Introduction

The Curatorial Manual is a guide for the IODP Marine Curatorial Specialist sailing on the research vessel, the JOIDES Resolution. This guide is a starting point.  Procedures should be modified as the need arises. The material included in the Curatorial Cookbook is drawn from a variety of sources including older versions of the Curatorial Cookbook, the Core Laboratory Cookbook, the Shipboard Scientist’s Handbook, the Sample Distribution Policy and old CURLOG entries stored on former Curatorial Specialist’s computer hard drives.

Important information before getting started

Before you head to the ship, make electronic copies of all sample requests, and additional documentation provided by the requester (e.g. Excel lists, relevant publications, etc). The easiest way to do this is by saving each request as a *.pdf file. Each request should have a separate folder. Set an account and password with the off-going Curatorial Specialist. It is mandatory that each oncoming curator obtain their own login for LIMS and Novell server. Ensure that you have access to the Curator folder on the ship. This folder can be found in Vol1(\\NOVARUPTA) (V:). This folder contains many useful documents, and resources. If you do not have access to this folder, contact a Marine Computer Specialist (MCS).

Pre-Expedition

To familiarize yourself with the upcoming cruise do the following:

• Attend Pre-cruise meeting

• Obtain a copy of the Scientific Prospectus. It is assembled by the co-chief scientist and staff scientist of the expedition. This document will be available in the IODP website approximately three months prior to the cruise. It lists the scientific objectives, proposed sites, drilling operations, sampling strategy, and staffing for each expedition. To obtain the prospectus follow the link http://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/expeditions.html and click on your assigned expedition.

If you are a new Curatorial Specialist, please read The Core Laboratory Manual - This document describes Core Laboratory Procedures to new Marine Laboratory Specialists.  Become well acquainted with the latest version of Sample Distribution, Data Distribution, and Publications Policy http://iodp.tamu.edu/curation/policy.html.  Once on the ship, review curatorial reports from previous expeditions, and of course, read this Curatorial Manual.  Approximately one month pre-cruise, meet with the Expedition Project Manager to review sample requests.

Port call

Port call is a very hectic and confusing time as everyone becomes oriented and adjusted to the ship.  As a marine specialist, in addition to your curatorial duties, your help may be needed when freight is loaded and unloaded. The Laboratory Officers,  Assistant Laboratory Officers and the Marine Logistics Coordinator direct port call activities. Talk to them to see what your particular duties will be.

There are many beginning-of-the-cruise curatorial tasks that may be tackled either while in port or during the transit to the first site. You may wish to schedule your activities according to the time available, but a good rule of thumb is "the earlier, the better." If your “To do” list  is too long and the port call too short, you can request the Laboratory Officer to excuse you from routine shipment handling to finish preparations for the first site.

Curatorial office

The Curatorial Office is located in the ‘Open Office’ on the port side of the Forecastle deck (F- deck) (Figure 1).

Image Added

Figure 1. Map of the F-deck. The location of the Curator’s Office is shown in the yellow highlighter.

Crossover

Crossover with your off-going counterpart, the Curatorial Specialist, during the port call. Together you should review the Curatorial Report from the previous cruise, and address any residual problems/projects you may encounter on your cruise. Remember to review any significant changes in the facilities: the Core Laboratory/Sampling Area, hardware and software of computers, and the Curatorial Cookbook. Also, make sure you set your username and password for the network drives, LIMS database and email. Most importantly, review handling of the off-going frozen samples, ambient samples, and core shipments with the off-going Curator.

Core shipment

In your role as Curator, you should take part in the off-loading of cores.  Make sure that the core boxes are handled carefully.  In consultation with the Assistant Laboratory Officer, you may choose to either direct unloading of the core reefer or to help with loading the containers on the dock.  Be sure that the containers are loaded safely and properly, with no more than 19 core boxes total on each pallet. The pallets are banded with steel banding, and wrapped in plastic wrap.  Keep in mind that it is not necessary for the core boxes to be kept sequential during transit to the core repository. However, the working and archive half boxes should not be mixed on an individual pallet. Each pallet should contain the working halves only or the archive halves only.

Frozen and refrigerated sample shipments

These are the steps for packing frozen shipments, divided into tasks for the off-going and on-coming Curatorial Specialists.

Off-Going curatorial specialist tasks

• Provide the Assistant Laboratory Officer (ALO) with a list of names, addresses, and sample codes for all frozen samples. Use an estimate of 13 kg (28 lb.) dry ice per cooler. World Courier system replenishes dry ice in route.
• The Curatorial Specialist and ALO should review the locations of all frozen and refrigerated shipment.

If possible, prepare all frozen and refrigerated World Courier boxes and/or coolers in advance with the proper shipping labels.

Frozen shipment requires the following labels:

1. Black and White Hazardous Material Label for dry ice (Figure 5)
2. Keep Frozen label (Figure 5)
3. Up arrow labels (Figure 6)

Refrigerated shipment requires the following labels:

1. Keep Refrigerated labels (Figure 6)
2. Up Arrow labels

Figure 5. Here are examples of two labels that should be placed on every frozen sample box for shipping.

The estimate for the dry ice weight is 13kg. Write this estimate on the  el above.

Figure 6. Up arrow label and keep refrigerated labels

Enframe each label with filament tape. The own adhesive on these labels is not durable enough for the shipment. The final product is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7. Example of a cooler with refrigerated sample ready for shipping.

1. Very quickly, wrap the World Courier box with the frozen samples (either regular frozen

–20oC or deep frozen –80oC) in 2 clear plastic garbage bags. Do this to prevent contact between sample bags and dry ice that will be added later. The ice can rupture the bags causing cross-contamination of the samples. Tie the bag with a knot and wrap a gas bottle tag writing the sample code in it.  Avoid using tape (e.g. polyethylene, duct) because it does not work well at –80oC.

Oncoming curatorial specialist tasks

As the oncoming Curator, you will be responsible for the previous cruise's frozen shipment. Usually the Laboratory Officer, ALO or the IODP Logistics person will inform you the arrival time of the dry ice.

When the dry ice arrives, take the pre-weighed and double bagged samples from the freezer and put them in the World Courier shipping container. This is a cardboard box with a styrofoam insert shown in the Figure 8.

Figure 8. Example of a World Courier box with a styrofoam insert filled with bagged samples in a plastic bag to protect from dry ice.

1. Cover the bagged samples with a sheet of bubble Leave the container 1/3 empty to ensure space for dry ice. World Courier will refill each package with ice while the shipment is in transit.

1. Dry ice could arrive as blocks or Handle blocks with goggles and gloves. Break dry ice carefully into large chunks using a heavy hammer and place them on the top of the bubble wrap. Handle pellets with a large scoop for the same purpose.

1. Label the container with an IODP shipping label and shipping Place tape over the label and papers. Ensure that the World Courier box is taped and secure for shipping.

1. Immediately after packing is complete, ensure that the shipment is delivered to the dock The Marine Logistics Coordinator will be on the dock to ensure that the boxes are loaded onto the truck for delivery. It is necessary to confirm that all shipping documents are accurate.

Dry ice properties and handling

Dry ice needs special care in handling.  Keep the following security protocol in mind:

1. Do not handle with bare hands; it can cause Use heavy gloves, tongs or cloth.
2. Do not taste or put in
3. Do not place in tightly sealed Dry ice makes CO2 gas as it sublimates. It may cause sealed container to explode.
4. Do not Work with dry ice in adequate ventilation; heavy CO2 vapor maycause suffocation.
5. Short-term storage: wrap in brown paper in a heavy plastic bag, then in a
6. Longer-term storage: place wrapped dry ice in Do not place in freezer or refrigerator!
7. Disposal: Unwrap and leave at room temperature in a well-ventilated  It will sublimate from a solid state to a gas.

Dry ice chemical formula: CO2 – inorganic chemical family

• Name: Carbon Dioxide, synonym: carbonic anhydride
• Temperature: -78.5oC (109.3oF)
• DOT Shipping Class: ORM-A UN-1845 Pkg. GROUP 111 Class 9
• Non-flammable Gas: UN2187

Physical Data

Table 1. Physical characteristics of dry ice-refrigerated shipments

Off-Going Curatorial Specialist Tasks

Some samples require refrigeration immediately after collection and during shipment (e.g. studies of microbiology, chemistry, pore water physical properties whole rounds).  The following are the off-going Curatorial tasks for packing refrigerated shipments

1. Provide the Assistant Laboratory Officer and Laboratory Officer with a list of names, addresses, and sample codes for all refrigerated shipments.

1. At a mutually agreeable time during the final transit, the Curatorial Specialist & ALO should team up to review locations of the refrigerated shipments. On that day, obtain a World Courier box shipping container from the Hold

1. Non-whole rounds - The smaller samples are typically boxed in standard IODP personal boxes (13”x18”x7”). The box is then put into a plastic bag inside of a World Courier insulated box or Igloo
2. Pore-water in glass ampoules – Protect ampoules with foam and pack them in a standard IODP personal Next, put the box in a plastic bag inside of a WC box. While packing, keep the samples upright in the box.

1. Physical properties whole rounds – Onboard, the waxed whole rounds should be stored upright in a seawater-filled Igloo container inside the core For shipping, the whole round requires special packaging. Take the whole rounds out of the seawater and place them in zip top bags with moist sponges. Stand them upright in an Igloo cooler (preferably a 5-day cooler). Surround them with plenty of packing material.

1. Label the cooler with the sample Place cooler in the core refrigerator until it is ready for shipment.

On-Coming Curatorial Specialist Tasks

As the oncoming Curator, you will be responsible for the previous cruise's refrigerated shipment. Usually the Laboratory Officer or the person in charge of IODP Logistics will contact you to inform you when the shipment leaves the ship.

1. When ready to offload, place a sheet of bubble wrap on top of the bagged samples and add a generous amount of blue ice on World Courier will replace the blue ice during transit. Leave space for an analog temperature data logger.

1. The analog temperature chart recorder (Figure 4) is a disposable device that usually has a 20-day recording time since the plastic tab inserted in the box is

1. Place a data logger letter to the scientist (inside of a zip top freezer bag) in the The letter instructs the scientist to read the temperature chart and notify the Supervisor of Technical Support if the shipment was not kept cool.

1. Place and tape an IODP shipping label and shipping papers on the outside of the Wrap the cooler and the lid with filament tape to keep it from opening.

1. Immediately after packing is complete, hand the shipment over to the Laboratory Officer/and or the Marine Logistics Coordinator who will send it to the

Under way/pre-site

Underway geophysical watch

The Curatorial Specialist may be required to stand up to a three-hour watch in the geophysical laboratory each day while the ship is in transit and streaming gear. The Laboratory Officer will schedule the watches and should provide training.  If you are unsure about how things are done do not hesitate to ask the MLS Underway Geophysics for help. If your scheduled watch conflicts with the shipboard scientist's meeting, or some other important event, arrange to swap schedules with another curatorial specialist.

Pre-site preparation

As soon as you get settled on the ship, ask the Staff Scientist to email you any last minute sample requests which have been submitted by oncoming scientists and/or provide the Staff Scientist  and Co-chiefs with last minute requests which they do not have.  Remind those scientists who have not submitted the requests that they must do so before arriving at the first site. Find out the

schedule for all science meetings concerning sample requests or sampling. You should attend as many meetings as you can.

Sample Allocation Committee (SAC) meeting

Request a meeting with Sample Allocation Committee (SAC, the Staff Scientist, two Co-Chiefs, shipboard Curator) before any scientist-involved sampling meetings takes place. The objective of this meeting is to provide  a general idea of the sampling strategy that the Co-Chiefs have in mind. It is also an opportunity to discuss any issue with sample requests.

First scientists meeting

Use the first science meeting as an opportunity to introduce yourself, and start being familiar with locations and office hours. Mention briefly the current IODP sampling policy and the concept of permanent archives. Let them know that they will be asked to do sampling shifts (for sediment cruises), and that the staff scientist will be in charge of making up the shifts.  The first science meeting may also be a good time to talk about the general sampling strategy, or you may want to save this discussion for the shorter sampling classes. Encourage everyone who has not submitted requests to do so before the first site.

Additional sampling meetings

The SAC usually holds at least one meeting with all the scientists groups (sedimentology, pore water, isotopes, biostratigraphy and structure) to talk about their requests, overlaps, or possible col orations. On most cruises the scientists are asked to break into groups to discuss in detail their request. If one group has an inordinate number of conflicts, then usually the Staff Scientist/Co-Chiefs ask them to meet again looking for a final resolution. You can attend these meetings or talk to scientists individually asking them about important details (e.g. samples per core, volume, geological time, frequency of shipboard samples). It is also an opportunity to talk about the frequency of shipboard samples. Some examples of shipboard samples include those taken for paleomagnetic measurements, physical properties measurements, paleontology, and X- Ray Diffraction.

Back to the drawing board

After all the meetings and the one-on-one discussions with the scientists, update the information for each request in the Sample and Data Request system (SaDR). Print out the first Site Sampling Plan after the changes.

Compile one copy of notebooks with sample requests. This will be used during the first few science meetings when sample strategy is discussed with the scientific party. Arrange a meeting

with the Staff Scientist and co-chiefs to discuss sample requests, conflicts, and the operational plan for the upcoming sites.

Be sure to address the status of requests submitted by shore-based participants. As soon as possible, the approval status of requests by shore-based investigators should be sent to the Curator on shore.  The Curator will contact the investigators with their approval status.

Sample shifts (sediment expeditions)

The Staff Scientist is in charge of assigning scientists sample shifts. . Scientists usually work in pairs for two hours a day. This is especially important if you are expecting high load of shipboard sampling. Review the schedule for possible conflicts.  For example, avoid having two micropaleontologists on the same shift or a sedimentologist working at the sample table during the major midnight and noon changeovers. It is also a good idea to consider pairing native and non-native English speakers.

