New Bottom Sampler for Use in Shallow Streams

An illustrated description is given of a sampler developed for taking bottom samples where the bottom is mainly mud and the water depth is no more than about 24 inches. The upper part of the sampler has sloping sides but the bottom 17 cm has straight sides. In use, the sampler is held perpendicularly to the bottom and sunk into it to a depth of 1217 cm. The water inside the sampler is carefully scooped away, exposing the bottom area which is then scooped into sample containers for subsequent examination. The sampler is easily modified fur use in slightly deeper water and the bottom diameter can be altered to increase or reduce the amount of sample taken.