IODP Expedition 339

Mediterranean Outflow

Daily Science Report for 30 November 2011

LOCATION: Site U1386 (Proposed Site GC-01A; preliminary 36°49.69' N, 7°45.33' W, water depth 572 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: We arrived at Site U1386 at 0418 hr. After making up the APC/XCB bottom hole assembly and running the drill string down to sea bed, we deployed the camera system and conducted a 30 m-grid survey of the seafloor to ensure that it was free of obstructions. By midnight, we recovered Cores U1386A-1H to -16H (0-144 m) with a recovery of 102%. Description and measurement of magnetic properties of all cores from the last hole at the previous site (U1385E) was completed; the age of the stratigraphic section at Site U1385 spans from the earliest Pleistocene to the Holocene. Science seminars continued with a presentation about contourite drift distribution along the slope of the Gulf of Cadiz.

Daily Science Report for 29 November 2011

LOCATION: Underway to Site U1386 (GC-01A)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Today we completed coring operations at Site U1385. We recovered 17 APC cores from Hole U1385E (0-148.7 m) with a recovery of 102%. All cores from Holes U1385B, U1385C, and U1385D have been described and all remaining cores from Hole U1385E have been measured for physical properties. The Chief Scientists presented the background, scientific objectives, and operations plan for the next two sites (U1386 and U1387 - proposed sites GC-01A and GC-09A). Later in the afternoon, a meeting was held to plan for upcoming use of seismic sources for VSPs. The estimated time of arrival at Site U1386 is 0400 h on 30 November. Once on site, the plan is to deploy the drill string and conduct a TV survey to ensure that the seafloor is free of obstructions, before we start coring operations.

Daily Science Report for 28 November 2011

LOCATION: Site U1385 (SHACK-04; 37°34.29' N, 10°7.57' W, water depth 2589 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: We completed APC coring Hole U1385D to a total depth of 146.4 m DSF with a nominal recovery of 105.2%. Coring operations in Hole U1385E began in the mid-afternoon and by midnight we recovered Cores U1385E-1H through 11H (0-92 m DSF) with a nominal recovery of 104.5%. Cores U1385B-1H through 14H were described today and consist of moderately bioturbated nannofossil ooze and silty or clayey nannofossil ooze, with abundant silt- and clay-sized detrital carbonate. The age at the bottom of Hole U1385D is ~1.25 My.

Daily Science Report for 27 November 2011

LOCATION: Site U1385 (SHACK-04; 37°34.29' N, 10°7.57' W, water depth 2589 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Today we completed coring Holes U1385B (16 cores) and U1385C (1 core), and started coring Hole U1385D. Hole U1385C was ended after the first core because this did not yield the desired sediment/water interface to carry out the cross-hole stratigraphic correlation. By midnight, Cores U1385D-1H through 4H (0-35.4 mbsf) were recovered yielding 36.04 m of sediment. All cores from Hole U1385A have been processed for physical properties, split into working and archive halves, imaged and described. The sediment is composed of nannofossil ooze and silty or clayey nannofossil ooze, with abundant silt- and clay-sized detrital carbonate. Bioturbation throughout the stratigraphic section ranges from sparse to moderate, with scattered occurrences of recognizable ichnofauna. An age between 1.2 and 1.4 My is estimated for the bottom of Holes U1385A and U1385B based on nannofossils and foraminifers. The biostratigraphic data are consistent with the obtained paleomagnetic data.

Daily Science Report for 26 November 2011

LOCATION: Site U1385 (SHACK-04; 37°34.29' N, 10°7.57' W, water depth 2589 mbrf)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Today we completed coring Hole U1385A. Cores U1385A-2H through 17H recovered 151.6 m of Pleistocene gray to olive gray calcareous mud with varying amounts of nannofossils and foraminifers. The recovered sedimentary section spans the past 1.4 My. Non-magnetic core barrels are being used for all the cores. Total penetration for Hole U1385A is 151.5 mbsf. Core sections are being processed through the core laboratory track systems for physical properties and paleomagnetics. A selected number of whole-round sections are being Rhyzon-sampled for interstitial water chemistry.

