Development of an in situ sampler of submarine springs for the analysis of CFCs and SF₆

The design and operation of an in situ contamination-free sampler of submarine spring water for CFCs and SF₆ analysis are described. The sampler consists of three parts: inlet, water pump, and sample bottle housing; all made from CFC and SF₆ free materials. Samples from a submarine freshwater spring, discharging along the southwest coast of Rishiri Island, Japan, had CFC and SF₆ ages of 1960–1970, which is consistent with previously reported ³H ages. This suggests suitability of the sampler for sampling submarine springs without atmospheric and seawater contamination. Moreover, the device is suitable for the collection of water samples for assessment of geochemical tracers, such as major dissolved gases, isotopes, and inorganic solutes.