Freeze coring of soft surface sediments at a water depth of several hundred meters

A freeze corer was developed specifically for the sampling of unconsolidated surface sediments by in-situ freezing. The new device which is presented here is designed to be used to a water depth of up to 1000 meters and was successfully tested at a depth of 200 m. The corer consists of a high pressure resistant housing with a vacuum insulated jacket for the ethanol which can be chilled by separate cooling agents, adjustable stabilizing legs, an electrical pump and a freezing wedge of 100 cm length. The freeze coring can be performed from a platform or a boat by using only a single cable to pull it up or to lower it. All other equipment is inside of the resistant housing. The core sample can easily be cut into two distinct slabs by use of the freeze-protectors on the small sides of the freeze wedge.