Daily Science Report for 25 November 2011

LOCATION: Site U1385 (SHACK-04)

SCIENCE UPDATE: The JR arrived at Site U1385, the first and deepest (~2580 m) site of Expedition 339, at ~0400 h. The APC/XCB bottom hole assembly (BHA) was made up and the drill string lowered down to the bottom with the VIT. A TV survey of the seafloor was conducted to ensure that the seafloor was free of obstructions, before coring operations began. By midnight, Core U1385A-1H was recovered. The science party attended science seminars by Voelker and Roque and continued laboratory preparations. The Co-Chiefs and EPM reviewed the sample requests for the expedition.

Daily Science Report for 24 November 2011

LOCATION: Underway from Ponta Delgada (Azores) to Site U1385 (SHACK-04) (Midnight position 37°34.3' N, 10°59.6' W).

SCIENCE UPDATE: Co-chief scientists presented the objectives of the expedition to Siem Offshore personnel and the USIO technical staff. Drill floor tours were organized and provided to the science party. All laboratory teams met for further laboratory training and preparations. The estimated time of arrival at Site U1385 is 0430 h on 25 November. Once on site, the plan is to deploy the drill string and conduct a TV survey to ensure that the seafloor is free of obstructions before coring operations begin.

Daily Science Report for 23 November 2011

LOCATION: Underway from Ponta Delgada (Azores) to Site U1385 (SHACK-04) (Midnight position 37°34.5' N, 16°20.9' W).

SCIENCE UPDATE: The co-chief scientists, ancillary program proponent and senior USIO and Siem Offshore personnel met for a final clarification of operations at Site U1385. The science party attended science seminars by Sierro and Sanchez-Goñi. All laboratory teams met for further laboratory training and preparations. The estimated time of arrival at Site U1385 is 0600 h on 25 November.

Daily Science Report for 22 November 2011

LOCATION: Underway from Ponta Delgada (Azores) to Site U1385 (SHACK-04) (Midnight position 37°34.9' N, 22°3.0' W)

SCIENCE UPDATE: We departed Ponta Delgada at 07:30. Estimated time of arrival at Site U1385 is 08:00 on 25 November. The science party received presentations on the scientific objectives for the Shackleton Site (SHACK-04) and on the downhole logging program for Expedition 339. All laboratory teams met for training and specifications of scientific methods.

Daily Science Report for 21 November 2011

LOCATION: Ponta Delgada, Azores

SCIENCE UPDATE: Today, the JOIDES Resolution changed to Cyprus flag at 13:00 hrs. Scientists' orientation continued with presentations on stratigraphic correlation and sample and data access tools. The scientific contingent carried on defining and writing the methods for the expedition scientific activities and used the afternoon to conduct last minute errands in town in anticipation of tomorrow's early departure. The vessel is scheduled to leave Ponta Delgada at 07:30 hrs and initiate the 2.9 day transit to the first site of the expedition. The technical support staff received training on identification of marine mammals.

Daily Science Report for 20 November 2011

LOCATION: Ponta Delgada, Azores

SCIENCE UPDATE: This morning the chief scientists presented the background and scientific objectives of the expedition. The presentation was followed by safety tours of the ship laboratories to all the members of the science party, a presentation on our sampling application, database, and hands on training on entering sample information. Later in the day, the ship's captain gave a presentation on ship safety. The science party continued working on defining the scientific methods for the expedition and the chief scientists, staff scientist and shipboard curator met to discuss the sampling strategies for the cruise.

Daily Science Report for 19 November 2011

LOCATION: Ponta Delgada, Azores

SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 339 scientists and technical staff began shipboard orientations and planning. Activities included personnel introductions and introduction into all the aspects of an IODP expedition, the core description application and hands-on training activities. The science party received tours of the ship’s laboratories and the hotel stack and proceeded to define the methods for the scientific activities of the cruise, with emphasis on the specification of macroscopic and microscopic description of core material. More educational and public relations ship tours were given throughout the day to scientists from the University of the Azores. A VIP tour was provided to Portuguese officials in the afternoon. Loading activities continued.

Daily Science Report for 18 November 2011

LOCATION: Ponta Delgada, Azores

SCIENCE UPDATE: The second day of the Mediterranean Outflow Expedition portcall consisted of the arrival of all the remaining members of the science party and USIO personnel. The Co-chief Scientists and Expedition Project Manager organized science, training and introductory meetings for the next days of portcall and welcomed the scientific party to the JOIDES Resolution. Lab tours were conducted for about 200 students from local schools. Laboratory activities included unpacking instruments and supplies.

Daily Science Report for 17 November 2011

LOCATION: Ponta Delgada, Azores

SCIENCE UPDATE: Port call activities in progress.