Generally, traditional sampling procedures, as discussed in detail on the ODP World Wide Web site (http://www-odp.tamu.edu/publications/policy.html), will be followed. This includes maintaining a minimum permanent archive that consists of half of each core. Distribution of samples from the other half will be determined by the Sample Allocation Committee after discussion with all members of the shipboard and shore-based scientific parties.

Exceptions to this standard procedure will be employed in some intervals containing hydrates or features related to hydrate dynamics for which splitting the core to retain an archive half would destroy the material of interest. This includes samples acquired by HYACE or PCS and samples for microbiological analysis. For microbiological analysis, sample handling procedures developed for Leg 201, the first ODP leg dedicated to microbiology, will be followed (http://www-odp.tamu.edu/publications/prosp/201_prs/201toc.html), with possible modifications based on experience gained during Leg 201. HYACE cores will be retained temporarily in the HYACE laboratory transfer chamber for further testing. Selected hydrate-bearing samples obtained through both pressure coring and conventional coring may also be preserved in liquid nitrogen, in freezers at –80°C, or in pressure chambers.