Coweeta Home : Research : Sample Archive : Archiving

Archiving

Only samples with adequate documentation are accepted for permanent storage. The contributing scientist is responsible for ascertaining that permanent storage of each individual sample is desirable. Forms for the documentation of physical samples may be obtained from the Physical Archive Manager or from the Coweeta LTER web page under the "General Links / Sample Archive" section. When a scientist wishes to contribute a collection of samples for permanent storage, he/she must complete and submit the online Sample Form. The Physical Archive Manager will then contact the Physical Archive subcommittee, which will decide if the samples should be accepted for permanent storage. If the subcommittee accepts the samples for storage, they may be brought to the storage building. The Physical Archive Manager will then assign barcodes and enter the documentation into the database.

Subsampling of permanently stored samples will be restricted to 10% or less of the remaining material in each sample. Contributing scientists have unrestricted access to their samples as long as they remain associated with the Coweeta LTER project. However, they must inform the Physical Archive Manager of any subsampling. Other scientists who wish to use the permanent samples must complete and submit the online Subsample Form.The Physical Archive subcommittee will decide if subsampling can be done. The Physical Archive Manager will exercise quality control over subsampling.