Geochemistry of fine-grained sediment in Bellingham Bay, Nooksack River, and small creeks from June 2017 to September 2019

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Title:
Geochemistry of fine-grained sediment in Bellingham Bay, Nooksack River, and small creeks from June 2017 to September 2019
Abstract:
Elemental compositions are reported for the fine fraction of surface sediments from Bellingham Bay (June 2017 and March 2019) and in the fine fraction of streambank sediment from the Nooksack River (September 2017, March 2019, September 2019), Squalicum Creek (March and September 2019), Whatcom Creek (March and September 2019), and Padden Creek (March and September 2019). Major oxide percentages are reported in Nooksack River fine sediment collected in September 2017. Ancillary data for sediment collected during 2017 and 2019 from Bellingham Bay, Nooksack River, and small creeks include: percent weights of gravel, sand, and fines; total organic carbon content (TOC); carbonate content (CaCO3); ratios of stable carbon 13/12 (d13C) and nitrogen 15/14 (d15N) isotopes and total carbon to total nitrogen (C:N); and short-lived cosmogenic radionuclide activities (Beryllium-7, Cesium-137, and excess Lead-210).
Supplemental_Information:
June 2017 surface sediments from Bellingham Bay were collected by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Additional information about the USGS field activities from which other data were derived is available online at:
https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2017-633-FA https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2019-607-FA https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2019-648-FA
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?
    Takesue, Renee K., 20201202, Geochemistry of fine-grained sediment in Bellingham Bay, Nooksack River, and small creeks from June 2017 to September 2019: data release DOI:10.5066/P90EUDMF, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.5914
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -121.6695
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.9367
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.5648
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/5cfa8fbbe4b0bb6e1136370c?name=map_Nookack.jpg&allowOpen=true (JPEG)
    Map showing Nooksack River sediment collection sites. Inset shows study area.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 12-Jun-2017
    Ending_Date: 27-Sep-2019
    Currentness_Reference:
    The majority of Nooksack River (North, Middle, and South Forks) and tributary sediment was collected in September 2017. Four Nooksack River sites downstream of the confluence of the North and Middle Forks were resampled in March 2019, and one site closest to the mouth was resampled in March 2019 and September 2019. Bellingham Bay sediment was collected in June 2017, March 2019, and September 2019. Sediment from small creeks (Squalicum, Whatcom, and Paden) bordering Bellingham Bay was collected in March and September 2019.
  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 (131)
    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_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?
    Attribute table
    Table of data. Abbreviations: n.d., not determined; <, less than. (Source: Producer defined)
    Lab I.D.
    Unique sequential laboratory identifier assigned to each sample by the CMERSC Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (Source: Producer defined) Sequential unique sample identifier assigned by the CMERSC Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
    Field I.D.
    Unique sample identifier assigned during field collection based on location and/or collection order. (Source: Producer defined) Unique alphanumeric field sample identifier
    Sample I.D.
    Unique identifier assigned during sample processing based on location and collection order. (Source: Producer defined) Unique alphanumeric processed sample identifier
    Collection date
    Date the sample was collected, in mm/dd/yy (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:06/12/17
    Maximum:09/27/19
    Units:mm/dd/yy
    Resolution:1
    Latitude
    Latitude where the sample was collected (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:48.5648
    Maximum:48.9367
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.0001
    Longitude
    Longitude where the sample was collected (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-122.5914
    Maximum:-121.6695
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.0001
    Type
    Type of sediment sample (Source: Producer defined)
    ValueDefinition
    MARSeabed sediment collected seaward of the shoreline
    STRStream bank sediment collected landward of the shoreline, including in estuarine reaches of streams
    TERRTerrestrial soil sample
    Percent gravel
    Percentage by weight of particles greater than 2 millimeters in diameter; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0
    Maximum:27.7
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.1
    Percent sand
    Percentage by weight of particles less than 2 millimeters in diameter and greater than 0.063 mm in diameter; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1
    Maximum:98.7
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.1
    Percent fines
    Percentage by weight of particles less than 0.063 millimeters in diameter; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0
    Maximum:99.9
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.1
    Total organic carbon content, in percent
    Percent by weight of organic carbon; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0
    Maximum:20.8
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.1
    Carbonate content, in percent
    Percent by weight of calcium carbonate; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0
    Maximum:34.9
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.1
    d13Corg
    Ratio of carbon 13/12 stable isotopes in sedimentary organic matter (d13Corg); n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-28.3
    Maximum:-11.7
    Units:standard permil notation
    Resolution:0.1
    d15N
    Ratio of nitrogen 15/14 stable isotopes in sediment (d15N); n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.2
    Maximum:8.9
    Units:standard permil notation
    Resolution:0.1
    C:N ratio
    Ratio of the weight of total carbon to total nitrogen (C:N); n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.8
    Maximum:58.1
    Units:unitless
    Resolution:0.1
    Beryllium-7 activity, in dpm per g
    Activity of Beryllium-7; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:2.64
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Beryllium-7 activity uncertainty, in dpm per g
    Measurement uncertainty of Beryllium-7 activity estimated from: detector efficiency, background correction, and one standard deviation of the counting error; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:1.05
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cesium-137 activity, in dpm per g
    Activity of Cesium-137; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:3.90
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cesium-137 activity uncertainty, in dpm per g
    Measurement uncertainty of Cesium-137 activity estimated from: detector efficiency, background correction, and one standard deviation of the counting error; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:0.74
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Excess Lead-210 activity, in dpm per g
    Activity of supported, or excess, Lead-210; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.11
    Maximum:8.72
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Excess Lead-210 activity uncertainty, in dpm per g
    Measurement uncertainty of excess Lead-210 activity estimated from: detector efficiency, background correction, and one standard deviation of the counting error; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:1.78
