"In this photo, I'm preparing drifting buoys for deployment. This was my main responsibility aboard the RV Falkor (too), during a 27-day research expedition in October 2025 exploring the Malvinas Current, an ocean current that runs alongside Argentina. The expedition included biologists, geologists and physical oceanographers such as myself; I'm a PhD candidate at the Sea and Atmosphere Research Center (CIMA) in Buenos Aires, Argentina."
"The buoys allow us to see what is really happening in the ocean. Each one contains a battery pack and GPS unit housed inside a tube, which is tightly secured using polystyrene foam. Attached to the bottom is a 'drogue', an object that provides resistance in the water and ensures that the buoy drifts with the general oceanic current. Without a drogue, measurements would be chaotic."
A PhD candidate at the Sea and Atmosphere Research Center (CIMA) in Buenos Aires prepared drifting buoys for deployment aboard the RV Falkor (too) during a 27-day research expedition in October 2025 exploring the Malvinas Current alongside Argentina. The multidisciplinary expedition included biologists, geologists and physical oceanographers. Each buoy contains a battery pack and GPS unit housed inside a tube secured with polystyrene foam, with a drogue attached to ensure the device follows the general oceanic current and avoids chaotic measurements. The buoys were assembled on board because components are fragile. The buoys were painted yellow, GPS connections and batteries checked, and screw caps sealed.
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