Sample classes for scientists

In order to train a new crew of sampling assistants, you need to hold orientation sessions at the beginning of the cruise. As soon as possible, post a sign-up sheet for scientists to take the sampling class. Observe and avoid conflicts of schedule. Each session should include 4 to8 people, and last about a 1/2 hour or so.

Core Laboratory Orientation for scientists and new technicians

Core Receiving Platform

Figure 9. Core Deck Layout showing the distribution of catwalk and core  oratories.

Begin each sampling session with a catwalk/core laboratory tour (Figure 9)  discussing core handling and flow (Figure 10).  Starting on the catwalk, discuss core-handling procedures of particular interest to the scientists: whole round sampling (interest of chemists and physical property specialists); core catcher sampling (paleontologists), and the hydrocarbon monitoring procedures (chemists). You should also stress security measures around the rig floor when core is being handled.  While in the core entry area, discuss how the core data is entered into the Sample Master/LIMS entry station database.

Figure 10. Crew holding the core in the Core Receiving Platform

Core Entry/Splitting Room

In this section, first introduce the core entry whiteboard (Figure 11).  Make sure the scientists are aware of the way of numbering and labeling scheme of the cores.  If you are on a hard rock expedition, discuss the orientation and labeling of the core pieces.  You may want to have a separate meeting with just the structural geologists for this purpose.  Scientists should be reported briefly about the whole-core measurements performed in the Core Laboratory.  They may also visit the splitting room to see how various types of cored material are split (Figure 12). Discussion at the description table should cover the proper treatment of archive halves and handling and storage of the smear slides. Also cover sampling at the end of the tour.

Figure 11. Example of Core Entry Whiteboard

Figure 12. Splitting room

Sample Table

At the sampling table, scientists should be introduced to the IODP curatorial sampling application: Sample Master. Allow them to enter, save data and print   labels on the TEST expedition (Figure 13). Discuss sampling tools, techniques, volumes, the whiteboard, and review the Sample Distribution Policy.

Figure 13. Sample table. Sampled cores flagged with codes.

Remind the scientists that no gold, platinum or other precious metal jewelry may be worn at either the sampling tables or anywhere else in the lab. This policy has the objective of reducing the potential of Rare Earth Element contamination (e.g. Iridium content at the K/T boundary).

Other topics to cover might include: thin sections, re-sampling, labeling d-tubes, and your hours of availability. Ask them to be on time and to announce core that is ready for sampling over the PA system (e.g. Core 12 is on the sampling table, please come and select your samples). Be sure to mention that if a request requires flagged intervals, rather than assigned intervals, the investigator needs to designate a 'buddy' on the opposite shift to look after his or her interests.

Ask the photographer/imaging specialist to meet with each sample session group to collect special requests for core imaging.

Set-up and supplying the core laboratory                              and sampling area

Before arriving at the first site, you need to be sure the sampling area is ready for the flurry of activity about to begin. In addition to restocking sampling supplies and gathering your sample tools, there are a few other tasks to take care of:

1. Label sample bins - Once sample codes have been assigned you can label sample bins with their corresponding sample

1. Sample Code Flags/Dots are used on the core material to identify - If you are in a sediment expedition you should print up about 50 sample flag labels for each code. You can print these by yourself using designed files folder labels (e.g. Avery 5266) or you may want to ask each scientist to make his own set of flags by hand – make sure you include the  shore-based requests. Place the coded flags in the flag tray constructed with 10cc sample tubes and stored in the Curatorial Supply Cabinet in the Core Laboratory. Set them on the sampling table or place them at the base of the whiteboard. For the routine samples it is helpful to put colored dots containing sample codes on the core material (See Figure 13 and 14).

Figure 14. Sample dots used for hard rock core material.

Core Laboratory   supply locations

Here is general list of core laboratory supplies and their location on the ship (Table 1). Please remember to check out all supplies on the inventory checkout sheets located in each storage area.

Table 2. List of core    supplies and their location on the ship

Reference Tables

Reference tables are also useful at the sampling station. In particular, help the samplers to locate a list of conversions (length to volume), sampling tools, sampling guidelines, and a summary of the Sample Distribution Policy.  The sampling-watch schedule and a list of sample codes/request names should also be posted for quick reference. A copy of all sample requests should be available  for the scientists to solve questions when you are not around.

Sample Table Supplies

You are responsible for keeping the sample table area sufficiently supplied during the expedition (Figure 15). Supplies can be obtained from Upper Tween, and Hold stores, and Hold Refrigerator. Please remember to check out all supplies on the checkout sheets located in each storage area. The checkout sheets are located on the same deck where the corresponding supplies are stored. You should also make a point of trying to re-supply the area for the oncoming Curatorial Specialist at the end of your cruise.

Figure 15. The storage area for sample supplies is located in blue plastic bins underneath the sample table.

The bins under the sample table should be stocked with:

• 5 and 10cc tubes and scoops
• 5 and10cc foam plugs
• pop top vials
• sample bags
• foam rods
• other supplies as labeled

The core rack area and drawers under core section entry station should be stocked with:

• "Kapak" bags (for frozen/organic samples)
• black d-tube end caps (in bins)
• black permanent markers
• core boxes
• d-tubes
• Ethafoam rod
• filament tape
• polyethylene tape
• sample bags
• shrink wrap

• utility knives
• “Ziploc” bags
• office supplies
• black ball point pens
• permanent felt tip markers
• "Avery" colored dot labels (for easy identification of igneous/metamorphic rock, critical boundary cores, critical material, dropped cores, and hard rock sampling parties; see Section on Core Storage System/ Labeling D-Tubes).
• hard rock labeling supplies (including red/blue grease pencils, epoxy, mixing sticks, Brady thermal adhesive labels and ribbons, and glass scribes

The curatorial supply drawers, located in the core splitting room, beneath the rock saws, should be stocked with:

• sampling tools (spatulas, hammers, and chisels)
• extra utility knives
• Epoxy supplies: Epoxy, applicator tips, Epoxy guns, wood sticks
• Extra hook blades and wire for core splitter

Stock both the core entry and sampling computer stations with bar code labels and ribbon.

Description Table Supplies

The Marine   Laboratory Specialists working in the core laboratory (including the Curatorial Specialist) are jointly responsible for maintaining the description table supplies (Figure 16).

Figure 16. Description Table

The core description area should be supplied with:

• glass slides
• toothpicks
• mounting media (typically Norland Optical Adhesive - for ultraviolet curing- but sometimes Canada Balsam, Permount and Piccolyte)
• coverslips
• smear slide cases, smear slide  labels
• glass sample vials with snap lids
• miscellaneous glassware
• Visual Description Forms (the scientists will usually know which ones they need; if not, ask the Staff Scientist)
• Desk supplies: pens, pencils, Liquid Paper, rulers, etc.
• “Glad Wrap” cut into thirds for the Note: based on geochemical testing it was determined that “Glad Wrap” brand is the only IODP acceptable brand of plastic wrap that can come in contact with the surface of the cores.

Catwalk Supplies

The marine technicians, among them the Curatorial Specialist, are jointly responsible for maintaining the stock of catwalk supplies. These include:

• 4" stainless steel spatulas
• acetone in red squirt bottles (with “acetone”  label)
• china markers for hard rock and marking liners on wet days
• chisel and mallet for harder sediment and hard rock
• clean, absorbent rags
• clear, blue, and yellow endcaps
• cutters (for core liners) with good blades
• hammer, hacksaw, plunger at core catcher bench
• hearing protection (bin by catwalk entry door)
• liner puncture tool
• air drill to drill liner when recover gassy sediments
• wooden meter sticks (cut to 149cm)
• nitrile gloves, various sizes (bin by catwalk entry door)
• permanent red and black markers
• safety glasses (bin by catwalk entry door)

As a curatorial specialist, you should be especially aware that these supplies must be clean. Meter sticks should be trimmed slightly short (149cm) to yield 150 cm core sections.  Rusty tools should be cleaned or replaced - a small amount of rust can ruin core material for paleomagnetics and geochemistry studies.

The chemistry specialists provide their own supplies for taking headspace and vacutainer samples. Interstitial water (IW) samples require no special supplies besides yellow end-caps. You should work with the shipboard scientists to maintain required supply for any special catwalk sampling.

Sampling plans

Pre-Cruise Sampling Plan

The Pre-Cruise Sampling Plan (PCSP) is typically a spreadsheet (Excel) that is assembled on shore by the Shore-based Curator and the Staff Scientist.  Before leaving for sea, you should receive an electronic version of this document.  This PCSP will be your primary resource to post a well-assembled subsequent Site Sampling Plans in the laboratory.   In the early stages of the cruise, the PCSP is a dynamic document that can quickly change based on the resolutions of the scientist’s sampling meetings. Make notes of these changes for incorporating them into your posted sample plans.

If you do not receive an electronic copy of this plan with your sample request package, ask the Staff Scientist for a copy (or email the Curator on shore). The PCSP format includes:

• Request number and request part
• Request name
• Request status - new, approved, rejected, revised, deferred, decision deferred, decision pending
• Sampling frequency
• Whole round lengths
• Sample volumes
• Comments related to sample handling or placement Here is an example of how part of a PCSP might look (Table 3):

Table 3. Example of Pre-cruise Sampling Plan (PCSP)

Site Sampling Plans

On soft sediment cruises, in addition to the cruise sample plan, you might also want to prepare a

Site Sampling Plan (Table 4). This document maps requested sample intervals or lithologies at a given site.

Table 4. Example of Site Sampling Plan

Just as the PCSP, the Site Sampling Plan is the basis for the plan posted on the whiteboard. Unlike the Final Cruise Sampling Plan (FCSP) (see next section), the site Sampling Plan is for shipboard use only, and is not returned to the Curator at the end of the cruise.

A number of variables, such as type of drilling, type of request, and purpose of request, should be considered when plotting the sample intervals on your sampling plan. The type of drilling determines the degree of disturbance in the core, constraining the amount of core usable by certain investigations. In hydraulic piston coring (APC) for example, the top 30-40 cm of the core is often disturbed, precluding this interval of core for paleomagnetic or physical properties sampling. Rotary or extended core barrel (XCB) drilling commonly yields disturbances from drilling artifacts, known as biscuits, which often are surrounded by churned up sediment, or slurry.  In these types of cores, the ideal sample interval is a location of least disturbance, usually found in the more consolidated material.

There are important considerations about routine samples. When choosing sample intervals, remember that routine IW whole rounds samples normally eliminate some fraction of the core (usually the bottom 5-15cm of sections). For the remaining routine samples, first check with the shipboard scientists if any of the investigations requires samples at or near the same interval.

Secondly, some investigators may be seeking high resolution samples, and may require sampling intervals spread evenly throughout the core.  A typical example would be fulfilling three nannofossil requests, each requiring 2 cc per section. Plotting these samples at or near the same interval would duplicate the results of the three investigators. Separating the samples at approximately equal distance across the section, say at 40 cm, 90 cm and 150 cm might give the desired resolution.  Similar interval selection may be appropriate for routine samples as for inorganic carbon or other paleontology investigations.

The plan should be shared among the scientific party and Staff Scientist for comments or corrections. Before arriving on site, the final plan should be simplified and posted on the whiteboard next to the sample table.

The Whiteboard

The posted whiteboard plan (Table 5 and Figure 17) is the streamlined sampling guide for the scientific party during their individual two-hour sampling shifts.

Table 5. Example of Whiteboard spreadsheet *.xls file

Figure 17. Handwritten sample whiteboard

A few points to keep in mind when making the whiteboard plan are:

• Emphasize that all written changes on the whiteboard should only be made by the Curatorial Specialist or Staff If the desired change is small (e.g. increase sample volume from 5cc in calcareous material to 10cc in siliceous material) the investigator can verbalize the request to the specialist. In case of significant changes (e.g. unexpected occurrence of porcellanite leads investigator to request all such occurrences) the investigator must submit a written statement to the Co-Chief Scientists for approval.

• If necessary, a second overflow whiteboard can be This is useful for large number of samples or samples that require higher levels of information.

Make sure that the scientists have representatives who look after their sampling requests on all shifts.

• If you make any changes to the whiteboard be sure they are very noticeable because people have a tendency to memorize the whiteboard and may not look too closely from day to

• Special handling requests should also be noted on the whiteboard (e.g. Kapak bags for organic geochemistry, double bagging and refrigeration of samples).

• When creating a whiteboard plan, divide the board into sections:

1. Routine Samples: Samples that the watch crew can take easily (e.g. assigned intervals at a constant volume).

1. Flagged Samples: This type of sample can be based on lithology (calcareous siliceous, organic rich, ash layers, contacts, etc.); structure (e.g. microfaults); or age dependent (e.g. Maastrichtian – Campanian). In the case of age dependent samples, because age is determined by paleontologists through the analysis of the “PAL” core catcher sample; it is helpful to flag the beginning and end of samples that are age dependent.

Chemistry Laboratory Sampling Plan

Before reaching the first site, meet with the Chemistry Marine Laboratory Specialists to discuss the sampling plan for the expedition.  Provide the chemistry technicians with copies of each request associated with the chemistry  laboratory and with a list of sample codes to be used in Sample Master during the expedition:

IW                   Interstitial water sample

IWP                 interstitial water sample stored in a plastic container (may be IWP1, IWP2 ...  if sufficient sample)

IWG                interstitial water sample stored in a glass container (may be IWG1, IWG2 ... if sufficient sample)

IWS                 squeeze cake - residue from squeezed IW sample IWT                        trimmings - from IW sample

IWPA              acidified IW residue left after pH analyses (should have amount of acid added noted on container)

Verify that chemistry technicians know how to use the Sample Master application, and help them if they have questions or problems.

