AMF1 Azores Pack-up: Rust, Corrosion, and Wet Instruments

Published: 13 January 2011

PSP shows the harsh beating it took from the Atlantic mists.

We all knew that the 20-month operation in a marine environment would be rough on the instruments, but a few of us expected to see the kind of rust and corrosion on some of the equipment. Much of the damage is on galvanized nuts and bolts, but as you can see on the first photo here, salty mists from the Atlantic Ocean affected some instruments in a way we didn’t think would see. Concerned instrument mentors are not to worry, though. We are replacing all the corroded nuts and bolts with stainless steel ones for future deployments.

Clif Meyer of LANL (right) helps AMF1 Chief Technician Mike Alsop wipe off water on WACR components.

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, it’s gray and drizzly here on Graciosa Island. Ever since we started packing up the instruments, it has rained on and off every day. Naturally, the drying of the instruments before putting them in boxes has become a daily routine.

— Amon

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The ARM Climate Research Facility is a DOE Office of Science user facility. The ARM Facility is operated by nine DOE national laboratories, including .