Organic geochemistry data of bulk sediments from the Escanaba Trough, off the coast of Northern California, USA, from May-June 2022.

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What does this data set describe?

Title:
Organic geochemistry data of bulk sediments from the Escanaba Trough, off the coast of Northern California, USA, from May-June 2022.
Abstract:
Bulk organic geochemistry data were determined on one to five cm subsamples of sediment push cores collected from the Escanaba Trough during May to June 2022. These data include percent total organic carbon (percent TOC ), total nitrogen (percent TN), carbon to nitrogen ratios (C/N), stable carbon isotope ratios (d13C), stable nitrogen isotope ratios (d15N), radiocarbon values (D14C), and grain size (mean phi). Location information (for example , latitude, longitude, and depth) is also reported.
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information about the field activity or activities from which these data were derived is available online at:
https:// https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2022-621-FA
Escanaba Trough: Exploring the Seafloor and Oceanic Footprints is an interagency effort involving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Funding is acknowledged from NOAA Ocean Exploration via its Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2019 Funding Opportunity and through the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), from the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Enhanced Funding Opportunities, and from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management through Interagency Agreement M19PG00021 with the United States Geological Survey.
Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Ianiri, Hope L., Prouty, Nancy G., and Gartman, Amy, 20250218, Organic geochemistry data of bulk sediments from the Escanaba Trough, off the coast of Northern California, USA, from May-June 2022.: data release DOI:10.5066/P13XVXQC, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Ianiri, Hope L., Prouty, Nancy G., Campbell, Pamela L., Gartman, Amy, Adamczyk, Katlin B., and Favela, Jaycee J., 2025, Sedimentary organic geochemistry data from Escanaba Trough, off the coast of northern California, collected May-June 2022.: data release DOI:10.5066/P13XVXQC, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested Citation: Ianiri, H.L., Prouty, N.G., Campbell, P.L., Gartman, A., Adamczyk, K.B., and Favela, J.J., 2025, Sedimentary organic geochemistry data from Escanaba Trough, off the coast of northern California, collected May-June 2022: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13XVXQC.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -127.53618710
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -127.44714953
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.08222461
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.69569198
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 31-May-2022
    Ending_Date: 11-Jun-2022
    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 (69)
    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 0.00000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is D_WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.2572.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    EscanabaTrough_organicgeochem_bulk.csv
    Table containing bulk organic geochemistry data. (Source: producer defined)
    Cruise_ID
    Lists the alphanumeric cruise identifier for the expedition during which the sample was collected. (Source: producer defined)
    ValueDefinition
    TN403Cruise identification affiliated with Field Activity 2022-621-FA
    Sample_ID
    Name of sample (Source: producer defined) The sample names include a dive number (J2, denoting Jason2, followed by a number), push core number (PC, denoting push core, followed by a number) and the sediment depth horizon (X-Y).
    Latitude
    Latitude of the sample in decimal degrees (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:40.69569198
    Maximum:41.08222461
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00000001
    Longitude
    Longitude of sample in decimal degrees (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-127.5361871
    Maximum:-127.4471495
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.0000001
    Water_depth_m
    Water depth in meters at which the sample was collected. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3222
