Meet the DAP Lander: Autonomous Sampler for the Deep Sea

A new piece of technology deployed on the back deck of E/V Nautilus is the Deep Autonomous Profiler, also known as the DAP Lander. Developed by the research group led by Dr. Chris Roman at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, the DAP is a full-ocean capable lander, rated for over 11 kilometers, to safely study the ocean all the way to the deepest trenches. 

The DAP carries a carousel of 12L Niskin bottles to gather water from the full water column and enable monitoring of the seafloor and environmental DNA analysis. By studying eDNA (the trace amounts of genetic material left behind by organisms as they swim past) we can assess wide-ranging biodiversity in an efficient and cost-effective way. 

With the support of the NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, Ocean Exploration Trust and partners will continue bringing new tools onto expeditions to expand how we can learn about the ocean from sea surface to seafloor!