Geochemical analysis of authigenic carbonates and chemosynthetic mussels at Atlantic Margin seeps (ver. 2.0, March 2019)

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How might this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Prouty, Nancy G., 2016, Geochemical analysis of authigenic carbonates and chemosynthetic mussels at Atlantic Margin seeps (ver. 2.0, March 2019): data release DOI:10.5066/F77942SJ, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/F77942SJ
   • https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/57a3c016e4b0d7d7d7af97c1

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -74.5811
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -73.7412
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.0977
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.8654
   

3. What does it look like?
4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 25-Aug-2012

   Ending_Date: 21-Jul-2015

   Currentness_Reference:

   ground condition at the time the samples were collected

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular data in .xlsx format
   

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • point (254)
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is D_WGS_198.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.
      
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   MDAC_Geochemistry_v.2.0.xlsx

   Table containing geochemical analyses of authigenic carbonates, sediment, water and mussels. (Source: producer defined)

   Sample ID

   The unique sample identification of a particular sample (Source: producer defined) The Sample ID contains the dive number and either a number or description of the sample in a collection series.

   Sample Type

   Explains the sample type or sample material matrix (Source: producer defined)

   Value	Definition
   authigenic carbonate-groundmass	matrix portion of the authigenic carbonate.
   authigenic carbonate-cement	precipitate portion of the authigenic carbonate.
   shell in authigenic carbonate	intact shell fragments embedded into the authigenic carbonate matrix.
   sediment	geologic solid fragmented material, such as silt, sand, gravel.
   mussel carbonate shell (collected alive)	carbonate material from mussel shells with living mussel.
   mussel carbonate shell (collected dead)	carbonate material from mussel shells without living mussel.
   mussel carbonate shell (unknown)	carbonate material from mussel shells but not known whether collected from living mussel.
   mussel periostracum	thin, organic-rich outer layer of mussel shell.
   seawater	filtered seawater collected from Niskin bottle.
   mussel gill	gill tissue from mussel specimen
   carbonate mussel shell (collected dead) 10% HCl	carbonate material from mussel shells without living mussel and pretreated with 10% hydrochloric acid.
   detritus	sediment analyzed to quantify the non-authigenic U and Th.

   Location

   Lists whether the sample was collected from either Baltimore Canyon or Norfolk Canyon (Source: producer defined)

   Value	Definition
   Baltimore Canyon	Name of canyon where sample was collected
   Norfolk Canyon	Name of canyon where sample was collected

   Station Number

   Station number listed as vessel-year-number. Vessel abbreviations are as follows: RB=R/V Ron Brown; NF=R/V Nancy Foster; AT=R/V Atlantis. Year is designated with two digits (for example 03=2003; 14=2014). Number is a sequential number assigned by the vessel. Gaps in sequential numbers are common, as not all stations had samples collected or analyzed. Vessel designation AT, from the R/V Atlantis also includes the AT cruise number 29. (Source: producer defined) Station number listed as vessel-year-station number.

   Depth (m)

   Identifies either the depth range in meters or the exact depth in meters. Range is given as a function of the remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) dive range when it was uncertain within the dive when a specific specimen was collected and placed in the ROV sled. (Source: producer defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	364
   Maximum:	1617
   Units:	meters
   Resolution:	1

   Date of Collection

   Calendar date (month/day/year) when sample was collected in the field (Source: producer defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	8/25/12
   Maximum:	7/21/15
   Units:	month/day/year

   Latitude

   Latitude (Source: based on ship and ROV navigation systems)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	36.8654
   Maximum:	38.0977
   Units:	decimal degrees
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Longitude

   Longitude (Source: based on ship and ROV navigation systems)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-74.5811
   Maximum:	-73.7412
   Units:	decimal degrees
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Calcium Carbonate

   percent calcium carbonate (Source: Mineral percentages were determined by multiplying unique peak intensities for each mineral in a sample by relative intensity factors. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as calcium carbonate was not calculated for every sample.)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	3.30
   Maximum:	97.20
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   delta-C-13

   delta-C-13 is a measure of the ratio of stable isotopes Carbon-13:Carbon-12, reported in parts per thousand (per mil). Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 13C:12C was not calculated for every sample. (Source: standard reporting value in isotope chemistry)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-70.66
   Maximum:	0.90
   Units:	parts per thousand (per mil)
   Resolution:	0.01

   delta-O-18

   delta-O-18 is a measure of the ratio of stable isotopes Oxygen-18:Oxygen-16, reported in parts per thousand (per mil). Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 18O:16O was not calculated for every sample. (Source: standard reporting value in isotope chemistry)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.34
   Maximum:	5.13
   Units:	parts per thousand (per mil)
   Resolution:	0.01

