In this brief contribution, we have provided guidelines that are specific to sediment analysis on board the JOIDES Resolution. The geochemical bulk-sediment data set that accompanied the shipboard party upon the completion of Leg 199 highlights the opportunity this facility presents to the sedimentary and paleoceanographic community. We have shown that it is possible to analyze hundreds of samples with an acceptable degree of precision, and we have demonstrated the utility of the data for first-order paleoceanographic interpretations. Preliminary results can be provided in hours instead of days by XRF or months by shore-based analyses. We hope that continued use of the ICP-AES for bulk-sediment analyses while on board the JOIDES Resolution will help to expand the goals and prospects of upcoming cruises.