IODP Expedition 329

South Pacific Gyre Microbiology

Daily Science Report for 30 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1371 (SPG-12A). Midnight position: 43° 14.2'S, 156° 25.3'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: The JOIDES Resolution started the 499 nm transit to the next site, U1371 (Scientific Prospectus Site SPG-12A), at 06:30 hrs. Expedition scientists continued to prepare and measure samples from Site U1370 for biogeochemistry, microbial cell enumeration, and sediment physical properties. The remaining portions of the core sections from Hole U1370E sampled for chemical analyses were integrated into the routine core flow and are being measured for physical properties using the whole round and half round multisensor track systems, imaged and visually described. Cores from Hole U1370D are being measured in the ship’s cryogenic magnetometer. The sediment age near the base of the sequence recovered at Site U1370 is early Paleocene based on planktic foraminifer biostratigraphy. The estimated time of arrival at Site U1371 is 0800 hrs on 2 December.

Daily Science Report for 29 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1370 (SPG-11A, 41° 51.128'S, 153° 6.382'W, water depth: 5076 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Operations at Site U1370 ended after completing coring Holes U1370E and U1370F to the total depths of 65.6 and 64.7 mbsf, respectively. Nine piston cores were taken from Hole U1370E with a recovery of 70.2 m of sediment (107%). This hole was assigned to biogeochemical sampling. Eight piston cores were taken from Hole U1370F with a recovery of 66.32 m of sediment (102.5%). This hole was assigned to microbiological sampling, although samples were also taken for additional or duplicate geochemical measurements. All cores from Hole U1370D have been measured for physical properties using the wholeround and halfround multisensor track systems. The core sections were split into working and archive halves, then digitally imaged and described. The sediment sequence recovered at Site U1370 consists of zeolitic metalliferous pelagic clay and a short interval of calcareous nannofossil ooze with foraminifers near the bottom. Samples from Hole U1370E are being processed for a broad range of biogeochemical measurements in the ships chemistry laboratory and cores from Hole U1370F have been sampled thoroughly for onboard cell enumeration, and cultivation and shore-based molecular analyses. We are scheduled to depart from Site U1370 and start the transit to Site U1371 around 0600 hours on 30 November.

Daily Science Report for 28 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1370 (SPG-11A, 41° 51.128'S, 153° 6.382'W, water depth: 5076 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: A total of eight cores were taken at Hole U1370D. Cores U1370D-1H to 8H penetrated from 0 to 68.2 mbsf and recovered 70.26 m of sediment (103% recovery). Core sections were transferred to the cold room in the Microbiology Laboratory for oxygen measurements immediately after catwalk processing and then brought back to the Core Laboratory for routine petrophysics measurements. All but the last core have been measured for natural gamma, density, magnetic susceptibility, and P-wave velocity using the ship's laboratory track systems. Thermal conductivity measurements are ongoing. The cores were split into archive and working halves, then digitally imaged, measured for point susceptibility and visually described. The sediment composition of the three uppermost cores from Hole U1370D is zeolitic clay. Hole U1370E, the assigned hole for biogeochemical experiments at this site, was initiated during the day and five cores, U1370E-1H to 5H (0 to 44.2 mbsf), were recovered by midnight. Core sections were sampled for PFT, H2, microbial cell and virus enumeration on the catwalk before they were taken to the core refrigerator for further sampling for interstitial water and solid phase biogeochemical measurements. Writing and review of Site U1369 reports continued.

