There are a number of different core types in the OSU-MGR collections. Below is a brief guide to help in deciding what type of samples to request. There are additional coring devices not listed below. Please contact osu-mgr@oregonstate.edu with any further questions.

Name

Abbreviation

Description

Recovery

Piston Core

PC

Up to 30 m in length

Longest records, surface sediments lost

Jumbo Piston Core

JC

Same as PC but larger diameter

Longest records, surface sediments lost

Trigger Core

TC

Same deployment as associated PC/JC but shorter core (maximum 3 m in length)

Likely better recovery of surface sediments

Gravity Core

GC

Up to 12 m in length

Likely better recovery of surface sediments

Multicore

MC

Shorter record- cores are maximum 60 cm in length

Best recovery of surface sediments

Kasten Core

KC

Up to 4 m in length, rectangular core collects larger volume than gravity core

Greater volume of sediment recovered

Box Core

BC

Recovers large volume of upper sediments (60 cm max)

Minimal disturbance of upper sediments

Vibracore

VC

Vibrating corer recovers up to 6 m in length

Used to sample sandy sediments

Grab

G

Simple scoop

Surface sediments only, no stratigraphy recovered

Push Core

PU

Manually driven core used to sample marsh sediments where no other coring device is an option

Variable recovery and core condition

Dredge

D

Chain net dragged along the seafloor

Chips off and catches rocks from a swath of the seafloor

Dive

D

ROV-deployed samplers

Grab samples or small cores collected with ROV arm