    Maximum:3285
    Units:meters
    Resolution:1
    Location
    Location where the sample was collected (Source: producer defined)
    ValueDefinition
    Central HillText descriptor of sampling site as defined in the literature
    Edifice Rex WestText descriptor of sampling site as defined in the literature
    Edifice Rex EastText descriptor of sampling site as defined in the literature
    SESCA S3AText descriptor of sampling site as defined in the literature
    SESCA Waypoint 2 S2AText descriptor of sampling site as defined in the literature
    MESCAText descriptor of sampling site as defined in the literature
    sediment_depth_top_cm
    top depth of core subsample. Ex: a sediment core slice from 0-1 cm would have a top depth of 0 centimeters and a bottom depth of 1 centimeter. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:20
    Units:centimeters
    Resolution:1
    sediment_depth_bottom_cm
    bottom depth of core subsample. Ex: a sediment core slice from 0-1 cm would have a top depth of 0 centimeters and a bottom depth of 1 centimeter. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:22
    Units:centimeters
    Resolution:1
    TOC_percent
    percent total organic carbon: weight percent of total sediment which is organic carbon. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.26
    Maximum:1.75
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    TN_percent
    percent total organic nitrogen: weight percent of total sediment which is organic nitrogen. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:0.22
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    CN
    atomic ratio of total organic carbon to total nitrogen. Calculated as C/N atomic = C:N (wt:wt) * 14.0067 micrograms N / 12.0107 micrograms C. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:7.9
    Maximum:16.8
    Units:unitless
    Resolution:0.1
    d13C
    ratio of stable carbon 13/12 isotopes of sedimentary organic carbon after removal of inorganic carbon. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-25.6
    Maximum:-21.4
    Units:standard per mil notation
    Resolution:0.1
    d15N
    ratio of stable nitrogen 15/14 isotopes of sedimentary nitrogen. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.85
    Maximum:9.48
    Units:standard per mil notation
    Resolution:0.01
    D14C
    ratio of stable carbon 14/12 isotopes of sedimentary organic carbon. D14C is defined as in Stuiver and Pollach (1977) as the relative difference between the absolute international standard (base year 1950) and sample activity corrected for age and d13C. The value is age corrected to account for decay that took place between collection (or death) of the sample and the time of sample measurement so that measurements of the same sample made years apart will produce the same calculated D14C result. -9999 indicates sample was not analyzed for radiocarbon. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-741.9
    Maximum:-303.7
    Units:standard per mil notation
    Resolution:0.1
    D14C_err
    error associated with D14C values. An internal statistical error is calculated using the total number of 14C counts (n) measured for each target and an external error is calculated from the reproducibility of multiple exposures for a given target. The ratio of carbon 14/12 isotopes of a sample was measured 10 separate times over the course of a run. The final reported error is the larger of the internal or external error, propagated with errors from the normalizing standards and blank subtraction. -9999 indicates sample was not analyzed for radiocarbon. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.2
    Maximum:2.2
    Units:standard per mil notation
    Resolution:0.1
    OS-number
    NOSAMS accession number (Source: NOSAMS) Identification number assigned by NOSAMS to each radiocarbon measurement made.
    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)
    • Hope L. Ianiri
    • Nancy G. Prouty
    • Amy Gartman
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Colin Carney and Dyke Andreason at the University of California, Santa Cruz Stable Isotope Laboratory measured ratios of stable isotopes of carbon 13/12 and nitrogen 15/14, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Roberta Hansman and Kathy Elder at NOSAMS (National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) measured ratios of carbon 14/12.
  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?