Daily Science Report for 27 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1370 (SPG-11A, 41° 51.128'S, 153° 6.382'W, water depth: 5076 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Coring operations at Site U1370 began slowly as the combined effects of water depth and excessive heave hindered core recovery. Hole U1370A was drilled without coring to determine depth of basement (66.7 mbsf) and the presence of any hard layers in the sediment section. No hard layers (chert) were identified. Hole U1370B was terminated after the mudline core was recovered, but two unsuccessful coring shots failed to recover any more material. Core line tension variability increased dramatically with water depth and it was speculated that the shear pins that are used to contain the core barrel before it is pressurized and fired, failed on the descent and before the core barrel even got to the bottom. Repeated shear pin failures led to several types of remediation procedures, including a major heading change in an effort to reduce heave, complete change out of shear pin assembly and a complete change in wireline run procedures. Eventually after more than half a day troubleshooting, coring resumed, and Cores U1370D-1H and 2H (0-18.3 mbsf) were retrieved by midnight (100% recovery). Cores U1370B-1H and U1370D-1H and 2H were taken immediately after catwalk processing to the cold laboratory for oxygen measurements. Writing and review of site reports continued.

Daily Science Report for 26 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1370 (SPG-11A, 41° 51.128'S, 153° 6.382'W, water depth: 5076 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: We arrived at Site U1370 (original Site SPG-11 on the site survey cruise and newly approved site location for Expedition 329) in the mid-afternoon under moderate weather and sea conditions. The scientific objectives for Site U1370 are to determine the nature of subseafloor microbial communities in this organic poor sediment and how habitability, activity and community composition vary from gyre center (Site U1368) to the southern edge of the gyre (Site U1370) and with sediment composition, sedimentation rate and sediment age. A meeting was held to discuss the scientific results from Site U1369. Writing and review of site reports continued.

Daily Science Report for 25 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1370 (SPG-11A). Midnight position: 41° 10.1'S, 149° 28.4'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition scientists completed measuring squeezed IW, Rhyzon and sediment samples from Site U1369 for interstitial water constituents and solid phase organic- and inorganic carbon contents. Additional samples have been prepared for shipboard microbial cell enumeration, cultivation and shorebased molecular analyses. Writing and review of site reports, as well as preparation of presentations for the Site U1369 science meeting continue. Weather conditions have deteriorated as we move south and are expected to worsen as we approach the next site.

Daily Science Report for 24 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1370 (SPG-11A). Midnight position: 40° 03.1'S, 143° 34.7'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Operations at Site U1369 ended early morning and the JOIDES Resolution started the ~625 nautical mile voyage to the next site, U1370 (newly approved Site SPG-11A), at 0730 hrs. To date, the drill ship has covered 4543 nautical miles on the expedition. All cores from Holes U1369B, U1369C and U1369E have been measured for pore water dissolved oxygen concentration. Cores from Holes U1369B and U1369E have been measured for natural gamma radiation, density, magnetic susceptibility, P-wave velocity, and thermal conductivity. Subsequently, these cores were split into working and archive halves, digitally imaged and described. The sediment sequence at Site U1369 consists of zeolitic metalliferous pelagic clay with increasing RSO content at depth. Samples from Holes U1369C and U1369D are being measured for a broad range of chemical species, and prepared for cell enumeration, cultivation and shorebased molecular analyses. Expedition scientists are working on site reports. Estimated time of arrival at the next site is middle to late afternoon on 26 November.

Daily Science Report for 23 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1369 (SPG-10A, 39° 18.6177'S, 139° 48.0383'W, water depth: 5275.2 m

SCIENCE UPDATE: We completed coring operations at Site U1369. A total of three cores were taken from Hole U1369B recovering 18.14 m of sediment (114.1% recovery). Core sections were taken immediately after catwalk processing to the ‘cold room’ in the chemistry laboratory for oxygen measurements. The core sections were later brought up to the core laboratory for routine physical properties measurements and visual core description. Three additional holes were cored. Hole U1369C penetrated from the seafloor to 14.6 m, recovering 16.1 m of sediment (111% recovery) in 2 cores. Cores from Hole U1369C were partly sampled on the catwalk immediately after recovery for pore water chemistry, PFT measurements, and microbial cell counts, then taken to the core refrigerator for further biogeochemical sampling. Hole U1369D was terminated after the first core only could advance 0.1 m into the formation, recovering manganese nodules and fragments in the core catcher. Hole U1369E penetrated from the 0 to 15.5 mbsf, recovering 15.49 m of sediment (99.9%) in 3 cores. All core sections from Hole U1369E were transferred to the core refrigerator on the hold deck for systematic microbiological sampling. Expedition scientists continue to work on site reports while processing core material. Biogeochemical and microbiological preparations and analyses are ongoing. By midnight the drill pipe was being pulled out of Hole U1369E.

