A Van Veen grab is an instrument to sample (disturbed) sediment up to a depth of 15 cm in the seafloor. While letting the instrument down on the seafloor, sediment can be extracted. The Van Veen grab is mostly used to study macrofauna. It is less useful to take samples of (1) a coarse subsoil, (2) hard grounds and (3) in an environment where strong bottom currents prevail. While letting the instrument down into the water by a cable, the two levers with buckets at their ends are spread like an open scissor.
The levers are locked in this position by a little hook. When hitting the ground, the hook will unlock the levers. The Van Veen grab has long arms attached to each bucket, thus giving better leverage during closure when the cable is pulled upward again. On the research vessel, the Van Veen grab is emptied on a corresponding receptacle and cleaned.
