IODP Expedition 339

Mediterranean Outflow

Daily Science Report for 16 January 2012

LOCATION: Lisbon, Portugal

SCIENCE UPDATE: All science reports are completed. Scientists continued their postcruise research discussions and submitted their draft titles for postcruise research/publications. Completed lab cleaning and final preparation of shipments. The JOIDES Resolution arrived in Lisbon at 1342 hr. Successfully concluded Mediterranean Outflow Expedition 339.

Daily Science Report for 15 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1391C (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.5286′N, 9° 24.6468′W, water depth 1085.0 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Hole U1391C was logged successfully using the Triple Combo and FMS-sonic tool strings. The first log was made with the Triple Combo. It recorded natural gamma, density and resistivity data. It was deployed at 0330 hr and succeeded in reaching 669 m. The tool suite was recovered and rigged down by 0815 hr. The second and final log was made with the FMS-sonic tool string reaching 666 m. It recorded resistivity images of the borehole, sonic velocities, and natural gamma data. Logging equipment was rigged down by 1915 hr, concluding all science operations of the expedition. Expedition scientists continue to prepare site reports and update sample requests and post-expedition research plans. We plan to depart for Lisbon at 0200 hr on 16 January.

Daily Science Report for 14 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1391C (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.5286′N, 9° 24.6468′W, water depth 1085.0 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Coring operations at Hole U1391C were completed after taking RCB Cores U1391C-25R to -36R from 556.2 to 671.5 m. Recovery for the 115.3 cored section was 74%. Penetration rate was 14.7 m/hr. Total core recovery for Expedition 339 is 5447 m (86%). Following the end of coring operations at Hole U1391C, the hole was conditioned for downhole logging. Cores U1391C-15R to -36R have been split, measured for physical and paleomagnetic properties, and described. The deeper section of Hole U1391C consists of calcareous mud interbedded with silty mud with biogenic carbonate and sometimes calcareous silty mud with sponge spicules and diatoms. The bottom age of Hole U1391C is between 3.31 and 3.5 Ma. Expedition scientists continue to prepare site reports and update sample requests and post-expedition research plans. We plan to depart for Lisbon no later than 0400 hr on 16 January.

Daily Science Report for 13 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1391C (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.54′N, 9° 24.66′W, water depth 1085.0 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: RCB Cores U1391C-9R to -24R advanced from 403 to 556.2 m with a penetration rate of 13.6 m/hr and a recovery of 91%. Cores U1391B-31X to -38X and U1391C-2R to -15R yielded calcareous mud interbedded with silty and sandy mud with biogenic carbonate and occasional diatom-rich intervals. The basal sediment in Core U1391C-16R (~480 m) is 1.9 Ma. Expedition scientists also are preparing site reports and updating sample requests and post-expedition research plans.

Daily Science Report for 12 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1391C (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.54′N, 9° 24.66′W, water depth 1085.0 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: RCB Cores U1391C-2R to -8R advanced from 340 to 403 m with a penetration rate of 14.5 m/hr and a recovery of 70%. Cores U1391B-15H to -30X have been split, measured for physical and paleomagnetic properties, and described. The sediment is predominantly greenish gray to dark greenish gray calcareous mud, interbedded with silty and sandy mud with biogenic carbonate and occasional diatom-rich mud intervals. The basal sediment in Hole U1391B is ~1.4 Ma. Expedition scientists are working on site reports and discussing sample requests and post-expedition research plans.

Daily Science Report for 11 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1391B (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.5288′N, 9° 24.6604′W [final], water depth 1085.0 mbrf);
Hole U1391C (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.54′N, 9° 24.66′W, water depth 1085.0 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: XCB Cores U1391B-23X to -38X advanced from 204.2 to 353.5 m, reaching the depth objective for Hole U1391A. The interval cored with the XCB was 182.5 m with a recovery of 93%. The drill string was pulled out of the hole to switch the bit to the rotary core barrel (RCB) system. The RCB bottom hole assembly was made up and the drill string re-deployed down to the seafloor. The vessel was offset 20 m east and Hole U1391C was spudded at 2345 hr. The plan is to drill down without recovery to ~340 m and then initiate RCB coring to the depth objective of 675 m. All cores from Hole U1391A and Cores U1391B-1H to -14H have been split, measured for physical and paleomagnetic properties, and described. The dominant lithology in the upper ~350 m at Site U1391 is greenish gray to dark greenish gray calcareous mud, interbedded with silty and sandy mud with biogenic carbonate and occasional diatom-rich mud intervals. Geochemical analyses of sediment and interstitial water samples from Hole U1391A are ongoing.

