Abstract
Two commonly used benthos samplers, van Veen and Smith—McIntyre, were tested to detect possible adverse characteristics for sampling epibenthic animals. A strong hydraulic disturbance (shock wave) was formed below the van Veen sampler as it descended through the water toward bottom. In this sampler the shock wave was sufficiently strong to force aside unattached benthic animals as long as 8 cm. The Smith—McIntypre sampler created only a weak, oscillatory shock wave. Available information indicates that, under standard operating procedures, the smaller the screened opening in the top of the sampler's jaws the stronger the shock wave.

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