Autonomous submersible multiport water sampler

Abstract

Oceanography and limnology projects often require the collection of water samples for chemical analysis. Manual water sample collection is labor-intensive and often difficult, especially in remote locations or during nighttime hours. Here we describe a compact and inexpensive autonomous submersible multiport water sampler (AutoSampler) that is largely fabricated with off-the-shelf parts making it easier to build and maintain. The system can collect up to 12 discrete samples at user controllable times or intervals and is operated using open source Arduino hardware and software that can be user modified to meet deployment requirements. While the underwater pressure housing presented here is custom built from readily available materials, there are many commercially available pressure case options that can be used as a substitute. The electronic mounting plates and battery pack are designed so that they can easily be adapted to fit into other pressure case housings. Samples can be collected into bags or syringes and sample volume is set by adjusting how long the peristaltic pump is actuated. This AutoSampler allows research that would otherwise be too labor-intensive or logistically difficult to conduct, especially in remote locations.

Keywords

• Aquaculture
• Ecology
• Underwater
• Autonomous
• Pumping
• Sampling