Construction of an Inexpensive Gravity 

Sediment Corer for Microprofiling O2

 and 

pH in Marine Sediments 

US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Northeast Fisheries Science Center 

Woods Hole, Massachusetts 

August 2013

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-224 
Construction of an Inexpensive Gravity 

Sediment Corer for Microprofiling O2

 and 

pH in Marine Sediments 

Robert J. Alix, Werner Schreiner, and Shannon L. Meseck 

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, 212 Rogers Avenue, Milford, CT 06460-6499 

US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Rebecca Blank, Deputy Secretary 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Pat Montanio, Assistant Administrator 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Samuel D Rauch III, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

Northeast Fisheries Science Center 

Woods Hole, Massachusetts 

August 2013

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-224 

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iii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 

Components .................................................................................................................................... 1 

Corer Frame Assembly ................................................................................................................ 1 

Corer Weight Assembly .............................................................................................................. 2 

Sediment Retainer Assembly ...................................................................................................... 3 

Sediment Extractor ...................................................................................................................... 3 

Operation of the Corer ................................................................................................................. 4 

Possible Modifications .................................................................................................................... 5 

Maintenance .................................................................................................................................... 5 

Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................... 6 

References Cited ............................................................................................................................. 7
1 

ABSTRACT 

A single gravity corer was constructed with a frame assembly that was used to obtain 

intact cores for micro-electrode measurements. Sediment cores were taken in fine sand and clay 

sediment without noticeable disturbance of the sediment-water interface. The sampler can collect 

sediment cores up to 30 cm, can be handled easily by two people, is relatively inexpensive ($US 

1,200), and can be used in water depths up to 50 m. 

Keywords: sediment core; sediments; 

INTRODUCTION 

Obtaining intact sediment cores in estuarine environments can be difficult because of 

variations in water depth (20-50 m) and sediment grain size (from coarse sand to very fine clay). 

There are two basic types of sediment corers: surface and long corers. Surface corers, such as the 

Hongve corer (Hongve 1972) and the Griffin corer, allow for recovery of the sediment-water 

interface and the sediment immediately below. Long corers, such as the Nesje corer (Nesje 1992) 

and the Livingstone corer (Livingstone 1955), are used to penetrate to the maximum sediment 

depth possible, depending upon water depth, tube length, and sediment type. Large-diameter 

gravity corers (7.0 cm or greater) are often used to conduct geochemical analyses of marine 

sediment. The advantage of a gravity corer is that it is mechanically simple, robust, reliable, and 

requires little maintenance. However, some disadvantages of gravity corers are that they are 

heavy, awkward to deploy, and the cores must be lifted vertically. Development of microelectrodes has allowed for some geochemical analyses on smaller core diameters (5 cm). While 

studying the geochemical effects of dredging upon marine sediments, we constructed a gravity 

corer to work in sediments ranging in grain size from fine sand to clay, to have a small core 

diameter (5 cm), and to be used with micro-electrodes. In this paper, we describe a simple, 

inexpensive single gravity corer with a sediment extractor which was successfully used to 

measure chemical changes at the sediment water interface (Meseck et al. in prep). 

COMPONENTS 

The sediment coring system consists of a corer to collect sediment samples (Fig. 1) and a 

sediment extractor to move the sediment through the core tube. The corer consists of three 

separate assemblies: the frame assembly (Fig. 1); the weight assembly, which includes the 

polycarbonate core tube (Fig. 2); and the sediment-retainer assembly (Fig. 3). The sediment 

extractor was a separate piece of equipment (Fig. 4). 

Corer Frame Assembly 

The overall dimensions of the frame are 80 cm x 80 cm x 114 cm, with the base of the 

frame being slightly larger at 101 cm x 101 cm (Fig. 1). The frame assembly was constructed of 

steel angle iron 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm x 0.6 cm welded together at all contact points. For each corner 

of the base (Fig. 1), pairs of 45o angles were utilized to minimize impact damage if the base were 

to contact an object. 
2 

Two travel guides (Fig. 1) were constructed of pieces of steel plate 20.3 cm x 16.5 cm x 

1.2 cm. A 20.3 cm x 5 cm Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) piece of stainless steel pipe with an inside 

diameter of 3.5 cm was welded to each of the above mentioned steel plates to complete the travel 

guides. The travel guides then were slid onto the travel rods (Fig. 1) prior to welding the travel 

rods to the frame. 

