CO2 Buoy Servicing

Have you ever wondered what's inside a scientific buoy? Come find out as we pull our NOAA CO₂ buoy out of the water and perform its yearly servicing. The buoy, on loan to us from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has been anchored between Piers 15 and 17 since April 2013, collecting data on water temperature, salinity, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere and in San Francisco Bay. We pull it out of the water to calibrate and replace the sensors and to clean off corrosion and the growth of marine organisms.

Come take a close look at the critters and seaweed that colonize the bottom of the buoy. We'll have microscopes, hand lenses and activities that get you up close and personal with the animals and plants that call San Francisco Bay their home.