Data were obtained to assess organic carbon storage, reactivity, and cycling within sediments of the Escanaba Trough, a hydrothermal spreading center which contains critical minerals. This work aids our understanding of the geochemistry of marine mineral host sediments and hydrothermal vent processes throughout the global ocean.

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: 11-Jun-2022 (process 1 of 3)
    SEDIMENT COLLECTION. Samples were collected aboard the R/V Thomas Thompson via push coring using the ROV Jason. Once recovered shipboard, pore waters were extracted via rhizon samplers, cores were subsectioned into one to five cm slices, the exterior sediment which was in contact with the core liner was removed, and remaining sediment was stored frozen in pre-combusted glass jars.
    Date: 01-Mar-2024 (process 2 of 3)
    RATIOS OF STABLE ISOTOPES OF CARBON 13/12 (d13C), NITROGEN (d15N), TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON, and TOTAL NITROGEN (C:N): Dried and homogenized sediment was analyzed for TOC, TN, d13C, and d15N values using a CE Instruments NC2500 elemental analyzer (EA) coupled to a Thermo Scientific DELTAplus XP isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) via a Thermo Scientific Conflo III at the University of California at Santa Cruz Stable Isotope Lab. Inorganic carbonates were removed from the samples analyzed for d13C/percent TOC via direct addition of 400 uL of sulfurous acid. Stable isotope ratios were corrected for size, drift, and source stretching effects. Person who carried out this activity:
    Colin Carney
    Stable Isotope Lab at the University of California at Santa Cruz
    Associate Specialist
    1156 High Street, E&MS Bldg C512
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-459-5751 (voice)
    cpcarney@ucsc.edu
    Date: 01-Dec-2022 (process 3 of 3)
    RADIOCARBON ANALYSES: Dried and homogenized sediment was analyzed for D14C ratios via accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) using a custom built continuous flow AMS system at the National Ocean Sciences AMS (NOSAMS). Bulk sediment samples were acidified to remove inorganic carbon prior to analysis via addition of 1.2M HCl. Person who carried out this activity:
    Roberta Hansman
    NOSAMS
    Research Specialist, Staff Chemist
    266 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-289-2332 (voice)
    nosams@whoi.edu
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Ianiri, Hope L., Campbell, Pamela L., Gartman, Amy, and Prouty, Nancy G., 2025, Characterizing sedimentary organic carbon in a hydrothermal spreading center, the Escanaba Trough.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Ianiri, H.L., Campbell, P., Gartman, A., and Prouty, N.G., 2025, Characterizing sedimentary organic carbon in a hydrothermal spreading center, the Escanaba Trough: Chemical Geology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2025.122679
    Stuvier, Minze, and Polach, Henry A., 1977, Discussion Reporting of 14C Data.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Stuiver, M., Polach, H.A., 1977. Discussion Reporting of 14C Data. Radiocarbon 19, 355-363.
    Morton, J. L., Zierenberg, Robert A., and Reiss, Carol A., 1994, Geologic, hydrothermal, and biologic studies at Escanaba Trough, Gorda Ridge, offshore northern California.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Morton, J.L., Zierenberg, R.A., Reiss, C.A., 1994. Geologic, hydrothermal, and biologic studies at Escanaba Trough: an introduction, in: Geologic, Hydrothermal, and Biologic Studies at Escanaba Trough, Gorda Ridge, Offshore Northern California. U.S. Geological Survey.
    Clague, David. A., Zierenberg, Robert A., Paduan, Jennifer B., Caress, David W., Cousens, Brian L., Dreyer, Brian M., Davis, Alice S., McClain, James, and Ross, Stephanie L., 2022, Emplacement and impacts of lava flows and intrusions on the sediment-buried Escanaba Segment of the Gorda mid-ocean ridge.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Clague, D.A., Zierenberg, R.A., Paduan, J.B., Caress, D.W., Cousens, B.L., Dreyer, B.M., Davis, A.S., McClain, J., Ross, S.L., 2022. Emplacement and impacts of lava flows and intrusions on the sediment-buried Escanaba Segment of the Gorda mid-ocean ridge. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 432, 107701.

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Analytical precision of stable isotope ratios relative to internationally calibrated in-house reference materials (Vienna PeeDee Belemnite for d13C and air for d15N). was less than 0.1 per mil for d13C values and 0.2 per mil for d15N values. Precision of total organic carbon was 2.5 micrograms carbon, which corresponds to less than 0.06 percent based on the amounts analyzed. Precision of total nitrogen was less than 0.5 microgram nitrogen, which corresponds to less than 0.003 percent based on the amounts analyzed. 14C measurements at NOSAMS are checked for accuracy via the primary standard NBS Oxalic Acid I (NIST-SRM-4990). Every group of samples processed includes an appropriate blank, analyzed concurrently. Error in D14C values was less than 1.5 per mil.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    The horizontal accuracy for each sample was obtained from the ROV's Ultra Short Baseline Positioning System (USBL) navigation after calibration to the CASIUS (Calibration of Attitude Sensors In USBL Systems) calibration system. Accuracy for this depth is approximately 10-20 m.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    The vertical accuracy was determined using multiple DVLs (Doppler Velocity Loggers) on the ROV, which are accurate to less than 1 m.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Dataset is considered complete for the information presented as described in the abstract. Some samples were not analyzed for radiocarbon or grain size. 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 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 a single csv file (EscanabaTrough_organicgeochemistry_bulk.csv).
  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 or any text reading software.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 18-Feb-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)
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