What technique do scientists NOT commonly use to collect ocean floor sediments?

Coring, grab sampling, and the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are widely accepted methods for gathering ocean floor sediments. Coring involves extracting a cylindrical section of sediment from the ocean floor, providing a vertical profile of sediment layers. Grab sampling uses devices specifically designed to scoop sediment off the ocean floor, allowing researchers to analyze surface sediment characteristics. ROVs are equipped with various tools for both sampling and observing the ocean floor, enabling scientists to explore deep-sea environments remotely.

While drilling for oil involves penetrating the ocean floor to extract hydrocarbons, it is not primarily aimed at collecting sediment samples for scientific study. The focus of oil drilling is on extracting resources, which may inadvertently disturb sediments rather than collecting them for analysis. Thus, drilling for oil stands out as the technique that does not primarily serve the purpose of collecting ocean floor sediments.