Travel rods constructed of 3.2 cm diameter solid steel rod 113 cm long were welded to 

the frame. Eight small pieces of angle iron (not shown), two at the top and two at the bottom of 

each rod, were used for braces. Travel stops (Fig. 1) were made from 5 cm long pieces of angle 

iron welded to each travel rod 30.5 cm above the frame base. The travel stops allow the weight 

assembly with check valve installed (no core tube) to be lowered near the base of the frame 

without contacting the deck or ground. 

The safety latch receiver (Fig. 1), 10.2 cm x 10.2 cm x 0.9 cm, was welded to the top of 

each travel rod. This piece extends 5 cm above the frame and has a notch 2.5 cm x 1.2 cm cut 

into it. Two steel safety latches (Fig. 1), 28 cm x 5.1 cm x 0.6 cm, were attached to the travel 

guides with 0.9 cm diameter stainless steel bolts 3.8 cm long. Stainless steel washers were used 

on the end of each bolt with a stainless steel nylon insert lock nut. Tightening or loosening the 

lock nut allowed the friction of the safety latch to be set at a comfortable level by the user. 

Corer Weight Assembly

The corer weight assembly consists of stacked steel plate weights, stainless steel pipe 

nipple, brass check valve, copper core tube coupler, and polycarbonate core tube (Fig. 2). Each 

steel plate is 30.5 cm in diameter x 2.5 cm thick and weighs 14.5 kg. Five plates were welded to 

make the base weight (Fig. 2). Prior to welding, four 2.5 cm holes were drilled into the 

uppermost plate (Fig. 2). Four 2.5 cm diameter by 31 cm long galvanized threaded rods were 

inserted into each hole and welded (Fig. 2). The galvanized threaded rods were used to attach the 

top plate and additional plate weights. Galvanized nuts and flat washers were used to secure the 

top plate. A 7.6 cm x 5.2 cm section of stainless steel pipe was threaded on one end and welded 

to the bottom plate with the threaded end pointing down (Fig. 2). Two travel guide tabs 13.6 cm 

x 10.2 cm x 0.9 cm, (Fig. 2), each with four 0.9 cm diameter holes, were welded to the base 

weight 180° apart. 

Four 3.2 cm diameter holes were drilled into the top plate, which allowed it to slip over 

the threaded rods (Fig. 2). Four lifting tabs, 5 cm x 3.8 cm x 1.2 cm, with a centered 1.2 cm 

diameter hole were welded to the top plate (Fig. 2). A lifting bridle, consisting of two 129.5 cm 

lengths of 0.8 cm galvanized chain, was attached to the four lifting tabs with shackles (Fig. 1). A 

shackle was attached the center link of each piece of chain and served as an attachment point for 

the hoisting cable (Fig. 1). Up to nine additional plates, with four 3.1 cm diameter holes, could 

be added between the top plate and base weight to adjust the total weight as needed. In this 

example, six additional weights were used for a total weight of 174 kg. 

A 5 cm National Pipe Thread (NPT) brass check valve was attached to the stainless steel 

nipple with the direction of flow pointing toward the base weight (Fig. 2). The core tube coupler 

was fabricated by soldering a 15.2 cm x 5.2 cm NPS piece of copper tubing of 5 cm (inner 

diameter) into a 5.2 cm NPT copper adapter with male threads (Fig. 2). A 0.8 cm hole was 

drilled through the copper tubing 1.9 cm from the male adapter. The core tube was 48.2 cm x 5 

cm (outer diameter) polycarbonate tubing (Fig. 2). The bottom, outer edge of the core tube was 

beveled at 45°

 to facilitate penetration into the sediments. A 0.6 cm hole was drilled through the 
3 

polycarbonate tube so that the core tube could be fastened to the coupler with a 0.6 cm stainless 

steel bolt 7.6 cm long. A 0.6 cm (inner diameter) o-ring and stainless steel washer were used on 

both sides of the coupler to maintain a tight seal against the copper tubing. A 0.6 cm stainless 

steel nut was used to secure the bolt. 

