Recommendations for a system to photograph core segments and create stitched images of complete cores

Abstract

High-resolution digital imagery of sediment cores increases researchers’ ability to examine, review, and disseminate complex and meaningful core data. The high cost of commercial core scanning systems currently limits the number of cores that are imaged. Here, we present a simple, inexpensive system that can be built in almost any laboratory environment and used to create complete core images. This system uses a stationary light source and a moving core tray (sledge) which provides for consistent lighting across multiple images. Polarized lens filters and diffuse light are used to minimize glare on the core surface. Our system also repurposes professionally engineered exercise equipment which, provides for precise core and camera movement. Once images are taken, stitching software is used to create the final core image. While there are many stitching programs on the market, none are explicitly aimed at stitching together many images in a single, straight line. We evaluated seven of the most common stitching programs and identified Hugin as the most useful for creating completed core images.