Significance of Deep Sea drilling project sediment physical property data

Abstract

Sediment disturbance associated with the Deep Sea Drilling Project coring and core‐handling program are discussed along with the effects of sample disturbance on some measurements of physical properties. Information was obtained from shopboard observations and testing on Leg 43 and shore‐based testing of several sediment samples. Disturbance results from (1) remolding of the particle structure during coring, and (2) swelling induced by stress release and thermal expansion in the presence of excess water. Remolding is most significant to depth of 50–100 m, whereas swelling effects increase with coring depth. As a result, the shipboard data are not rep‐sentative of in situ sediment properties. The tendency is for porosity to increase and for bulk density to decrease with increased swelling. Strength is significantly reduced for swelled samples with further reductions from remolding. All observations and data suggest a need for improved coring capabilities and an in situ testing program.