Also, verify that chemistry technicians are aware of curatorial policies and procedures regarding IW whole rounds, Head Space (HS) gas samples, and carbonate (CARB) sampling. Chemistry techs and scientists who have sailed before will be able to suggest the most sensible procedures to the Curatorial Specialist and the scientific party. It is also important to work with the chemistry technician and shipboard chemists how to split IW pore waters for shipboard analysis and personal sampling. down-hole Curatorial Specialist   Keep in mind that you are responsible for ensuring that current sample  policy is followed.

Final Cruise Sample Plan

The Final Cruise Sample Plan (FCSP) is the grand summary of all the procedures regarding sampling during a cruise. A copy of the FCSP should be sent via email to the GCR Superintendent (rumford@iodp.tamu.edu).                             The FCSP is the reference document for the Curator, Staff Scientist, Co-Chiefs, shipboard science party, and repository staff for at least a year after the cruise. Therefore, it is important that it is as accurate and clear as possible.  The guidelines for creating a FCSP are:

1. Have the scientists revise their sample requests online using the Sample and Data Requests (SaDR) Check the following items:
   • Request Numbers are assigned automatically by the SaDR system. In case of new requests that are submitted during the cruise, scientists should outline the purpose and sampling requirements of the request.
   • Sample It is assigned by the Curatorial Specialist. The code is usually the first four letters of the investigator's last name.
   • Type of All requests received and processed during the expedition are considered “Shipboard’, even if the request is from a shore-based participant.
   • Request Status: When a scientist submits a sample request, the SaDR system assigns the request a status of ‘submitted’. However the status of a request can change throughout a The following is a list of options in the system to change a requests’ status.

·       Submitted

• Revise
• Approved
• If a request is rejected include a brief explanation of why the request was rejected in the SaDR system.

·       Completed

• Retired
• Request Name. Includes the names of all of the investigators requesting the Unless otherwise indicated, the principal investigator is listed first and all correspondence and materials are sent to the principal investigator. The only exception is when someone other than the Principal Investigator is a member of the shipboard party. The Request Name should coincide with the original Sample Request and the Final Cruise Sample Plan.
• Shipping Used not only by curatorial personnel, but also by the ship's storekeeper and by Publications and Database groups. Included in the address are the full first and last names of the sample recipient, business address (with street if appropriate), phone, and e-mail address. The Assistant                                                                                    Officer (ALO) will make updated address information available near the end of the cruise.
• Purpose of This two to lines sentence describing the study is obtained from the original sample request.
• Site(s). Often investigators will list the sites they want samples If this information is not provided, you may ask them. Often investigators want material from all sites, only specifying age or lithology. By the time the FCSP is completed at the end of the cruise, all pre-sites cited in the request should be replaced with their corresponding actual sites.  The pre-site/actual site conversion should be listed on the first page of the FCSP.
• Age/Depth Range/Lithology. This refers to the lithology and geological age of the requested This information may be gleaned from the sample request or by talking with the investigator on board.
• Frequency. This refers to the frequency of sampling This information is usually modified by the shipboard party to optimize sampling efforts and objectives.
• The volume of a sample measured in cubic centimeters.
• Shape/Tool. Type of sample requested (e.g. cubes, quarter rounds, mini-cores, half rounds or whole rounds).

On-site

Core recovery - catwalk

With the call of the first "CORE ON THE FLOOR!" you assume your primary duties as Curatorial Specialist.  During the cruise it is your responsibility to ensure that every core is handled according to IODP policy and procedure. Although the marine technicians generally receive, measure, section and cap the cores, your participation in catwalk activities will facilitate the proper handling and   labeling of the cores. Pay special attention to unusual core conditions such as voids, poor recovery, or expansion in cores.

IODP Core Naming

IODP has a specific convention to name cores, data and samples. The name follows this identity array: expedition number, site number, hole letter, core number, core type, section number, which half (working or archive). Here is an example for a core:  203-U1243B-6R-5 W

Figure 18. Example of half section label

Core Types

The following is a list of all the valid core types and their code. In bold are the most commonly used types:

Table 6. List of Core type nomenclatures

Designating Permanent and Non-permanent archives

After core is drilled, depending of percentages of recovery, type of core material, number of holes per site and length of drilling, the archive halves are designed. Archive halves can be permanent or non-permanent.

When a single hole is made by site, the entire half of this core is designed as permanent. On the other hand, when a site has multiples holes, permanent archive can be designed from the deepest hole or a combination of holes. Overlapping also can occur in the latest. (See Figure 19)

Figure 19. The entire half of the core is designated as permanent when a single core is recovered (A). A combination of holes is used as a permanent archive when there is more than one hole per site (B).

A third case (C in Figure 20) ……

Figure 20. Permanent archive designed for single (A) and multiple holes (B). A third case of designed permanent archives is showed in C.

Core handling

After the liner is removed from the core barrel (Figure 20), the liner is placed on the catwalk holders (Figure 21) with the double line or working half side up. The liner is temporarily capped at both ends to prevent sediment from falling out during the initial handling stages.

Figure 21. Removing liner from core barrel

Figure 22. Receiving core in the catwalk after it was removed from barrel

Full core barrels are usually 9.5 meters long. The consecutive cores taken from a single hole are numbered sequentially from top to bottom.   In the same way, each core is divided in sections.

This is done in the catwalk by the curator. The curator marks each core diving it in six sections of 150 cm, a seventh section that is usually shorter, and a core catcher.  These marks made in red (Figure 21) are coincident to the places where the liner should be sectioned later.

Figure 23. Marking liner at each 1.5 meters of core.

Recovery of material in the full capacity of the core barrel (9.5 meters) is considered 100% recovery.  The length of the recovered material however, may differ from the length of the core barrel interval.  Recovery less than the cored interval may occur as well as an apparent greater recovery. The last occurs because of gaseous expansion of the sediment.

In this way, when full recovery is obtained, the core sections are numbered from 1 to 7. The last two sections (6 and 7) are usually shorter than 1.5 meters. When sampling hard rock, material recovered in the core catcher is included as the bottom of the core and therefore, the bottom of the last section. On the other hand, when coring sediments, the core catcher sample is extruded and placed in a short piece of plastic liner, and is treated as a separate section below the last core section.

When sediment recovery is less than 100%, whether or not the recovered material is contiguous, the recovered sediment is placed at the top of the cored interval and then 1.5 meter sections are numbered sequentially, starting with section 1.  Sections are cut starting at the top of the recovered sediment and the last section may be shorter than the normal 1.5 meter length (Figure 24). To measure sections properly on the new Natural Gamma Ray (NGR) machine, the last two sections of the core must be greater than 60 centimeters.

Figure 24. Core recovery

Next, the Curator and the technician measure and   el the ends of each section with number of the core, the core type, number of   section and an arrow pointing 'up'. It is also useful to mark

the interval and sample type (e.g. IW) on the whole round sample. Also, whole round samples are marked on the liner with an asterisk (*) above where the sample is taken.

The liner is cut at the section breaks with a circular cutting tool (Figure 25) and the material belonging to each section is well separated with a spatula.  If the material is well lithified a hacksaw (or hammer) and chisel is used to section the core. The next step is to take samples in the whole round sections (AKA catwalk samples, see next section). Once the whole round and headspace samples are removed from the catwalk, the rest of the core may be capped and glued with acetone. Blue end caps are placed at the top of each section, clear end caps at the bottom. In case that a whole round sample was taken in a particular section, a yellow end cap it is placed at the bottom instead of the clear cap. The asterisk helps technicians recognize where to put yellow end caps. Once   labeled, sectioned and capped, the core is taken to the Core                                                                                                     for processing.

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Figure 25. Circular cutting tool

Soupy Cores

The first few cores at the top of the holes tend to be soupy.  To enhance biogenic resolution within the cores, a special tool was developed on Leg 144 to drain some of the water out of cores. Called piglet or piggy this tool is a cylindrical, green, scrubby pad object that fits nicely in the core liner. When the core barrel first comes up on deck, the core technician should drop the piglet in the top of the barrel. The disposable, green scrubby-pad inside the piglet will strain the upper layer of soupy sediment as the piglet itself falls gently to the water/sediment boundary.

When the barrel is laid on the rig floor, the water will flow out from the top of the barrel, leaving behind a core of better consistency than before. The piglet is then cut out of the liner. The scrubby pad should be removed and replaced, and the piglet returned to the Rig Floor for the next sampling. Currently, at the start of IODP, this tool is not available but can be fabricated by the Core technician if requested.

Voids

Cores may contain void spaces, typically because of gas expansion.  If voids are forming because of gas expansion, first allow the Chemistry  Laboratory Specialist to take a vacutainer sample,

and then puncture the liner along the cut-line between sections with air-powered drill to vent the gas. Close the voids. This can be done in two ways: a) while the core is still in whole round, cut the void liner sections out. Empty sections does not need to be preserved (preferred) or b)

While the core is still in whole round, punch a hole in the liner at the void and push the pieces of sediment together with a plunger stick, avoiding compaction of the core. Closing a void should only be done when it can be accomplished without harming the core. If the core is being damaged, simply cut the void liner section out or gently push the pieces back together after the core has been split. Closing of voids in lithified sediments and in igneous and metamorphic rocks is done routinely and does not have to be noted in Sample Master.

If you know that a void is caused by a gas hydrate (crystalline water-based solid that physically resemble ice) or a washed out sand layer, it should not be closed.

Expansion

If there is evidence that core sediment is expanding on the catwalk, puncture the length of the liner ideally on the split line using the air powered drill (Figure 26).  Allow the core to degas.  Be sure that the drill holes are not made in a straight line because the liner may crack or shatter explosively along these lines, deteriorating the integrity of the liner.  As always, be sure  everyone is wearing safety glasses when handling expanding cores (Figure 27).

Figure 26. Drilling holes in liner

Figure 27. Face mask with mud

While dealing with expansive cores, delay measuring and cutting of the cores sections as long as possible to allow degasification. Additionally, you can slit or puncture or simply delay the placement of end caps of the sections the core is ready to be split. Resting time eliminates the need of handling excess of material that expands beyond the cut section lengths. The delay time varies depending of gas content and the core recovery rate.

If these steps are not possible because of catwalk sampling, or if the core continues expanding, then sections may also be cut shorter than the standard 150 cm length (140 cm should be sufficient).  Attach pre-made ~15cm liner patch extenders with acetoned end caps to the bottom or top of the liner to accommodate the excess of sediment, creating a 150 cm or less section length. Note: the end cap may be fastened securely to the INSIDE of the liner patch with the aid of a small slit in the side of the end cap. Handling expansive cores in this way avoids ending up with over-sized sections.  In case of that more expansion needs to occur, keep the patch loosely on the core without acetone until the sections are ready to be split.  Once ready to split, the patch can be permanently acetoned and sonic welded in place. If the length of a section changes due to expansion, the curated length should be updated in Sample Master and depths recalculated.

If, after the core is curated on the catwalk, the Core Technician brings you a piece of cored sediment found in the pipe, find out its specific location, create a new section and make the appropriate changes in the Sample Master and on the whiteboard.  Be sure to notify the rig floor of the new recovery number.

If the sediment does not expand on the catwalk but does so after the core is brought into the Core Laboratory or after splitting, do the following:

1. Acetone or weld a liner patch to the split core at either end of the The end cap may be fastened securely to the INSIDE of the liner patch with the aid of a small slit in the side

of the end cap.  The cap can be acetoned and sonic welded on.  Be sure to change the curated length of that section in the section entry application.

1. Since d-tubes can only contain a section of up to 155cm, further expansion of the core implies the creation of additional sections or of sub-sections. Subsections should be created dividing section into two pieces of roughly 75 to 80 Label the sub-sections as A and B. Number them as one section. The curated length in the Sample Master will be the sum of the two sub-sections lengths. Store sub-sections in individual d-tubes. Make sure that he number of sections created match in the archive and working halves.

If sediment oozes out of the top of a core before it is cut into sections on the catwalk, section 1 should begin at the top of this overflow material.

Place a “caution” sticker on the end cap of expansive cores using the words “expanding”.

Desiccation

Some recovered shales begin to disintegrate as soon as they dry.  To slow the process, ask the scientists to keep them covered with Glad Wrap while they are working in description of the samples.   When they are ready to put in d-tubes, it’s always helpful if they are shrink-wrapped. Also, these cores should not be exposed to strong, direct light, since this will hasten the drying process.

Split Liners

Cores are often recovered with split, shattered or crushed liners. Depending upon the severity of the damage, the liner may need to be taped, liner patched, or material transferred to another liner.  In anticipation of this situation, Marine Specialists can prepare a supply of split and capped liners to replace damaged liners.

Patching or transferring material is done after sectioning, and should preserve the original orientation of the whole round core. Extract cores from damaged liner carefully because they are very sharp.

If liner patch is used to repair a damaged liner, it should be cut to just short of the liner's end, to allow an end cap to fit on. Patch may be secured in place with acetone or with the sonic welder. Remember that cores fitted with liner patch sometimes cannot be run through the MST..

Shattered liner cores are generally not desirable for whole core measurements, so inform the Physical Properties scientist about your intentions to liner patch the core. They may not want to run the core anyway.

After the damaged liner is repaired, it may be   labeled and engraved in the usual manner. Remember to put “Caution” stickers on damaged cores with a brief description of the damage and procedures. Also, include these notes in the Sample Master.

