Sediment grain-size data from the Klamath River estuary, California

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What does this data set describe?

Title:
Sediment grain-size data from the Klamath River estuary, California
Abstract:
This data release includes grain-size measurements on sediment samples collected from the substrate surface and uppermost 10 cm of sediment deposits in the Klamath River estuary, northern California. Samples were collected using a BMH-60 bed-material sampler deployed from a boat, or by hand trowel from subaerial or shallow-water (less than 0.5 m water depth) regions along the estuary margins and side channels. Sediment grain size was analyzed at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) laboratory in Santa Cruz, Calif. Particles coarser than 2 mm were sieved using a RO-TAP sieve shaker, and particles finer than 2 mm were analyzed with a Beckman Coulter laser particle-size analyzer (LPSA) after organic matter had been removed using a hydrogen peroxide solution. At some submerged locations where sampling was attempted, no sample was recovered. The field crew observed this occurring in places where the substrate was too coarse-grained to be collected by the bed-material sampler (cobbles), where large particles were embedded in finer (poorly sorted) matrix, and where sediment was covered by algal mats thick enough to prevent the sampler from accessing the sedimentary substrate. Locations where sampling was attempted but no sample was recovered are indicated in the ‘Comments’ column within the data spreadsheet. The sediment samples were collected under a Cultural Resources Management Permit issued by the Yurok Tribe, whose collaboration the USGS acknowledges gratefully.
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information about the field activities from which these data were derived is available online at: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2024-659-FA https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2023-676-FA https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2019-650-FA and https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2018-680-FA Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Sediment samples from the Klamath River estuary were collected on Yurok tribal lands, with permission under a Cultural Resources Management Permit issued by the Yurok Tribe.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    East, Amy E., Schenk, Liam N., Curtis, Jennifer A., Logan, Joshua B., Cahill, Joshua, Anderson, Chauncey W., and Haluska, Patrick, 20250828, Sediment grain-size data from the Klamath River estuary, California: data release DOI:10.5066/P13E57T8, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This data release supersedes prior iterations published in November 2021 at https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CAZIHJ and September 2023 at https://doi.org/10.5066/P9MAJHNI. To review the changes that were made, see the Version History in the attached files section. Suggested Citation: East, A.E., Schenk, L.N., Curtis, J.A., Logan, J.B., Cahill, J., Anderson, C.W., and Haluska, P., 2025, Sediment grain-size data from the Klamath River estuary, California: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13E57T8.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.078935
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.000698
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.546803
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.516483
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/686ed336d4be020e5c0a6c1c?name=IMG_5825.jpeg&allowOpen=true (JPEG)
    Sampling sediment along the Klamath River estuary, 2024.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 13-Nov-2018
    Ending_Date: 25-Oct-2024
    Currentness_Reference:
    Ground condition at time data were collected.
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: comma-delimited text
  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 (429)
    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 0.00001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.00001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    Klamath_estuary_sediment_grain_size_2018_2019_2023_2024.csv
    Table containing attribute information associated with the dataset. "NaN" (Not a Number) indicates that a sediment sample was not analyzed for that grain size, or that no value was calculated. This occurred for locations indicated where no sample could be recovered. "None" entered in the Comments field indicates that a sample was obtained but that no specific comments were made in the field regarding site or sample conditions. (Source: Producer defined)
    FAN_ID
    Unique U.S. Geological Survey field activity identifier (Source: producer defined) Unique identifier for the U.S. Geological Survey field activity
    Sample_ID
    Name of sample assigned in the field. (Source: producer defined) Unique identifier for the sample given in the field
    Station_ID
    Field site identification number (Source: Producer defined) Identifier assigned for the general field locality, to facilitate comparison between samples collected in similar locations in different years
    Waypoint
    Field-activity-specific location identifier (Source: Producer defined) Waypoint describes the location point number recorded on a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit at the time of sample collection
    Date_Collected
    Date of sample collection in mm/dd/yyyy format (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:11/13/2018
    Maximum:10/25/2024
    Units:Dates in mm/dd/yyyy format
    Latitude
    Latitude of sample in decimal degrees (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:41.516358
    Maximum:41.546878
    Units:decimal degrees
    Longitude
    Longitude of sample in decimal degrees (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-124.079458
    Maximum:-124.000666
    Units:decimal degrees
    Sampling_Method
    Sample collection method (Source: Producer defined)
    ValueDefinition
    BMH-60Sample collected using a bed-material sampler (model BMH-60) deployed by winched cable from a boat.
