Download 3. Oceanographic Tools Notes

OCEANOGRAPHY TOOLS
Some of the types of equipment
oceanographers use to do
research.
NISKIN BOTTLE
• Used to collect
•
water samples from
specific depths.
The “messenger”
triggers the valves
to close.
BOTTOM (SHIPEK) GRAB
SAMPLER
• Used to take
•
samples from off
the ocean floor.
Sediment, as well as
any organisms on the
substrate will be
collected when it
closes.
SECCHI DISK
• Used to estimate
•
the transparency of
seawater.
Can give a relative
measure of
productivity or
turbidity.
HYDROMETER
• Device used to
•
measure the
densities of liquid
and solutions.
Salinity levels are
determined with this
instrument.
HYDROPHONE
• A microphone for
acoustic
measurements in
fluids.
SEDIMENT SIEVES
• Used to analyze
sediment grain size
composition.
REFRACTOMETER
An instrument which measures the
refractivity of liquids, which is affected
by how many ions are in the liquid &
indicates the salinity.
SEINE NET
Long flat nets like a fence that are
used to encircle a school of fish.
PLANKTON NET
• A fine mesh net.
• Collects small plant
•
and animal plankton.
Typically towed
behind or to the side
of a vessel.
NEUSTON NET
• Used to collect
organisms and
other particulates
from the surface
to about 1 ½ feet
down.
TUCKER TRAWL
• Used to collect
samples at various
depths.
• Insures that only
what is caught in the
net is at the
specified depth.
• http://www.youtub
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DREDGE
• Used to catch
•
organisms living on
the ocean floor and
right above it.
Towed behind the
vessel.
GLOBAL POSITIONING
SYSTEM (GPS)
• A worldwide radio-
navigation system
that uses satellites
to triangulate your
location on earth.