The Sample Distribution, Data Distribution, and Publications Policy is posted at http://www-odp.tamu.edu/publications/policy.html. The Sample Allocation Committee (SAC), which consists of the two co-chiefs, the staff scientist, the ODP onshore curator, and the curatorial representative onboard ship, will work with the entire science party to formulate a formal Leg 203-specific sampling plan for shipboard and postcruise sampling.

During Leg 203, we expect to recover <150 m of basalt and <100 m of sediment. All sample frequencies and sample volumes taken from the working half of the core must be justified on a scientific basis and will be dependent on core recovery, the full spectrum of other requests, and the cruise objectives. All sample requests must be made on the standard Internet sample request form and approved by the SAC. Leg 203 shipboard scientists may expect to obtain as many as 100 samples of no more than 15 cm³ in size from basement cores. Additional samples may be obtained upon written request on shore after initial data are analyzed. Depending on the penetration and recovery during Leg 203, the number of samples taken may be increased by the shipboard SAC. For example, studies requiring only small sample volumes of 1 cm³ or less (e.g., veins, fluid inclusions, etc.) may require >100 samples to characterize a long section of core. The SAC will review the appropriate sampling interval for such studies as the cores are recovered. Samples larger than 15 cm³ may also be obtained with approval of the SAC. Requests for large samples must be specified on the sample request form. Sample requests may be submitted by shore-based investigators as well as the shipboard scientists. Based on sample requests received 2 months precruise, the SAC will prepare a temporary sampling plan, which will be revised on the ship as needed. Some redundancy of measurement is unavoidable, but minimizing redundancy of measurements among the shipboard party and identified shore-based collaborators will be a factor in evaluating sample requests.

If some critical intervals are recovered (e.g., glass, fault gouge, veins, etc.), there may be considerable demand for samples from a limited amount of cored material. These intervals may require special handling, a higher sampling density, reduced sampling size, or continuous core sampling by a single investigator. A sampling plan coordinated by the SAC may be required before critical intervals are sampled.