Underwater sampling method and apparatus

Underwater sampling apparatus for collecting uncontaminated samples from an underwater environment at in situ pressure, said apparatus comprising

• a sample chamber in which-a sample is to be collected, said sample chamber having an opening, and
• a lid chamber coupled to said sample chamber and defining a controllable interface between said sample chamber and the underwater environment, said lid chamber including
• a movable lid movable between a closed position wherein said lid closes said opening to seal said sample chamber, and an open position wherein said lid is clear of said opening and said sample chamber is open to the underwater environment, and
• a plurality of stacked lid-chamber-defining plates, said stacked lid-chamber-defining plates being coupled together to form a unitary whole,
• each of said stacked plates having a respective aperture, each said respective aperture being aligned with each other to define lid-chamber through which said lid is movable between said closed position and said open position such that said lid at said open position is spaced from said lid at said closed position, and
• motion control elements which selectively move said lid between said closed position and said open position.