7.6 > A wide variety of instruments is used to explore the sea floor in the search for resources. © maribus

1. depth profile of the sea floor is produced using an echo sounder.
2. Remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) are equipped with cameras and grabbing arms. These are used to produce images of the sea floor and collect rock samples.
3. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) can dive down to the sea floor. They are equipped with echo sounders and various measurement sensors, and return to the ship after a deployment of about 20 hours.
4. Large samples are collected by a dredge towed behind the ship as it can hold more material than a grab sampler.
5. Multirosettes are used to take water samples at different depths and to measure physical and chemical parameters.
6. Individual bottom samples, including small boulders, can be collected by grab samplers deployed directly from the ship. These instruments are equipped with cameras to facilitate underwater orientation.