Part 3: Retrieve and Graph Buoy Data

In any step, click the Show me link to reveal extra information. If you prefer a printout of the full set of instructions for this part, choose Print from the File menu.

Step 1-
Request Water Temperature Data for Buoy B

Now that you know some of the basics about phytoplankton blooms and you've seen the types of data that are available from buoys, you'll set up several data requests. You'll request your data reports as graphs and use them to predict the spring phytoplankton bloom for 2004. Using a year that has already passed will allow you to check your prediction against reality.

Click the GoMOOS logo in the upper left of the interactive buoy map page to access the GoMOOS home page. Choose from the left navigation menu Historical Data, and the first listed link should be for Buoy Conditions Graphing & Download link to access the data request interface.

If this is your first visit to GoMOOS, you'll see a request to register as a user. GoMOOS can serve their customers better if they know a little about them-if you don't mind providing this registration information, enter it now and click the Register button. Or, you can click the Skip Registration button and proceed to the next step.

After you read the overview on the Introduction tab, you will choose specific data types, time periods and locations and make a graph.

By examining water temperature, salinity, and density at various depths for several buoys, you'll be able infer when the water column at each location is mixed or stratified. The first location you'll examine is Buoy B, a near-shore buoy located northeast of Portsmouth, NH.
  1. On the Data Types tab, select Water Temperatures from the pull-down list.
    • Select Daily Average and keep the default unit of measurement as Degrees Centigrade.
    • Click the Add Data Type button.
  2. Click the Time Periods tab.
  3. Click the Locations tab and click the checkbox next to Buoy B. To get all the temperature data from different depths, keep all the default checkboxes GoMOOS has marked.
  4. At the bottom of the list, click the Add Location button.
  5. To request the dataset you've selected, click the Report tab and pause briefly while GoMOOS assembles the data.

Step 2-
Graph the Water Temperature Data for Buoy B

GoMOOS offers several output format options. For our purposes, choose the Graph option. Since this is the default setting, simply click the Create Report button to generate the graph.

You'll be making a total of 12 graphs. You can print each window by clicking the Print Window link or you can save them electronically. To save them as bitmap images place your cursor over the graph, right-click your mouse button (on a Mac, press the control key (ctrl) on your keyboard and click the graph), and choose the Save Picture As... option. Save each graph with a descriptive name. For example, you might save this first file as Buoy_b_water_temp.bmp

Step 3-
Retrieve and Graph Density and Salinity Data for Buoy B

Set the water temperature graph aside for a moment. Set up requests and generate graphs of density and salinity data for the same location, Buoy B. Since the time period will stay the same, you only need to change the data type.

Click the Data Types tab and click the remove all link to clear your previous request. Select Density from the pull-down list. Specify Daily Average as the time step.

Click the Report tab and the Create graph button to graph density as a function of water depth. Print and/or save this graph and set it aside.

Finally, obtain the salinity data for 2004 for Buoy B. On the Data Types tab, remember to click the remove all link under Selected Data Type setting before adding salinity. Graph these data, and print or save the graphs.

Step 4-
Retrieve and Graph Water Temperature, Density, and Salinity Data for Other Buoys

Repeat the steps above to obtain water temperature, density, and salinity data for 2004 for Buoys E, I, and M. Generate graphs of these data and save the graphs. When finished, you should have 12 plots: 3 graphs each for the 4 buoy locations.
Special Note for Buoy M: Buoy M has multiple depths available. Select only the 1 meter, 2 meter (where applicable), 20 meter and 50 meter depths.

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