Daily Science Report for 22 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1369 (SPG-10A, 39° 18.6177'S, 139° 48.0383'W, water depth: 5275.2 m

SCIENCE UPDATE: We arrived at Site U1369 (Scientific Prospectus Site SPG-10A) as anticipated at 14:45 hrs. Hole U1369A was drilled without coring to determine basement depth. Hole U1369B was spudded soon after, establishing a water depth of 5275.2 meters. Based on the tag depth from Hole U1369A and the seafloor depth established with the mudline core in Hole U1369B, basement was calculated at 16.4 mbsf. Core U1369B-1H penetrated 6.2 m and recovered 6.18 m (99.7% recovery). Core sections were taken immediately after catwalk processing to the 'cold room' in the chemistry laboratory for oxygen measurements. The sampling party for the hard rock cores from the previous sites was concluded. Expedition scientists continue to work on site reports.

Daily Science Report for 21 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1369 (SPG-10A). Midnight position: 37° 36.5'S, 137° 9.9'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Biogeochemical measurements of core samples from Site U1368 have been completed. PFT testing of samples from all sites is being conducted to check for potential contamination of drill water from the periphery toward the center of the cores and to confirm the suitability of core material for microbiological research. Core samples are being injected with stable and radioactive isotope tracers for shipboard and shorebased microbial activity measurements. A meeting was held to plan for end of cruise activities and provide postcruise publication guidelines. Expedition scientists are working on site reports. Estimated time of arrival to Site U1369 is 15:00 on Monday, 22 November.

Daily Science Report for 20 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1369 (SPG-10A). Midnight position: 35° 1.0'S, 133° 15.8'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition scientists examined the hard rock cores from Sites U1365 and U1367 and identified personal samples for shorebased post-expedition studies. The sample allocation committee is reviewing the requests. A science meeting was held to present the major results from Site U1368 and to present the scientific objectives at Site U1369. The objectives for our next site are to determine the nature of subseafloor microbial communities in this organic-poor sediment and how habitability, microbial activity and community composition vary from gyre center (Site U1368) to midway to the southern edge of the gyre (at Site U1369) and with basement age. Our sediment coring operations plan is the same as for the previous sites. Expedition scientists are working on site reports. ETA at Site U1369 is ~0900 hrs on Monday 22 November.

Daily Science Report for 19 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1369 (SPG-10A). Midnight position: 32° 16.2'S, 129° 15.8'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Core U1368F-14R, the deepest one recovered at Site U1368, contained two rock units: a cryptocrystalline to microcrystalline pillow basalt at the top and a coarse-grain breccia with clasts of basaltic glass and basalt fragments at the bottom. The hard rock cores from Site U1365 were brought up to the Core Laboratory and laid out in preparation for the personal sampling party. Expedition scientists continue to analyze the biogeochemical and physical properties data obtained from Site U1368, to write the site reports and to prepare for the site’s science meeting.

Daily Science Report for 18 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1369 (SPG-10A). Midnight position: 29° 17.5'S, 125° 03.5'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: We successfully completed downhole logging of Hole U1368F using the triple combo and Formation Microscanner (FMS) wireline tools. Operations at Site U1368 ended at 12:30 hrs local time. The 1073 nautical miles voyage to our next site (SPG-10A in the Scientific Prospectus) will take approximately 4 days.
Cores U1368F-11R to -14R have been split into archive and working halves, imaged and are being visually described. The basaltic rocks recovered in these cores comprise several units ranging from sparsely phyric pillow basalt with glassy margin, microcrystalline aphyric vesicular basalt, to microcrystalline pillow basalt.
Microbiologists are carrying out microbial cell counts, cultivations and preparing samples for shore-based molecular analyses. Expedition scientists are working on site reports and preparing for the Site U1368 science meeting.

