Sea Trials Transit

Daily Science Report for 23 February 2009

LOCATION: In transit to Honolulu, Hawaii (passing through Marshall Islands)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Readiness assessment and acceptance testing activities continued in parallel to preparation of the cruise report. Core 320T-U1330B-9H was described and processed using petrophysics tracks. Core sediments consist of very light gray nannofossil ooze with foraminifers. Moderate bioturbation was marked by cm-scale yellowish gray mottles and dark pyrite-filled burrows. Moisture and density analyses were performed on Cores 320T-U1330B-1H to 7H. The estimated porosity varies from ~72% at 3 mbsf to ~69% at 60 mbsf and is consistent with Site 807 porosity values. The average bulk and grain density at Site U1330 are 1.5 g/cm3 and 2.6 g/cm3, respectively. Total carbon and organic carbon measurements are being processed for Cores 1H-9H. Core 10H has been reserved to use during the core flow demonstration for Exp 320 scientists.

See detailed transit map

Ship highlight of the day: Chemistry Lab

The Chemistry laboratory is used by shipboard scientists to conduct organic and inorganic geochemical analyses. Instruments are available for determining the source, amount, and maturity of organic matter; carbonate content; and total carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. The Chemistry/Microbiology Labs were expanded by 21%.
Chemistry Lab panoramas (Quicktime VR). Click and drag to pan around. Use the Shift and Control keys to zoom in and out.

See iodp.tamu.edu/labs/ship.html for more details on the ship's new laboratories.