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Standard Operating Procedure – Curator

March 2018
The Curator shares his/her duties between the Core Lab and Curation. For details on the Core Lab duties, refer to the Core Lab SOP.

I. PRE-CRUISE

In preparation for an upcoming cruise, the Curatorial Representative (aka Curator) performs the following tasks:

• New hires should become acquainted with the IODP Sample Distribution Policy (http://www.iodp.org/program-policies/procedures/guidelines) and the Curatorial Cookbook.
• Become familiar with cruise objectives by reading the Scientific Prospectus. If on shore, attend the pre-cruise meeting at IODP.
• Review sample requests as electronic copies are received. Meet with the Staff Scientist to go over the sample requests to identify and discuss potential overlaps. Scientists may be asked to revise requests pre-cruise if deemed necessary.
• Flag requests that require special equipment or handling. Ask the Staff Scientist to notify the Lab Officer / Assistant Lab Officer.
• Devise "Pre-Cruise Sampling Plan" (PCSP) spreadsheet with the Staff Scientist. Use this document as the basis for future shipboard sampling plans.
• Revise any special request for the Expeditions (i.e. legacy cores & TS) record in curatorial notebook.

II. PORT CALL - Start of an Expedition

• Crossover with off-going Curator. Review the Curatorial Report from the previous cruise and address any significant changes to the Core Lab/Sampling Area, computers, database and the Curatorial Cookbook. Be sure the off-going Curator provides sufficient information about off-going frozen samples, refrigerated samples, ambient samples and core shipments. Discuss the status of any display/PR cores left on board from the previous cruise.
• Finish the shipment of frozen or refrigerated samples prepared by the off-going Curator. Fill the insulated shipping container with dry ice or blue ice. Activate the temperature monitors before closing the container. Attach shipping letter to refrigerated shipments.
• Guide and participate in the loading/unloading of cores and the frozen and refrigerated sample shipment. Place temperature monitors in the back, middle and front of the refrigerated shipping container on individual core boxes. Tape a core box inventory list to one of the boxes near the door of the container (for easy access). Give the other copy of the core box inventory to the MLC/ALO to include with the shipping papers. Make sure an electronic version has been emailed to the Superintendent of the repository where the cores are being shipped.
• Verify physical counts on priority curatorial inventory items. Bring to LO/ALO's immediate attention if any item is short on quantity.

III. SITE PREPARATION - Prior to arrival on site and core on deck

There are many beginning-of-the-cruise curatorial tasks that may be tackled during port call. If the 'to-do' list below is too long, and the port call too short, they should be done while underway to the first site.

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For more details in these preparatory tasks, refer to the Curatorial Cookbook.

IV. During Coring Operations

In consultation with the Lab Officer and Assistant Lab Officer, the Curator oversees and monitors the handling of all cores on the catwalk, in the lab and in the storage areas. He or she assures smooth core handling operations by interfacing with scientists and fellow technicians as well as overseeing all sampling activities in the Core Lab. The Curator stays in close contact with the Chemists to assure that the Chemistry Lab sampling needs are being met. The Curator performs all the Core Lab tasks described in the Core Lab SOP (see section II) and many other tasks, including:

• Curator interfaces with the drillers as problems arise.
• Take responsibility for proper handling of special cores (including soupy and expanding cores, split or shattered liners, H2S cores, and cores with critical intervals (e.g. K/T boundary, volcanic glass, sulfides, etc.). Refer to the Curatorial Cookbook for specific instructions on how to handle these cores.
• Oversee the sampling process, assuring that all scientists are well trained in sampling techniques and understand the posted whiteboard plan. The Curator fills-in at the sample table whenever there is a gap in the scientists sampling schedule or the sampling regime backs up the core flow in the lab.
• Correct sample data entry errors in Sample Master.
• Cut thin section billets. Assure that the Thin Section Request Form is properly filled-out.
• Organize and oversee hard rock sampling parties. This includes assisting the Staff Scientist and Co-Chiefs in sorting out conflicts over proposed sample and with the help of the fellow technicians, cutting the samples with the drill press or rock saws. If conflicts can not be fully worked out by the investigators, then the SAC must make a decision on who will have the sampling priority. Have scientists draw cut lines on the rocks and fill out a sheet with the exact intervals of the samples they are requesting. Verify that this list accurate reflects the samples with stickers and the intervals match the cut lines drawn. Make sure the samples are correctly entered into Sample Master.
• With Staff Scientist, send email to Shore Curator listing approval status of all requests.
• Organize and oversee the re-sampling of cores.
• Restock sample table supplies throughout the cruise.
• Prepare storage bins for specific shipboard and personal samples such as XRD and CARB.
• Verify samples are placed in the correct storage bins.
• Assist the ALOs in verifying the shipboard samples are distributed to the proper labs.
• Remove personal samples from bins as they are filling up and pack samples away in the hold reefer. Label boxes on each side with sample code and line with a plastic liner. Coordinate with ALOs as to where to stack boxes.

V. During Transits

• Restock sample table supplies as needed. Ensure that the sampling table and tools are clean and ready for the next site.
• Prepare and post the white board sampling plan for the upcoming site.
• Organize the previous site's data in to the Curatorial Notebook.
• Continue processing cores through the lab as described above.

VI. During Expedition

• Maintain inventory by checking quantities and performing physical counts. Notify the ALOs if any quantity discrepancy or unusual high usage occurred.
• Compile a cruise Curatorial Notebook which should include the following:

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• Update Curatorial Cookbook as needed.

For more details, refer to the Curatorial Cookbook.

VII. END OF LEG ACTIVITIES

• If needed, do preliminary preparations (i.e. a spreadsheet) for the post-cruise sampling party. Include this in the Curatorial Notebook.
• Compile inventory lists of Thin Sections and Smear Slides for the Curatorial Notebook.
• Write the end-of-leg Curatorial report, give a copy to the Lab Officer and email a copy to shore (Curator & Superintendent). Put a copy in the Curatorial Notebook
• Put the completed Curatorial Notebook in the Lab Officer's express shipment box in the Technician's office.
• Pack all remaining samples in personal boxes labeled with the appropriate sample code. Seal personal boxes and let the ALO know when you are finished. Prepare the frozen sample shipment. Refer to the Curatorial Cookbook for the procedure.
• Re-supply the sample table for the oncoming Curator.
• Give the Lab Officer a list for port purchases, if any.
• Clean the lab and assigned area following the cleaning instruction listed in the Core Lab Handbook. Bring all the trash to the incinerator. Glass and sharps get disposed of in port call.
• Perform the end of Expedition maintenance as listed in the Curator's Handbook.

VIII. PORT CALL – Off Going

• See General JRSO Technical Staff SOP