A Basic Observation Buoy (BOB) is a floating platform with capacity to carry a suite of environmental sensors for extended periods of time. A BOB can be moored to the bottom in open water or tied to a dock in coastal waters. Based on concepts developed by Doug Levin, Ph.D., of NOAA’s IOOS (Integrated Ocean Observing System) Program Office, BOB is an exciting collaborative being developed to link scientists and educators. The project allows teachers and students to become directly involved with longer-term monitoring of the environment based upon a simple technology of their own construction.
Since COSEE-TEK only required a BOB that was able to support the EVA passive samplers and settling plates, a review of the original BOB design and cost of materials was conducted. A more affordable BOB was designed and developed that relied upon a readily available commercial trawl float to provide the same amount of buoyancy as the original PVC design.
Click here for the COSEE-TEK Build-a-BOB Instruction Manual (PDF, 191 KB) and Parts List (PDF, 44 KB).
Additional Links:
SECOORA (2011). Basic Observation Buoy (BOB): Educational Water Quality Monitoring. Available: http://secoora.org/classroom/BOB_educational_water_quality. Last accessed 11/10/11.
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