   87Sr:86Sr

   a measure of the ratio of isotopes Strontium-87:Strontium-86. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 87Sr:86Sr was not calculated for every sample. (Source: standard reporting value in isotope chemistry)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.70915
   Maximum:	0.70924
   Resolution:	0.00001

   delta-S-34

   a measure of the ratio of stable isotopes Sulfur-34:Sulfur-32, reported in parts per thousand (per mil). Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 34S:32S was not calculated for every sample. (Source: standard reporting value in isotope chemistry)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-4.07
   Maximum:	22.65
   Units:	parts per thousand (per mil)
   Resolution:	0.01

   Delta-C-14

   The relative difference between the absolute international standard (base year 1950) and sample activity corrected for age and delta-Carbon-13. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as Delta-Carbon-14 was not calculated for every sample. (Source: defined in Stuiver and Polach (1977))

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-959
   Maximum:	-24
   Units:	parts per thousand (per mil)
   Resolution:	1

   Uranium

   concentration of Uranium in sample in parts per million (ppm). Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as Uranium concentration was not calculated for every sample. (Source: standard value in analytical chemistry)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.1181
   Maximum:	4.5917
   Units:	parts per million (ppm)
   Resolution:	0.0001

   232Th

   Definition: concentration of Thorium-232 in sample in parts per million (ppm). Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as concentration of 232Th was not calculated for every sample. (Source: standard value in isotope chemistry)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0650
   Maximum:	18.0806
   Units:	parts per billion (ppb)
   Resolution:	0.0001

   230Th:232Th AR

   Thorium-230:Thorium-232 Activity Ratio. Activity ratios corrected for hydride formation, tailing, fractionation, SEM-Faraday yield, and tracer isotopic composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 230Th:232Th AR was not calculated for every sample. (Source: defined in Jaffey and others, 1971)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.6802
   Maximum:	8.5854
   Resolution:	0.0001

   232Th:238U AR

   Thorium-232:Uranium-238 Activity Ratio. Activity ratios corrected for hydride formation, tailing, fractionation, SEM-Faraday yield, and tracer isotopic composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 232Th:238U AR was not calculated for every sample. (Source: defined in Jaffey and others, 1971)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0062
   Maximum:	2.1560
   Resolution:	0.0001

   232Th:238U AR (error)

   Thorium-232:Uranium-238 Activity Ratio error reported as 2 sigma composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 232Th:238U AR (error) was not calculated for every sample. (Source: defined in Jaffey and others, 1971)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0487
   Maximum:	0.5451
   Resolution:	0.0001

   230Th:238U AR

   Thorium-230:Uranium-238 Activity Ratio. Activity ratios corrected for hydride formation, tailing, fractionation, SEM-Faraday yield, and tracer isotopic composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 230Th:238U AR was not calculated for every sample. (Source: defined in Jaffey and others, 1971)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0240
   Maximum:	2.0674
   Resolution:	0.0001

   230Th:238U AR (error)

   Thorium-230:Uranium-238 Activity Ratio error reported as 2 sigma composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 230Th:238U AR (error) was not calculated for every sample. (Source: defined in Jaffey and others, 1971)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.24483
   Maximum:	1.00785
   Resolution:	0.00001

   234U:238U AR

   Uranium-234:Uranium-238 Activity Ratio. Activity ratios corrected for hydride formation, tailing, fractionation, SEM-Faraday yield, and tracer isotopic composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 234U:238U AR was not calculated for every sample. (Source: defined in Jaffey and others, 1971)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.9887
   Maximum:	1.1447
   Resolution:	0.0001

   234U:238U AR (error)

   Uranium-234:Uranium-238 Activity Ratio error reported as 2 sigma composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 234U:238U AR (error) was not calculated for every sample. (Source: defined in Jaffey and others, 1971)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.1051
   Maximum:	0.1543
   Resolution:	0.0001

   230Th:238U AR corrected

   Corrected using average measured detrital Uranium and Thorium isotopic compositions for the Norfolk Canyon [(232Th:238U) = 1.38, (230Th:238U) = 2.05 and (234U:238U) = 0.99, n=3)] and Baltimore Canyon [(232Th:238U) = 1.39, (230Th:238U) = 1.32 and (234U:238U) = 1.00, n=3)] sites with all uncertainties set at +/- 25 percent. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 230Th:238U AR corrected was not calculated for every sample. (Source: produced defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0122
   Maximum:	0.1572
   Resolution:	0.0001

