Deep-Sea Coral Collection Protocols - NOAA's Coral Reef ...

LabelingThe significance of proper labels cannot be underestimated. If you are sending your samples to ascientific institution or laboratory, all the hard work of collection may be lost to dissolved ink or illegiblehandwriting. Furthermore, improper labels can be frustrating to those trying to help you. Researchers atthe Smithsonian Institution note that externally labeled vials tend to lose their markings. The best labelsare on paper inside the vial, in the preservative, clearly written in pencil. You may wish to keepa sample log, and reference each entry to the label in the vial. Wet samples should be related to drysamples. Vials should also be labeled on the outside on the cap and the body. Use only solventresistant markers for the exterior label. These vials should be wrapped in parafilm before shipping.Label Information1. Use pencil on a small strip of paper approximately ½” by 4"2. Paper should be either 100% rag bond, Nalgene (TM) or Resistal (TM) contact: UniversityProducts 517 Main Street, P.O. Box 101, Holyoke, MA 01041-0101.3. Write the date, cruise name, ship, researcher, station number, and sample number in clearblock letters include geoposition (longitude and latitude), place name, depth in meters, relatedwet or dry samples, collection method, and substrate (Fig. 24 and 25).4. Geoposition should bea. Degree/Minutes/Seconds (DMS) e.g. 32 15’ 43"N, 80 25’ 18"W orb. Degree/ decimal minutes (DDM) eg 32 15.23 Nc. Decimal Degrees (DD) to three decimal places e.g. 32.262 N, -80.421 Ed. 1 degree = 111km, so 2 decimal places is only accurate to within 1kme. To convert DMS to DD, DD = D + M/60 + S/3600f. To convert DDM to DD, DD = D + DM/605. Depth should be clearly defined in meters (vs fathoms, feet, km, nmi)6. Depth may be a range of values due to gear typeFig 27. This label shows collection information in pencil, notink. The paper is durable and archival. Rubber gloves wouldhelp avoid DNA/ RNA contamination.35Fig. 28. 50ml vials hold small branches inethanol, but legally require extra paperworkto ship overnight. You may drain these toship them, and refill them later at the lab.