Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Mk II sampler: a device to collect sediment cores for analysis of uncontaminated DNA

  • Note
  • Published:
Journal of Paleolimnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We describe an improved piston corer, the Mk II, for sampling soft sediments for ancient DNA analysis. The original Mk I model, designed to minimize contamination and successfully used in New Zealand, was subsequently deployed on Easter Island where three problems arose. Two of these problems related to sediment and water entering the core barrel and contaminating samples. The other difficulty was that plant material accumulated ahead of the piston and blocked the corer aperture. Design improvements were made to the prototype model and eliminated these problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Feek DT, Flenley JR, Chester PI, Welikala N, Matisoo-Smith EA, Tannock GW (2006) A modified sampler for uncontaminated DNA cores from soft sediments. J Archaeol Sci 33:573–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matisoo-Smith E, Roberts N, Welikala N, Tannock GW, Chester PI, Feek D, Flenley J (2005) DNA and pollen from the same lake core from New Zealand. In: Stevenson CM, Ramírez Aliaga JM, Morin FJ, Barbacci N (eds) The Reñaca Papers. VI International conference on Easter Island and the Pacific. Easter Island foundation, Los Osos, pp 15–28

  • Walker D (1964) A modified Vallentyne mud sampler. Ecology 45:642–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welikala N, Chester PI, Matisoo-Smith EA, Tannock GW, Flenley JR (2001) Molecular evidence for human presence. Res Anthropol Linguist 5:455–464

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Marsden Fund of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geography Programme, School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    D. T. Feek & J. Flenley

  2. Microfossil Research Ltd, 31 Mont Le Grand Rd., Mt Eden, Auckland, 1024, New Zealand

    M. Horrocks

  3. School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    M. Horrocks

  4. National Isotope Centre, GNS Science, PO Box 31312, Lower Hutt, 5040, New Zealand

    W. T. Baisden

Authors
  1. D. T. Feek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Horrocks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. T. Baisden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Flenley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. T. Feek.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Feek, D.T., Horrocks, M., Baisden, W.T. et al. The Mk II sampler: a device to collect sediment cores for analysis of uncontaminated DNA. J Paleolimnol 45, 115–119 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-010-9474-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-010-9474-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation