At Site 1275 one rock sample, a completely altered pyroxene-bearing troctolite (Sample 209-1275D-10R-2 [Piece 3, 26–37 cm]), was collected to characterize the microbial community inhabiting this environment. The sample was prepared as described in "Igneous Rocks" in "Microbiology" in the "Explanatory Notes" chapter. The type and extent of contamination caused by drill fluids was evaluated as described in "Contamination Tests" in "Microbiology" in the "Explanatory Notes" chapter. The sample was rinsed in nanopure water, and the collected water (35 mL) was filtered and examined under a fluorescence microscope. Microsphere concentration was 2.55 x 103 microspheres/mL of wash. A 0.2-g interior piece of the sample was examined under a fluorescence microscope and no microspheres were observed, indicating they did not penetrate to the interior of the sample. The perfluorocarbon tracer was not used in this hole.
One liter of surface water was collected and prepared for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis and direct counts as described in "Seawater and Water Samples" in "Microbiology" in the "Explanatory Notes" chapter.
Table T10 is a summary of atmospheric and surface water data for the period 20–30 June 2003. For surface water direct count data, 1 mL of water was stained as described in "Microbiology" in the "Explanatory Notes" chapter. Funnel rinse water (1 mL) was used as a control. Salinity, temperature, and pH values for all surface water values varied; salinity ranged 36.0–37.0 psu, temperature 25.5°–26.4°C, and pH 7.96–7.99. Surface water samples were collected between 1215 and 1545 hr. Air samples were collected for culture-based studies between 0633 and 1835 hr. Air sample volumes ranged from 89.3 to 12179.9 L per sample. Microbial growth (colony forming units) was for the total volume at 48 and >96 hr of incubation (Table T10). Air temperatures, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction ranged 24.8°–29.6°C, 67.4%–81.2%, 3.9–6.7 m/s, and 62°–110°, respectively. Samples for shore-based analysis of bacterial community DNA and bacteria and viral direct counts were collected daily and stored according to protocol.