Critical Intervals

Critical intervals are special guidelines to handle and sample cores. Important stratigraphic boundaries, structural phenomena, key macrofossils, rare volcanic glass are examples of this category. Specific examples are:

• Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary (K/T boundary)
• Paleocene/Maastrichtian
• Eocene Impact (NP21)
• volcanic glass
• Cenomanian/Turonian Boundary Event (CTBE)
• Mediterranean Messinian/Tortonian boundary
• Oligocene/Miocene
• Eocene/Oligocene boundary
• Late Paleocene Thermal Maximum (LPTM also called the PETM)
• sediment/basement interface
• salt cores
• sulfides
• sapropels
• evaporites (anhydrites, halite, gypsum)
• soil horizons

If an interval is deemed 'critical', it is prudent to exclude all personal sampling 3 meters above and below its boundaries.  Selected shipboard sampling, as approved by the Co-Chiefs, should take place to define the nature and limits of the interval. Sampling of the critical interval can either take place later in the cruise or may be deferred to shore.  On shore, investigators will have sufficient time to assess their sampling needs, and to work out cooperative studies to     maximize the science gained from this unusual material. For additional information about critical intervals, see the IODP Sample Distribution Policy.

Cores containing Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas may be found in cores in which microbial sulfate reduction is occurring or in cores from hydrothermal vent areas in which seawater sulfate has reacted with high-temperature intrusions. H2S is a highly reactive, toxic gas, which is normally at negligible concentrations by rapid reaction with iron or other metals present in the sediment.

In some cases, however, cores are taken from iron-deficient carbonate sediments or areas with presence of gas hydrates or sulfate-rich brines. In these cores, H2S concentrations may be sufficient to cause a toxic gas breathing hazard, especially when cores are being handled in confined or poorly ventilated areas. If you smell H2S gas, alert the                                                                                                     Officer or Assistant Officer. He/she will ask you to monitor the cores with the handheld “Packrat” H2S gas detectors (Figure 28).  The drill crew on the rig floor should also be measuring the gas with the packrats.

IMAGE MISSING

Figure 28. Packrat H2S gas detector

The JOIDES Resolution is equipped with permanently mounted H2S sensors on the rig floor, the core-receiving platform, and in the interior core-handling areas. H2S levels of 10-20 ppm should activate audible and visual alarms. H2S odor is apparent at levels below those detectable by sensors or analytical instruments. If H2S presence is suspected, the hydrocarbon monitoring techniques should include analysis by thermal conductivity detector gas chromatography (NGA) to provide concentrations values in cores.

Operating Procedure in Core Laboratory for H2S Alert

Official procedures for responding to an H2S alert are fully described in ODP Technical Note 19, revised in 2002, the H2S Drilling Contingency Plan (Foss and Julson, 1993).  Here is a brief summary from a curatorial standpoint:

After receiving a core on the catwalk, the first section cut should be monitored with the handheld “Packrat” detector (Figure 28). If the H2S level is over 10ppm, all core-handling personnel

(microbiologists and geochemists included) should use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA, Figure 29 and Figure 30). Non-essential personnel should stay clear of the catwalk.  If time permits, the core should de-gas on the core holder on the catwalk for a period (~20-30 min) before capping and scribing. When the core is ready to section, turn on the large hanging catwalk fan to disperse the gas as cuts are made. The outside core rack should be set up on the aft end of the catwalk so the cores are downwind of the living quarters as they de-gas. All scribing should be done outside.  Core should remain outside until splitting takes place.

Figure 29. Self-contained breathing apparatus

Figure 30. Drill crew with SCBA

When a core is ready to be splitted, the Marine Specialist should do a SCBA in the splitting room (Figure 31), cut the section and immediately place it under a split piece of rubber ducting (1.5m long) that feeds into the H2S suction system. Letting the core sit under the ducting for about 10 minutes should yield acceptable H2S readings.  The core can then be safely given to the scientists in the laboratory

Figure 31. H2S core splitting

The fact that cores with H2S are stored in an unventilated and confined space in the refrigerator can make for a potentially dangerous situation.  Be sure that the H2S monitors are working properly whenever operating under an H2S alert. If you have any concerns, bring them the attention of the Laboratory Officer as soon as possible.

Slowing Oxidation in Sulfide-Rich Cores

1. Rinse each section (working and archive) with alcohol to remove Allow a few hours to pass for the interstitial water to evaporate.

1. Place the section in nitrogen-flushed shrink tubing

1. Place the wrapped section in a silver tri-laminate Kapak foil These bags have a polyethylene inner layer and a polyester outer layer.

1. Place desiccant in the Kapak Note: the need for prepackaged desiccant should be identified and ordered pre-cruise by the Staff Scientist or shore-based Curator.

1. Purge Kapak foil tube with nitrogen gas to expel all

1. Evacuate the tube and heat seal with a high-temperature hand held heat sealer.

1. Place in cold storage

1. The bag should be an extra 5-10 cm longer than the section so that it may be sealed at the outer edge, and re-opened and re-sealed several times without bag

Handling Radium-Bearing Rocks

The Staff Scientist, Curator, and Laboratory Officer should be aware pre-cruise that there is a possibility of recovering radioactive samples, especially when drilling in hydrothermal vent areas. Proper handling procedures should be discussed and necessary precautions should be in place before actually recovering this type of material.  If you have any concerns about preparedness after reading the Scientific Prospectus, contact the Staff Scientist, Curator, and/or Officer with your concerns.  The following is the procedure for handling possible radioactive materials (USGS - Francis, 1991):

Identify the samples that contain the radioactive material with a survey instrument.

All samples identified as being radioactive should be sealed in plastic bags and marked with "Caution! Radioactive Materials".  During this operation, personnel should wear plastic or rubber gloves.

These samples should be kept separate from other samples to avoid contaminating non- radioactive samples.

In the entrance to the laboratory it should be posted: "Caution! Radioactive Materials--No Eating, Smoking, or Drinking Allowed--Wash Hands Before Leaving".

Allow the built up radon to escape opening the samples in a well-ventilated area before any work is to be done with thesamples. Samples should only be manipulated remotely, i.e. gloves and tongs.

Any operation that requires cutting or grinding of these samples should be reviewed on a case- by-case basis. All cutting operations should be conducted in water to ensure that no dust is generated from the material. Wash the sampling area carefully after handling the cores.  On the

shore , any wastewater generated from these activities must be disposed in accordance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements for radioactive waste.

Sonic Core Monitor/Hard Rock Orientation

The sonic core monitor (SCuM) is used in conjunction with a tensor tool to position hard rock cores.  Three sharp edges built in to the core catcher (CC) scribe lines along the pieces long enough to be oriented in the core.  These three planes of orientation are similar to the orientation used on IODP liners.  For curation purposes, the middle orientation line corresponds to the single line along the archive half of the liner.  Please be sure to let the structural geologists on duty know that the major scribe line must be in the archive half of the core and oriented perpendicular to the cut face. Cores should be photographed as whole rounds for archival/demonstration purposes before they are split.

The SCuM was not in use during the last few years of ODP due to difficulties in obtaining accurate results but is scheduled for resurrection in Phase II of IODP.

Catwalk sampling of whole rounds

In addition to the usual hard rock/soft rock sample requests, biologists and chemists take real- time samples on the catwalk. Because most of these analyses are sensitive to the geochemical nature of the material, it is important to keep the catwalk area acetone-free until the shipboard scientists have finished taking their samples. All samples taken on the catwalk should be entered into Sample Master.

Paleontology Samples (PAL)

A small amount of core-catcher material is removed immediately on the catwalk and taken to the paleontology laboratory for age determination.  Generally a 5 cm whole round is sufficient, but in case of the presence of unfossiliferous material a greater volume may be required. This sample typically comes from the bottom of the core catcher but scientists may request the most suitable material from the top or middle of the core catcher.  Most of the time, the paleontologists use all the sample given to them, but any residues can be checked out by the scientific party or returned to the Repository.

After the PAL sample is taken, the core catcher is placed in plastic liner, capped and glued with acetone, and  labeled with black marker.  The location of the PAL sample is marked on the outside of the liner with permanent marker. Back in the laboratory, this sample should be recorded as a sample code PAL in the Sample Master.  After splitting the CC, an ethafoam spacer marked with the text “PAL” is inserted into the void (Figure 32).

Figure 32. Example of Paleontology spacer in a split core

Head Space/Gas Analyses (HS, VAC)

The Shipboard Chemist or Chemistry Technician will take at least one 5 cc sample for analysis of composition and concentration of hydrocarbons.  These include a sediment sample for headspace gas analysis (HS) and, if present, free gas samples (VAC or Vacutainer Samples).

These samples are immediately analyzed to determine if it is safe to continue drilling.

HS samples are taken from the top or bottom of a freshly cut section, usually adjacent to the interstitial water whole round sample (Figure 33) and depending on the condition and lithology of the core. The pencil-size cylinder used for headspace sampling removes material from the working half of the core. In the case of lithified sediments, scrapings or chips are sampled.  The code used for these samples is HS in the Sample Master system. It is also ok if the Chemistry Technician prefers to enter the sample from the Chemistry Laboratory  sample station.

Figure 33. Example of Headspace gas sampling (HS)

When gassy voids are present, the chemist may need to take free gas samples using a puncture tool and a vacutainer (Figure 34).  Shipboard scientists may take as many vacutainer gas samples as desired for immediate or later analysis. Documentation is not required; however, the location of each sample can be entered in the Sample Master system with the code VAC.

Figure 34. Free sampling with vacutainer (VAC)

Interstitial Water Samples (IW)

Interstitial water for geochemical analysis (IW) are taken from the whole round samples removed on the catwalk (Figure 35). In softer sediments at the top of a borehole, IW samples are generally 5 cm long (176cc).  The size of the sample (10-15cm) may be increased as the sediment becomes more lithified with depth. The Curator and the Chemistry Techs work together to devise an IW sampling plan that best meets the needs of the shipboard science party.

Depending on the preference of the Curator and Chemistry Techs, the IW sample may be recorded at the core entry computer via Sample Master or in the chemistry laboratory  by the Chemistry Tech. Since January 2013, this information has been primarily logged by the Curator at the core entry station.

Figure 35. Example of cutting an IW sample

Whole round sampling is often suspended when core recovery is less than two sections. Although there is not an official limiting amount of whole-round sampling, the co-chiefs and staff scientist along with the Curator define appropriate limits on whole round sampling to safeguard the scientific interests of the cruise.  Marine Laboratory Specialists should always get the Curator’s authorization (or his/her representative) before cutting IW samples.

After the whole round and chemistry samples are removed from the catwalk, the core remainder is capped and glued with acetone.  Blue endcaps are placed at the top of each section, clear end caps at the bottom, and yellow end caps at the end of any section from which a whole round sample was taken. Once labeled, sectioned and capped, the core is ready to be brought into the Core laboratory for processing.

Meanwhile,  the Chemistry Technician collect the interstitial water squeezing the IW whole rounds (Figure 36 and 37).  Water derived from the whole round is used for shipboard analyses and sample requests. While there is no official limit on the amount of water that can be given to an investigator, most studies can obtain results using 10 ml or less. Water not apportioned for shipboard analyses or sample requests is archived in sealed glass ampoules (IWG) or plastic tubing (IWP).  Water remaining after the shipboard alkalinity analysis is also archived (IWPA). The squeeze cake (IWS), retrieved from the press when the squeezing is over, is also preserved, often distributed among the chemists as part of their sample request.  The Chemistry Technicians sort and label the IW subsamples, and enter the appropriate data into LIMS.

Figure 36. Process of scraping from side, putting the pressure vessel and attatching the syringes for posterior squeezing of samples to take the interstitial water from them.

Figure 37. Carver press to squeeze interstitial water

Core handling in the laboratory

Inside the Core Laboratory  , the marine technicians laser engrave working (double line) and archive (single line) side of the liners with the standard IODP identifier following the sequence: "EXPEDITION-SITE-HOLE-CORE-CORETYPE-SECTION" (e.g. 180-1108A-1H-1, W) along

with an 'up' arrow (See Figure 36). This ensures that each section is permanently and uniquely distinguished.  The engraving should be as clear as possible and the blue end caps of each section should be marked with the core, core type and section number as shown in Figure 38.

Figure 38. Sketch of an engraved core. The half core with double lines is assigned as the working half. The single line corresponds to the archive half. .

After the labels are placed, the Curator or technician enters the data into the Sample Master system.  Sample Master generates 3 copies of the 2D bar code label for each section. Two labels will be used for the d-tube and end cap. The third is place directly on the liner. Working half labels are place on the side with double lines, while archive half labels are placed on the single line 180 degrees from the double line.

One copy of the report is left in the Yeoperson’s office. Other copies are brought to the sampling station, the photo table, and the core description table.  Three sets of labels (archive and working) are printed, one for the core liner, one for the d-tube and one for d-tube cap. A fourth set of archive labels is printed for the Section Half Imaging Logger (SHIL) (Figure 39). The number of copies of reports and labels needed for the   oratory will depend of the needs of the technical staff, scientists, and the Curator.

Once properly  labeled and recorded, the sections are left in the rack to reach the room temperature before they are measured on the Whole Round Multi-Sensor Logger (WRMSL) (Figure 39) and measured for thermal conductivity (Figure 40).

Figure 39. WRMSL Multisensor track

Figure 40. Thermal Conductivity Measurement

Physical Properties Whole Rounds

If physical properties (PP) whole round samples are requested, the scientist chooses samples after the core is run through the WRMSL.  PP whole rounds samples are generally 10-15cm in length.  The Curator or Physical Properties technician will cut the whole round on the catwalk and then seal the samples in wax as soon as possible.

