ARIES: a system for concurrent physical, biological and chemical sampling at sea

Abstract A multi-function sampling device is described that provides high resolution concurrent sampling of physical, chemical and biological parameters throughout the water column from a moving ship. The device is modular, being composed of a water sampling unit, a plankton sampling unit and an oceanographic sensor unit, each of which can stand alone or be used in combination with the others. System management, data acquisition and storage are controlled by microprocessor units, with programming and integration from a personal computer. Specimen data collected with the system are presented.