Abstract
Biosphere research in the sea floor at deep sea has been recognized as an important research field. The most effective method for the research is to obtain sediment samples by means of an underwater vehicle. Japan Agency Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) have been developing the ROV "ABISMO" (Automatic Bottom Inspection and Sampling Mobile) having the capable of diving to the deepest sea and obtaining sediment samples from the sea floor. ABISMO consists of a launcher called sampling station and a vehicle called sediment probe which launches from the launcher to survey the sea floor. A core sampling system, which is exchangeable with a gravity piston type or a grab type, is equipped in the launcher. This paper describes the outline of ABISMO as well as the results of the sea trials which were carried out in January, September and December 2007.
