Standard Operating Procedure - Chemistry Lab
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I. PRE-EXPEDITION
- See General JRSO Shipboard Technical Staff SOP
II. PORT CALL - Start of an Expedition
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Check the pressure of the oxygen (ChemLab), helium and argon bottles (Tween Pallet Stores). Ensure the bottles are above 200psi; otherwise, swap them out with fresh bottles.
Supplies
IAPSO - Store it properly, as any evaporation will lead to increased salinity.
Necessary IW squeezing supplies:
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- Take a 5 cc headspace sample from every sediment core (non-basement), at the top of a section (try to be consistent). This sample is taken until the total depth objective is met. If doing multiple holes, you do not have to repeat the sampling if the sample is taken at a prior depth but just continue after the prior hole's bottom depth.
- For cores with IW samples, take the headspace sample from the top of the section immediately below the IW sample. Note the core, section and interval of the headspace sample and write it on the Curator's logsheet. The interval will need to be entered into SampleMaster by the Curator/ALO.
- Make sure nobody sprays acetone on the catwalk before sampling is completed. Acetone will contaminate the sample.
- It is recommended to occasionally take a sample of the air on the core deck, so that any change in the headspace sample analysis can be correlated to changes in volatilized acetone.
- Inject a standard (corresponding to a similar concentration seen in the core samples) every fifty injections or so, to check on the instrument calibration.
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- Set the pressure gauge around 3000psi and simultaneously push and hold both green (CLOSE) buttons on the hydraulic unit's base until the auto-pressure engages.
- After the first drops flow from the hole in the squeezer's base plate, insert the syringe into the hole. Keep an eye on the syringe to make sure the pressure doesn't push out the syringe or plunger (especially for the first few cores). Keep incrementing the pump pressure in sets of 2000lb. Do not ever increase the pressure above 30,000lbs.
- Select the correct core, section, and sample, and upload the IW sample splits (using the Excel template) into SampleMaster and distribute the labels.When porewater yield is sufficient/no more water is trickling, release the pump by pressing the red OPEN button and remove the syringe from the squeezer.
- Start sample distribution (splits).
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- Fill the Carver presses with oil (if necessary).
- Check the oil in the freeze dryer's vacuum pump.
- Defrost and clean the freeze dryer.
- Clean (defrost if necessary) the fridges; dispose of old reagents.
- Change the hydrogen generator's DI bags and vacuum the back vent filters.
- Check the ovens for debris.
- Clean any instrument-specific items.
- Have the lab coats laundered (segregated and tumble dried).
- Immaculately clean the lab (this means everything).
- Check expiration dates on chemicals, notify ALO/LO if hazardous chemicals/waste need to be disposed in port.
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