To produce a wax with the right consistency for sealing PP whole rounds samples, mix 5 parts of beeswax with 1 part of paraffin in a large crock-pot. Add a small amount of Vaseline to the mixture until it reaches a tar-like consistency. When dipping the sample in the wax, care should be taken to ensure that the wax does not obliterate the sample's identification. Secure the  el with polyethylene tape before immersing it in wax. Watch your fingers! Record the sample in the Sample Master and print  els and new tracking sheets. After waxing, take the sample to the core refrigerator and store upright in an Igloo cooler filled with salt-water.

Splitting the core

After whole round measurements have been made and all data uploaded, the sections are transferred to the splitting room. Note: It is very important that you check that all whole round data is uploaded into LIMS before splitting the core.

Sections are split longitudinally from the bottom of the section to the top using the core splitter with either the wire (for soft sediments) or the supersaw (for lithified material). Delineation follows an axis halfway between the double line and the single line scribed on the liner (Figure 38).  In case of extra soft or sticky cores, drag the wire twice or use the cheese cutter that is stored in the drawer beneath the rock saw table. Splitting of soft and lithified sediment cores is done from bottom to top of the stratigraphic sequence to prevent downward contamination.

Biostratigraphic ages are based on the youngest fossils present in a sample.  If the core is split from top to bottom, pieces with younger fossils could be moved downward contaminating older age material.

Note that the lithified cores that were split with the supersaw have melted plastic on the edges of the section.  Cut the sharp plastic off for safe handling and to ensure good quality photographs and digital images. Supersawed sections are gently rinsed to remove the cutting slurry before leaving the splitting room.

Archive Half

The archive half of the core is placed on the description table in the Core Laboratory.  The sedimentologists describe the core in detail, making smear slides and examine them under the microscope.  The sedimentologists also run the sections through the Section Half Image Logger

(SHIL, Figure 41 and Figure 42). The Paleomagnetists will pick up archive halves, one at a time, to run through the Cryogenic Magnetometer.

Figure 41. Section Half Imaging Logger (SHIL)

Figure 42. Section Half Multi Sensor Logger (SHMSL)

After finalizing the measurements made in the Cryogenic Magnetometer, the archive halves are placed in d-tubes and put in the archive core rack.  The technicians will check if a request of a close-up photo exists. Sections with close-up requests are marked with a yellow dot on the end cap.  The section stays in the laboratory until all the close-ups are completed by the photographer. When you are sure the scientists finished all descriptions (including structural with often lag behind lithology descriptions) and analysis, you can authorize boxing the cores (see section on Core Storage System).

Working Half

The working half sections are taken one by one to the sample table.  First, PP measurements (Figure 43) are made and the PP scientists take samples (Figure 44). Once PP is done, the sections remain on the sampling table where a rotating team of scientists takes shipboard samples for the science party. Once the core is sampled, the scientists will put the cores in d- tubes and place them in the working half rack. If possible, it is best to wrap the working halves in Glad Wrap before placing them in the d-tube.  It is a good idea to prepare a few cores worth of d-tubes in order to stay ahead of the scientists.  The Curator supervises sampling activities during his/her shift, but during off-hours, it’s very helpful to have one or two experienced technicians (preferably the Assistant Laboratory Officer) to check actions at the sample table.

Figure 43. Sonic velocity and Shear strength instrumentation

Figure 44. Syringes used to sample for moisture and density. Next to them are the properties beakers

Sampling guidelines

Before describing in detail sampling procedures and techniques here are a few useful reference tables.

Sample Volume

According to the Sample Distribution Policy, the following are typical sample volumes by sample types:

Table 7. Samples types and their respective volumes

Sampling Tools

The tools and procedures that help the Curatorial Specialist sample efficiently are:

Curatorial Specialist

Table 8. Table types

LIMS Sample Types, Tests, Request Codes, and Request Numbers

When a split core is placed on the sample table it is just about ready for sampling. Before sampling can occur, all approved sample requests must have assigned a LIMS sample Type, Test, and/or Sample Request Number/Code. Sample Type is an identifying string of character in the LIMS database. The database then automatically attaches a number to the end of the Sample Type. The result is a Text ID. The Text ID is the unique identifier for each sample in the database.

There are two types of sampling that can occur, shipboard and personal. Shipboard sampling should have assigned both Sample Type and Test. Test number is assigned with the shipboard measurements made on the sample. Personal samples should have assigned Type, Sample Request Code, and Sample Request Number. The Sample Request Number is assigned by the SADR system when a scientist submits his/her sample request. Sample Request Code is linked to the LIMS Request number. It is assigned by the Shipboard Curator via the Request Code Management application. Sample code naming is often derived from the first four letters of the primary investigators last name. Each sample request should have at least one sample code associated with it.  When an investigator has more than one sample request for the cruise or a variety of sample types for one request, individual codes should be assigned.  Often a sample request is submitted jointly by more than one investigator; despite this, choose only one sample code to be associated with that request.  Finally, assign a sample code for samples taken for all approved shore-based requests.

Tests are permanent fixtures in the LIMS Sample tables. If a new test needs to be created, request it to the shipboard developer.  Document the laboratory code addition in your Curatorial Report.  Here is a list of standard laboratory codes for shipboard analyses or routine archiving.

LIMS Type List (as defined in the LIMS database)

Table 9. LIMS Type List

LIMS Test List

Table 10. LIMS Test List

Sampling Guidelines for Sediment

Once the whiteboard plan is posted, the sample codes entered into LIMS and the core is split, it is time to take samples. Use the following as a general guide for sampling sedimentary cores. Improvise as needed to get the best quality samples. Note: During the initial training period (i.e. the first few days of coring), the Curatorial Specialist (or his/her representative) should be present as much as possible to guide the sampling process.

1. Physical properties sampling (Moisture and Density, MADC). After splitting, the core is placed on the sampling The physical properties scientist measures shear strength (shear vane) and sonic velocity on each section (Figure 45). After that one or two 10cc samples per section are removed from the core for moisture and density (Figure 46).

Figure 45. Sonic velocity and shear strength measurement

Figure 46. Sampling for index properties

1. Paleomagnetics sampling - Next, the paleomagnetist is called to take Shipboard paleomagnetists normally deal with two categories of discrete samples: shipboard samples and personal samples.  Most of the  paleomagnetics (pmag) samples taken are for shipboard analysis.  After preliminary measurements are done on the discrete samples and archive half core, the paleomagnetist may request higher resolution sampling at interesting paleomagnetic transitions. Orienting and removing the samples properly requires care and time. Shipboard paleomagnetists (rather than the paleomagnetic Marine Specialist) are responsible for taking all paleomagnetic samples, or for training other shipboard scientists in the proper techniques.  In softer sediment, 2”x2”x2” paleomagnetics cubes are used for sampling.  When

the material gets more indurated, minicores are required.  When the paleomagnetic sampling is complete, the cores are moved to the main sample table for the next sampling.

1. Sediment sampling for shipboard analysis and personal studies using flags - Scientists working their 2 hour sampling shift should make an announcement over theA. stating: “Core X is on the sample table. Please flag your samples”. Guided by the whiteboard plan, the requesting scientist or his/her representative, takes a sample flag (attached to a toothpick, see Set-up and supplying the core l and sampling area section) and places it in the working half core material. (Figure 46).  Flagging for shipboard analyses (e.g. XRD, CARB, TSB, etc.) needs to be done too.  Often the responsibility for flagging these samples falls by the wayside. It is the Curatorial Specialist’s job to ensure that these samples get flagged.  If you notice that all requested shipboard analysis samples are not being taken, ask the Staff Scientist to assign the task to someone. Often a good choice is one of the sedimentologists on watch.

Figure 47. Flagging the core samples

1. Data entry into One scientist on shift (or an available technician) stands in front of the core and calls out the sampling information (usually going down the length of the core one section at a time. The other scientist enters the data into Sample Master. It is good practice to enter sample data one section at a time.

Print labels and tracking – Check if the bar-coded labels are printed properly.  If there are mistakes, ask the scientists to notify you or the ALO on duty to correct mistakes and reprint the label. If it is an entry to be deleted, ask them to write ‘delete’ on the label and post it on a clipboard near the core entry or sample station. The incorrect sample entries are then deleted by the curator or on shift ALO.

1. Labeling the bags - Peel and stick all labels to sample bags, keeping things in order by

1. Remove samples from First crosscheck – This is a two person job. To reassure that the sample interval correspond exactly to the one being recorded in LIMS, check each sample removed against the corresponding labeled bag.  This check is the single most important step in sampling, because at this point the exact identity of the sample is known with complete certainty. Confirm that the sample location matches the sample ID marked in the bag. Finally seal and place the sample bag in the properly marked sample bin.

Note:  It is important to double-bag any samples to be frozen because the labels do not always stick to the plastic bags when stored in freezing conditions. It may also be necessary for muddy material, if the bag does not seal completely.

1. Second crosscheck - After all of the samples have been taken, a second check should be Are there any flags still standing?  This indicates that a sample may have been mistakenly omitted from the database.  Or are there labeled bags leftover?  This indicates that a sample was not taken. An investigator may retract of taking some material already entered into LIMS, and simply forget to tell the samplers in watch that he/she withdrew his/her flag).

1. Plugging the holes - After all sampling is completed the holes and voids left behind are filled with ethafoam sample plugs, available in 5cc (1/2”diameter) and 10cc (1”diameter). Quarters or slices of IODP standard 2.5” diameter ethafoam rod can be cut to fill odd shaped In cases that more than half of the working half core has been taken, after the approval of the IODP Curator, mark the dedicated interval with ‘depleted’ using a permanent marker or using a tape in the top of the ethafoam.

Interstitial Water Subsamples

Some IODP recovered materials (usually pore-water) are assigned codes based on their origin. These are not always core samples per se; sometimes they constitute material that is archived separate from the core. Nevertheless, they are entered in the LIMS Sample database and thus require a sample code. Here are some standard interstitial water subsamples from sediment whole rounds:

IWP(#)                                    interstitial water stored in plastic IWPA                        acidified interstitial water stored in plastic IWS     sediment squeeze cakes

#  Denotes container/squeeze number if excess is squeezed and/or indicates which investigator received the sample

Scientists request personal samples from the routine IW samples as well as other materials recovered by special tools. These personal samples should be assigned a hybrid code that consists of: the first two letters ’IW’, followed by a third letter that indicates the type of sample (‘S’ for squeeze cake, ’P’ for water stored in plastic, G for glass ampoule, etc.), and a fourth letter indicating the last name of the scientist.  For example, Miriam Kastner might take 10ml splits of the IW water stored in a glass ampoule.  The sample code would then be IWGK.

Rhizon Sampling

Rhizon sampling for pore waters have become more common since 2009. Rhizon samplers extract small volumes of pore water from sediment cores without removing entire whole round pieces of core material (i.e. traditional whole round IW sampling). Sometimes holes are pre- drilled in the end caps so the Rhizon sampler can be inserted in the bottom of the section.

Another method used is drilling holes down along the split line at desired intervals and offsets (Figure 48).

Figure 48. Example of scientist collecting IW through rhizon sampling.

Water Samples collected during logging tool runs

There have been times where scientists have requested water samples to be collected during logging runs. For detailed descriptions of special tools, refer to Technical Report #31, Overview of Ocean Drilling Program Engineering Tools and Hardware. A web version is available at  http://www-odp.tamu.edu/publications/tnotes/tn31/tn31.htm.  Here are the naming conventions for water derived from logging tool runs.

Kuster tool

Packer subsamples

PPA#            Acidified packer water stored in plastic

RFT tool

WSTP Tool

Fissler Tool Runs

When tools are run only once in the hole, the sample can be uniquely identified by their corresponding core number; a run # isn't necessary.  If multiple runs of the tool in the same cored interval should occur (revisiting 504B for example), then a run number must be designated in the record, otherwise samples receive the same ID.  Note the run number in the Comment Field in JANUS Sample.  By using the above codes, there are still plenty of characters available for both investigator and multiple splits. In the few cases where there is only one character field left,  enter the split and the run # both in the comment field.

A depth interval must also be assigned. The WSTP penetrates from 0-50cm into the first section of the next core. The Fissler Tool penetrates from 0-100cm. A comment in JANUS Core should also be made to indicate which sections were disturbed by the tool’s probe.

The Los Alamos Water Sampler

The Los Alamos Water Sampler is an unusual logging tool that samples water from different locations in the borehole.  Because there are no core numbers to coincide with the actual sample depth, the following convention has been devised to enter the sample data into JANUS Sample so it will make sense.

Sample Codes:

The Pressure Core Sampler

The pressure core sampler (PCS) can recover gas, liquid, and solid samples (Figure 49). Gas samples are not easily archived in a useful condition for scientific purposes.  Gas samples (and clathrates) may be consumed by scientists who have an approved sample request.  The liquid samples that are recovered by the PCS are categorized into the same Interstitial Water (IW) sampling program.  Any solids recovered in the PCS are sampled under the IODP sampling policy.

Figure 49. Pressure core barrel staying in ice container

PCS samples are labeled as follows:

Gas Hydrates

Gas hydrate are ice-like solids in which water molecules trap gas molecules in structure that resemble a cage known as a clathrate (Figure 50).

Figure 50. Clathrate Examples

The location of a clathrate sample in a whole core can often be detected with the use of an infrared camera (Figure 51).

Figure 51. Infrared Camera for detecting clathrates

Use the following sample codes for gas hydrates:

Smear Slides

Smear slides are used for core description and biostratigraphic age dating.  Smear slides made for description are typically archived at the repository. Smear slide data is recorded in LIMS by core describers.  They appear in the sample database as Type: SS, Test: SED.  Smear slides are considered residues and as such, they can be distributed to scientists who request them at the end of a cruise.  Any remaining slides should be sent with an inventory to the repository.   Smear slides should be stored sideways in plastic slide boxes for shipment to scientist or a repository.

