A new, automatic hydrothermal fluid sampler using a shape-memory alloy |
| |
| Authors: | Takeshi Naganuma Masanori Kyo Tatsuhiko Ueki Kazuhiko Takeda Jun-ichiro Ishibashi |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, 739-8528 Higashi-hiroshima, Japan;(2) Deep Sea Technology Department, Japan Marine Science and Technology Center, 2-15 Natsushima-cho, 237-0061 Yokosuka, Japan;(3) Yokohama R&D Laboratories, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., 2-4-3 Okano, Nishi-ku, 220-0073 Yokohama, Japan;(4) Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, 739-8521 Higashi-hiroshima, Japan;(5) Laboratory for Earthquake Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan |
| |
| Abstract: | A new hydrothermal fluid sampler has been developed to provide more maneuverability in underwater operation. The sampler characteristically
employs a shape-memory alloy, which senses high temperature and actuates the suction mechanism. A shape-memory alloy is also
used to switch the intake valve of the sampler, the intention being to avoid missampling when the inlet is in low temperature
water. Prototype samplers were designed to collect the fluids hotter than 80°C. Test sampling was performed at hydrothermal
vents (1372–1374 m deep) in the submarine volcano, Suiyo Seamount, Izu-Bonin Arc, northwestern Pacific. Observed fluid temperature
was between 138 and 298°C, while the ambient seawater temperature was 3.1°C. Each prototype collected about 100 ml fluid as
designed. The magnesium concentration in the samples indicated a seawater content of 47.5–90.8%, which indicates the entrainment
of ambient seawater. Microscopic observatinn revealed the occurrence of microorganisms in the sample fluids at a population
density of 105 to 106 cells ml−1, which is 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than those in seawater at that depth. The use of the newly developed fluid sampler
will greatly facilitate the collection of vent-associated microorganisms, which are of potential biological and biotechnological
interest. |
| |
| Keywords: | Hydrothermal vent automatic sampler shape-memory alloy deep-sea microbiology |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
