CLAUDIO ROBUSTELLI TEST & TIFFANY LIAO (Temporary Technicians)
SUMMARY
Two temporary marine technicians took care of the duties of the Image Specialist as best as possible while working in the Core Lab supporting with everyday duties and helping scientists with measurements and samples preparation. We mostly took care of SHIL and CLOSEUPS for both sediments and hard-rocks. 3394 SHLF images were proofed, 108 WRLSC images, 506 CLOSEUPs, 183 PICAT images, 32 MBIO shake out images were created and uploaded to LIMS.
The Imaging Lab produced seven weekly family and friends photo series with 280 images total, organized the logo printing party and took care of Group photos production and printing.
GENERAL IMAGING DUTIES/SERVICES PROVIDED
- Headshot posters
- ID badges creation for IODP staff
- SHIL images check and support
- Close-ups photography
- Friends and Family photography
- T-shirt logo printing
- Group photography production, editing and printing
SYSTEM STATUS
SHIL
Calibration had been done multiple time at the beginning of the Expedition. RGB interval values were set above the line Trigger Interval due to inexperience and missing information in the Imaging Specialist guides and notes for SHIL calibration. Guides has been implemented and updated in confluence. A gray card was substituted due to wear. A part of small issues reported below, the instrument was working properly.
SECTION HALF IMAGES
SHIL images (.TIFF and .JPEG) were methodically checked and retaken when necessary.
Issues – Since the sediments were pretty dark some reflectance in wet sediments were not avoidable even drying the section surface using paper towels. Co-chiefs and scientists decided to let the section drying for more time with the support of fans when necessary and/or scanned after description.
- 3 sections in Hole U15602E (U15602E-31R1; U15602E-33R2; U15602E-40R3) were longer than 155 cm (maximum length of the ruler) so it was not possible to scan the full image with the reference scale (Figure 1). However, the extra-portions outside the SHIL tray corresponds to the IW foam and no actions was taken as the sediments were fully scanned.
Figure 1: SHIL uncropped image of a not fully scanned section, longer than 155 cm.
- Occasionally the raw image was not saved and the .TIFF file was containing only the label (Figure 2). This error was random and it was not possible to identify if it was a bug in the software or a human mistake by some scientists while taking the images. This error become more frequent after the recent upgrade of MUT. This occurred both for SECTION HALF and 360 images. The problem is not solved yet and occur randomly. Developers point out that the issue can derive from the interference between MUT and IMS, with MUT trying to upload the file before the .jpg is created by IMS.
WRLS
A total of 432 whole-round quadrant images were taken for hard-rock sections including only oriented pieces.
108 WRLSC – composite images were created and uploaded on LIMS.
Issues – Uploading issue after the upgrade of MUT. Some .roi file were placed in the “error” folder with no specific reason. To now the only way to upload the image on LIMS were to copy and paste the .roi file on the “in” folder and reattempt to upload with MUT. This approach was not always working and sometimes required to redo this procedure for several times before the file got uploaded.
- Occasionally, the 360 composite images were not showing up on LIVE, re-upload using the application “Composite Whole Round Surface Scans” of the .JPG and .TIFF files were necessary.
- The .TIFF file was containing only the label (Figure 2). Possible problem with MUT. Not solved yet. The images needs to be retaken.
Figure 2: Blank SHIL image containing only the section label.
CLOSEUPS
Along expedition 395 a total of total 506 Closeup images were produced, including images for section halves and macro-closeups for exp395/395C PAL samples. For exp395, 480 images were produced, including 469 images for core section halves and 11 for PAL samples. For exp395C, 26 images for PAL samples were produced.
Large amount of closeup for sediment cores were requested, for one core, scientists requested to take closeups of almost the whole core by 10 cm interval.
Special macro close-ups are requested including high-resolution images of forams and volcanic glass from the PAL samples of expedition 395 and 395C. Due to the size of photographing target, the CANON MP-E 65mm lens were used (Figure 3), and for the glass samples, the Calumet light system was turned off and the Foldio halo light bars were used to remove the shadows in the image as much as possible (Figure 4-6).
On the macro closeup images, a rough scale bar was added for reference, a picture of a ruler was taken at the same setting and distance as the closeup photo, and the scale bar was set and added on photoshop by using "analysis>set measurement scale" tools (Figure 7).
Log sheet of requested forms was created and uploaded to \data1\1.9 Lab Logbooks at the end of the expedition.
Figure 3: CANON MP-E 65mm lens were set up for macro closeups for PAL samples.
Figure 4: Foldio halo light bars were used on macro closeups for small glass particles.
Figure 5: Foldio halo light bars were held straight above the samples on both sides of the camera lens.
Figure 6: Closeup taken by using different light system. (A) Calumet light system; (B) Foldio halo light bars.
Figure 7: Scale bar are manually added. (A) Original closeup image; (B) Image of the ruler at same scale with target item; (C) final edited image.
PICAT
Images of 93 Thin sections at both single- and cross-polarization were taken, processed, and uploaded on LIMS.
Issues – Light bulb was substituted as it burned out due to overheating. After discussion with the Marine Instrumentation Specialist we agreed that the in-use bulb of 150W are not suitable for the PICAT unit. Instead 100W bulb should be used.
MBIO
Along expedition 395 a total of 32 MBIO samples are taken from hard-rock curated cores, and overview MBIO shake out pictures were produced for all samples taken as the core arrived.
The pictures were taken in the splitting room right after shake out, a dot sticker is placed on the liner to mark the MBIO samples. For some samples, the stickers couldn’t stay well on the liner, so a foam is placed to mark the samples.
Images were arranged in folders by Exp>Site>Hole and exported to data1 in RAW, DNG and JPG formats.
The files are named by Exp-Site-hole-core-number, for most cores, 3 pictures were taken, which are the whole overview, left part, and right part. For some cores, a closer picture of MBIO sample were taken and for short cores only one picture was taken.
MICROSCOPES
Cleaning and setup of microscopes based on scientists requested were made by Eric Bravo (Image specialist after the previous Expedition - 399) and Fabricio Ferreira (Core Description Specialist).
PRINTERS
PRINTER EPSON STYLUS 4900
It was used to print Headshot posters, ID badges for IODP staff and group photos.
Issues – Frequent occurrence of Clogged Nozzle while printing the group photos. Nozzle Head Cleaning was repeatedly performed. The issue seems to be solved.
PRINTER EPSON ECOTANK 8550
It was used to print T-shirt logos. No issues.
IMAGING SERVICES
FRIENDS & FAMILY
A total of 8 weekly images were produced.
EXPEDITION LOGO
A T-shirt Logo Pressing Party was organized and requested logos were printed and pressed. T-shirt logo requests and “take home” instructions were printed.
Expedition Logo has been printed, laminated and set up on the stairs wall.
PHOTOGRAPHY
No issues encountered. All equipment used is working properly.
Items Received
Two "Spot 4K UltraHD Insight" Microscope cameras were received and they are sitting in the image office ready to be mounted and set up during the next expedition.