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doi:10.2204/iodp.pr.321T.2009

Abstract

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 321T pumped cement into reentry cones around subseafloor borehole observatories in IODP Holes U1301A and U1301B in order to seal the systems and permit later completion of long-term hydrogeologic monitoring, sampling, and experiments. There was no scientific program during Expedition 321T and no collection of data or samples. Only observatory sealing operations were conducted. Reentry and cementing operations went well, and it appears that the functional objective of this short expedition was achieved. The cones around both observatories were filled completely with cement, and additional cement poured over the edges of the cones and filled the depressions in the seafloor around the cones. We will know if the observatories are sealed hydraulically when researchers return to the observatories with a submersible in August 2009 and download pressure data recording subseafloor conditions.

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