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- Provide training to all Chemistry scientists on instrument operation, sample preparations, and data upload/download procedures.
- Provide safety tour to all scientists working in the Chemistry/MBIO area. Ensure scientists understand all safety concern concerns and sign document required.
- Give an orientation/safety procedures tour of the lab to the Chemists.
- Meet with Chemists and find out their general goals and specific requests. If there are Microbiologists sailing, make sure that these same protocols are done with them.
- Divide up responsibilities among the Chemists for all shipboard analyses.
- Have a meeting with the Chemists/Curator/SAC (Sample Allocation Committee) to go through sample plans.
- Prepare sampling equipment and sample storage containers. Wash any necessary containers and prepare spikes if needed.
- Prepare SampleMaster split template (water and cake splits).
- Show how to print sample labels.
- Go over all MSDS sheets before working with any chemicals. Understand the risk of handling chemicals, especially if any hazardous chemicals will be used.
- Print out the most recent copy of each instrument's User Guide so the Scientists can become familiar with each instrument's operation.
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Check the pressure of the oxygen (ChemLab), helium and argon bottles (Tween Pallet Stores). Ensure the bottles are above 200 psi; otherwise, swap them out with fresh bottles. When a Pallet Stores bottle array is empty, disconnect the manifold and connect it to full bottles. It is good practice to always have a full gas bottle array ready to go.
Supplies
IAPSO - Store it properly, as any evaporation will lead to increased salinity.
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Make sure that the freeze dryer is operating. The vacuum pump is located inside, behind the front stainless panel. Check vacuum pump oil level.
LIMS Interface User Registration
Register the Chemists with a LIMS login; ask an onboard programmer for assistance. Clear out the CHNS Worklist Generator.
Make sure that each station using a LIMS application, MUT or SampleMaster, is logged into the correct project (Expedition number).
Calibrate instruments
GC3/NGA
The GC3 is used for gas monitoring for shipboard safety, while the NGA serves as both a backup to the GC3 and to analyze higher chain hydrocarbons and some elemental gases.
Check standards injection on the GC to see if the instrument is still calibrated. If a couple of injections give poor results, start the calibration process. It takes a while.
Calibration is done by injecting standards of increasing concentrations into the GC , and using HP ChemStation to acquire the data. Usually, we use nine standards: A, B, C, D, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% , and 90%. Each instrument's calibration description is in its respective User 's Guide.
Titrators
See the User 's Guide for instructions on how to calibrate the autotitrators (Alkalinity/pH and chloride).
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- Obtain the IW sampling interval from the Chemists Curator and take the sample(s) when the core comes on deck.
- If possible, have the geochemist on the catwalk assist you in determining where to take the IW sample. Never take a sample that includes a change in lithology.
- Initially, 5 cm whole rounds are taken; as the water yield decreases, go to 10 cm whole rounds. Larger whole rounds may be taken after speaking to the SAC (Curator, EPM, and co-chiefs).
- If possible, take the IW sample from the bottom of the same section every time. As recovery decreases you will have to take the IW sample from wherever you can. For example,
- A typical IW sampling plan is for 0 – 100 mbsf, take one IW per core and > 100 mbsf, take one IW every third core. Check with the Curator on the current plan.
- Note the core, section and interval of the sample and write it on the Curator's logsheet. The interval will need to be entered into SampleMaster by the Curator/ALO.
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- If gas voids are present in the core liner, take a sample using the syringe vacutainer and directly inject into the a GC (GC3 or NGA).
- Circle the hole in the liner; after the Curator/Technicians have measured off sectionscore liner. Note the core, section and interval of the sample and write it on the Curator's logsheet. The interval will need to be entered into SampleMaster by the Curator/ALO.
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- Removing the sample from its core liner.
- Trimming the outer surface of the core (sides, top and bottom) of any drilling contamination (until the consistency seems less saturated; if "biscuits" are present, make sure you trim all surfaces of the "biscuits"); maintain proper spatula orientation (contaminated side is always out, sediment side is always in).
- Put the trimmed sample into a squeezer, then the Teflon disc, rubber disc , and piston.