Daily Science Report for 17 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1368 (SPG-6A, 27° 55.0017'S, 123° 9.6562'W, water depth: 3749 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: We retrieved RCB Cores U1368F-13R and 14R (95.5 to 115.1 mbsf) recovering 5.3 m of basaltic rocks (27% recovery) and reaching our target depth of 100 meters into basement. Total core material recovered from Hole U1368F is 31.74 m or 27.6%. After the last core was recovered, the hole was conditioned for downhole logging. Logging operations started in the evening with two runs of the triple combo wireline tool string, which measures spectral gamma ray, density, caliper, and resistivity of the formation. These measurements, in combination with those measured in the ship's petrophysics laboratory, will be used for characterization of stratigraphic sequences, assessment of alteration, and reconstruction of the basement stratigraphy at Site U1368.
Cores U1368F-7R to U1368F-14R have been measured for natural gamma radiation, density, magnetic susceptibility, thermal conductivity, and P-wave velocity using the ship's laboratory track systems. Cores U1368F-3R to 10R have been split into archive and working halves, imaged and visually described. The basaltic rocks recovered consist of several units ranging from microcrystalline to glassy sparsely phyric pillow basalt. representing a chill margin, to aphyric microcrystalline basalt with olivine phenocrysts, representing massive flows. Total organic carbon measurements on the sediments from this and the previous sites were completed. Scientists are working on site reports.

Daily Science Report for 16 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1368 (SPG-6A, 27° 55.0017'S, 123° 9.6562'W, water depth: 3749 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: We retrieved RCB Cores U1368F-9R to 12R (62.6 mbsf to 95.5 mbsf) recovering 9.12 m of basaltic rocks (27.7% recovery). Cores U1368F-1R to U1368F-6R have been measured for natural gamma radiation, density, magnetic susceptibility, thermal conductivity, and P-wave velocity using the ship's laboratory track systems. Cores U1368F-1R and 2R have been split into archive and working halves, imaged and visually described by the sedimentologists and igneous petrologists. The material recovered in Core U1368F-2R is moderately altered aphyric microcrystalline basalt with a reddish brown groundmass. A broad suite of interstitial water and solid phase biogeochemical analyses have been completed on the sediment samples from Site U1368. Basalt samples are being prepared and processed for cell enumeration, cultivation and shore-based molecular analyses.

Daily Science Report for 15 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1368 (SPG-6A, 27° 55.0017'S, 123° 9.6562'W, water depth: 3749 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: RCB drilling and coring of Hole U1368F continues. Cores U1368F-4R to 8R penetrated from 37.8 to 62.6 mbsf and recovered 7.95 m of basaltic rocks (32% recovery). Cores from Holes U1368B and U1368E were measured for natural gamma radiation, density, magnetic susceptibility, thermal conductivity, and P-wave velocity using the ship's laboratory track systems. Subsequently, core sections were split into working and archive halves, digitally imaged, measured for color reflectance and described. The sedimentary section at Site U1368 ranges from brown clay on top, to clay bearing nannofossil ooze with occasional foraminifer-rich sand layers in the middle, to lithic sand at the bottom. These cores are currently being measured for magnetic properties on the ship's cryogenic magnetometer.
Hard rock cores from Hole U1368F are being examined for potential microbiological sampling and preliminary described while in cold storage in the core reefer. Once they have been examined and any microbiological sampling approved by the Sample Allocation Committee, core sections are being brought up to the Core Laboratory for routine core flow processing and description.

