IODP Bremen Core Repository

MARUM - University of Bremen
Leobener Strasse
28359 Bremen
Germany

Tel: +49 (0)421 -218 65566 or 218 65567

International core repository at the University of Bremen

The Bremen Core Repository - BCR, for Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), Ocean Drilling Program (ODP), and Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) cores from the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean and Black Seas and Arctic Ocean is operated at Bremen University within the framework of the German participation in IODP. It is one of three IODP repositories (beside Gulf Coast Repository (GCR) in College Station, TX, and Kochi Core Center (KCC), Japan) and was established in the summer of 1994. The IODP-BCR has a 1100 sqm refrigerated storage area with a movable rack system and state-of-the-art laboratory and office space, and is located in the MARUM building on the campus of Bremen University.

BCR presently contains more than 151 km of deep-sea cores from 86 expeditions in around 220,000 boxes, which are sampled and analysed by national and international working groups. Around 200 scientists visit the repository annually, sometimes working on the cores in week-long sampling meetings. As many as 50,000 samples per year are taken by guests and by the repository staff. The repository is an important contact point for scientists from all over the world (about 2,000 visitors so far) and therefore significantly contributes to the exchange and transfer of marine science knowledge in Bremen, leading to international co-operations and scientific interactions.

Land-based cores from ODP Legs 150X and 174AX are stored at the Rutgers/New Jersey Geological Survey (RU/NJGS) core repository in Piscataway, NJ.

Requesting deep-sea sediment cores

All Legs/Exp. located at BCR 

  Web Interface for BCR Curatorial Data

Scientists may request samples from any Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) or Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) leg by filling out the IODP online sample request form (for samples from any of the three repositories). Samples from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) from expeditions with the non-riser vessel (JOIDES Resolution) can be requested online as well. The online request forms are found at this address:
www.iodp.tamu.edu/curation/samples.html

For samples from Mission Specific Platforms (MSP-Projects of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling. (ECORD), a pdf form is available for Expeditions 302 and 313.
 
For all new IODP expeditions starting with Exp. 314 an online sample request system is available for the new cores retrieved by all vessels/platforms, the Sample Material Curation System, SMCS.

Samples can be taken by repository staff, or scientists can visit the repository to take their own samples.

Microbiology Sample Material Availability

One of the scientific goals of IODP is to research the deep biosphere and the subseafloor ocean. IODP has deep-frozen microbiological samples from the subseafloor available for interested researchers and will continue to collect and preserve geomicrobiology samples for future research. The list of available samples at BCR you will find here.

Partner to the ECORD Science Operator (ESO)

• The Bremen Core Repository
• Drilling Vessels and Platforms
• International Structure
• The Micropaleontological Reference Center
• Visitor Information

Head of the IODP Repository/ MARUM Lab Infrastructure Group,
IODP Curator, ESO Curation & Laboratory Manager

Repository Superintendent, BCR

Curatorial Scientist, Logistics & Procurement Expert, BCR

Postal Address:
MARUM
Leobener Str
D - 28359 Bremen

• IODP Web Pages
• ODP Web Pages