Once assembled, the core weight was attached to the travel guides (Fig. 1). Four 3.8 cm x 

0.9 cm diameter stainless steel bolts, each with a pair of stainless steel flat washers and a 

stainless steel nylon insert lock nut, were used to secure each travel tab to the travel guide. A 

stop collar was positioned on the core tube between the sediment retainer and the bottom of the 

core tube (Fig. 2). Two types of stop collars have been used successfully. The first consisted of a 

2.5 cm piece of polycarbonate tubing that was split lengthwise and slipped over and cemented 

onto the core tube as shown in Fig. 2. The installed collar increased the outside diameter of the 

core tube to prevent the sediment retainer from slipping off the core tube. If it is not desirable to 

have a permanently installed collar on the core tube, the second stop collar could be used. This 

consisted of two stainless steel hose clamps, each slightly larger than one half of the 

circumference of the core tube, screwed together and tightened around the core tube. The 

adjusting screws of the hose clamps were kept 180 ̊ apart from each other and acted as the stops 

to prevent the sediment retainer from slipping off the core tube. 

Sediment Retainer Assembly 

The sediment retainer was constructed of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) because it is 

extremely durable, easily joined by welding, cementing, or mechanically fastening, and does not 

corrode when exposed to salt water. The sediment retainer described in this paper was assembled 

by using all of the above mentioned techniques. All PVC used to construct the sediment retainer 

was 1.2 cm thick (Fig. 3). 

All components were first assembled dry, without cement, using 0.3 cm flat-head, 

stainless steel, self-tapping screws. The sediment retainer was then disassembled and 

reassembled applying PVC cement to all joints following the cement manufacturer’s instructions. 

After the cement was set, excess cement was removed from around the joints. The joints then 

were welded where accessible. The collar consists of three pieces of PVC cemented together 

with a 5.3 cm hole in the center. A 0.5 cm diameter pivot hole was drilled into each side piece 

(Fig. 3). A 0.5 cm stainless steel, round head, self-tapping screw and stainless steel flat washer 

were used in each side piece. 

Sediment Extractor 

The sediment extractor consists of the extractor frame, the piston assembly, and the jack 

assembly (Fig. 4). A frame was built by welding two uprights of 99 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm x 0.3 cm 

angle iron to the bottom plate 10.2 cm from the back edge of the plate. A bottom plate was 

constructed from a piece of steel 38.1 cm x 30.5 cm x 0.6 cm. Two cross pieces were welded 

across the uprights 40.6 cm and 78.7 cm, respectively, above the bottom plate. A half sleeve, 

fabricated by splitting a 15.2 cm length of 5.3 cm inside diameter pipe lengthwise, was welded to 

the center of the upper cross piece (Fig. 4). The top plate measured 33 cm x 10.8 cm x 0.6 cm. A 

1.8 cm diameter hole was cut into the center of the top plate. The top plate was welded on top of 

the uprights so that the center of the square hole would line up with the center of the bore of a 

core tube (Fig. 4). 
4 

 A core tube stop was constructed from a 19.3 cm x 10.8 cm x 1.2 cm piece of PVC. A 5.3 

cm diameter hole was bored into the center of the bottom side of the core tube stop to a depth of 

0.6 cm. A second hole 4.5 cm (same diameter as the inner diameter of the core tube) was bored 

completely through the center of the core tube stop. The smaller diameter hole created a shoulder 

for the core tube to contact during the extraction process. This shoulder prevented the core tube 

from being pushed through during the extraction process. The center of the core tube stop was 

aligned over the center of the top plate and fastened to the top plate with four 0.6 cm x 3.8 cm 

stainless steel bolts. Stainless steel washers and a stainless steel nylon insert lock nut were used 

to secure each bolt. 

The piston assembly consists of a rubber stopper; PVC piston; 0.9 cm diameter threaded, 

stainless steel push rod; rod coupler; and push rod extension (Fig. 4). The tapered rubber stopper 

has a diameter at the wide end that is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the core tube. The 

seal between the rubber stopper and the core tube was tight enough to allow no water or 

sediment to leak past the stopper. A piston was constructed from two circular discs with a 

diameter of 4.3 cm x 1.2 cm thick PVC cemented together to form the piston. A center hole was 

drilled to a depth of 1.9 cm into the piston. The hole was tapped to match the threads of the push 

rod. The push rod was constructed from a piece of stainless steel threaded rod 40.6 cm long x 0.9 

cm diameter. The push rod then was screwed into the piston. A stainless steel nut was threaded 

over the push rod and used to lock the push rod to the piston. 

