University of New England

UNE to deploy oceanographic monitoring buoy at mouth of Saco River

BIDDEFORD - The University of New England's Marine Science Education and Research Center will deploy an oceanographic monitoring buoy in the near-shore waters around the mouth of the Saco River, approximately 0.5 nautical miles east of Wood Island, in May 2007. A temporary buoy is currently located at the site to evaluate site selection.

The buoy, deployed with assistance from the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS), will monitor the discharge from the Saco River in addition to local ocean conditions. Information gathered by the buoy will include: wind speed/direction; water salinity and temperature; wave height/ period and direction; and information on phytoplankton abundance. Information gathered by the buoy will be available to the public through near real-time postings on the GoMOOS website (www.gomoos.org).

For more information or to voice questions or concerns about this project, contact Michael Dunnington, Marine Science Center Laboratory Coordinator, at (207) 602-2617 or mdunnington@une.edu.

(Press release posted March 22, 2007)