Daily Science Report for 10 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1391A (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.5392′N, 9° 24.6601′W [final], water depth 1085.4 mbrf);
Hole U1391B (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.54′N, 9° 24.66′W, water depth 1085.0 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: XCB Cores U1391A-35X to -38X advanced from 314.7 to 353.1 m, reaching the depth objective for Hole U1391A. The total interval cored with the XCB was 182 m with a recovery of 89%. The vessel was offset 20 m to the south and Hole U1391B was spudded at 0815 hr. Piston Cores U1391B-1H to -18H (0-171 m) were taken with a recovery of 104%. XCB Cores U1391B-19X to -22X advanced from 171 to 204.2 m with a recovery of 93%. The dominant lithology in Hole U1391A is greenish gray to dark greenish gray calcareous mud, interbedded with silty and sandy mud with biogenic carbonate, and, locally, diatom-rich mud. The age at the bottom of the hole is between 1.34 and 1.6 Ma. Geochemical analyses of sediment and interstitial water samples from Hole U1391A are ongoing.

Daily Science Report for 9 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1391A (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.54′N, 9° 24.66′W, water depth 1085.4 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: APC Cores U1391A-7H to -19H were taken from 51.6 to 171.1 m with a recovery of 107%. XCB Cores U1391A-20X to -34X advanced from 171.1 to 314.7 m with a recovery of 85%. Cores U1391A-1H to -10H have been split, measured for physical and paleomagnetic properties, and described. The dominant lithology is calcareous mud, interbedded with silty and sandy mud with biogenic carbonate. Geochemical analyses of sediment and interstitial water samples from Hole U1391A are ongoing.

Daily Science Report for 8 January 2012

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1391 (proposed site WI-01B);
Hole U1391A (proposed site WI-01B; 37° 21.54′N, 9° 24.66′W, water depth 1085.4 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: The ~115 nm transit to Site U1391 (WI-01B) was completed in 10 hrs and the vessel was positioning on site at 1230 hr. The APC/XCB bottom hole assembly was made up and the drill string was deployed down to the seafloor with the camera system to carry out the inspection of the seabed. No obstructions were observed. Hole U1391A was spudded at 2035 hr establishing a seafloor depth at 1085.4 mbrf. Piston cores U1391A-1H to -6H (0-51.6 m) recovered 53.3 m (103%). All cores from Site U1390 have been split, described and measured for physical and paleomagnetic properties. Geochemical analyses of sediment and interstitial water samples from Sites U1390 and U1391 are ongoing.

Daily Science Report for 7 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1390C (36°19.04′N, 7°43.06′W, water depth 1004.1 mbrf) [proposed site GC-02B]

SCIENCE UPDATE: Coring operations at Site U1390 were completed today with the retrieval of piston Cores U1390C-1H to -19H (0 to 175.4 m) with a recovery of 97%. The drill string was pulled out of the hole and cleared the seafloor at 2300 hr. Cores U1390B-15H to -21H and Cores U1390C-1H to -3H have been split, described and measured for physical and paleomagnetic properties. The sediment is predominantly dark greenish gray calcareous mud interbedded with silty mud and sandy mud with biogenic carbonate. Expedition scientists presented and discussed the current scientific results of the expedition and are working on the expedition reports. Geochemical analyses of sediment and interstitial water samples from Site U1390 are ongoing.

Daily Science Report for 6 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1390B (36°19.1460′N, 7°43.0815′W [final], water depth 1002.4 mbrf) [proposed site GC-02B]

SCIENCE UPDATE: Piston Cores U1390B-10H to -21H were taken from 85.1 to 194.1 m with a recovery of 93%. Core U1390B-21H became stuck in the bottom-hole assembly and we had to pull the drill string out of the hole. Core U1390B-21H was finally extracted on the drill floor at 2100 hr. After a hardware inspection, the drill string was redeployed down to 847.2 mbrf by midnight. In the laboratories, Core U1390A-38X and Cores U1390B-1H to -14H have been split, described and measured for physical and paleomagnetic properties. As in Hole U1390A, the sediment in the upper section of Hole U1390B is dominated by dark greenish gray calcareous mud interbedded with silty mud with biogenic carbonate. The age at the bottom of Core U1390B-20H is younger than 0.26 Ma.

