Box cores are one of the most common tools used in geology and environmental science research to collect sediment samples from the seafloor or lake bed. It helps researchers understand the composition of sediments, the structure of sediment layers, and the environmental history of a particular location. Box cores have a cylindrical or box design with an opening at the bottom. It is placed at the bottom of the water, and once activated, the bottom closes, locking the sediment inside. This process allows researchers to take intact samples from the sediment layer without disturbing its internal structure.
Box corer is a box-shaped (rectangular) tool assembled with several other parts in order to take alau bottom sediments whose results are not affected by the flow or movement of water in the sample box when the box is lifted from the seabed to the top of the ship, so that the seabed surface sediment samples that have been taken do not change. The sampling target is to fulfill the needs of benthos research, marine geology, chemistry both organic and inorganic which have encountered obstacles when the sea depth is more than 1000m. With the creation of the box corer, from now on, obstacle after obstacle can be overcome even though the sea depth is more than 2000m as an example in the donggala block cooperation research which can take sediments at a depth of around 2500m with satisfactory results.
How Box Core Work
Before the box corer is lowered to the seabed, all parts must first be assembled. Check all parts starting from the releaser herus related, the sample box cover hoe must be open, the sample box must be locked properly and finally the frame retaining pegs have been removed after the corer box is in a hanging state ready to be lowered. Areal (screw) slim wire by using a motor winch to the seabed. With the help of a load weight pressure monitor (tension) is very helpful in operating the box corer tool. To find out if the box corer is already at the bottom of the sea can be seen from the change in pressure, which is from a large suddenly dropped about 20 percent, meaning that the tool has reached the bottom of the sea. To make sure again, if the box corer is pulled up, the pressure suddenly rises again by 30% and then the normal pressure returns after the box corer is pulled out of the seabed. At the position of the box corer touching the seabed, the releaser system opens so that the sample box enters the sediment. After the releaser is released, then the sling rope is pulled up automatically hoe the sample box cover moves to close the sample box, until it reaches the top of the ship. When the corer box is hanging above the ship’s deck, the lorry is prepared to support the sample box. don’t forget to insert the frame retaining pegs again so that the sample box does not fall. Open the sample box lock and lower the sample box slowly by opening the jack carefully so that the sample is not damaged.
Box Core Strengths and Weaknesses
Strenghts :
- Representative: Box cores are designed to provide sediment samples that reflect the bedrock. The process minimizes disturbance and allows researchers to get an accurate picture of sediment composition and structure.
- Simple and Easy to Use: Box cores are simple and easy-to-use tools. This allows it to be operated efficiently, even in limited field conditions.
- Wide Range of Applications: Box cores can be used for a variety of research purposes, including geological studies, environmental science, and underwater archaeology. This flexibility makes it a very useful tool in interdisciplinary research.
- Environmental History Data: Through the analysis of retrieved sediment layers, researchers can obtain valuable information about the environmental history of the site, including climate change, geological events, and human activities.
Weakness :
- Sediment Structure disturbance: Although the box core has been designed to reduce disturbance to the sedimentary structure, the lowering and lifting process can still cause slight disturbance to the sediment layer.
- Depth Limitations: Box cores have limitations in the thickness of sediment layers that can be sampled, especially in deep water. For studies that require samples from greater depths, other sampling methods may be more suitable.
- Influence of Drilling Environment: The environment surrounding the drilling process, such as vibrations or noise from drilling equipment, can affect the underwater environment and may disturb nearby living organisms.
- Difficulties on Solid Bottom: If the bottom of the sea or lake is hard or solid, the box core may face difficulties penetrating it, and the sampling results may not be representative.
Writer : Dinar Dewi Mada