All research students in the Economic Petrology lab should follow these guidelines for sample acquisition, processing and archiving:

Protocol for sample acquisition

  • Collection using a rock hammer (and sometimes chisel/sledge)
    • Labeled directly onto rock using sharpie, then contained within labeled ziplock or wrapped in newspaper, taped and labeled.
  • Sample numbers will follow the protocol: Site Abbr.-Yr.-Sample#-Collector inits. (e.g. LCS-16-01-HMA = the first sample collected at Lights Creek Stock in 2016 by Hannah M Aird)
  • Data to be recorded in notebook and electronically:
    • Researcher name, date, site, method and purpose of collection
    • Sample ID
    • GPS location
    • Description of location and outcrop
    • Lithologic description of sample (incl. classification and any structures)
    • Photo of outcrop pre-collection (photo# noted in notebook)
    • Photo of sample once collected (photo# noted in notebook)

Protocol for documenting samples

  • Enter sample data into lab spreadsheet within one week of end of fieldwork
  • Upload all photos (labeled and captioned in google sheets or slides document) and an electronic copy of field notes to Lab drive folder within one week of end of fieldwork
  • Register sample with SESAR to be assigned an IGSN, which should then be recorded in the lab spreadsheet.

Protocol for sample processing

  • Petrography:
    • Billets cut for polished thin section production and labeled with sample ID on opposite side from desired thin section
    • Off-cuts returned to labeled zip-lock bag
    • Green tag added to sample in lab spreadsheet
  • Geochemistry:
    • Subsample cut and crushed before preparation for geochemical analysis. Container labeled with sample ID.
    • Off cuts returned to labeled zip-lock bag
    • Blue tag added to sample in lab spreadsheet

Protocol for sample analysis

  • SEM:
    • Raw data saved to lab Google Drive
    • Orange tag added to sample in lab spreadsheet
  • Microprobe:
    • Raw data saved to lab Google Drive
    • Red tag added to sample in lab spreadsheet

Protocol for sample management/storage

  • Active projects will be stored in drawers in the petrography lab
  • Completed projects will be archived in labeled boxes in the department storage unit. In this situation a yellow tag will be added to the sample in the lab spreadsheet.
  • Metadata should be stored electronically in the lab spreadsheet and stored as a hard copy with the samples.
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