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Al2O3, in %
    Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:11.4
    Maximum:18.4
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.1
    BaO, in %
    Barium oxide (BaO) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.04
    Maximum:0.08
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    CaO, in %
    Calcium oxide (CaO) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.88
    Maximum:6.75
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cr2O3, in %
    Chromium oxide (Cr2O3) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined; <, less than. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:<0.01
    Maximum:0.11
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Fe2O3, in %
    Iron oxide (Fe2O3) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:4.63
    Maximum:8.46
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    K2O, in %
    Potassium oxide (K2O) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.02
    Maximum:1.94
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    MgO, in %
    Magnesium oxide (MgO) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.68
    Maximum:12.80
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    MnO, in %
    Manganese oxide (MnO) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.08
    Maximum:0.15
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Na2O, in %
    Sodium oxide (Na2O) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.61
    Maximum:3.73
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    P2O5, in %
    Phosphorus oxide (P2O5) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.18
    Maximum:0.43
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    SiO2, in %
    Silicon oxide (SiO2) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:41.0
    Maximum:63.0
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.1
    SrO, in %
    Strontium oxide (SrO) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:0.09
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    TiO2, in %
    Titanium dioxide (TiO2) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.69
    Maximum:1.27
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    V2O5, in %
    Vanadium oxide (V2O5) percentage (%) in fine sediment; n.d., not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:0.04
    Units:percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Hg by CVAA, in mg/kg
    Total mercury (Hg) content analyzed by cold vapor atomic absorption (CVAA) in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.020
    Maximum:0.632
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Al by fusion, in %
    Aluminum (Al) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.45
    Maximum:9.84
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ca by fusion, in %
    Calcium (Ca) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.40
    Maximum:7.60
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Fe by fusion, in %
    Iron (Fe) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.12
    Maximum:7.35
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    K by fusion, in %
    Potassium (K) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.83
    Maximum:1.73
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Mg by fusion, in %
    Magnesium (Mg) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.87
    Maximum:7.72
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Na by multi-acid, in %
    Sodium (Na) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of weight percent (%); n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.24
    Maximum:3.84
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    P by fusion, in %
    Phosphorus (P) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.07
    Maximum:0.21
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    S by fusion, in %
    Sulfur (S) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%); <, less than (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:<0.1
    Maximum:1.6
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.1
    Si by fusion, in %
    Silica (Si) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:19.8
    Maximum:33.4
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.1
    Ti by fusion, in %
    Titanium (Ti) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.32
    Maximum:1.00
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ag by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Silver (Ag) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.16
    Maximum:1.18
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    As by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Arsenic (As) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.2
    Maximum:38.4
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Ba by fusion, in mg/kg
    Barium (Ba) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:364
    Maximum:666
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:1
    Bi by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Bismuth (Bi) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.07
    Maximum:0.75
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cd by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Cadmium (Cd) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.12
    Maximum:1.17
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ce by fusion, in mg/kg
    Cerium (Ce) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:28.6
    Maximum:99.8
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Co by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Cobalt (Co) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:7.0
    Maximum:64.9
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Cr by fusion, in mg/kg
    Chromium (Cr) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:39
    Maximum:2000
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:1
    Cs by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Cesium (Cs) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.55
    Maximum:3.74
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cu by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Copper (Cu) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:6.4
    Maximum:133.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Dy by fusion, in mg/kg
    Dysprosium (Dy) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.66
    Maximum:5.72
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Er by fusion, in mg/kg
    Erbium (Er) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.59
    Maximum:3.53
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Eu by fusion, in mg/kg
    Europium (Eu) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.78
    Maximum:1.53
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ga by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Gallium (Ga) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:10.8
    Maximum:21.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Gd by fusion, in mg/kg
    Gadolinium (Gd) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.08
    Maximum:7.51
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Hf by fusion, in mg/kg
    Hafnium (Hf) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3
    Maximum:27
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:1
    Ho by fusion, in mg/kg
    Holmium (Ho) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.58
    Maximum:1.20
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    In by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Indium (In) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.035
    Maximum:0.125
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.001
    La by fusion, in mg/kg
    Lanthanum (La) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:13.7
    Maximum:49.3
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Li by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Lithium (Li) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:10.9
    Maximum:45.2
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Lu by fusion, in mg/kg
