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Shipboard sample preparation and LOI determination procedures described in Murray (2000) and updated in recent IODP Proceedingsvolumes (e.g., Reagan et al. [2015] for Expedition 352) are appropriate for a range of sediment and rock compositions, but some care must be taken with unusual sample matrixes. As an example, attempting sample ignitions on carbonate-rich materials can lead to spurious results and issues with contamination if quartz crucibles are used for sample ignitions because carbonates will react with quartz upon heating to both devitrify and decompose the crucible. Alumina ceramic crucibles may be better for carbonates but risk contamination for Al and potentially other elements due to spallation over time. Putting carbonate rich samples or sediment in quartz crucibles ruins the crucibles and the LOI determination (consulted with Jeff Ryan on this, Exp 393). Consult with the scientists to be determine what crucible will be needed.
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