The Chief Scientist has three primary roles pertaining to the CPL:
1. To assure the safety and morale of the CPL personnel.
2. To assure that the objectives of the CPL are attained. These include, but are not limited to:
3. To monitor and approve all changes to the approved sampling plan.
The Data Manager supports and implements the Chief ScientistÕs direction in sampling activities, data recording, and administrative needs. He/she should consult with the Chief Scientist on all significant changes in sampling procedure, all sampling changes, data problems and implement goals and changes directed by the Chief Scientist and produces reports on sampling for distribution.
The Data Manager implements and supervises the data collection, informs CPL personnel of the approved sampling plan, and produces and distributes data reports as necessary. He/she enters data into the database, insures that all data are accurate, and are adequately backed up, and provides information for the Chief Scientist regarding the status of sampling, availability of core, etc. Further the Data Manager should act as an additional conduit for the flow of information, requests, and difficulties to the Chief Scientist, and is responsible for bringing deviations from the sampling plan to the attention of the Chief Scientist.
The Data Manager is also responsible for maintaining the SMO computers, the on-site network, and SMO office supplies.
The CPL Manager supports and implements the Chief ScientistÕs direction in the CPL. He/she should consult with the Chief Scientist on all significant changes in CPL procedure, all sampling changes, and implement CPL changes directed by the Chief Scientist.
The CPL Manager supervises the daily operation of the CPL and insures the smooth operation of the CPL equipment. He/she provides information to the Chief Scientist regarding the status of CPL functioning, efficiency, problems, etc. Further, the CPL Manager should act as an additional conduit for the flow of information, requests, and difficulties to the Chief Scientist, and is responsible for bringing difficulties in attaining the goals of the CPL to the attention of the Chief Scientist
The CPL manager also operates the wing slabbing saw, maintains the CPL, saws, tools, and equipment, and coordinates CPL personnel.
The Core Handlers operate in the Dome, in the Feeder Trench, and in the Relaxation Trench. When the drillers have a section of core coming to the surface, all Core Handlers should be in the dome working to process the core and get it below as quickly and as carefully as possible while processing it accurately. Since the drill dome may be quite warm, accurately processing the core and getting it safely below, where it is cooler, will be an important job and require coordination and attention.
The main tasks of the Core Handlers in the drill dome are as follows:
The core length measured by the Core Handlers should be determined by the sum of the measured lengths of the pieces of core for each run, including any implied gaps.
The only information that should be recorded on the drill dome data sheet while the core is actually being processed is the core length measurements, and any notes that must be written down at the time. All the other information should be recorded either while the core is traveling to the surface, or is on its way to the trenches.
The physical properties personnel may either collect the 11 cm sample in the drill dome, or in the Feeder Trench after the core has been lowered. The latter will reduce traffic in the dome. Where the sample is collected can be determined on site.
In the dome the only information that should be recorded on the core cards is the drill run number. Core handlers should use the measured length of the core to determine how many core cards to take with them to the trench. These cards should have the run number written on them immediately. It is very important that this information be put on each Core Card used each run. If a core tray is only partially filled by a run, the number of the run that completes the meter should also be recorded.
Remember: arrows point up.
The rails that take the core from the drill barrel will be arranged such that the top/bottom orientation of the core cannot be confused, however, care must always be taken to insure that no confusion is introduced, and the orientation is always maintained.
Trench Tasks
Once the core is below, the temperature concern should be diminished since it is expected that the Feeder Trench (the trench from core elevator to the freezer) should remain below -15¡ C all the time. If the Feeder Trench is not below -15¡ C, the core sections must be taken to the freezer immediately. The core cards and other tasks should be completed when temperatures are lower, perhaps when the core is moved to the relaxation trench.
Under normal conditions (temp < -15¡ C), the following tasks are to be completed in the trenches:
Correct the pre-printed depth indications as necessary, on the main core card and on all tear-offs. If an end of the core piece is not a straight break, then do not change the pre-printed depth listed on the tear-offs, this will be done on the CPL.
Add two additional "up arrows" for each piece of core. There should now be a total of 4 arrows at roughly 90¡ intervals.
At this time, anyone who would like to look at the entire drill run of core in one place may do so. Core Handlers should coordinate this as required.
It is possible that spacer blocks will be necessary to prevent the core from sliding in the core trays. If these are used, they should be placed at this time.
Preparation of the core for the CPL is a critical task. The core must be reoriented (relative to itself) as close as possible to its original orientation in the ice sheet. This is accomplished using the core breaks. To date, the mating of core break faces has provided an effective means for reorienting any core pieces.
