Sampling apparatus for collecting samples from underwater hydrothermal vents and the marine or limnological water column

Abstract

A sampling apparatus that allows multiple uncontaminated samples to be taken from hydrothermal vents and the oceanic or limnological water column. The apparatus includes a sampling nozzle for taking in the sample. A sample collection unit is in fluid communication with the sampling nozzle and includes at least one sampling module for the collection of a predetermined type of sample. A fluid intake module is in fluid communication with the sample collection unit and the sampling nozzle. The fluid intake module includes at least one pump for drawing a sample fluid through the sampling nozzle and sample collection unit. A control module is in electrical communication with the fluid intake module. The control module includes a micro-controller for controlling the fluid intake module and a computer readable memory for storing sampling data for use by a user. In operation, the sampling nozzle is moved into a desired sampling location and the micro-controller sends a signal to said fluid intake module to initiate collection of a sample. The fluid intake module then draws the sample fluid through said sampling nozzle and into said sample collection unit. The sampling module then stores a sample and the computer readable memory stores the sampling data for use by a user.