    Hand grabSample collected by hand using a spatula or trowel from subaerial areas or shallow water (less than 0.5 m water depth).
    Comments
    Notes associated with sample collection (Source: Producer defined) Various comments and notes regarding sample or site condition at the time of sampling. "None" entered in the Comments field indicates that a sample was obtained but that no specific comments were made in the field regarding site or sample conditions.
    -4.00phi_16mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter greater than -4.00 phi, or 16 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -3.75phi_13.5mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -4.00 and -3.75 phi, or 13.5 and 16 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -3.50phi_11.2mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -3.75 and -3.50 phi, or 11.2 and 13.5 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -3.25phi_9.51mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -3.50 and -3.25 phi, or 9.51 and 11.2 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -3.00phi_8mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -3.25 and -3.00 phi, or 8 and 9.51 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -2.75phi_6.73mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -3.00 and -2.75 phi, or 6.73 and 8 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -2.50phi_5.66mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -2.75 and -2.50 phi, or 5.66 and 6.73 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -2.25phi_4.76mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -2.50 and -2.25 phi, or 4.76 and 5.66 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -2.00phi_4mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -2.25 and -2.00 phi, or 4 and 4.76 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -1.75phi_3.36mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -2.00 and -1.75 phi, or 3.36 and 4 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -1.50phi_2.83mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -1.75 and -1.50 phi, or 2.83 and 3.36 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -1.25phi_2.38mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -1.50 and -1.25 phi, or 2.38 and 2.83 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -1.00phi_2mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -1.25 and -1.00 phi, or 2 and 2.38 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -0.75phi_1.68mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -1.00 and -0.75 phi, or 1.68 and 2 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -0.50phi_1.41mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -0.75 and -0.50 phi, or 1.41 and 1.68 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    -0.25phi_1.19mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -0.50 and -0.25 phi, or 1.19 and 1.41 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    0.00phi_1mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -0.25 and 0.00 phi, or 1 and 1.19 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    0.25phi_0.8409mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 0.00 and 0.25 phi, or 0.8409 and 1 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    0.50phi_0.7071mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 0.25 and 0.50 phi, or 0.7071 and 0.8409 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    0.75phi_0.5946mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 0.50 and 0.75 phi, or 0.5946 and 0.7071 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    1.00phi_0.5mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 0.75 and 1.00 phi, or 0.5 and 0.5946 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    1.25phi_0.4204mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 1.00 and 1.25 phi, or 0.4204 and 0.5 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    1.50phi_0.3536mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 1.25 and 1.50 phi, or 0.3536 and 0.4204 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    1.75phi_0.2973mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 1.50 and 1.75 phi, or 0.2973 and 0.3536 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    2.00phi_0.25mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 1.75 and 2.00 phi, or 0.25 and 0.2973 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    2.25phi_0.2102mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 2.00 and 2.25 phi, or 0.2102 and 0.25 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    2.50phi_0.1768mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 2.25 and 2.50 phi, or 0.1768 and 0.2102 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    2.75phi_0.1487mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 2.50 and 2.75 phi, or 0.1487 and 0.1768 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    3.00phi_0.125mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 2.75 and 3.00 phi, or 0.125 and 0.1487 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    3.25phi_0.1051mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 3.00 and 3.25 phi, or 0.1051 and 0.125 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    3.50phi_0.088388mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 3.25 and 3.50 phi, or 0.08839 and 0.1051 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    3.75phi_0.074325mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 3.50 and 3.75 phi, or 0.07433 and 0.08839 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    