   230Th:238U AR corrected (error)

   Corrected using average measured detrital Uranium and Thorium isotopic error reported as 2-sigma composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 230Th:238U AR corrected (error) was not calculated for every sample. (Source: produced defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.7780
   Maximum:	6.8709
   Resolution:	0.0001

   234U:238U AR corrected

   Corrected using average measured detrital Uranium and Thorium isotopic compositions for the Norfolk Canyon [(232Th:238U) = 1.38, (230Th:238U) = 2.05 and (234U:238U) = 0.99, n=3)] and Baltimore Canyon [(232Th:238U) = 1.39, (230Th:238U) = 1.32 and (234U:238U) = 1.00, n=3)] sites with all uncertainties set at +/- 25 percent. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 234U:238U AR corrected was not calculated for every sample. (Source: produced defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.1407
   Maximum:	1.1461
   Resolution:	0.0001

   234U:238U AR corrected (error)

   Corrected using average measured detrital Uranium and Thorium isotopic error reported as 2-sigma composition. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as 234U:238U AR corrected (error) was not calculated for every sample. (Source: produced defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.1137
   Maximum:	0.1780
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Rho 08-48

   Rho 08-48 is the correlation coefficient between the 230Th:238U and 234U:238U activity ratios. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as Rho 08-48 was not calculated for every sample. (Source: produced defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-0.6879
   Maximum:	-0.0044
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Age (ka)

   Uranium-Thorium derived age in thousands of years. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as Age (ka) was not calculated for every sample. (Source: produced defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.17
   Maximum:	16.09
   Units:	thousands of years
   Resolution:	0.01

   Age error (ka)

   Uranium-Thorium derived age error. Empty cells in the spreadsheet are common, as Age error (ka) was not calculated for every sample. (Source: produced defined)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.03
   Maximum:	1.21
   Units:	thousands of years
   Resolution:	0.01

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   Entity and attribute information provided here describes the tabular data in the data release spreadsheet, MDAC_Geochemistry.xlsx.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey, Nancy G. Prouty
   

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Nancy G. Prouty
2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   Diana Sahy, Carolyn Ruppel, Brendan Roark, Dan Condon, and Amanda Demopoulos

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

   Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator

   2885 Mission Street

   Santa Cruz, CA
   

   831-427-4747 (voice)

   pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

These samples were collected and analyzed as part of an effort to determine the origin and age of methane seeps along the north Atlantic margin, within an area of newly discovered venting.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   87Sr:86Sr (source 1 of 5)

   U.S. Geological Survey Isotope Lab, Menlo Park CA, 2014, strontium isotope ratios.

   Type_of_Source_Media: lab sample
   Source_Contribution:

   The isotopic composition was measured on a Finnigan MAT 261 multi-collector mass spectrometer using a static-collection mode.

   U-Th dates (source 2 of 5)

   NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey, http://www.bgs.ac.uk/sciencefacilities/igfs/home.html, 2016, Uranium-Thorium dating.

   Type_of_Source_Media: lab sample
   Source_Contribution:

   Samples were processed via total dissolution techniques, with isotope ratios measured on a Thermo Neptune Plus multi-collector ICP-MS, relative to a mixed 229Th-236U tracer calibrated against gravimetric solutions of CRM 112a U and Ames laboratory high purity Th.

   Delta-C-14 dates (source 3 of 5)

   Keck Carbon Cycle AMS laboratory at UC Irvine; http://www.ess.uci.edu/researchgrp/ams/home, 2014, radiocarbon dating.

   Type_of_Source_Media: lab sample
   Source_Contribution:

   Radiocarbon (Delta-C-14) analysis was performed on subsamples of authigenic carbonates and mussel shells collected from dead and live mussel specimens.

   mineralogy composition (source 4 of 5)

   USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, 2014, mineralogy.

   Type_of_Source_Media: lab sample
   Source_Contribution:

   Sample mineralogy was determined microscopically in thin sections, and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using a Philips XRD with graphite monochromator at 40 kV and 45 mA.

   stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses (source 5 of 5)

   Stable Isotope Geoscience Facility at Texas A&M University, College Station; http://geosciences.tamu.edu/facilities/stable-isotope-geosciences-facility/sigf-about/index.php, 2014, delta-C-13 and delta-O-18.

   Type_of_Source_Media: lab sample
   Source_Contribution:

   Data were generated from a Thermo-Finnigan MAT 253 with a Kiel IV Automated Carbonate Prep Device.

