeast Atlantic
view all deployment dates
2 Deployments
· 0 Data Products| 2018-07-21 | 2018-09-13 |
| 2021-03-25 | 2021-06-01 |
Generic-Chemistry Related Sensors (Gen-Chemistry) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for atmospheric chemistry measurements. These are typically in situ analyzers that measure various chemical compounds such as trace gases, halocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrates, aerosols, and other chemical species. Measurements can include mixing ratio, composition, particle size, optical properties, and particle size distribution.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Trace Gases/trace Species
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Volatile Organic Compounds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Particle Properties
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Halocarbons And Halogens
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Carbon And Hydrocarbon Compounds
Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors are in situ instruments used to measure water depth, pressure, salinity, temperature, and density in the ocean. CTD sensors can be deployed on various water-based platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), buoys, gliders, or research vessels. When mounted on a vessel, CTD sensors are usually attached to a rosette and then lowered to the seafloor to record water properties. These sensors typically sample at 30 Hz and can provide accurate measurements at specific water depths according to the researcher's needs.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Pressure > Water Pressure
Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/seafloor Topography > Water Depth
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Conductivity
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Density
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Salinity
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Water Temperature
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density
BROMEX
Bromine, Ozone, and Mercury Experiment
2012
Barrow, Alaska, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products| 2012-03-06 | 2012-05-15 |
Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds
Generic-Chemistry Related Sensors (Gen-Chemistry) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for atmospheric chemistry measurements. These are typically in situ analyzers that measure various chemical compounds such as trace gases, halocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrates, aerosols, and other chemical species. Measurements can include mixing ratio, composition, particle size, optical properties, and particle size distribution.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Trace Gases/trace Species
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Volatile Organic Compounds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Aerosol Particle Properties
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Halocarbons And Halogens
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Carbon And Hydrocarbon Compounds
First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) Regional Experiment
1986—1998
Central and Midwest United States, California Coast, Northwest Africa, Alaska
view all deployment dates
5 Deployments
· 131 Data Products| 1991-11-13 | 1991-12-07 |
| 1992-06-01 | 1992-06-25 |
| 1998-04-08 | 1998-07-30 |
| 1986-10-13 | 1986-11-02 |
| 1987-06-30 | 1987-07-19 |
Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds
Hydrophones are underwater devices that detect and record sounds from all directions in the ocean. Most hydrophones use a piezoelectric transducer that detects pressure changes caused by sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. These signals are then analyzed and recorded to monitor underwater sounds with high precision. Hydrophones are used for studying marine mammal communication, ocean currents, underwater ecosystems, for underwater surveillance, and seafloor mapping.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics > Ambient Noise
Accelerometers are in situ sensors that measure the acceleration experienced by an object. Accelerometers utilize electromagnetic sensing to detect the vibration of an object. The force of vibration causes the sensor to produce an electrical charge, indicating how much force was exerted, which can be used to determine the acceleration. Accelerometers are typically used on aircraft when collecting flight navigation information. Accelerometers have also been deployed on research vessels and other water-based platforms such as buoys.
Earth Science > >
SPURS
Salinity Processes in the Upper Ocean Regional Study
2012—2017
Subtropical North Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean
view all deployment dates
2 Deployments
· 41 Data Products| 2012-08-16 | 2013-10-13 |
| 2016-08-13 | 2017-11-17 |
Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors are in situ instruments used to measure water depth, pressure, salinity, temperature, and density in the ocean. CTD sensors can be deployed on various water-based platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), buoys, gliders, or research vessels. When mounted on a vessel, CTD sensors are usually attached to a rosette and then lowered to the seafloor to record water properties. These sensors typically sample at 30 Hz and can provide accurate measurements at specific water depths according to the researcher's needs.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Pressure > Water Pressure
Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/seafloor Topography > Water Depth
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Conductivity
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Density
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Salinity
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Water Temperature
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density
Southern Ocean Gas Exchange Experiment
2008
Southern Ocean
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products| 2008-02-29 | 2008-04-12 |
Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds
The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is an in situ acoustic sensor used to measure ocean currents. ADCP utilizes the Doppler effect to detect sound waves, providing measurements of the speed and direction of currents throughout the water column. It can be easily mounted on various water platforms such as ships, buoys, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Additionally, it can be deployed on the seafloor to deliver profile measurements of ocean currents.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Circulation > Ocean Currents
Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors are in situ instruments used to measure water depth, pressure, salinity, temperature, and density in the ocean. CTD sensors can be deployed on various water-based platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), buoys, gliders, or research vessels. When mounted on a vessel, CTD sensors are usually attached to a rosette and then lowered to the seafloor to record water properties. These sensors typically sample at 30 Hz and can provide accurate measurements at specific water depths according to the researcher's needs.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Pressure > Water Pressure
Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/seafloor Topography > Water Depth
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Conductivity
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Density
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Salinity
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Water Temperature
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density
ASTEX
Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment
1992
Azores and Madeira islands
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 61 Data Products| 1992-06-04 | 1992-06-27 |
Generic-Radiometers refer to non-specific radiometers on a platform. These are typically passive microwave radiometers that measure brightness temperature. Radiometers can be used to retrieve temperature and water vapor profiles, soil moisture content, ocean salinity, precipitation and cloud properties, and vegetation.
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Microwave > Brightness Temperature
Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds
Hydrophones are underwater devices that detect and record sounds from all directions in the ocean. Most hydrophones use a piezoelectric transducer that detects pressure changes caused by sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. These signals are then analyzed and recorded to monitor underwater sounds with high precision. Hydrophones are used for studying marine mammal communication, ocean currents, underwater ecosystems, for underwater surveillance, and seafloor mapping.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Acoustics > Ambient Noise
Accelerometers are in situ sensors that measure the acceleration experienced by an object. Accelerometers utilize electromagnetic sensing to detect the vibration of an object. The force of vibration causes the sensor to produce an electrical charge, indicating how much force was exerted, which can be used to determine the acceleration. Accelerometers are typically used on aircraft when collecting flight navigation information. Accelerometers have also been deployed on research vessels and other water-based platforms such as buoys.
Earth Science > >
ATOMIC
Atlantic Tradewind Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Interaction Campaign
2020
Tropical North Atlantic east of Barbados
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 1 Data Product| 2020-01-07 | 2020-02-13 |
Generic-Atmospheric State (Gen-AtmsState) refers to non-specific instruments on a platform used for measurements of atmospheric state parameters. These are typically in situ sensors that measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction. Types of atmospheric state instruments include thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, and anemometers.
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Direction
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Speed
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds
Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors are in situ instruments used to measure water depth, pressure, salinity, temperature, and density in the ocean. CTD sensors can be deployed on various water-based platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), buoys, gliders, or research vessels. When mounted on a vessel, CTD sensors are usually attached to a rosette and then lowered to the seafloor to record water properties. These sensors typically sample at 30 Hz and can provide accurate measurements at specific water depths according to the researcher's needs.
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Pressure > Water Pressure
Earth Science > Oceans > Bathymetry/seafloor Topography > Water Depth
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Conductivity
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Density
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density > Salinity
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Water Temperature
Earth Science > Oceans > Salinity/density
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