The jack assembly consists a 1360 kg capacity scissor jack; 90°

 drill attachment with 0.9 

cm chuck (referred to as the drill chuck); 0.9 cm drive speed wrench; 0.9 cm drive socket wrench 

extension bar; and 0.9 cm drive, deep-style wrench socket (Fig. 4). A hex nut with 1.2 cm 

diameter threads was welded to the center of the top plate of the scissor jack to create a seat for 

the piston push rod. 

 A chuck coupler was fabricated from a steel bar 2.5 cm x 9.3 cm bent into a “U.” The 

length of the steel bar should be determined by the user. The chuck coupler was connected to the 

jack by drilling a 1.2 cm hole in each end of the chuck coupler and welding the coupler to the 

jack pivot pin through the holes (Fig. 4). The supplied handle of the jack was connected to the 

jack and then cut so that the drill chuck could be connected (Fig. 4). The drill chuck then was 

connected to the coupler (Fig. 4) by drilling holes through both sides of the coupler. These holes 

were aligned with a hole in the drill chuck that was intended for use with a side handle supplied 

by the drill chuck manufacturer. A 7.1 cm x 0.9 cm diameter stainless steel bolt was passed 

through these holes and secured with stainless steel flat washers and nylon insert lock nut. The 

drive shaft of the drill chuck was hex shaped so that a 1.5 cm, deep-style wrench socket could be 

connected to the drive end of the drill chuck. An extension bar and speed wrench were connected 

to the wrench socket with the final length of this assembly determined by the user. 

Operation of the Corer 

The corer described above is a modification of a gravity corer with a frame assembly to 

take single cores for use with micro electrodes in estuarine environments. Video footage was 

taken of the corer in operation to ensure that minimal sediment disturbance was occurring. 

Below we describe the corer in action based on the video footage. As the corer is lowered by the 

hoisting cable, the first component of the corer system to contact the sea bed is the core frame 

base (Fig. 5, panel A). The sediment retainer then contacts the sea bed and rotates out of the way 

exposing the bottom of the core tube. As noted in the photographs, the sediment retainer was 
5 

offset by 3 in (7.6 cm) from where the core tube was driven into the sediment bed. In sandy 

sediment, no plume was detected (panel B); the weight of the base plates pushes the core tube 

down into the sediments (panel C). Simultaneously, the brass check valve opens which allows 

water displaced by the sediment to be expelled. Once the core tube has completely penetrated the 

sea bed, the check valve closes and creates the necessary suction to extract the sediment sample 

from the sea bed. Then the sediment retainer closes as the corer is brought up (panel D). For 

sediments that were classified as clay, a plume developed when the base made contact with the 

sediment bed (panel E); however, the core tube was in the sediment before the plume reached the 

core tube (panel F). Core length varied (10 cm to 30 cm) depending upon sediment type. Cores 

from both clay and sandy sediments came up intact, with the surface water interface clear of any 

disturbance (Fig. 6). Figures 5 and 6 combined with the photographs, indicate that the modified 

gravity corer was successful in not disturbing the sediment bottom and in maintaining the 

sediment water interface. 

A thorough description of the microelectrodes used with the corer can be found in 

Meseck et al. (in prep.). Briefly, for O2 profiling, a micro-optical, 140-μm probe was used 

(Loligo Systems, Denmark), while for pH, a MI-414 pH electrode in a 16-gauge needle was 

used. Both were attached to a micro-manipulator to obtain millimeter-scale resolution for pH. 

Typical O2 and pH profiles from cores that were classified as sand and as clay can be seen in Fig. 

6. The profiles obtained are consistent with cores from other marine sediments (Luther et al. 

1982; Valdemarsen et al. 2010). Further examples of core profiles and an explanation of the 

processes that are controlling these depth distributions can be found in Meseck et al. (in prep). 