The plastic boxes should then be secured with filament tape and bubble wrap.

Residues

Residues are any residual material derived from the processing and/or analysis of a sample.  If a sample is returned unprocessed and not analyzed, it is considered a "pristine residue".

All IODP residues must be identified with the standard Expedition/Site/Hole/Core/Core Type/Section/Interval identifier.  If a residue's parent sample was taken using the Sample Master Database program, the sample type used to identify the parent sample is usually used to identify its daughter residue(s).  Samples are taken from IODP cores in order to support studies identified in investigator-submitted sample requests and/or for standard IODP shipboard analyses.

Samples taken on the ship for routine IODP shipboard analysis and the sample types that have traditionally been assigned to them are listed in the Observer/Sample Type section of the cookbook.

Distribution of Residues

Followed by the Co-chief approval, residues that are generated on the ship from standard IODP shipboard analyses may be redistributed to investigators on the ship.  They also can be transferred from one investigator to another. If the residues are to be processed/analyzed as part of the same study described in an investigator's approved shipboard sample request, residues are then included as part of that request. If the residues are to be used for a new and different study, the investigator must submit a new sample request.  Volumetric and quantitative sampling restrictions apply to these residues in the same manner as all IODP samples.

Procedure for Residues Handling Aboard Ship

Compile inventory lists of all end-product residues generated from standard IODP shipboard analyses that are to be shipped back to an IODP Repository and include these in the RESIDUE section of the Curatorial Report.  Residues that are consumed during shipboard analyses or that are used for additional shipboard analyses should also be noted in the Comments field of SAMPLE and included in these lists.

Sampling Guidelines for hard rock

Core Section 360o image analysis

The 360o images are taken from the outer surface of the core using the SHIL (Figure XX1) that generally is used for for section-half surfaces. This system was developed at IODP-Texas A&M University. The main element of this system is an aluminum frame that can simultaneously hold the cylindrical pieces of a single core section and rotate them in 90° increments (Figure xx2).

Four images of the core surface are later processed to simulate a continuous image of the unrolled 360° surface.

FigureXX. 360 Core Image

Figure XX2. Aluminum frame used for holding whole-round core pieces for imaging, Expedition 345. View of one end of the frame, with one of the four bracing strips removed, as would be the case while imaging the outer core surface.

The process for generating the simulated unrolled image includes the following steps:

1. The vertically oriented pieces for a single section are placed at their curated-relative depths within the aluminum frame, with two of the aluminum strips in place to hold the core and two removed for
2. After the frame is moved to the SHIL, three of the aluminum strips secure the core surface and one is removed to allow
3. After imaging one surface, the aluminum strip is replaced, the section is turned 90°, and the next strip is removed to allow

This process is repeated to generate four images. The individual images are automatically uploaded to the LIMS database. The imaging specialist then downloads the images, aligns them visually, labels them by section, and makes them available to the science party.

Hard Rock Core Handling

When a hard rock (igneous or metamorphic) core arrives on deck, the liner is placed on the catwalk core holders by the Laboratory Specialists. If hard rock pieces are scattered along the length of the liner, the upper end is raised slightly to shunt the pieces to the lower end to provide a more accurate recovery measurement.  The sections are then measured starting at the bottom of the recovered material and working backwards (i.e. toward the top of the core).   Label sections in the correct order. The last section (i.e. Section 1) may be a very full section or it may only

contain a small amount of material. Estimate if you’ll need additional empty liners to give you extra space ‘to curate’ the core. To ‘curate’” a hard rock core means to add dividers between non-contiguous rock pieces. ‘Curation’ usually expands the length of a core. Once all the sections are numbered, measure the recovered rock inside the liner to get the total recovery.

Unlike sediment cores, hard rock cores do not always break at 1.5 meters. They are sectioned at fractures or other natural breaks as close to 1.5 m intervals as possible. Sometimes, pieces longer than 1.5 meters are recovered; then it is necessary to break the core with a hammer and chisel with a cutting as homogeneous as possible. Avoid, however, breaking of whole rock pieces.

Sometimes it is feasible to leave a long continuous piece sticking out of the original liner, and measure the full piece of rock. Soon enough it will be removed from this liner, and place into another.

Hard rock sections are carried into the core entry area and then entered into Sample Master and the record saved. The true ‘Curated Length’ will not be correct until the core is fully spaced-out (i.e. curated). Label and engrave an extra liner or two in case material needs to be transferred to the next section above.  Note that when working with hard rock, it is always helpful to have a plentiful supply of pre-cleaned and pre-split core liners on hand.  The core is brought to the splitting room where the liner of the first uncurated section of core is split on the core splitter with the wire removed.  During Phase II there have been many problems with the core splitter blade breaking during this step. To avoid this, the rock material is shaken out (from bottom to top) into the new scribed/labeled split liner. Starting from the bottom, mark with a china red wax the bottom of every oriented piece of the sections that is too long to have rolled into the liner.

The Physical Property Specialist may then select intervals to be sampled for sonic velocity and GRAPE measurements. The sonic velocity sample, also used for wet-bulk density and water content measurements, is taken before the cores begin to dry out.  This sample is stored in seawater for an hour to stabilize the temperature. Pieces of whole core chosen for physical properties sampling are marked by the sides with orientation arrows that point to the top of the section. Temporary Styrofoam placeholders of the same length are put in place of any removed pieces.  Both the removed pieces and the placeholders are given temporary labels indicating their position in the section.

With the help of the igneous petrologist or structural geologist (or both), broken or beveled rock pieces that have recognizable features (e.g. foliation directions, connecting veins) are aligned from piece to piece and fitted together (Figure 52). Ask the inspecting scientist(s) to mark a splitting line on the rock pieces (Figure 53). Sub-pieces that fit together should have hatch marks draw to help maintain connections between sub-pieces when cutting on the rock saw (Figure 54). Hard rock pieces which do not fit together are separated from each other in the core liner by IODP dividers.  Next, the dividers are acetoned (or sonic welded) in the split and labeled liners to match the spacing in the original liner. Once the pieces in each section are spaced out and the dividers attached, measure the curated length. Bin and piece lengths are recorded and uploaded into LIMS via Sample Master. Recalculate depths and print and distribute the Core Tracking Sheets and d-tube labels.

Figure 52. Piecing together hard rock

Figure 53. Hard rock ready for splitting line

Figure 54. Hard rock core with hatch marks

When split of hard rock core pieces is necessary, the process is made on the Felker saw in the splitting room. Cut the pieces along the splitting line marked by the structural Geologist or petrologist (Figure 55 and Figure 56).  Sometimes the supersaw is used to cut long, solid pieces that do not fit on the Felker saw. Similarly, a series of long pieces may be more conveniently cut on the Supersaw.

Before making any cuts, check again if the bottoms of all oriented pieces are marked with red wax pencil. Ideally, pieces are split symmetrically considering any contacts, veins or other special features, in a way to preserve part of the feature in each core half. This may not always be possible however, because cores should also be aligned based on structural trends.  Pieces which fit together or which have contiguous features are split along a single line drawn throughout all the pieces. Shattered rock that can be pieced together by hand may be held together with masking tape or shrink tubing and cut as one unit.

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Figure 55. Rock saws

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Figure 56. Hard rock split and ready for labels

Once split, the hard rock core pieces are returned to their respective liners and set flat side down.  They can then be air dried, dried with a heat gun (the heating element in the 'off' position), with compressed air or most commonly, using two small fans. Applying direct heat to the core can alter products and demagnetize the rocks. Therefore, always get the approval from the science party before turning on a heat gun, even though the heating element is in the off position.

All hard rock pieces are labeled with the IODP standard identifier (See Section IODP Core Naming). The labels are written using the hand held Brady labeling machine (Figure 57). Labels are affixed with epoxy resin parallel to the cut face midway between the bottom and the cut edge of the left side of the core. The result should be a label that it reads parallel to the lines of writing and with the orientation arrow pointing towards the top of the core (Figure 58). The label is then covered with more epoxy so it is completely sealed. The use of too much epoxy may cause drips and contaminate the surface of the core.  Finally, the pieces are rotated in the liner so that the split side faces up.  All oriented pieces should have arrows pointing “UP” core.  If there is any question whether a piece is oriented or not, do not put an arrow. As a general guideline, any unattached piece that is smaller than 6cm is probably not oriented.

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Figure 57. Brady Printer for hard rock labeling

Figure 58. Gluing hard rock labels

Each piece should be numbered consecutively from the top to the bottom of the section.  Every section should begin with piece number 1, even if continuity is observed between sections.  Sub- pieces (i.e., the pieces which fit together between liner dividers to collectively form a completed piece), should be named in alphabetical order from the top to the bottom of the piece. In other words, when the CUT FACE of the WORKING HALF is facing up, the sub-piece to the right, relative to the stratigraphic top of the section, is the sub-piece A.

When it is not possible or desirable to glue labels to the actual pieces, the label should be affixed to the right side of the core liner. Some of the cases are:

• Pieces which are too small to label (Figure 59 )
• Rollers and rubble that, for convenience, are curated as one "piece", between two liner
• Pieces which, if removed for labeling, would disturb the core (e.g., sediment basement contact which have been shrink-wrapped together, volcaniclastics interbedded with basalts).
• Pieces very porous and wet in which an epoxied label will not

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Figure 59. Examples of small hard rock samples that are labeled on the right side of the core liner because of their size.

Whenever possible, sections should be divided between pieces. Remember that curated section lengths may be shorter that the average 150cm length, however, the cut-liner should remain 150cm with the label ‘EMPTY’ written in the space left at the bottom of the sections.

Hard rock cores should be curated in a way that assigned piece and sub-piece numbers are the same in both the archive and working halves. If individual pieces break into sub pieces on both the working and archive half sides, then a letter is assigned to differentiate each sub-piece. If there is one piece in the archive half that has respectively broken into two pieces in the working

half, then, each unit in the working half would be assigned a single piece number (e.g. 1a, 1b, 1c…). Note that in this case, sub-piece letters are not assigned) (Figure 60).

Figure 60. Example of hard rock labeling

Hard rocks are sampled in a one fell swoop during the ‘sample party’, therefore do not box the working halves like you normally would. After enough cores accumulate, lay them out in the   . Marine Specialists will assist the Curator while drilling, sawing, labeling and bagging the samples. Both working and archive half sections must be shrink-wrapped prior to send them to the refrigerator. This ensures the pieces do not fall down or are damaged in transit.

Hard Rock Core Sampling

Once the archive halves of a core are described, samples can be selected and taken from the working halves shipboard analyses including paleomagnetism (mini-cores and cubes), physical properties (chips and cubes), geochemistry (XRD and ICP quarter core) and petrography (thin section billets, see next section for specific instructions).  Whenever possible, a cube can be shared for both paleomagnetism and physical properties description and analysis. In order for the pycnometer to work for physical properties, sample the test MADC is assigned to the cube. The container ID will be 1 for all samples.

1. Sampling from routine assigned intervals using colored Guided by the whiteboard plan the routine assigned intervals need to be sampled. Different core description groups (e.g. Igneous Petrologists, Structural Geologists, Geochemists) place colored dots on the core material (or liner adjacent to the interval) they wish to sample.

Mark the samples with a wax pencil on the core (preferably in three dimensions)is also a great help to the technicians in charge of taking the samples.  All thin section requests should be accompanied by a corresponding thin section form that is filled out by the requesting scientist. This is applicable for high and low-resolution sampling for assigned intervals.

1. Cutting samples with sample tubes, spatulas or Once the samples are flagged or dotted/marked, the sampling team of scientists insert sample tubes and technicians cut samples (with a spatula, chisel or rock saw) at the designated intervals. Once cutting is finished, samples should stay in place or be put back in their original position.

Although the responsibility of cutting the shipboard is flexible, the Curator should always follow the process closely. Sometimes, depending on the preferences, core recovery rate and experience of the Co-Chiefs and Staff Scientists, the Curatorial Marine Specialist may be asked to cut all shipboard samples while on shift, or perhaps, once a day.  On other cruises, shift scientists may be assigned the task of cutting hard rock shipboard samples as the cores are split and described. Note that personal sampling should not be done at this point.

Frequently, pieces and sub-pieces in the working halves are broken or cut into smaller pieces.  Of primary importance for shipping and long term repository preservation is to insert fitting ethafoam spacers in sampling voids properly. If there is sufficient time, pieces larger than 15cm3 (about the size of a mini-core) can be re-labeled. If time is limited, it is highly desirable to re- label oriented pieces so they do not get turned upside down after sampling.

After the cores have been described and sampled for shipboard analysis, the working halves are stored in d-tubes and racked in the Core Laboratory to await a sampling party for personal studies.

1. Data entry into After all of the samples have been cut, sample information is entered into Sample Master. One technician cut the samples. The other technician records sample information on a printed sample sheet and next in the Sample Master. It is good practice to enter sample data one section at a time.

Thin Section Management

Scientists wishing to have a thin section made must first fill-out a Thin Section Request form. The Curatorial Specialist will then cut the billet and place it in the sample bin labeled TSB (Test for thin section billet) along with a completed and signed request form.  The curator usually uploads all TSB data into LIMS. The Thin Section Laboratory Specialist usually pick up fresh cut TSBs daily for processing in the Thin section laboratory (Figure 61).  Special instructions for orientation, impregnation, or other procedures are written on the thin section request form.

Unless otherwise requested, thin sections are polished and cover slips are not applied. A major objective of this procedure is to have a complete collection of sections ready for microprobe

analysis on shore.  Thin sections are returned to the Curatorial Specialist at the end of the cruise, but are available post-cruise by shipboard scientists from IODP/TAMU if requested.

