CVOO Buoy

This innovative surface buoy was developed at GEOMAR as part of the Helmholtz infrastructure MUSE. It is intended to help understand how rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere and the resulting climate change are affecting the tropical Atlantic. In 2026, the buoy will become part of the Cape Verde Ocean Observatory­ (CVOO), a long-term series station near the island nation of Cabo Verde, operated by GEOMAR.

 

Specifications

• Dimensions (approx.): diameter 3 meters,height 7.5 meters, weight 3.5 tons
• Measuring instruments for CO₂, oxygen, meteorological data (DWD), salinity, temperature, waves
• Real-time data via satellite connection
• Safety: AIS, radar reflector, signal lantern
• 18 solar panels for autonomous power supply

 

 

About the measurement data from the atmosphere (air)

Air temperature (Tₐᵢᵣ): Shows how warm or cold the air is. Important to understand how many gases (e.g. CO₂) are dissolved in it.

Relative humidity (Rh): Indicates how much water vapor is currently in the air - compared to what would be the maximum possible. The warmer the air, the more moisture it can absorb.

Air pressure (pₐₜₘ): The pressure that the air exerts on the earth due to its weight. It depends on how high up you are and the weather conditions.

CO₂ content in the air (xCO₂ₐₜₘ): Shows how much carbon dioxide is in the air - measured in “ppm” (particles per million).

 

About the measurement data from the ocean (seawater)

Water temperature (Tₕ₂ₒ): Shows how warm the sea is. This influences how dense the water is and how many gases (e.g. CO₂) can be dissolved in it.

Conductivity (Cₕ₂ₒ): Measures how well seawater conducts electricity – depending on its salinity. This can also be used to calculate the density of the water in order to determine different water masses.

Oxygen content (O₂ₕ₂ₒ): Shows how much oxygen is in the water. This is important for animals, plants and chemical processes in the sea.

CO₂ content in water (xCO₂ₕ₂ₒ): Indicates how much carbon dioxide is in seawater. By comparing this with measurements in the air, it is possible to determine whether the sea is currently absorbing or releasing CO₂.