Abstract.An Autonomous Microbial Sampler (AMS) is described that will obtain uncontaminated and exogenous DNA-free microbial samples from most marine, fresh water and hydrothermal ecosystems. Sampling with the AMS may be conducted using manned submersibles, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), or when tethered to a hydrowire during hydrocast operations on research vessels. The modular device consists of a titanium nozzle for sampling in potentially hot environments (>350°C) and fluid-handling components for the collection of six independent filtered or unfiltered samples. An onboard microcomputer permits sampling to be controlled by the investigator, by external devices (e.g.,

Samples were recovered from time‐series sediment traps deployed simultaneously for one full year (1985–1986) at pelagic Stations Papa and C (∼600 km apart) in the northeastern Pacific. Species constituents, relative species contributions, and seasonal flux patterns of diatoms and other siliceous plankton are very much alike at the two sites. The level of similarity between the two sites is as close as that between two different depths at Station Papa, suggesting tightness of covariance between the two sites. It is possible to conclude that the oceanic flux province of the two sites is nearly the same and that the processes responsible for such similar export productions must be similar. Although quality of the fluxes is similar, the flux levels are not exactly the same at the two sites. Overall diatom export production at Station Papa was about twice that at Station C. Flux levels of Radiolaria and silicoflagellates were also higher at Station Papa than at Station C. Seasonal flux maxima at Station C were generally delayed by 2–4 weeks over those at Station Papa. The lower flux levels and delayed flux peaks at Station C are correlated with density structure of upper water masses.

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