Handbook for Shipboard Sedimentologists

Abstract

The shipboard sedimentologists are responsible for describing the lithology and stratigraphy of sediments and sedimentary rocks that are recovered by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). They provide the first complete descriptions of the cores, which are used by shipboard and shore-based scientists as the basis for further sampling and study and for forming the first general conclusions about the geologic history of the drilling site. The shipboard sedimentologists have a tremendous responsibility to the scientific community at large, for they are commonly the only scientists who have the opportunity to see all cores from each drilling site. Thus, it is extremely important that they describe the lithology and stratigraphy of sediments and sedimentary rocks in a manner that is both complete and consistent from leg to leg. ODP, in consultation with scientists who have been involved with the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and ODP in the past, has attempted to define the types of data most useful to the scientific community and the procedures that should be used routinely to describe sediments and sedimentary rocks recovered by ODP. The results of this attempt are summarized in this Handbook for Shipboard Sedimentologists. This handbook is divided into four chapters plus appendixes. Chapter 1 discusses the routine of core handling and study for all shipboard scientists in general, and outlines the basic responsibilities of the shipboard sedimentologists in particular. Chapter 2 describes the general methods and terminology for the description of the lithostratigraphy of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Chapter 3 covers procedures for the graphic and written summary of the core descriptions. Chapter 4 details the lithologic analysis of sediment, including sampling procedures, the types of analytical equipment available aboard JOIDES Resolution, and the formats for summary and presentation of lithologic data. The handbook is appended with a description of the classification scheme used by shipboard sedimentologists to describe recovered sediments and sedimentary rocks. This classification scheme was approved by the JOIDES Planning Committee in November 1987 and implemented by the Ocean Drilling Program beginning on Leg 119 (December 1987). The second appendix contains references available aboard ship which are pertinent to the study of sediments and sedimentary rocks. The third appendix lists ODP technical notes which are also available aboard ship.