Shipboard Measurements Panel (SMP)

ODP Staff Liaison: Jay Millere-mail address: jay_miller@odp.tamu.edu
Date and location of last meeting: 5-6 March 1996. College Station, Texas, U.S.A.
Date and location of next meeting: 29 October-1 November. Tokyo, Japan

Motions and Consensus Statements Requiring Action by ODP/TAMU

Recommendation 96-2:
SMP agrees with the deployment of the Teka TK04 Thermal Conductivity Apparatus as of Leg 167. This deployment will (for the time being) be in addition to the existing WHOI equipment. SMP also recommends that thought be given toward development of an RFP for the expansion of the TK04 apparatus to a multiprobe system. Finally, SMP endorses the proposal to integrate the Teka program in the Physical Properties Laboratory and also in the JANUS database.
Action: See Physical Properties Laboratory.
 
Recommendation 96-3:
SMP recommends that the natural gamma-ray system be configured for 256-channel data acquisition for routine spectral data collection and archiving. SMP also concurs with the suggestion that the JANUS database provide three report options: total counts only (for most short-count data sets); 5-window spectra compatible with Schlumberger Downhole Logging; and 256-channel spectra (for rare long count data sets). In addition, SMP supports the suggestion that ODP/TAMU shall purchase standards in 50-cm coreliner segments, having known amounts of K, U, and Th.
Action: See Physical Properties Laboratory.
 
Recommendation 96-4:
SMP recommends that the present gamma-ray attenuation density calibration using two aluminum rods of different diameters be replaced by a method that uses a water core and an aluminum rod. This new calibration procedure should first undergo comparative testing. SMP also recommends that ODP/TAMU obtain funds for the purchase of an appropriate balance to determine the mass of whole cores, thus providing an overall check on "whole core density" evaluations.
Action: See Physical Properties Laboratory.
 
Recommendation 96-5:
SMP recommends that the bulk volume sampling method for density measurement be eliminated from the shipboard measurement program. In addition, SMP recommends that the salt corrections should use a standard correction of 0.035 (salinity = 35) with the corresponding density of standard seawater.
Action: See Physical Properties Laboratory.
 
Recommendation 96-6:
Any new equipment brought onboard the JOIDES Resolution must have an JANUS/ORACLE interface capability.
Action: This recommendation has been passed on to the Staff Scientists and the Laboratory Working Groups.
 
Recommendation 96-7:
As a minimum, thin-section slides should be polished on the side mounted, so that they will be suitable for repolishing of the top surface to meet requirements for probework and reflected light studies. If the top surface is not polished, then the cover slip should be attached with a binder that will allow easy removal. All thin sections of hard rock material (or other appropriate material; e.g., massive sulfides) shall be polished, unless there are friability constraints to prevent this.
Action: This request has been passed on to the Core Laboratory Working Group and laboratory officers.
 
Recommendation 96-8:
SMP considers the collection of C/N data of primary importance, and C and N data are to be considered as primary data. The CHNS Apparatus should be plumbed for C/N only, unless an Organic Geochemist(s) indicates well in advance of the leg that the S data are requested. In that case the apparatus will be plumbed for that purpose.
Action: See Chemistry Laboratory.
 
Recommendation 96-10:
SMP strongly suggests that data obtained by color measurements be reported as L*, a*, and b* values in an independent table. These data should be considered to be Prime Data.
Action: This suggestion is under consideration.
 
Recommendation 96-11:
SMP agrees that the ODP/TAMU-purchased electrical resistivity apparatus should not be deployed on board ship at this time.
Action: See Physical Properties Laboratory.
 
Recommendation 96-12:
SMP strongly recommends a transfer of the present shipboard cryogenic magnetometer to ODP/TAMU with the understanding that support and maintenance will come from sources external to ODP/TAMU and that future users should contribute to the maintenance of the facility through user fees.
Action: The old cryogenic magnetometer will be shipped back to ODP at the end of Leg 167.
 

SMP position statement on the future of shipboard measurements:

SMP wishes to stress that hitherto the Panel, justifiably, has advocated the full scale of measurements on board ship, thus providing an opportunity to a large number of scientists from different disciplines to produce a product of first-class scientific value in a unique environment that stimulates collaboration. This has served very well also in the training of young scientists and graduate students. Thus, though economic necessities may force some reductions in these efforts, SMP wishes to use the above-requested information (re: prioritization of shipboard measurements) in a very carefully considered manner. The philosophy should remain that the Scientific Shipboard Party should produce a first-rate scientific result through collaborative science on board the JOIDES Resolution. This information constitutes an important legacy of the Ocean Drilling Program.

Equipment Priority Lists

Progress on Previous SMP (Spring 1995) Priority Items

2G pass-through cryogenic magnetometer: See Paleomagnetism Laboratory, Dismantling of the Old Cryogenic Magnetometer....

Pycnometer: See Physical Properties Laboratory, Moisture and Density Methods...

WSTP Dataloggers: See New "WSTP Adara-style" Data Loggers.

Prioritization of items on the March 1996 SOE list

SMP is not able to assess the consequences of the required budget for the current science plan and defers on this issue. However, SMP does suggest that in future planning attention should be given to cost items in these proposed programs.

Under the item "Additional" SMP chose to prioritize first the SMP-related items:

  1. JANUS Database Project.
  2. Digital Imaging. SMP, however, argues here for a reduced form to make it possible to meet costs for its number one priority (i.e., the Visual Core Description Project). These costs will be assessed during the March 29-30 Workshop at ODP/TAMU, but costs will probably be below $150K.
  3. Split Core Track MST Feasibility Study.
  4. Chart Recorders.
  5. Split-core MST Purchase (deferrable till 1998). Subsequently, a prioritization of the other budget items was made, albeit in a less informed manner.

SMP presents its overall prioritization:

  1. JANUS Project.
  2. Digital Imaging: as amended (see previous). If fully funded with disregard this amendment, SMP argues for a lower classification.
  3. Dry Dock.
  4. Split-core MST Feasibility Study.
  5. Chart Recorders.
  6. Hammer Drill Project.
  7. Sampling Parties.
  8. DCS Phases III and IV (defer till next year?).
  9. Split-core MST (defer till next year?).
  10. Co-Chief Review.
  11. Brochures Project.

SMP New Priority Items

SMP is painfully aware of the need of "down sizing." However, SMP will retain its tradition of making a suggested wish list:

  1. JANUS Core Description Project.
  2. XRD Replacement: $200K.
  3. Tumbling Demagnetizer: $18-30K.

ODP/TAMU Priorities

Progress on Spring 1995 Priority Items

Spinner Magnetometers: See Paleomagnetism Laboratory.

Minolta Color Scanning Track: See Core Description.

EPC chart recorders: See Underway Geophysics Laboratory.

Split-core MST: See Split-core MST.

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