Previous   |    Next

doi:10.2204/iodp.sp.347.2012

Research planning: sampling and data sharing strategy

Shipboard and shore-based researchers should refer to the IODP Sample, Data, and Obligations policy (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 the Co-Chief Scientists, Expedition Project Manager, 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.

Every member of the science party is obligated to carry out scientific research for the expedition and publish it. Before the expedition, all shipboard scientists are required to submit research plans and associated sample/data requests (smcs.iodp.org/) before the deadline specified in their invitation letters. 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. All postcruise research projects should provide scientific reasons for desired sample size, numbers, and frequency. The sampling plan will be subject to modification depending upon the actual material recovered and collaborations that may evolve between scientists during the expedition. This planning process is necessary to coordinate the research to be conducted and to ensure that the scientific objectives are achieved. Modifications to the sampling plan and access to samples and data during the expedition and the 1 y postexpedition moratorium period require the approval of the SAC.

Shipboard sampling will be restricted to acquiring ephemeral data types and to low-resolution sampling for shipboard data acquisition (e.g., biostratigraphic sampling, pore waters, and shipboard geochemistry) so that we can rapidly produce age-model data critical to the overall objectives of the expedition and plan for higher resolution sampling postcruise.

The minimum permanent archive half will be determined based on the extent of duplication of stratigraphic intervals at a particular site. It is necessary that as complete a stratigraphic interval as possible be preserved as permanent archive halves. This will be determined by the expedition’s stratigraphic correlator(s), and the permanent archive halves will be officially designated by the IODP Curator. 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 expedition 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.

If 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, or reduced sample size. A sampling plan coordinated by the SAC may be required before critical intervals are sampled.

The SAC strongly encourages, and may require, collaboration and/or sharing among the shipboard and shore-based scientists so that the best use is made of the recovered core. Coordination of postcruise analytical programs is anticipated to ensure that the full range of geochemical, isotopic, magnetic, and physical property studies are undertaken on a representative sample suite. The majority of sampling will take place at the Onshore Science Party in Bremen, and the SAC encourages scientists to start developing collaborations before and during the expedition.

Top of page   |    Previous   |    Next