Daily Science Report for 14 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1368 (SPG-6A, 27° 55.0017'S, 123° 9.6562'W, water depth: 3749 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: We started RCB drilling and coring Hole U1368F. The objective is to sample the upper 100 m of basement at Site U1368. Cores U1368F-1R to 3R penetrated to 28.3 mbsf and recovered 8.02 m of sediment and basaltic rocks (28.3% recovery). The sedimentary section at Site U1368 consists of light to medium brown clay on top, clay bearing nannofossil ooze with occasional foraminifer-rich sand layers in the middle, and lithic sand at the bottom.
Cores from Holes U1368B and U1368E were measured for oxygen concentration. Whole-round samples from Hole U1368C have been measured for a broad suite of interstitial water and solid phase biogeochemical analyses. Samples from Hole U1368E were thoroughly sampled for shipboard and shorebased cell enumeration, cultivation and shore-based molecular analyses.

Daily Science Report for 13 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1368 (SPG-6A, 27° 55.0017'S, 123° 9.6562'W, water depth: 3749 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Drilling and coring operations began at Site U1368. Seafloor was tagged in Hole U1368A at 3750.0 mbrf. Hole U1368A was drilled to refusal establishing basement at 13.6 mbsf. Subsequently, four holes were cored with the APC system and Cores U1368B-1H to 3H (0-16 mbsf), U1368C-1H to 2H (0-16.3 mbsf), U1368D-1H to 2H (0-15 mbsf), and U1368E-1H to 2H (0-10.6 mbsf) were recovered. Overall recovery for Hole U1368B was 99% and for Holes U1368C to U1368E was 100% each.
Cores from Holes U1368B and U1368E were taken to the Cold Laboratory for measuring oxygen concentration immediately after catwalk processing. Cores from Hole U1368C were sampled on the catwalk, after the sections were cut, for microbial cell counts, hydrogen measurements and safety methane, then, taken to the core reefer in the hold deck were they were further sampled for a broad range of geochemical measurements. Cores from Hole U1368D were taken to the core reefer immediately after catwalk processing and were sampled for microbiological studies. In addition, expedition scientists continue to analyze data from the previous sites and to write site reports.

Daily Science Report for 12 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1368 (SPG-6A, 27° 55.0017'S, 123° 9.6562'W, water depth: 3749 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: We arrived at Site U1368 (Scientific Prospectus Site SPG-6A) at 14:30 hrs. A sonar survey was conducted upon arrival on site to confirm sub-bottom seismic profiles and the location of the site on a shallow sediment pond at 3749 m water depth. Expedition 329 scientists continue to analyze data, write site reports, measure sediment and interstitial water samples for a broad range of chemical species, and prepare samples for cell enumeration, cultivation and shorebased molecular analyses.

Daily Science Report for 11 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1368 (SPG-6A). Midnight position: 27° 36.5'S, 125° 49.4'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 329 scientists presented and discussed scientific results from Site U1367 at the midnight science meeting. Subsequently one of the chief scientists presented the research objectives for Site U1368. The primary objectives at Site U1368 are to determine the habitability of organic-poor sediment and underlying basalt for subseafloor microbial communities, and how microbial activity and community composition vary from gyre margin (Site U1365) to gyre center (Site U1368). The coring, drilling and downhole logging operations plan for Site U1368 is the same as for Site U1367. Site reports from Sites U1366 and U13667 are been reviewed and finalized. Sediment samples continue to be measured for a broad range of chemical species, and prepared for cell enumeration, cultivation and shore-based molecular analyses. Our estimated time of arrival at Site U1368 is 1400 hrs on 12 November.

Daily Science Report for 10 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1368 (SPG-6A). Midnight position: 27° 11.6'S, 130° 6.3'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Samples from Sites U1366 and U1367 continue to be measured for a broad range of chemical species, and prepared for cell enumeration, cultivation and shorebased molecular analyses. Expedition scientists are also working on site reports and preparing presentations for the Site U1367 science meeting. The pre-Site U1368 meeting also has been scheduled for midnight tomorrow.

