“For the first time a team of scientists from GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel has successfully used a drone to collect marine air and water samples. The objective of the study is to better understand the role of coastal waters as a source of reactive trace gases, which are important for chemical processes in the atmosphere and the climate. The project “LASSO” is funded by the Kiel Cluster of Excellence “The Future Ocean”. Unmanned aerial vehicles, so-called drones, are used not only for the production of photos and videos but increasingly for more complex tasks. These mobile platforms are increasingly used in research as well. A team of scientists from GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel has now for the first time used a medium-sized drone for the collection of air and water samples in the area of the surf zone. The project is funded by the Kiel Cluster of Excellence “The Future Ocean”. At the beginning of April, a DJI Matrice 600 drone was used to take samples on the west coast of the island of Sylt. “We had very variable weather conditions with wind speeds of more than 10 m/s, where the drone proved to be very good”, explains the project manager Dr. Birgit Quack from GEOMAR. “On the first mild day, a stroller asked if it wouldn’t be easier to do this is summer with a swimmer. On the following stormy days with high surf waves no one asked again, in fact except for us, almost nobody was there”, Dr. Quack remarks.”