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doi:10.2204/iodp.sp.329.2010

Research plan proposals (sample and data requests) and sample allocation committee

Shipboard and shore-based researchers should refer to the IODP Sample, Data, and Obligations Policy (www.iodp.org/program-policies). Every member of the scientific party is obligated to carry out scientific research for the expedition and publish it. For this purpose each scientist must submit a detailed research plan and a sample and/or data request prior to the expedition, using the Sample/Data Request form available at smcs.iodp.org. A sample/data request is also required for individuals not requesting samples but working on shipboard data only. The sampling plan should be limited to samples needed to fulfill the expedition scientific objectives within 36 months postexpedition. All sample and data requests must be submitted 3 months prior to the expedition to ensure the coordinated preparation of an integrated sampling plan. Based on research requests submitted (sample and data), the Sample Allocation Committee (SAC; composed of the Co-Chief Scientists, the Staff Scientist, and the IODP-USIO Curator) will work with the scientific party to formulate a formal sampling and data-sharing plan for shipboard and postcruise activities.

The sampling strategy will be subject to modification depending upon the actual material/data recovered, expertise of the science participants, and collaborations that may evolve between scientists before, during, and soon after the expedition. Substantial collaboration and cooperation are highly encouraged. Modifications to the sampling plan and access to samples and data during the expedition and the 1 year postexpedition moratorium period require SAC approval.

All sample frequencies, types, and sizes must be justified on a scientific basis and will depend on core recovery, the full spectrum of other requests, and the expedition objectives. Success will require collaboration, integration of complementary data sets, and consistent methods of analysis.

We anticipate taking the bulk of the samples for everyone's personal research during the expedition, but a small shore-based sampling effort might be necessary roughly 3–5 months after the expedition to complete the sampling of the cores that will be dedicated to stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental studies. All sampling necessary to acquire ephemeral data types, contamination testing, chronostratigraphic information, or to achieve essential sample preservation will be conducted during the expedition. Small intervals of high-resolution sampling may be sampled at sea with SAC approval to provide initial material for study prior to the postcruise sampling party. Critical intervals may require special handling, a higher sampling density, reduced sample size, or continuous core sampling for a set of particular high-priority research objectives. The SAC may require an additional formal sampling plan before critical intervals are sampled.

Cores will be delivered to the IODP Gulf Coast Core Repository at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The 1 y moratorium period will begin at the end of the expedition or at the end of the postexpedition sampling party if one is held.

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