- Place the assembled squeezer onto in a Carver press, and trash bag the residual scrapings (unless requested by a Scientist), IWSCRAPES.
Squeezing the sample
- Set the pressure gauge around to 3000 lbf lbs and simultaneously push and hold both green (CLOSE) buttons on the hydraulic unit's base until the auto-pressure engages.
- After the first drops flow from the hole in the squeezer's base plate, insert the syringe into the hole. Keep an eye on the syringe to make sure the pressure doesn't push out the syringe or plunger (especially for the first few cores). Keep incrementing the pump pressure in steps of 1000 lbf lbs until 10000 lbs; after 10000 lbflbs, increase in steps of 2000. Do not ever increase the pressure above 30,000lbs30000 lbs.
- Select the correct core, section , and sample , and upload in SampleMaster. Upload the IW sample splits (using the Excel template) into SampleMaster and distribute the labels.
- When porewater yield is sufficient/no more water is trickling, release the pump by pressing the red OPEN button and remove the syringe from the squeezer.
- Start sample distribution (splits).
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- Alkalinity/pH - If there is ample water, allocate 5 mL for shipboard analyses (alkalinity, salinity, IC, SPEC). Speak with the Scientists about which analyses they would, or wouldn't , like performed (ie. Make a priority list). Extra water may be used for repeat analysis or stored (sent back to the repository).
- Scientific party - split and store the remaining water into the requested aliquots as outlined by the sampling plan. Each sample's storage/preservation is up to its requestor.
- ICP – 1 - 2 mL ml; must be acidified with trace metal-grade nitric acid (~ 30 µL).
- Remove the plunger from the syringe, rinse with RO DI water , and place in the acid HCl bath for twelve hours. Rinse the pieces components with DI water , and bake dry at a low temperature then . When completely dry, reassemble syringes and store the syringes them in plastic ziploc bags.
Extracting the squeezecake
- Remove the base and the base plate; place the remaining squeezer assembly onto the white arched platform, and then white wood-framed squeezecake extracting platform onto the manual (left-most) Carver press. Place the remaining squeezer assembly onto the platform.
- Close the release valve on the bottom of the press (turn valve Turn the small 'valve' to the right , ) and begin manually pumping the Carver press until the squeezecake, Teflon disc, rubber disc , and piston are pushed out the bottom of the collar.
- Split the squeezecake as per the sampling plan, bag , and label the sample(s).
Cleaning
- The squeezer 's pieces components should be scrubbed and rinsed with water only.
- Be sure to flush DI water through the base and the base plate, and blow. Blow-dry both. Wipe all bits components with Kimwipes.
- Ensure the squeezers are COMPLETELY dry before usingreassembling. Make sure that the bits components of each squeezer remains remain in the same set.
Routine analyses
Remember to log ALL changes to equipment, methodology, general points, anything of interest , in the blue log books. Please be thorough. We all count on it.
The following is a list of the typical shipboard analyses done on the ship. It is a good idea to discuss with the Scientists at the beginning of the Expedition who will be responsible for which analyses. Data entry/integrity is the Technician's responsibility. If a system doesn't does not automatically upload results to LIMS (salinity, SPEC), you are going to have to use the Spreadsheet Uploader tool. See the User Guide or ask an Application Developer. The IC upload process is also not automated. The instructions to upload these results are in the IC User Guide.
GC3 / NGA
All headspace gas samples will be run on GC3 (C1-C3). Gas void samples or samples containing higher hydrocarbons will be run on the NGA.
Titrations
The phpH/alkalinity measures measurements are routinely done performed (in real-time) by the Scientists with the Technician setting having set up the instrumentsinstrument. Chlorinity titrations are up to the Scientists as to if whether they want them done because chloride concentrations are measured on the IC.
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To determine anion and cation elemental concentrations. Wait until you have collected enough samples for a batch (ie. end of a hole). The Scientists can assist in preparing the samples but the Technician will set - up and run the instrument.
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Ammonium and phosphate are routinely measured. It 's is a good idea to wait until you have enough samples for an entire batch (ie. end of a hole), as it is a time-consuming process.
