Images(2)

Niskin Bottle

Date1960s

Object number00055779

NameNiskin Bottle

MediumPVC, metal

DimensionsOverall: 645 × 132 × 120 mm, 2336 g

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift of CSIRO

Terms

DescriptionNiskin sampling bottle model 1010-1.2 to 40L. A Niskin bottle is used to collect ocean water samples.HistoryThe Niskin bottle is a hydrographic instrument made out of heavy-duty PVC used for general water sampling purposes in the ocean. Originally developed in 1966 by Shale Niskin, the bottle can be arranged on a metal frame in a series of individuals or a carousel of 6-24 bottles known as a rosette. The setup is used by researchers on vessels, like the RV Investigator, to capture targeted depths of discrete water column samples during one deployment. This is done using two stoppers either end of the one metre cylinder controlled via messenger weights by those on board. The stoppers completely seal the cylinder, preventing contamination of samples with water from unspecified depths. The messengers can be sent out to particular cylinders, resulting in the capability for samples to be taken from multiple depths during one deployment. Attached to the metal frame are also a number of sensors that record other water qualities in real time. This allows researchers to know when the Niskin bottles have reached their targeted depth, with capabilities of up to 2000 metres. The bottles can also be used to sample water below ice for polar research. SignificanceThe Niskin bottle is an improvement on the Nansen bottle through its seal mechanism capability and PVC construction, a benign non-contaminating material. The water samples can be used to infer conditions of the water column and thus areas they are deployed in. They can be further used to study plankton which can be indicators of their environment as well.