Morgan Illman (BS Oceanography) is working with oceanographic research technician Jessica Bruno from San Francisco State University, to maintain an SF Bay ocean observing shore station as part of the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS). Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the shore station has been in near continuous operation since 2008 and is located at the Cal Maritime pier to report conditions at the Carquinez Strait. The sensor includes measurements of water temperature, salinity, water level (pressure), pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a. The instrument must be cleaned and calibrated regularly to ensure data quality before it is shared with the natural resource and ocean science research communities.

Morgan has valued the ability to gain experience in operating water quality sondes and the opportunity to learn from research scientists at organizations other than Cal Maritime.

Jessica adds “Shore stations like Cal Maritime are essential in documenting our rapidly changing climate. Beyond being incorporated into research, data from the Cal Maritime pier might one day also be used to inform climate policymaking in SF Bay. Morgan’s assistance is vital to keeping the sonde running at top performance to encourage data reliability”.