BUOYS
IN THE
OCEAN
WHO AM I
Jessica Alexander and Jennifer Dougherty
Drifer Buoy Research Project
Alyssa Olmstead
Hi! My name is Alyssa Olmstead and I am originally from High Point, North Carolina. I am a Marine Science major at Jacksonville University and will be graduating in 2017. I am in an honors physical oceanography class and am eager to participate in the newest version of this project. I find it very exciting to be monitoring the buoys' progress and contribute to NOAA's currents data.
Jessica Alexander
Hello! I’m Jessica Alexander I am from upstate NY and came to Jacksonville University to study Biology and Business. I am in my final year at JU and I chose to participate in this independent study so I could broaden my knowledge of ocean currents, while contributing to NOAA's buoy data. I have always loved reading and writing so a project that mainly consists of that is right up my alley. This is a study that has never been done before at JU and I am very excited to be a part of it.
Jennifer Dougherty
Hey, I’m Jennifer Dougherty I am a Marine Science senior at Jacksonville University. I actually found this project from Jessica and decided to join in on the action. I took a class in Physical Oceanography that really got me interested in how the currents in the Atlantic Ocean move. There is so much mystery to the ocean that we simply do not know. My hope is that upon the completion of this project to not only increase my knowledge of the oceans but to increase everyone’s ability to understand, protect, and conserve the waters more efficiently.
The Project
We are tracking and analyzing the movements of 5 drifter buoys released off the Jacksonville, Florida coastline just East of the St. John's River. Weekly blogs will be posted telling you where the buoys have traveled, how they got there, and any other interesting facts we wish to include. This project will reveal more about one of the great mysteries of the ocean; its currents. Ocean currents have a large impact on more than just the ocean and it is important to keep track of currents on a regular basis. Currents have a powerful influence on ocean nutrients, climate, marine life, pollution, and safe commercial, industrial, and recreational boating.