4.00phi_0.0625mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 3.75 and 4.00 phi, or 0.0625 and 0.07433 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    4.25phi_0.052556mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 4.00 and 4.25 phi, or 0.052556 and 0.0625 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    4.50phi_0.044194mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 4.25 and 4.50 phi, or 0.044194 and 0.052556 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    4.75phi_0.037163mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 4.50 and 4.75 phi, or 0.037163 and 0.044194 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    5.00phi_0.03125mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 4.75 and 5.00 phi, or 0.03125 and 0.037163 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    5.25phi_0.026278mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 5.00 and 5.25 phi, or 0.02628 and 0.03125 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    5.50phi_0.022097mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 5.25 and 5.50 phi, or 0.0221 and 0.02628 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    5.75phi_0.018581mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 5.50 and 5.75 phi, or 0.01858 and 0.0221 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    6.00phi_0.015625mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 5.75 and 6.00 phi, or 0.01563 and 0.01858 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    6.25phi_0.013139mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 6.00 and 6.25 phi, or 0.01314 and 0.01563 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    6.50phi_0.011049mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 6.25 and 6.50 phi, or 0.01105 and 0.01314 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    6.75phi_0.009291mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 6.50 and 6.75 phi, or 0.00929 and 0.01105 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    7.00phi_0.007813mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 6.75 and 7.00 phi, or 0.00781 and 0.00929 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    7.25phi_0.00657mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 7.00 and 7.25 phi, or 0.00657 and 0.00781 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    7.50phi_0.005524mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 7.25 and 7.50 phi, or 0.00552 and 0.00657 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    7.75phi_0.004645mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 7.50 and 7.75 phi, or 0.00465 and 0.00552 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    8.00phi_0.003906mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 7.75 and 8.00 phi, or 0.00391 and 0.00465 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    8.25phi_0.003285mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 8.00 and 8.25 phi, or 0.00329 and 0.00391 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    8.50phi_0.002762mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 8.25 and 8.50 phi, or 0.00276 and 0.00329 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    8.75phi_0.002323mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 8.50 and 8.75 phi, or 0.00232 and 0.00276 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    9.00phi_0.001953mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 8.75 and 9.00 phi, or 0.00195 and 0.00232 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    9.25phi_0.001642mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 9.00 and 9.25 phi, or 0.00164 and 0.00195 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    9.50phi_0.001381mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 9.25 and 9.50 phi, or 0.00138 and 0.00164 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    9.75phi_0.001161mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 9.50 and 9.75 phi, or 0.00116 and 0.00138 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    10.00phi_0.000983mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 9.75 and 9.99 phi, or 0.00098 and 0.00116 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    10.25phi_0.000821mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 9.99 and 10.25 phi, or 0.00082 and 0.00098 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    10.50phi_0.000691mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 10.25 and 10.50 phi, or 0.00069 and 0.00082 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    10.75phi_0.000581mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 10.50 and 10.75 phi, or 0.00058 and 0.00069 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    11.00phi_0.000492mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 10.75 and 10.99 phi, or 0.00049 and 0.00058 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    11.25phi_0.000411mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 10.99 and 11.25 phi, or 0.0004 and 0.00049 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    11.50phi_0.00035mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 11.25 and 11.48 phi, or 0.00035 and 0.0004 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    12.00phi_0.000241mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 11.48 and 12.02 phi, or 0.000241 and 0.00035 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    13.00phi_0.00012mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 12.02 and 13.02 phi, or 0.00012 and 0.000241 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    Percent_Gravel