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The ICP-OES system will measure specific minor and major element concentrations of porewater, sediment (need approval) and hard rock. Wait until you have collected enough samples to run an entire batch (ie. end of a hole). Argon is limited, and the machine requires a significant amount of prep time. The Scientists can help prepare the samples but the Technician will set - up and run the instrument.
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Crushing, weighing and running carbonate samples require a significant portion of time. During the initial discussion of the sampling protocol , the Scientists will decide on where they want to take the sample(s) for the carbonate/EA analyses. It can be taken from the IW squeezecake or at the sample table after the core is split. Either way, these samples will have to be freeze-dried (typically for twelve hours) and then crushed/homogenized using a mortar and pestle. Usually the Scientists will prepare and run the analyses, and the Technicians will set - up the system.
CHNS
Again, weighing and running the samples on this instrument is time-intensive and it be best to have a good sized batch ready before running. Usually the Scientists will weigh out the samples and the Technician will set - up the instrument and sequences. The combustion column needs to be replaced after approximately 100 samples.
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- This job necessitates proper inventorying techniques. To properly inventory, locate the desired supply, physically remove inventory technique. After you have located the desired item and physically removed it from its store, go to the AMS inventory checkout sheet , and locate said part (by description or part number). To the right of its information are several blank lines; at the corresponding line, write the number checked out (note the unit: each, box, foot, etc) on the line , and circle the number.
- Verify a physical count of all essential parts (without these the lab cannot operate). Notify the ALOs/LO if the counts are off.
- Familiarize yourself with the storeroom inventory check-in, /check-out system.
Lab Maintenance
- Once a shift, clean glassware. If glassware/plastic is in the bath, rinse it three times with DI and let dry. Rinse dirty glassware/plastic three times with RO water and place in bath for twelve hours. Do not put metal objects in an acid bath.
- Make new acid baths at least twice an Expedition and whenever going from flux to IW ICP analyses, make a new nitric acid bath.
- Check daily the manifold pressures of the helium and argon racks.
- Ensure that the active hydrogen generator's water reservoir is full of DI water. Do not let these run empty. Occasionally check the desiccant.
- Coulometer Cathode/Anode solutions: these solutions need changing every 2-3 days or 200 runs. Along with the solutions, you will want to change out the pre- and post-scrubber solutions. Any precipitate in the lines should be removed as well. The solutions will also need to be changed if a 100% CaCO3~ standard check does not come within 100 ± 2%.
- Weekly check the safety shower and eye washes wash stations.
- Many filters/traps need to be changed on about a weekly basis (check them frequently):
- IC, titrators, SRA - drierite
- EA - (magnesium perchlorate) if hydrogen not being measured.
- The nanopure pre-filters and Barnstead filters need to be changed when an indicator light on the unit comes on. See the manual for how to change these. The nanopure final filters should be changed about every four months.
- Check the freeze-dryer daily for any ice build-up , and defrost as necessary.
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- Write the End-of-Expedition lab report and send a copy, via e-mail, to the on-coming Technicians.
- Make sure all data is sent to LIMS and all raw data files are copied to the Data1 volume.
- Pack up equipment being returned for repairs and give the ALO the following information: IODP inventory number, value, serial number, model number, vendor's name and country of manufacture.
- Pack up all samples as per ScientistScientists' s requests; work with the Curator/ALOs.
- Give the LO a list for port purchases, if any.
- Clean the lab and assigned area following the cleaning instruction according to LO's list. Bring all the trash to the incinerator. Glass and sharps get disposed of in port call.
- Fill the Carver presses with oil (if necessary).
- Check the oil in the freeze dryer's vacuum pump.
- Defrost and clean the freeze dryer.
- Clean (defrost if necessary) the fridges; dispose of old reagents.
- Change the hydrogen generatorgenerators' s DI bags and vacuum the back vent filters.
- Check the ovens for debris.
- Clean any instrument-specific items.
- Have the lab coats laundered (segregated and tumble dried).
- Check expiration dates on chemicals, notify ALO/LO if hazardous chemicals/waste need to be disposed in port.
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