IODP

doi:10.2204/iodp.sp.334.2010

Sampling and data sharing strategy

Shipboard and shore-based researchers should refer to the IODP Sample, Data, and Obligations policy posted on the Web at www.iodp.org/program-policies/. This document outlines the policy for distributing IODP samples and data to research scientists, curators, and educators. The document also defines the obligations that sample and data recipients incur. The Sample Allocation Committee (SAC; composed of co-chief scientists, staff scientist, and IODP curator on shore and curatorial representative on board ship) will work with the entire scientific party to formulate a formal expedition-specific sampling plan for shipboard and postcruise sampling.

Shipboard scientists are expected to submit sample requests (at smcs.iodp.org/) 3 months before the beginning of the expedition. Based on sample requests (shore based and shipboard) submitted by this deadline, the SAC will prepare a tentative sampling plan, which will be revised on the ship as dictated by recovery and cruise objectives. The sampling plan will be subject to modification depending upon the actual material recovered and collaborations that may evolve between scientists during the expedition. Modification of the strategy during the expedition must be approved by the co-chief scientists, staff scientist, and curatorial representative on board ship.

The minimum permanent archive will be the standard archive half of each core. All sample frequencies and sizes must be justified on a scientific basis and will depend on core recovery, the full spectrum of other requests, and the cruise objectives. Some redundancy of measurement is unavoidable, but minimizing the duplication of measurements among the shipboard party and identified shore-based collaborators will be a factor in evaluating sample requests.

We anticipate whole-round sampling to document pore fluid chemistry profiles, sediment strength, stress, consolidation, and permeability, as well as, potentially, microbiological experiments. The upper plate basement we expect to be formed by a mélange similar to the onland Osa Mélange with gabbro, basalt, radiolarite, carbonate, and sandstone blocks in a clay rich matrix.

We anticipate developing a coordinated sampling strategy, possibly including the creation of large composite samples, to ensure that multiple analyses can be performed on splits of the same sample. If some critical intervals are recovered, there may be considerable demand for samples from a limited amount of cored material. These intervals may require special handling, a higher sampling density, reduced sample size, or continuous core sampling by a single investigator. A sampling plan coordinated by the SAC may be required before critical intervals are sampled.