Daily Science Report for 9 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1368 (SPG-6A). Midnight position: 26° 49.4'S, 134° 28.0'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: We departed Site U1367 at O545 hrs. Estimated arrival time at Site U1368, is 1000 hrs on Friday 12 November. Cores U1367F-2R through 5R were measured for physical properties in the WRMSL and NGR. They were split into working and archive halves, imaged and are being visually described. They mainly consist of light gray to gray aphyric microcrystalline basalts and pillow basalt pieces, with breccias and black calcite pieces. Expedition scientists continue to prepare and analyze interstitial waters, sediment and basalt samples from Sites U1366 and U1367 for biogeochemical, microbiological, sedimentological and petrological studies, and to work on site reports.

Daily Science Report for 8 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1367 (SPG-4A, 26° 28.9'S, 137° 56.4'W, water depth: ~4295 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Cores U1367F-5R and 6R (45.9-55.5 mbrf) were recovered with an average recovery of 16.5 %. At 18:30 hrs, operations in Hole U1367F were suspended because we were unable to get back to bottom and continue coring. Poor hole conditions, high torque and a collapsing hole contributed to this decision. Consequently, coring operations at Site U1367 were ended and the decision was made to continue to SiteU1368 (SPG-6A).
The remaining core section pieces from the heavily sampled microbiology and biogeochemistry designated holes have been split, imaged, measured for color reflectance and point susceptibility, and are being visually described. Biogeochemical and microbiological analyses and preparations of samples from Site U1367 continue. Expedition scientists continue to work on site reports.

Daily Science Report for 7 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1367 (SPG-4A, 26° 28.9'S, 137° 56.4'W, water depth: ~4295 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: RCB coring of Hole U1367F began after drilling down to 17 mbsf to try capturing the sediment/basalt interface in Core U1367F-2R. This first core retrieved 1.85 m of material (19% recovery). Subsequent cores (U1367F-3R and 4R) penetrated from 26.6 to 45.9 mbsf and recovered just 0.21 m (2%) and 0.65 m (7%) of basaltic rocks, respectively. Overall recovery and drilling has been slow and hampered by unstable hole conditions and the nature of the basaltic material (pillow basalts and rubble).
All cores from Holes U1367C through U1367E have been measured for magnetic susceptibility, gamma ray attenuation, natural gamma radiation, P-wave velocity and thermal conductivity on the Core Laboratory track systems. Cores from Holes U1367B and U1367E have been split, imaged, measured for color reflectance and point susceptibility, and are being visually described and measured for magnetic properties in the cryogenic magnetometer. Biogeochemical analyses of samples from Site U1367 continue. Expedition scientists continue to work on site reports.

Daily Science Report for 6 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1367 (SPG-4A, 26° 28.9'S, 137° 56.4'W, water depth: ~4295 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Coring operations continue at Site U1367. Cores U1367D-3H and 4H (16.9 to 25.5 mbsf) and Cores U1367E-1H through 3H (0 to 24.4 mbsf) were retrieved. Total recovery for Hole U1367D was 24.54 m (96%) and for Hole U1367E was 23.15 (95%). Hole U1367F, which targets the basement at this site, was spudded at 23:45 hrs.
All cores from Hole U1367B and selected intervals from Hole U1367C were measured for oxygen concentration. All cores from these holes have been measured for magnetic susceptibility, gamma ray attenuation, natural gamma radiation, P-wave velocity and thermo-conductivity in the Core Laboratory track systems. Cores from Hole U1367B have been split, imaged and are being visually described. The sediment at this site varies from dark brown zeolitic metalliferous pelagic clay at the top to metalliferous pelagic clay with nannofossils to foraminiferal ooze at the bottom. The base of Core U1367B-3H (or the base of the sedimentary interval at this site) is estimated to be of late Eocene-early Oligocene age based on planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy.
Samples from Holes U1367C and D are being measured for interstitial water chemistry and solid phase geochemistry, and prepared for shipboard and shorebased cell enumeration, cultivation and molecular analyses.