    percent of sample greater than 2 mm. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    Percent_Sand
    percent of sample less than 2 mm and greater than 63 microns. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    Percent_Silt
    percent of sample less than 63 microns and greater than 4 microns. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    Percent_Clay
    percent of sample less than 4 microns. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    Percent_Mud
    percent of sample less than 63 microns. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:100
    Units:percentage
    Gravel_to_Sand_Ratio
    ratio of percent gravel in sample to percent sand. "NA" (not applicable) means there was insufficient gravel or sand to compute the ratio. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:1205.02
    Units:dimensionless
    Sand_to_Silt_Ratio
    ratio of percent sand in sample to percent silt. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:3905.98
    Units:dimensionless
    Silt_to_Clay_Ratio
    ratio of percent silt in sample to percent clay. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.40
    Maximum:10.39
    Units:dimensionless
    Sand_to_Clay_Ratio
    ratio of percent sand in sample to percent clay. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:10280.04
    Units:dimensionless
    Sand_to_Mud_Ratio
    ratio of percent sand in sample to percent mud. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:2830.51
    Units:dimensionless
    Gravel_to_Mud_Ratio
    ratio of percent gravel in sample to percent mud. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:33674.47
    Units:dimensionless
    D5_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D5 (5th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:16.00
    Units:millimeters
    D10_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D10 (10th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:16
    Units:millimeters
    D16_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D16 (16th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:16
    Units:millimeters
    D25_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D25 (25th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:16
    Units:millimeters
    D50_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D50 (50th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:16
    Units:millimeters
    D75_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D75 (75th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:16
    Units:millimeters
    D84_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D84 (84th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:16
    Units:millimeters
    D90_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D90 (90th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:16
    Units:millimeters
    D95_percent_finer_basis_in_mm
    mm size at D95 (95th percentile), measured on a percent-finer basis. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.03
    Maximum:16
    Units:millimeters
    1_Moment_Mean_phi
    phi size mean for sample. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-3.94
    Maximum:7.67
    Units:Phi size
    1_Moment_Mean_mm
    mm size mean for sample. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:15.35
    Units:millimeters
    2_Moment_Variance
    variance for sample. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.18
    Maximum:26.09
    Units:dimensionless
    2_Moment_Standard_Deviation
    standard deviation for sample. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.43
    Maximum:5.11
    Units:dimensionless
    3_Moment_Skewness
    skewness for sample. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-1.22
    Maximum:15.80
    Units:dimensionless
    4_Moment_Kurtosis
    kurtosis for sample. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.52
    Maximum:272.92
    Units:dimensionless
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: The first line of the .csv file is a header line.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Amy E. East
    • Liam N. Schenk
    • Jennifer A. Curtis
    • Joshua B. Logan
    • Joshua Cahill
    • Chauncey W. Anderson
    • Patrick Haluska
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Field sampling was assisted by Scott Wright, Daniel Haught, Alex Wilder, Katherine Major, and Jordan Buxton. Laboratory analyses were conducted by Angela Tan and Leticia Hallas.
  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?

Grain-size analyses on sediment samples from the Klamath River estuary, northern California, can be used for characterizing the sedimentary environment in this coastal watershed.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2020 (process 1 of 4)