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 29-Jun-2016 (process 1 of 6)

   Results from labs listed above were combined into an Excel spreadsheet (MDAC_Geochemistry.xlsx) for this data release. Data sources used in this process:

   • All source contributions were used for this data compilation.

   Date: 26-Mar-2019 (process 2 of 6)

   Latitude and longitude positions, and accompanying depth information, were found to be incorrect in original data and have been corrected, resulting in version 2 of this data release. Metadata file was updated to include versioning information for these corrections. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Nancy Prouty

   U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

   2885 Mission Street

   Santa Cruz, CA
   

   831-460-7526 (voice)

   nprouty@usgs.gov

   Date: 27-Mar-2019 (process 3 of 6)

   Metadata file was brought up to current PCMSC standards, including moving the information about the accompanying journal article from the Larger Works section to the Cross_Reference section, standardizing Cross_Reference citatons, and updating Point_of_Contact and Metadata_Contact information. No data were changed. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Susan Cochran

   U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

   2885 Mission Street

   Santa Cruz, CA
   

   831-460-7545 (voice)

   scochran@usgs.gov

   Date: 20-Jun-2019 (process 4 of 6)

   Edits were made to standardize a few of the "None" keywords. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Susan A Cochran

   U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

   2885 Mission St.

   Santa Cruz, CA
   

   United States

   831-460-7545 (voice)

   scochran@usgs.gov

   Date: 19-Oct-2020 (process 5 of 6)

   Edited metadata to add keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. No data were changed. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

   Marine Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   vatnipp@usgs.gov

   Date: 13-Oct-2021 (process 6 of 6)

   Performed minor edits to the metadata to correct typos. No data were changed Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Susan A. Cochran

   Geologist

   2885 Mission Street

   Santa Cruz, CA
   

   831-460-7545 (voice)

   scochran@usgs.gov

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
   Prouty, Nancy G., Sahy, Diana, Ruppel, Carolyn D., Roark, E. Brendan, Condon, Dan, Brook, Sandra, Ross, Steve W., and Demopoulos, Amanda W.J., 2016, Insights into methane dynamics from analysis of authigenic carbonates and chemosynthetic mussels at newly-discovered Atlantic Margin seeps.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2016.05.023

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Prouty, N.G., Sahy, D., Ruppel, C.D., Roark, E.B., Condon, D., Brook, S., Ross, S.W., and Demopoulos, A.W.J., 2016, Insights into methane dynamics from analysis of authigenic carbonates and chemosynthetic mussels at newly-discovered Atlantic Margin seeps: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 449, p. 332-344

   Stuiver, M., and Polach, H.A., 1977, Discussion reporting of 14C data.

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Stuiver, M., and Polach, H.A., 1977, Discussion reporting of 14C data: Radiocarbon, v. 19, p. 355-363

   Fisher, C.R., and Childress, J.J., 1992, Organic carbon transfer from methanotrophic symbionts to the host hydrocarbon-seep mussel.

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Fisher, C.R., and Childress, J.J., 1992, Organic carbon transfer from methanotrophic symbionts to the host hydrocarbon-seep mussel: Symbiosis, v. 12, p. 221-235

   Jaffey, A.H., Flynn, K.F., Glendenin, L.E., Bentley, W.C., and Essling, A.M., 1971, Precision measurement of half-lives and specific activities of 235U and 238U.

   Online Links:

   • http://journals.aps.org/prc/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevC.4.1889

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Jaffey, A.H., Flynn, K.F., Glendenin, L.E., Bentley, W.C., and Essling, A.M., 1971, Precision measurement of half-lives and specific activities of 235U and 238U: Physical Review C, v. 4, p. 1889-1905

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   All geochemistry data were calibrated against known standards.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   A formal accuracy assessment of the horizontal positional information in the data set has not been conducted.
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   A formal accuracy assessment of the vertical positional information in the data set has not been conducted.
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   Dataset is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:

USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain. Acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in products derived from these data. Share data products developed using these data with the U.S. Geological Survey.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase

   Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302

   Denver, CO
   

   1-888-275-8747 (voice)

   sciencebase@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? These data are available in Excel format contained in a single file.
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	Microsoft Excel format (version 14.6.2) Size: 0.044
     Network links:	https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/57a3c016e4b0d7d7d7af97c1 https://doi.org/10.5066/F77942SJ

   • Cost to order the data: None.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 13-Oct-2021

Metadata author:

U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator

2885 Mission Street

Santa Cruz, CA

831-427-4747 (voice)

pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)