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Figure 61. Thin Section Laboratory

While cutting thin sections billets and recording data in LIMS, check the following:

• Keep a supply of blank ‘Thin Section Request’ forms available at the sample

• Billets should be properly labeled and marked with an orientation arrow if an oriented slide is

• Standard thin section billets should be no larger than 1.5cm x 5cm in order to fit on a standard slide without being trimmed. Keep a plastic demonstration block attached to the rock saw for the scientists to use as a reference when cutting billets.

• Cut thin section billets thick enough with the purpose of extracting two thin sections from the same These thin sections will be either a second shipboard copy in case the first slide is spoiled; a personal sample by a shipboard scientist at the end of the cruise; or an archive copy at the repository.

• Make the saw cuts as cleanly as possible with the two faces parallel to each

• The interval in the database (i.e. the label) and the interval on the handwritten request form should match

• Piece and sub-piece should be recorded in LIMS for all hard rock thin section billets.

• All billets for shipboard description should have the type and test TSB, never the requester’s personal sample

Well cut billets will result in faster and higher quality work by the thin section technician.  This way, less material is lost in lapping to a bonding surface and will allow even distribution of pressure during bonding. Exceptionally, oversized slides may be made from large faced samples in special circumstances (e.g. when crystal size is very large).

The average capacity of the thin section laboratory is 12 slides per 12 hour shift or six oversized slides. Typically, only one technician will be available to make thin sections and it is possible that he/she will be responsible for other laboratory functions (e.g. Core Laboratory and down- hole) as well. Please be especially aware of backlogs and time constraints towards the end of the expedition.  The time between receiving the requests and finishing the slides generally range from 1 to 3 days.  It can be longer if the billet requires special treatment (e.g. impregnation).

When the thin section is complete, the technician will put it in a slide case that remains in the petrology laboratory accessible to the scientists until the end of the expedition.  The curator maintains a labeling system inside the case.

End of Cruise Thin Section Requests

All thin sections are the property of the IODP.  Shipboard scientists may request to borrow thin sections at the end of the expedition as a part of a new- or pre-existing sample request. All slides, however, must first be sent to the IODP Shipboard Curator for cataloging. The Shipboard Curator will send the thin sections to the proper repository. Only after that, the repository will disperse the approved thin sections to requesting scientists.  The shipboard curator should provide the repository with the disbursement schedule for all thin sections. That is: where they go, how long the requestor should have them, and if they then need to be forwarded to another requestor upon return.

It is useful to send an email to the scientists at the end of expedition with an attached up-to-date ‘Thin Section Inventory, asking them to decide which thin sections they would like to request post-cruise.  Include your final updated ‘Thin Section Distribution’ list in the Action Items in the Curatorial Notebook. This facilitates sending thin sections to scientists as soon as they are cataloged at the repository.

Entering Thin Section Slides into the Sample Database via Sample Master

When the Thin Section Slides (Laboratory Code TS) data is entered into the sample database, a permanently archived is created for use on shore. Before starting, cross check your TSB data against the information written in the Thin Section logbook and on the thin section slides.  All TSB records should match the TS technician’s slides and vice versa.

The Thin Section Technician should first give them to the curator once they have been made.

Next, the curator enters each slide in the Sample Master system. Thin section slides are entered as “children” of the TSB. The following is an example of the parent child scheme for entering thin sections (Figure 62):

Exp-Site-Core/Type-Section-Section Half (A/W) Interval-Name 335-U1256-236R-1-W 0/4-TSB_Piece1

Choose Type: TS, Tool Name: SAW_ROCK, TEST: TS, Name: TS_#

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Figure 62. Example of the parent child scheme for entering thin sections in the Sample Master

Shipboard Sampling Parties

During the sample party, scientists mark their desired sample interval with wax pencil (or masking tape if necessary) on those materials and  el the sample with an “Avery” dot  with their respective code (Figure 63 and Figure 64).

Materials available for personal samples include both working halves and residues of shipboard samples that have already been analyzed. If the number of sampling requests is focalized in one specific area as a result of low recovery or the presence of a critical interval (i.e. glass), the scientists should make a mark in the specific section where they propose to sample on a “Post- It”. This label should be placed next to the piece they wish to sample (Figure 65). This way, as other scientists add their choices, conflicts are quickly seen and can be resolved more easily.

Figure 63. Example of hard rock sample party stickers.

Figure 64. Example of hard rock sample party

Figure 65. Example of a heavily requested set of hard rock cores

After all the samples have been chosen, the members of the SAC go over the proposed samples sorting out any conflicts as they go through the cores. The Scientists are then required to fill out sample sheets detailing the sampling that has been approved. The Curatorial Specialist, with the help of marine technicians, cuts the samples using the two rock saws, the parallel saw, and one drill presse.  Asking the shipboard paleomagnetist(s) to assist with cutting cubes and minicores is acceptable, especially if the number of samples is great and time is short.

Pieces containing glass or other rare materials should be cut on the rock saw or the tabletop Varicut saw using a thin-blade.  Any glass fragments or other materials that break off should be stored in the working half with the sample using a labeled bag or pop-top vial.  Be sure to mark an “UP” arrow on oriented samples with a red china marker or a scribe.

Sample information is entered into Sample Master (including piece and sub-piece), bagged and carefully sealed.  The unused portion of the core is returned to the liner in its proper place and orientation.

Pieces and sub-pieces in the working halves that are broken or cut into smaller pieces during sampling require special curatorial attention. Of primary importance for shipping and long term repository preservation is to insert properly fitting ethafoam spacers in sampling voids. If there is sufficient time, pieces larger than 15 cm3 in volume (about the size of a minicore plug) can be re- labeled.  If time is limited, only re-label oriented pieces to ensure they are turned upside up after sampling.

Both working and archive sections must be shrunk with shrink wrap before they are directed to the core storage refrigerator. This ensures the pieces do not roll around or become damaged in transit.

The core storage system

Split cores are stored permanently in white plastic d-tubes.  Archive and working halves are distinguished by the color of their end caps. Working halves have black end caps while archives halves have red end caps. Working and archive halves are stored in separate boxes, on opposite sides in the ship core refrigerator.

After finishing sampling and describing of the cores, each section should be stored in a tube, putting attention that the bottom of the core is first. Close the d-tube with an end cap of correct color. Even if it is possible to fit multiple short sections in one d-tube, only one section goes inside of a d-tube. The only exception is the last section and the core catcher.

When storing the core catcher and last section together, put the core catcher into the d-tube first, making it be behind the section. If together, core catcher and last section length is less than 150cm, the Core Tracking Sheet will ask you to store both in one d-tube. Always check that the physical storage is consistent with the Core Tracking Report, and that the working and archive

halves are stored in exactly the same manner.  If you discover inconsistencies with LIMS or between archive and working halves after cores are boxed and you are not able to fix them, be sure to make a note for the repository Superintendent of the repository where the cores will be sent.

Labeling D-Tubes

Label by hand the top of each d-tube with a permanent marker using black for working halves and red for archive halves.  The label runs the length of the tube, reading:  EXPEDITION- SITE/HOLE-CORE/CORETYPE-SECTION à W (or A) with the arrow pointing to the top of the section toward the end cap (Figure 66).  Put one bar-coded core label (Figure 18) at the open end of the d-tube and a second bar-coded label on the end cap.

Figure 66. D-tube labeling by hand

Colored dots are used on d-tubes to indicate the following situations:

Also, yellow pre-printed IODP “caution” stickers in the end caps mark sections in which something unusual happened.  In addition to the caution label, it’s always helpful to write a brief

handwritten message on the top of the d-tube explaining what happened.  The message must be easily understood by the repository staff or visiting scientists a repository.  For example, if a section was dropped and aligning the pieces in the original position was not possible, write: "section dropped; 0-28cm out of order and not oriented".  In the same way, include these comments in Sample Master System.

General Guide to Core Boxing

Try to keep cores in the laboratory as long as possible before boxing to allow each crew of scientists the chance to view and/or sample material that came up while off shift.  When the core storage in the laboratory is full, sections are boxed and moved to the core refrigerator.  It is one of the Curatorial Specialist responsibilities to monitor core flow out of the laboratory. Talk to the Staff Scientist and science party to know when they will finish the work with specific cores. Let the other technicians know what cores should and should not be boxed. Develop a workable system to minimize conflict and maximize useful work.

Core Box Inventory forms are used to track the movement of boxed sections.  Keep one clipboard of blank forms for working halves and another for archive halves in the Core   . Update these forms whenever cores are boxed. Always use a black pen for working half forms and a red pen for archive half forms to differentiate them. These steps are important because in this way you can easily find needed sections later in the expedition and the unboxing at the repository is simplified   (Figure 67).  Whenever possible, the handwritten information should also be transferred to an Excel spreadsheet and stored on the curator’s laptop and on the ship server.  This form facilitates the job of unloading the cores at the repository. Form-versions of these spreadsheets are kept on the hard drive on the curator’s laptop.

IMAGE MISSING

Figure 67. Back at the core repository

At the end of the expedition, provide copies of the core box inventory to the Laboratory Officer/Assistant Laboratory Officer, the on-coming Curatorial Specialist, the Curator’s copy of the Curatorial Notebook (original handwritten inventory) and the repository’s copy of the Curatorial Notebook.

Finally, one copy of the core box inventory form should be attached and taped to one of the core box before shipped.

Since d-tubes in the laboratory are reopened frequently to have second look at cores, taping of the end caps should be done just before the cores are ready to be boxed.  When ready to box, seal the d-tubes with archival quality polyethylene tape (3M brand is preferable), extending the tape from the top to the bottom of the d-tube, covering both computer labels. Get a four-wheeled cart to stack the core boxes on as you are packing them and to transport the full core boxes to the  core refrigerator.  D-tubes are placed in wax core boxes that hold 10 sections (Figure 68).  When you have 4-8 full core boxes stacked on the cart, take them to the core refrigerator for storage until the end of the cruise.

IMAGE MISSING

Figure 68. MLS boxing core

Core Boxing Instructions

Instructions for properly assembling, packing, marking, and closing core boxes follow.  Copies of these instructions should remain posted at both ends of the core laboratory.

Fold rear of box and insert cores in a way that the lowest core/section number is in the upper left, and the highest core/section number is in the lower right (Figure 69). It is easier to fill the box by starting in the lower right with the highest core/section number and working backwards to the upper left. Sometimes, however, it is easier to fold the front of the box and insert the cores top- first into the open rear end of the box, so the top of the section goes inside first.  The lowest core/section number should still be in the upper left and the highest core/section number should be in the lower right.

Figure 69. How to box a core

1. Record the pertinent data on the Core Box Inventory

1. Mark boxes containing working halves with a black permanent marker; mark boxes containing archive halves with a red permanent Mark bottom (BOT) at the rear of the box, both on the flap and top surface, and TOP on the front flap and top surface.  At both ends of the box, on the top and flap, write the expedition number and the box number (as listed on the Core Box Inventory) followed by a W or A for working or archive. Circle the core box number and letter (Figure 70).

Figure 70. Example of a core-box end labeling

Core Storage in the Refrigerator

Boxes are stored in the core refrigerator in different places. Working halves are on the port side while archive halves are on the starboard side of the refrigerator.

Be sure to push core boxes as far back into the racks as possible to save space in the expeditions with On an extremely busy expedition, when the core refrigerator is nearly full, talk with the LO about clearing out space in the Hold Refrigerator or the Upper Tween landing area to fit adequately all the cores.

Re-sampling and re-describing cores

Re-sampling cores that already are stored can occurs but try to minimize it by keeping the cores accessible in the Core                                       racks as long as necessary and possible.                                       Scientists wishing to re- describe or re-sample boxed cores must get approval from the Staff Scientist and then contact the Curatorial Specialist who determines when, where and how the activity is to be undertaken.  The more core boxes are opened and re-stapled, the more they begin to resemble soggy graham crackers. This weakens the boxes and obscures their labels. Curatorial Specialist

Investigators wishing to access boxed cores may be asked to do the legwork themselves, after consulting with the Curatorial Specialist. The investigators retrieve the desired material and then pack, staple, and shelve the boxes just as they found them or this can be done by the Curatorial Specialist and a few techs, whatever method works best. Depending on the number of    samples, sections, boxes, etc., the actual re-sampling and re-describing may be done in the refrigerator itself.  Sample IDs can be recorded by hand on the sample bags and the data should be entered later at the Sample Master sampling station upstairs.  An alternate method used on Phase II is to set up the mobile sample table (Figure), a hard shell (Augmentix) laptop, and a Zebra printer in the reefer for sampling. Sometimes, especially during drilling breaks or transits, it is easier to take the cores back to the laboratory.

For safety reasons the old staples should be removed prior to re-stapling.  Old staples have caused scrapes and cuts. Keep a pair of needle nosed pliers in the refrigerator for this purpose. Toward the end of the cruise, it is generally not possible to access boxed cores. The final date for re-sampling and re-describing will be included in the "End-of-the-Cruise" schedule devised and distributed by the Laboratory Officer. The Curatorial Specialist should inform the Co- Chiefs and scientists that after this final date, re-sampling and re-describing will need to be performed at the repository.

Between sites

Between site tasks for the Curatorial Specialist include:

• Clean up and restocking the laboratory, especially around the sampling

• Update Excel Core Box

• Make corrections to the sample database using Sample

• Box and bag all the previous site's samples and take them to the On busy cruises, it is a good idea to keep those samples in the Hold Refrigerator to maximize space for the next core boxes loading.

• Prepare the sampling plan for the next

• Cross check the core photos with Sample Master curated lengths to make sure they Make updates in Sample Master as necessary and recalculate depths for those particular holes.