Daily Science Report for 5 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1367 (SPG-4A, 26° 28.9'S, 137° 56.4'W, water depth: ~4295 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Drilling and coring operations have begun at Site U1367. Hole U1367A was drilled without coring, establishing basement depth at 21.2 mbsf. Subsequently, the drill ship was moved 20 m away and coring activities were initiated in Hole U1367B. Cores U1367B-1H through 4H penetrated 22.3 m into the seafloor and recovered 21.32 m of sediment (overall recovery 95.6%). Cores U1367C-1H through 4H penetrated to 26.7 mbsf and recovered 26.66 m of material (overall recovery 99.8%). Holes U1367B and C reached the sediment/basement interface. Cores U1367D-1H and 2H (0 to 16.9 mbsf) were recovered by midnight.
All cores from Hole U1367B were taken to the Cold Laboratory for oxygen measurements immediately after catwalk processing. The core sections were subsequently brought back to the Core Laboratory for routine physical properties measurements and visual core description. Cores from Hole U1367C where partly sampled on the catwalk immediately after recovery for geochemical analyses and then taken to the core reefer for further sampling. Cores from Hole U1367D are being sampled for microbiological studies. Expedition scientists are also working on the second and first draft reports from Sites U1365 and U1366, respectively.

Daily Science Report for 4 November 2010

LOCATION: Site U1367 (SPG-4A, 26° 28.9'S, 137° 56.4'W, water depth: ~4295 m)

SCIENCE UPDATE: The JOIDES Resolution arrived at Site U1367 (Scientific Prospectus Site SPG-4A) at 23:00 hrs. Biogeochemical analyses of core samples from Site U1366 continued, but the Expedition 329 scientists took a break from analytical work to meet and present their preliminary results. Co-Chief Scientists presented the scientific objectives for Site U1367, which focus on determining the habitability of this organic-poor sediment and underlying basalt for subseafloor microbial communities, and how do activity and community composition vary from gyre margin (Site U1365) to gyre center (Site U1368). The coring operations plan for Site U1367 will be the same as for the previous sites: to drill a pilot hole to determine basement depth, and then core the sedimentary section in three holes: one to build the stratigraphic framework for the site, one for geochemical analyses and one for microbiological experiments. A fifth hole will be drilled into basement to core the underlying basalt and to deploy the downhole logging tools.

Daily Science Report for 3 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1367 (Scientific Prospectus Site SPG-4A). Midnight position: 26° 18.8'S, 142° 0.3'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition scientists continue to analyze core samples from Site U1366 for interstitial water chemistry, solid phase geochemistry, microbiology, and sediment composition. Review of Site U1365 reports continues. Estimated arrival time to Site U1367 is about 22:00 hrs on 4 November.

Daily Science Report for 2 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1367 (Scientific Prospectus Site SPG-4A). Midnight position: 26° 01.5'S, 146° 25.6'W (Southeast of Raivavae Island)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition scientists continue to analyze core samples from Site U1366 for interstitial water chemistry, solid phase geochemistry, microbiology and sediment composition. Review of Site U1365 reports continues. Estimated arrival time to Site U1367 is 18:00 hrs on 4 November.

Daily Science Report for 1 November 2010

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1367 (Scientific Prospectus Site SPG-4A). Midnight position: 25° 53.2'S, 151° 05.7'W

SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition scientists are preparing and analyzing samples from Site U1366 for interstitial water chemistry, solid phase geochemistry, microbiological experiments (including shipboard cell enumeration, cultivation and shore-based molecular analyses), sediment physical properties and composition. The sediment at Site U1366 consists of dark brown to very dark brown zeolitic metalliferous pelagic clay, with manganese nodules at several strata. Review of the draft versions of Site U1365 reports continues.