Apparatus for the simultaneous collection of pore water specimens from adjacent areas of aquatic sediments

Abstract

A specimen collection apparatus for the simultaneous collection of pore water from adjacent areas of aquatic sediments provided with a plurality of miniaturized tubular specimen collectors in a vertical array mounted for horizontal movement into and out of a housing relative to the sediment. A Benthin chamber may be provided spaced from the specimen collection apparatus such that the specimen collectors thereof may be moved into the sediment below the Benthin chamber.

1 . A specimen collection apparatus for simultaneously collecting pore water from adjacent aquatic sediment areas, comprising: 
 a plurality of miniaturized specimen collectors comprising a hydrophillic micro-porous plastic hose having means comprising a pore water intake side and a pore water discharge side;    a support rail at the pore water intake side;    a suction device and a storage device connected therewith at the pore water discharge side;    a housing of substantially blade-like structure with a vertical narrow surface and provided with a support device for receiving the specimen collectors with their pore water intake side in alignment with the narrow surface; and    means for horizontally moving the specimen collectors relative to the sediment areas between a position out of and a position within the blade-like housing.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support device is provided with a support element for each specimen collector and wherein each specimen collector is provided with its own means for moving.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each support element is structured as a tube rigidly connected to the support device and wherein the tube receives the specimen collector in its position within the housing and wherein each means for moving comprises an angular rail rigidly connected to the specimen collector and a cable drive.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support device is rigidly connected to and moveable with every specimen collector.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the means for moving is provided with a bidirectional cable drive.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support device comprises a support wire made of one of stainless steel and plastic.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the suction device of each specimen collector comprises a separate suction element.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the suction device is associated with every specimen collector in common.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the specimen collectors are structured as Rhizon bottom moisture specimen collectors.  
     
     
         10 . A method of using an apparatus of  claim 9  comprising the step of positioning a Benthin chamber at a distance from the specimen collection apparatus such that the specimen collectors may be moved into the sediment area below the Benthin chamber.