Device for capturing in situ aquatic microbiomes

A portable device for collecting and/or concentrating in situ plankton microbiome configured for submersion in water, comprising:

• an inlet for water containing the plankton microbiome;
• an outlet for water depleted of plankton microbiome;
• a plurality of valves placed between the inlet and the outlet;
• a set of sensors for measuring flow and pressure;
• a pump for pumping water from the inlet to the outlet such that water is passed across a filter cartridge,
• wherein the filter cartridge comprises a plurality of filters for in situ filtration of water containing plankton microbiome;
• a microcontroller for controlling the opening and closing of a plurality of valves and the speed of water pumping such that the device collects and/or concentrates in situ plankton microbiome;
• a reservoir containing a preserving solution for preserving nucleic acids.