PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHIC

RESEARCH EQUIPMENT

TEMPERATUREthermometer:

measures temperature

TEMPERATURE

CTD - conductivity, temperature, depth:

measures temperature as well as electrical conductivity (salinity)

weather vane - measures wind direction anemometer – measures wind speed

WIN

D

CURRENT SPEED

• current meter

TIDE HEIGHT

• tide gauge - measuresheight of tide

TIDE HEIGHT

MOORED

BUOYS

fixed in one location

MOORED

BUOYShave instruments on them to

measure:• air and water temperature• current speed & direction• salinity• wind speed & direction

buoy system in Pacific Ocean tomeasure for El Nino

DRIFTING

BUOYS

float in water to measure current speed and direction

DRIFTING

BUOYS

DRIFTING

BUOYS

unintentional

SATELLITES

can measure:• currents• sea surface height• ocean topography• sea surface temperature• turbidity• cholorphyll

SATELLITES

SATELLITES

CHEMICAL

TRACERS

• artificial substances• date of production or release known• like a dye – can follow flow of currents• especially useful to follow thermohaline

circulation