End of expedition activities  Final Curatorial Report

The compilation of all documents reporting events, problems and activities of a cruise is used post-cruise by the Curator and repository staff. All this information is stored electronically in the Curator folder on the shipboard server VOL1(\\JR1)(T:). It is also sent electronically via email to the Repository Superintendent and the Curator.

Contents of the Curatorial Final Report

The contents of the Curatorial Final Report will vary according to the cruise.  Nevertheless, certain documentation is nearly always required. Add any other information you think may be useful.

1. Participant list - You can get a copy from the

1. Curatorial Report - (see next section for further details).

1. Action items – This section is for the Curator or Repository Superintendent. Include all new requests, instructions for redistribution of shipboard residues or thin sections, requests for post-cruise samples, anything last minute that the Curator will need to take care of back on the

1. Pre-Site to Site Conversion - list pre-site numbers with their corresponding IODP site numbers

1. Request#/Sample Code/Approval Status List/Sample Totals – There is no web report that combines all of this You can prepare this in Excel by combining several of the available web reports.

1. Core Box Inventory Forms - Put one Excel copy in each The original handwritten copies should go in the Curator’s notebook.

1. Thin Sections – Thin section billet (Laboratory Code TSB) inventory and thin section slide ( Type and Test TS) inventory with Curatorial Specialist’s updates (e.g. slide #). Web Tabular search: Type=TS, export to excel, make sure it is in the proper order, and nicely

1. Smear Slide Inventory – prepare in (Web Tabular search: Type=SS, export to Excel)

1. Residues and Redistributed Samples: memo describing distribution information of all shipboard samples, smear slides, and samples being returned to the

1. Memos/emails - any information of interest relating to curation and requests from the

1. Correspondence with the shore-based scientists.

1. Curatorial Cookbook Changes/Updates - Ensure that changes are incorporated both on the ship and on the Please provide hard copies of these changes in the Curatorial Notebook as well as an electronic copy. The changes should be italicized and bold to reflect the additions or deletes.

1. Sample Requests- You may need to put the requests in a separate Group them by request number in the following categories:

1. New Requests

1. Accepted

1. Modified requests - clearly mark the request and document all changes on the request and in the action items list if anything more is required on

1. Deferred/Partially Deferred Requests - list the samples which are to be sampled on the beach on a sample request inventory form, or alternatively specify the site, hole, section, interval where sampling should begin and end. For Decision deferred, explain what co-

Chiefs intend to do with the request post-cruise

1. Rejected/Withdrawn Requests - include the Co-chiefs’ statement of why a request was rejected

Curatorial report

At the end of the expedition, the curatorial report is read by the Laboratory Officer in order to prepare the end-of-expedition Technical Report. Also, the document alerts the Curator and repository staff about any post-cruise sample request action that needs to be taken. At the same time, the on-coming Curatorial Specialist can learn about new procedures and equipment changes reading the curatorial report.

The Curatorial Report is sent electronically via email to the Curator, and Repository Superintendent. An electronic copy is also sent to the Laboratory Officer, or place in their folder on the ship server in the format requested by them. Put an electronic in the Curator folder on the ship server (VOL1(\\JR1)(T:)Curator. Provide a copy for the oncoming Curatorial Specialist as well.

Include the topics below in your Curatorial Report. Within each area, be sure to discuss any exceptional differences from standard procedures. Of course, adjust the contents as appropriate.

• Summary – this might include a very brief statement on the locality and general cruise

• Sample Totals – The Laboratory Officer will be looking for this
• Shipments – Core – The Laboratory Officer will also be looking for this
• Shipments – Sample, Express, Hand Carried, Frozen, Refrigerated
• Emailed Files – a list of emailed files that were sent to the Curator and receiving repository Superintendent at the end of the
• Action Items
• Thin Sections
• Smear Slides
• Residue Distribution
• Special Projects, which might include the following:

1. Unusual sample requests

1. Curatorial Policies/Procedures: include information about cores, including any oddities important in core racking

1. Computing Hardware and Software

1. Curatorial Cookbook: copies and explanations of all changes made during the

1. Action Items

1. Mention any special projects you attempted/completed during the cruise

• Problems Encountered - Note any problems with equipment, supplies or anything

End of expedition paperwork

End of Expedition Email Files

As of Leg 208, essential end-of-expedition curatorial files should be emailed as attachments to the Curator and to the Superintendent of the repository that is receiving the cores.  In summary, the following documents should be sent by email to the curator and to the core receiving repository:

• Sample shipment,
• Core box inventory,
• Thin section inventory and
• Curatorial report with action

Clean up

After all the cores have been boxed and stored, start with the cleaning up the curatorial work areas. You should first insure that all sample material has been removed from the core laboratory and packed in the appropriate boxes.

Smear slides should be gathered up, placed in labeled cardboard trays and packed securely for shipping. Likewise, gather up all thin sections and take an inventory to make sure none are missing.

Sample bins should be emptied and cleaned. Check behind bins on the floor for any stray samples. Make sure that all samples have been removed from the laboratories on the Foc'sle Deck.

Packing Samples

The investigators' sample bins hold about 100 samples. As the bins fill, the sample bags should be packed into personal boxes labeled with the appropriate sample codes.  Before transferring the samples from the bins, check that each bag is sealed securely and labeled properly.  Bag sealers are not reliable. Therefore, you need to check each bag carefully before storing them in boxes. Samples occasionally get tossed into the wrong bins in the flurry of sampling activity.

Inspection of sample bin contents also allows you to check that sufficient volume is being taken. For all personal samples, each scientist should check the boxes by themselves to ensure that only their samples are contained in their sample box.

Frozen samples are stored in the -20 oC freezer on the port side of the Hold Deck.

You need to work closely with the ALO to arrange a time to wrap foreign air freight, get shipping labels, correct addresses for shore-based scientists and get dry ice in portcall. All frozen sample shipments are coordinated through the IODP Logistics person. As of May 2014 this person is Robert “Mitch” Mitchell.

Core Laboratory Cleanup

After all sample material has been safely packed up for shipment it is time to clean up the Core Laboratory.  The LO will probably assign you specific end of expedition clean up duties.  Pay particular attention to the sampling area. Even if you are not assigned to Core Laboratory cleanup duty, do a preliminary cleanup of tools and equipment. This will avoid curatorial material interfere at the time of the final cleanup.

Re-stock the curatorial area for the oncoming Curatorial Specialist. Make sure the Curatorial Specialist's office on the F Deck is clean and neat. Clear off the bulletin board, remove your personal items from the drawers, and straighten the bookshelves.  You may also cleanup the Curatorial mail account.

Onboard preparation for post-cruise sampling party

Sampling party is referred to personal sampling that happen on shore, after a high recovery paleoceanographic expedition. This is always held at one of the three IODP core repositories around the world. The three repositories are located in Bremen, Germany (Bremen Core Repository), College Station, Texas (Gulf Coast Repository), and Kochi, Japan (Kochi Core Center). The location of the cores depends on where they were drilled. Figure 71 shows the global divisions of the oceans, and the respective repository that houses the core material.

Figure 71. Distribution of scientific ocean drilling cores throughout the world. The geographic area a core is drilled determines what repository the core material will be stored: KCC (Kochi Core Center), GCR (Gulf Coast Repository) or BCR (Bremen Core Repository).

There are many things that you may do to prepare for this. First, try to get as many post-cruise sample requests as you can before the end of the expedition. If possible, ask the scientists to fill out pre-formatted Excel spreadsheets (*.xlsx files) with the details of the samples from each core section they will be requesting.  It is important to instruct them how to properly fill out the spreadsheets. Work with the staff scientist to schedule a deadline for submitting post-cruise

sample requests for the party. The staff scientist should convey this information to the science party.

Second, get copies of the composite section (splice) from the stratigraphic correlator for each site. Make sure there is sufficient overlap from one hole/core to another to avoid gaps. In this way, the Repository staff knows beforehand which sections from which holes need to be pulled, and in what order they will be sampled.

Hints for Conducting a Successful Sampling Party in a Repository

Timing: Scientists should be given sufficient time after receiving core descriptions (Hole Summaries) to formulate detailed sample requests before the party.  Experience from previous successful sampling parties leads us to recommend for sampling parties to be held no sooner than 3-4 months post-cruise. It is becoming more common for the science party to refine the splice by XRF scanning archive halves at a facility on shore.

Dedicated holes: The dedicated intervals should be specifically determined by the time the scientists receive the core descriptions. The scientists and Repository personnel should be made aware of where those intervals are. Any late modifications to the composite depths should be cleared up at least one week before the party so the Repository superintendents will have time to compose the sampling plans.

Deadline: The scientists should be given a realistic, but firm deadline by which time the detailed requests must be completed and turned in. In general, about two weeks to one month prior to the party commencing will be sufficient to review the requests from a curatorial viewpoint.  Late arriving requests will be handled as quickly as possible.  If there is an on-site Curator assigned to the sampling party then late arriving requests can be handled during the party.  Scientists should keep in mind that the BCR is seven hours ahead of IODP/TAMU and it can take up to one day to get the required approvals. Kochi is XXX hours ahead/behind.

The role of the co-Chief and staff scientists: The co-Chief and staff scientists are responsible for the science that will be accomplished on the samples. The final decision on the fate of each sample request, to the extent that it remains within the Sample Distribution Policy guidelines, rests in their hands.  The Co-Chief scientists coordinate with the party attendees and the repository superintendent the selection of the sampling party dates.

The role of the Repository staff: The Repository staff helps the scientists guide their sampling needs. They watch that the sampling stays within curatorial policy, but still giving them what they require for their research.  The design of the sampling plans is based on the approved sample requests. These plans will serve as a guide to the samplers during the party. In the Repository, there will be students available to rack and un-rack the cores.  If the scientists stay at the same hotel, the staff may provide transportation to and from the hotel at the beginning and end of each sampling shift and food and snacks for the sample party as well.

In rare and unusual situations, it may be necessary to take cores on the ship with a plan to have them split on shore. If the cores will be sent to a Repository un-split, it is strongly recommended that you have the core MST’d on the ship.  Local facilities may not be compatible or even available for use with shipboard data.

If cores are sent back un-split then the sampling party must be held early enough so that the cores can be described and photographed for the IR volume.  This would mean that the sampling party must be held prior to the first post-cruise meeting.

How to request samples:  The requests will have to be reviewed prior to the sampling party to ensure that all the high resolution samples (those that exceed sampling policy) are taken from the dedicated intervals.  If a request is to move back and forth between several holes using the composite depth (splice), then, reviewing the requests gets complicated. In this case, Repository staff will request the sample lists two weeks to one month prior to the scheduled party. They use the lists to generate a plan similar to the whiteboard on the ship but much more detailed.  The individual scientist sample lists should be assigned at centimeter level intervals within each section. It is left to the repository staff to determine if there are too many overlaps with samples (i.e. there in not enough physical core material to meet the need of the sample plan).  The Repository staff takes into consideration samples that were taken on the ship in an attempt to obtain intervals that provides continuity of the shipboard intervals.  Assistance from the scientists is graciously accepted.

Level of detail of the sample lists: Specific sample lists down to the section half and centimeter levels are required. It is possible to upload up to 50,000 sample lists into the database for a  single sample party, so it important that specific sample lists are submitted by the investigator.

In addition, if a request moves back and forth between different holes, handling become becomes complicated because it would be necessary to move sampling back and forth across the splice (composite depth). In order for us to make up the sampling plan, each scientist will have to word their request in the following example terms: I want samples at 10 cm intervals (15 cm3 in size) from the Pleistocene through the Miocene in Site 976. At the same time the scientist should attach a sample list that states where they want the samples taken within the composite depth.

See example below:

Samples will be shipped via FedEx within the continent where the Repository resides.

Travel arrangements: Scientists need to notify the IODP-USIO travel coordinator (Kathy Bass as of May, 2014) of their plans.

Appendixes

Job description –  Curatorial marine specialist

TAMU TITLE: Research Assistant IODP TITLE:  Curatorial Specialist

Scope and responsibility

Function: The role of Curation within IODP is: (a) to promote the use of the core collections, and (b) to conserve the core collections for future use. The duties and tasks of the Research Assistant Curatorial Specialist are designed to fulfill both parts of Curation’s role, in support of the data services function of the Program. Under the supervision of the Superintendent of Curation, carryout curation duties, fill sample requests, and assist with management of repository facilities. Support IODP education, and public relations initiatives.

Duties

Carry out curation duties, fill sample requests, and assist with management of repository facilities, and ensure user-oriented services are provided to staff and scientists.

Collections Management

Perform Curatorial duties on ship and shore, including:

• Enforce guidelines and procedures for staff and scientific community to follow in archiving and sampling core;
• Resolve problems with sampling
• Carryout sampling activities and ensure sampling is efficient and
• Utilize proper procedures to ensure cores, samples, residue collections are properly curated and that curation database information is properly
• Facilitate all arechive procedures to ensure core is
• Manage acquisition and maintenance all equipment needed to carryout required tasks.
• Work with visiting scientists on sampling
• Perform curatorial tasks related to the completion of ODP curation activities and other ODP legacy
• Assist supervisor with conducting research into new technologies or techniques that will keep IODP curation procedures technicially current and/or enhance them, as
• Be familiar with, comply with, and administer all IODP/Alliance, TAMU, TAMRF, state, and federal policies that pertain to
• Work cooperatively with others at all times, demonstrating teamwork and displaying a service-oriented attitude in all IODP
• Ensures strong team approach to service deliverables through routine team building, training and

• Ensure safe

Budget and faciltites

• Assist supervisor with handling day-to-day repository computer hardware and software
• Ensure repository facilities and equipment are