The physical properties sample cannot be oriented by matching faces since its end is cut square. Thus the orientation marks made in the drill dome must be used to reorient this piece. The physical properties sample should be oriented (along with the rest of the core) as indicated in the Sample Types report, i.e. so that the portions of ice removed from the sides of the sample are on top and bottom. This will allow minimal interference with the continuous analyses.
The core must also be lined up with the meter sticks on the CPL trays (aluminum, with lexan bases). This registration must be done very carefully as the depths of features observed in a section of core will be assigned a depth based on the depths indicated on the meter sticks.
The 2 meter sections of core, as prepared for the CPL core rays, that have top or bottom ends that are diagonal breaks need special attention. The record keeping convention adopted by Core Handlers in 1991 was "top long, bottom short". That is, use the measurement at the longest point of the core for the top or shallower end of core, and the shorter (less deep) measurement at the bottom or deeper end of the core. As the Core Handler goes from meter to meter logging the core for lengths and breaks, this convention, when used by all Core Handlers, will keep depths from seemingly being repeated from core card to core card.
The potential for repeats or gaps in continuous samples is possible if the orientation of diagonal breaks at the tops and bottoms of the 2 meter core sections is not considered. If the bottom of a piece of core is a diagonal break, then the next core tray must be brought out of the relaxation trench and oriented the same way, before the first piece can be sent onto the CPL.
The probes for taking the core wall temperatures should be placed on the side of the core between the core and the neoprene pads on the CPL trays in the process of preparing the core sections for the CPL.
Some core collected in 1991 was too fragile for cutting into 2 meter sections. This core will need to be cut before it is sent to the CPL. A new cross cut saw will be assembled in the relaxation trench to accomplish this task. The procedure is similar to the procedure used when the core is extruded from the barrel in the drill dome.
The following procedures should be followed for the brittle core in storage (720 to 1372 meters).
In the brittle ice zone there was some core loss resulting in depth uncertainties. These core loss events are noted on the core cards. Core Handlers will be provided guidance for labeling core sections as accurately as possible.
The horizontal saw, clear table, and wing slabbing stations are closely interconnected. Two people should be able to run all three stations with one person primarily on the horizontal saw, another primarily at the wing slabbing station, and the clear table being shared by both. The exact arrangement should be worked out on site.
The Horizontal Saw Operator should indicate to the Core Handlers when he/she will need another section of core early enough so that they can get the core from the relaxation trench and prepare it for the CPL.
The temperature of the CPL is a major concern. With the motors, lights, ventilation, and people in the CPL, it is possible that the temperatures will go above -15¡ C. If it goes too high, the Chief Scientist will shut down CPL operation until cooler temperatures can be attained. Only the core section that is being processed should be in the CPL at any time.
Principle tasks of the horizontal saw operator are:
The Clear Table position is shared by the Horizontal Saw Operator and the Wing Slabber. The tasks are written up here as though as single person carried them out, even though they are shared. There is risk of dropping sections of core at the clear table and extra care must be used.
The main tasks of the Clear Table person are:
It is critical that the 1-meter cut is accurately made since it must match the 1-meter cut made on the main core archive at the Packing Table.
The SG 2 -5 slab is further cut at the wing slabbing station. The Wing Slabber gets this piece, along with its tear-offs from the waiting shelves where it has been placed by the Clear Table person.
The major task of the Wing Slabbing station is to Cut the slab into the four sample sections. As each section is cut, it should be lined up with the wing slabbing ruler, and the specific tear-off for that piece updated. Put the tear-off into the box with the piece and place the box in the appropriate waiting shelf.
The ECM station takes the main core (still two meters long) and core cards from the clear table after both horizontal slabs have been removed. During the ECM measurement, the temperature of the core is taken from holes drilled in the core (TAY05) and the core wall temperature as measured by the probes mounted by the Core Handlers. These values should be recorded on the data sheet provided by the Data Manager along with the date, time, and tube number. Once the ECM is completed, it is passed on to the stratigraphy station.
The stratigraphy station personnel take the core and core cards from the ECM station, perform their analysis, and pass the core onto the packing table. After the core has been cut at the packing station, the stratigraphy station personnel should look at the core again and mark its quality on the Òpacking qualityÓ section of the core cards and make any final notes before the core is packed in the tube.
It is critical that the 1-meter cut is accurately made since it must match the 1-meter cut made on the slabs at the Clear Table.
All the bags and tubes to used on any given day should be pre-labeled, using magic marker (we have been unable to find stick-on labels that will stick on cold polyethylene...), before the CPL day begins to insure legibility and reduce the amount of thinking that must be done with cold hands and feet.
Specific tasks of the Packaging Table position are: