Collection of Gas-Tight Water Samples from the Bottom of the Challenger Deep

Abstract

AbstractA new gas-tight pair sampler was designed for the collection of gas-tight fluid samples from the hadal zone. The sampler uses two titanium bottles and one sampling valve to collect two samples at once. The sampler can be deployed in the deepest trenches in the ocean as a result of its ability to resist ultrahigh pressure and its good bidirectional sealing performance. It can be used on manned submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, and deep-sea landers. Three sets of this new sampler were constructed and field tested in the Mariana Trench during the cruise TS-03 from 15 January to 23 March 2017, during which 3 L of water samples were successfully obtained from the bottom of the Challenger Deep.