Inspection of Bottom Sediments near Underwater Sources of Chemical Pollution

Abstract

The task of targeted sampling of sediments in the immediate vicinity of objects presumed to be sources of chemical pollution of the sea has been solved. A cassette sampler with six grabs was built, which is constantly controlled by cable under video surveillance. The device is operated from a light boat, which can be kept in place over the object and moved in a preset direction. Positioning at the moment of sampling is carried out by fixing the coordinates of the boat by GPS/GLONASS. The efficiency of the developed sampling system is proved by successful use of the device in surveying a number of potentially hazardous underwater objects found in chemical weapons disposal areas in the Baltic Sea.