The integration of atmospheric instruments with ocean buoys is a relatively new field. Much of the equipment on which we will be depending has never been used under these conditions. Power consumption, not typically an issue for ozone monitors, will be crucial in determining the maximum time that the instrument can operate at sea.

Power distribution within the instrument

Also, buoys are subject to continuous motion from gentle rocking to violent storms, which can prove disastrous to equipment that has not been properly prepared. Since sea water is highly corrosive, proper sealing of our instrument is imperative.

The first step in ensuring successful buoy operation is to evaluate the instrument's durability and power consumption on land. To do this we have run the instrument autonomously for extended periods of time. These experiments test its thermal stability and the durability of all its components.

The power consumption within the instrument has also been evaluated. This has led to some promising possibilities as to how power usage can be reduced. In particular, the power used by the instrument's computer is disproportionately high in comparison to that used by other fundamental components of the instrument (shown above). It uses a relatively fast processor, while in fact it only needs a fraction of its current processing power to function properly. This will be replaced after the initial buoy tests.

Once we are pleased with dry-land operation of the instrument, we will mount it on a buoy and test it in coastal waters off Woods Hole for a five-week period in fall 2001.