POSSIBLE MODIFICATIONS 

The corer described here is considered to be a very flexible design. The overall 

dimensions and weight of the corer could be increased or decreased to accommodate the 

individual needs and resources available to the user. Furthermore, 2-in NPT (5-cm) male and 

female cam-and-groove pipe couplers are being tested as a means to quickly connect the core 

tube to the core weight. If the overall size and weight were to be increased, the size and relative 

strength of all weight-bearing components should be assessed to ensure that the entire structure 

can safely carry the predicted loads. 

Some cost savings could be realized by using square rather than round steel plate for the 

weights. Rectangular weights would allow for multiple core tubes to be attached at the same time 

if desired. Solid stainless steel rod and angle iron could be used for the travel rods to reduce 

corrosion and the need for lubrication. This would add considerable cost but eliminate almost all 

maintenance. 

MAINTENANCE 

It is recommended that all components be washed with clean, fresh water after each use. 

If it does not interfere with the analysis being done on the sediments, the steel angle-iron frame, 

steel plate components, and sediment extractor should be painted with an exterior or marinegrade primer and top coat prior to use and as needed. The travel rods should be coated with pure 

silicone grease prior to and after each period of use. The scissor jack, right angle drill chuck, and 

speed bar should be washed with clean, fresh water and sprayed with a light oil or silicone after 

each use. 
6 

CONCLUSIONS 

 

The modified gravity corer was successful in obtaining intact sediment cores for microelectrode analysis in both clay and sandy sediments. The entire costs of the sediment corer and 

extractor was only $US 1,200 for materials, with a total weight of 276 kg. In comparison, other 

commercially available corers can cost between from $US 4,000-12,000, depending upon size 

and weight of most traditional gravity coring devices. This coring device was simple and 

inexpensive to construct, and it obtained sediment cores that were suitable for use with microelectrodes. 

Note: Any use of brand name equipment in this paper does not imply endorsement by the Federal 

Government. 
7 

REFERENCES CITED 

Hongve D. 1972. En bunnhenter som er lett å lage. Fauna 25:281-283. 

Livingston DA. 1955. A lightweight piston sampler for lake deposits. Ecology 36:137-139. 

Luther GW III, Meyerson AL, Rogers K, Hall F. 1982. Tidal and seasonal variations of sulfate 

ion in a New Jersey marsh system. Estuaries 5:189-196 

Meseck SL, Mercaldo-Allen R, Rose JM, Clark P, Kuropat C, Pereira JJ, Goldberg R. (in prep.). 

Effects of hydraulic shellfish dredging on the sediment biogeochemistry of a cultivated 

clam bed. Aquaculture Environment Interactions. 

Nesje A. 1992. A piston corer for lacustrine and marine sediments. Arctic and Alpine Research 

24:257-259. 

Valdemarsen T, Kristensen E, Holmer M. 2010. Sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen cycling in faunated 

marine sediments impacted by repeated organic enrichment. Marine Ecology Progress 

Series 400:37-53 

 
8 

Figure 1. Diagram of the modified gravity sediment corer and frame assembly. 

 
9 

Figure 2. Diagram of the sediment corer weight assembly with a component list. 

 
10 

Figure 3. Diagram of the sediment retainer used to prevent sediment from slipping from the core 

tubes. 

 
11 

Figure 4. Diagram of the sediment extractor used to move sediment through the core tubes. 

 
12 

Figure 5. Still frames from video taken using the modified gravity corer. Panel A shows the corer 

right before touching the fine grain sandy sediments. Panel B the corer has touched the sediment, 

and the sediment retractor has moved out of the way of the sediment corer. As the corer is being 

pushed into the sediment, the retainer remains out of the way (panel C), and then it closes over 

the bottom of the sediment (panel D) as the sediment is being brought up. For clay bottom types, 

the modified gravity corer did generate a slight plume when the base touched down (panel E); 

however, the core tube is in the sediment before the plume has reached it (panel F). 

 

A B 

C D 

E F 
13 

Figure 6. Sediment extracted from two different sediment types (A) sandy sediment and (B) clay 

sediment. As the pictures show, core lengths varied with typical corer being between 17 cm and 

20 cm. The surface water interface was left intact and undisturbed for both sediment types. In 

panel (C) and (D) are typical oxygen and pH profiles that were obtained from cores that were 

collected with the coring equipment. 

D 

A B 

C 
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