    Sediment grain size was analyzed at the USGS laboratory in Santa Cruz, Calif. 5-50 grams of sediment was sub-sampled and at least 10 milliliters of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide was added to oxidize overnight to remove organics. The samples were then heated to 250 degrees Celsius to drive off excess hydrogen peroxide. Next, samples were placed in an ultrasonic bath to help disperse silt and clay (mud) from sand and larger-sized particles. Samples were then rinsed twice in deionized water with centrifugation to remove soluble ions. Subsequently, the samples were wet sieved with 1 millimeter and 0.063 millimeter sieves to segregate the combined gravel and coarse sand fraction (greater than 1 millimeter), sand (1 millimeter to 0.063 millimeter), and mud (less than 0.063 millimeter). The coarse sand + gravel fractions were then dried, dry sieved at 1/4-phi intervals, and weighed. The sand fraction was dried and weighed. The mud fraction was collected in a 1 liter graduated cylinder, 5 milliliters of at least 10 percent sodium hexametaphosphate (dispersant) was added, and deionized water was added to bring the total the volume to 1 liter. A 20 milliliter aliquot was extracted from the graduated cylinder and dried to obtain the mud fraction weight normalized to a 1-liter basis. The mud and sand fractions were analyzed separately via the Beckman Coulter LS 13 320 with the aqueous liquid module attachment. All size-fraction data were compiled and converted by the PCMSC sediment lab pcSDSZ program (Penscil, 2015) to a grain-size distribution at 1/4-phi size intervals on a weight percent basis. pcSDSZ also calculated interpolated sizes and graphical statistics. Person who carried out this activity:
    Angela Tan
    U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Sediment Laboratory Manager
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-460-7409 (voice)
    atan@usgs.gov
    Date: 09-Jun-2023 (process 2 of 4)
    INTERPOLATED SIZES WITH COLUMN HEADING CHANGES: In 2023 a second version of this data release included calculations of D values that followed a different protocol no longer in use as of 2025, including reporting D values on a percent-coarser basis and re-ordering column headers accordingly. See version history document. Revisions made in 2023 are no longer applicable to the current dataset. Person who carried out this activity:
    Angela Tan
    U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Sediment Laboratory Manager
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-460-7409 (voice)
    atan@usgs.gov
    Date: 2025 (process 3 of 4)
    The 2025 iteration of this data release adds data from 2023 and 2024 and revises the names of column headers. Headers now use clearer descriptive names and, for simplicity, rounding of weight class bins to quarter-phi values; for example, "Wt. percent in 9.99 phi bin or 0.00098 mm bin" became "Wt. percent in 10.00 phi bin or 0.00098 mm bin”. For clarity and greater accuracy, "D5 mm" was edited to "D5_percent_finer_basis_in_mm", and "Mean Phi" is now "1_Moment_Mean_phi". The metadata file also mentions explicitly that the values for D5, D10, and so on are now calculated on a percent-finer basis. That is, values in the column "D5_percent_finer_basis_in_mm" indicates that 5 percent of the sample is finer than that value. (The sediment laboratory at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center had previously been reporting these statistics on a percent-coarser basis, which was reported in iteration 1.0 and 2.0.). Additional columns on sorting, skewness, and kurtosis, and D values in phi units, were removed to focus the data release on parameters that users are most likely to require. This metadata file was revised to describe the changes made to the data table.
    Date: 2025 (process 4 of 4)
    The methods used to process the 2018 and 2019 data were completed for new samples collected in 2023 and 2024. The new data were added to the data table, but unlike in previous iterations the D values are calculated on a percent-finer rather than percent-coarser basis.
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Beckman-Coulter, 2011, Instructions for Use: LS 13 320 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer.

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Beckman-Coulter, 2011, Instructions for Use: LS 13 320 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer: Brea, Calif., Beckman-Coulter, 246 p.
    Inc., Penscil, 2015, pcSDSZ: Sediment Size Analysis Software for Windows Operation Manual Version 2.00, prepared for USGS Coastal and Marine Geology.

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Penscil Inc., 2015, pcSDSZ: Sediment Size Analysis Software for Windows Operation Manual Version 2.00, prepared for USGS Coastal and Marine Geology. Unpublished document.

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Lab duplicates were analyzed for the samples indicated in the spreadsheet; no formal accuracy tests were conducted. Data values are within the expected range.
  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?
  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. Data values are within the expected values.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints No access constraints
Use_Constraints USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain from the U.S. Government and are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator(s) of the dataset and in products derived from these data.
  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 .csv format (Klamath_estuary_sediment_grain_size_2018_2019_2023_2024.csv) accompanied by CSDGM FGDC-compliant metadata.
  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?
  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    These data can be viewed with Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice, Apple Numbers, or any text-reading software.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 28-Aug-2025
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)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/pcmsc/DataReleases/ScienceBase/DR_P13E57T8/Klamath_estuary_sediment_grain_size_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Tue Sep 2 13:32:13 2025