Search

This paper details the development and application of a novel pressure-tight sampler with a metal seal capable of acquiring high-purity fluid samples from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The sampler has a titanium diaphragm valve for sampling and a flexible titanium foil bag to store the fluid sample. Hence, all parts of the sampler in contact with the sample are made of titanium without elastomer O-ring seals to minimize the organic carbon blank of the sampler, which makes it suitable for collecting organic samples. A pressure-tight structure was specially designed to maintain the sample at in situ pressure during the recovery of the sampler. The sampler has been successfully tested in a sea trial from November 2018 to March 2019, and pressure-tight hydrothermal fluid samples have been collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]