Daily Science Report for 5 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1390A (36°19.04′N, 7°43.08′W [final], water depth 1005.1 mbrf) and
Hole U1390B (36°19.04′N, 7°43.06′W, water depth 1002.4 mbrf) [proposed site GC-02B]

SCIENCE UPDATE: Downhole logging operations, using the Triple Combo and FMS-Sonic tool strings, were conducted successfully in Hole U1390A. The Triple Combo descended through the seafloor at 0030 hr and was run down to the bottom of the hole (350 m). It recorded spectral gamma ray, density, caliper, and resistivity logs. The FMS-Sonic tool was deployed at 0525 hr, and recorded resistivity images of the borehole, sonic velocities, and natural gamma data over the same depth interval, during both the first and second passes. After logging operations were completed, the ship was offset 200 m north of Hole U1390A. A camera inspection of the seafloor confirmed the new location was free of obstructions and Hole U1390B was spudded at 1700 hr at 1002.4 mbrf. Piston Cores U1390B-1H to -9H were taken from 0 to 85.1 m with a recovery of 105%.

Daily Science Report for 4 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1390A (36°19.04′N, 7°43.06′W, water depth 1005.1 mbrf) [proposed site GC-02B]

SCIENCE UPDATE: XCB Cores U1390A-21X to -38X penetrated from 179.2 to 350 m with a recovery of 92%. Having reached our coring depth objective for Hole U1390A, the hole was prepared for downhole logging and at midnight the first logging tool string (Triple Combo) was being deployed. Cores U1390A-9H to -24X have been split and measured for physical and magnetic properties. The dominant lithology is greenish gray silty mud with biogenic carbonate interbedded with calcareous mud and sandy mud with biogenic carbonate. The age at the bottom of Hole U1390A is between 1.2 and 1.6 Ma. Geochemical analyses of sediment and interstitial water samples from Hole U1390A are ongoing. Expedition participants presented the scientific highlights of Site U1389 at the science meeting.

Daily Science Report for 3 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1390A (36°19.04′N, 7°43.06′W, water depth 1005.1 mbrf) [proposed site GC-02B]

SCIENCE UPDATE: Hole U1390A was spudded at 0520 hr after an underwater camera survey showed that the seafloor was free of obstructions. APC Cores U1390A-1H to -9H (0-76.7 m) were taken with a recovery of 102%. After APC refusal was reached, XCB Cores U1390A-10X to -20X advanced from 76.7 to 179.2 m recovering 90.5 m (88%). Cores U1390A-1H to -9H have been split and measured for physical and magnetic properties. The sediment is predominantly dark gray to dark greenish gray calcareous mud interbedded with silty mud with biogenic carbonate and sandy mud with biogenic carbonate. Geochemical analyses of sediment and interstitial water samples from Hole U1390A are ongoing.

Daily Science Report for 2 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1390A (36°19.04′N, 7°43.06′W, water depth 1005.1 mbrf) [proposed site GC-02B];
Hole U1389E (36°25.5084′N, 7°16.6906′W, water depth 655 mbrf) [proposed site GC-11A]

SCIENCE UPDATE: All operations were completed at Site U1389 with the deployment of the Triple Combo and FMS-Sonic tool strings in Hole U1389E. The Triple Combo, comprising natural gamma, density, porosity, resistivity and caliper tools, descended through the seafloor at 0230 hr and was run down to 1222 mbrf (568 mbsf) where it was blocked by an obstruction in the hole. The FMS-Sonic tool was deployed at 0915 hr, and recorded resistivity images of the borehole, sonic velocities, and natural gamma data over the same depth interval. During the second pass, the FMS Sonic tool was blocked by an obstruction at 1180 mbrf (526 mbsf). The tool string was back on deck at 1430 hr. The ~24 nmi transit to Site U1390 (proposed site GC-02B; water depth 1005.1 mbrf) was completed in under 3 hours and we were positioning on station at 2145 hr. Once on site, the APC/XCB bottom hole assembly was made up and deployed to 567.6 mbrf at midnight.

Daily Science Report for 1 January 2012

LOCATION: Hole U1389E (36°25.5084′N, 7°16.6906′W, water depth 655 mbrf) [proposed site GC-11A]

SCIENCE UPDATE: Today we reached the target depth for Hole U1389E (990 mbsf) by retrieving RCB Cores U1389E-65R to -70R from 943.5 to 989.9 mbsf. We cored the 46.4 m interval with a recovery of 11%. Cores U1389E-59R to -70R have been split and measured for physical and paleomagnetic properties. The lowermost portion of Hole U1389E consists of dark greenish silty mud with biogenic carbonate and calcareous mud. The age at the bottom of the hole is between 3.57 and 3.81 Ma. The drill string was pulled back and hole conditioning was initiated to prepare Hole U1389E for logging operations.