I. Pre-Expedition
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Fill the 20 L Nalgene tub with 18 L DI water. Place the tub in the fume hood nearest the Nanopure system and slowly add 2 L concentrated HCl. This will be used to clean labware (glass and plastic. NO metal).
Fill one of the small tubs with 10% nitric (reagent) to clean ICP vials/bottles and fill the other small tub with 10% nitric (trace metal) for the cleaning of XRAY crucibles only.
Freeze Dryer
Make sure that the freeze dryer is operating. The vacuum pump is located inside, behind the front stainless panel. Check vacuum pump oil level.
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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 a headspace sample has already been taken at that depth but just continue after the prior hole's bottom depth.
- For cores with IW samples, always take the headspace sample adjacent to IW, best 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 headspace vial. The interval will 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 concentrations seen in the recent cores) every fifty injections or so, to check on the instrument calibration.
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- Set the pressure to 3000 lbs 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 hydraulic unit pressure in steps of 1000 lbs until 10000 lbs; after 10000 lbs, increase in steps of 2000. Do not ever increase the pressure above 30000 lbs.
- Select the correct core, section and sample in SampleMaster. 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 hydraulic unit pressure by pressing the red OPEN button and remove the syringe from the squeezer.
- Start sample distribution (splits).
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- Write the End-of-Expedition lab report and send a copy, via e-mail, to the on-coming technicians.
- Make sure all data is sent to LIMS and all raw data files are copied to the Data1 volume.
- Pack up equipment being returned for repairs and give the ALO the following information: IODP inventory number, value, serial number, model number, vendor's name and country of manufacture.
- Pack up all samples as per scientists' requests; work with the Curator/ALOs.
- Give the LO a list for port purchases, if any.
- Clean the lab and assigned area following the cleaning instruction according to LO's list. Bring all the trash to the incinerator. Glass and sharps get disposed of in port call.
- 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.
- Check the ovens for debris. Clean them.
- Clean any instrument-specific items.
- Have the lab coats laundered (segregated and tumble dried).
- Check expiration dates on chemicals, notify ALO/LO if there are hazardous chemicals/waste to be disposed of in port.
- Confirm that both helium and argon have a new full rack of gas bottle connected and ready to go.
VI. Port call – Off Going
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