Core Lab Preparation for first core
Core Laboratory
Preparations for the first core
This guide is provided to supplement the Core Lab Cookbook, and summarize preparation procedures for lab technicians to set up the lab for the first core on deck.
CATWALK Preparation
Fill acetone bottles
Prepare core cutters (clean, put new blades in)
Restock liner patch (halves and quarters) and split liners
Fill bins with endcaps (white in the right bin, blue in the left bin; add a dozen of yellow in the white bins)
Add 1-2 spatulas and 1-2 red markers into each holder at each station
Restock each bin with a filled acetone bottle
Place 1-2 rags to each station
Overhaul the small drills (Bosch drills for drilling holes in the core liner on the catwalk – if/when necessary), charge the batteries for the drills, and plug in the battery chargers at the core entry station
Check the blades of the hacksaws (1 on core catcher bench, 1 at the forward catwalk station) and replace as needed
Restock the core catcher bench with all tools needed,
a dozen or more liner pieces (20-60 cm long varieties)
a bottle of acetone, spatula, hammer, metal pusher
red/blue wax pencils
red marker
Check the core catcher bench spraying equipment for leaks and check or replace the nozzle on the sprayer
Add new centimeter tape to the bench
Check drains for corrosion on the core catcher bench and the catwalk
Flush drain on catwalk and empty the catwalk drain
Get and clean the mudline bucket from PALEO lab
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Splitting Room Preparation
Cut PAL spacers for working and archive (red and black), typically 5 cm lengths
Set up hook blades and wire on the splitter
Get/make sharps bin for blade/metal wire trash
Get rags/sponges for cleaning the section half's after splitting
Clean all drains and sediment traps
Check/refill DI (distilled water) bottles
Check Supersaw blade for wear/switch blade out and tighten the blade
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Core Deck General Preparation
Check if Zebra Label printers for Core Entry and Sample Table have enough ribbon/labels; restock the 'Tapes' drawer at the Core Entry bench with labels and ribbons
Test label printers. Adjust print on label to be completely on the sticker part, good practice is to print out one full set of section labels
Check stock of D-tube tape/resupply if necessary
Check stock level of blue, clear, and yellow endcaps under the aft whole-round track
Check stock level of neoprene gloves (green) and rags in the cabinet under the core entry bench, restock if necessary
Test the laser engraver
If there is MBIO sampling make sure all tools are prepared in advance (ask curator/ALO)