    Lutetium (Lu) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.25
    Maximum:0.65
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Mn by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Manganese (Mn) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:400
    Maximum:2010
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:1
    Mo by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Molybdenum (Mo) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.60
    Maximum:8.07
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Nb by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Niobium (Nb) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:4.4
    Maximum:11.9
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Nd by fusion, in mg/kg
    Neodymium (Nd) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:14.1
    Maximum:45.4
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Ni by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Nickel (Ni) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:21.4
    Maximum:561.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    P by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Phosphorus (P) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:618
    Maximum:1960
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:1
    Pb by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Lead (Pb) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.1
    Maximum:111.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Pr by fusion, in mg/kg
    Praseodymium (Pr) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.59
    Maximum:11.70
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Rb by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Rubidium (Rb) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:20.1
    Maximum:59.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Sb by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Antimony (Sb) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.15
    Maximum:2.34
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Sc by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Scandium (Sc) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:11.1
    Maximum:21.9
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Sm by fusion, in mg/kg
    Samarium (Sm) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.1
    Maximum:8.2
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Sn by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Tin (Sn) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.7
    Maximum:592.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Sn by fusion, in mg/kg
    Tin (Sn) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg; <, less than (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:<1
    Maximum:915
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:1
    Sr by fusion, in mg/kg
    Strontium (Sr) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:124
    Maximum:909
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:1
    Ta by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Tantalum (Ta) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.25
    Maximum:1.38
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Tb by fusion, in mg/kg
    Terbium (Tb) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.46
    Maximum:1.05
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Te by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Tellurium (Te) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined; <, less than (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:<0.01
    Maximum:0.44
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Th by fusion, in mg/kg
    Thorium (Th) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.9
    Maximum:14.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Tl by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Thallium (Tl) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.11
    Maximum:0.58
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Tm by fusion, in mg/kg
    Thulium (Tm) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.24
    Maximum:0.57
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    U by fusion, in mg/kg
    Uranium (U) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.10
    Maximum:4.59
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    V by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Vanadium (V) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:78
    Maximum:270
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:1
    W by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Tungsten (W) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.2
    Maximum:3.4
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Y by fusion, in mg/kg
    Yttrium (Y) content of fused digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:14.6
    Maximum:33.7
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Yb by fusion, in mg/kg
    Ytterbium (Yb) content of fused digested sediment in units of mg/kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.6
    Maximum:3.8
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Zn by multi-acid, in mg/kg
    Zinc (Zn) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg/kg; n.d.=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:46.4
    Maximum:267.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Zr by fusion, in %
    Zirconium (Zr) content of the fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (%) (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:112
    Maximum:1180
    Units:weight percent (%)
    Resolution:1
    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)
    • Renee K. Takesue
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Margaret Dutch of the Washington State Department of Ecology collected Bellingham Bay 2017 surface sediments as part of the Urban Bays Monitoring Project. Angela Tan analyzed sediment particle size, total organic carbon content, and carbonate content at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center sediment laboratory. Compositional analyses were performed by Agat Laboratories under contract to the Analytical Chemistry Project of the USGS Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center (CMERSC), jobs MRP-16864, MRP-16898, MRP-17826, MRP-17842, MRP-17850, and MRP-18322. CMERSC staff performed QA/QC checks. Ratios of stable isotopes of carbon 13/12 and nitrogen 15/14, and of total carbon to total nitrogen were determined by Colin Carney at the University of California at Santa Cruz Stable Isotope Lab.
  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?

Sediment geochemical compositions were explored in order to distinguish potential sources of fine sediment to Bellingham Bay from the Nooksack River, Squalicum Creek, Whatcom Creek, and Padden Creek. Understanding the sources and timing of sediment and sediment-bound contaminant inputs to the coastal zone can inform management decisions aimed at reducing negative impact of these materials on and recovery of valued nearshore habitats and species.

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: 27-Sep-2019 (process 1 of 5)
    SEDIMENT COLLECTION: Bellingham Bay surface sediment was collected using a benthic grab sampler deployed from a boat. Nooksack River, tributary, and small creek sediment was collected by hand. The surface 0-2 cm layer of nearshore, river, and creek sediment was sampled into plastic wire-top bags and stored frozen.
    Date: 16-Jan-2020 (process 2 of 5)
    SEDIMENT PARTICLE SIZE, TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON, AND CARBONATE CONTENT ANALSES: Sediment particle size distributions were determined at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center sediment laboratory. To remove organic material, 10 milliliters of 35 percent hydrogen peroxide were added to 20 grams of sediment. The sample was heated to 250 degrees Celsius to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide and was placed in an ultrasonic bath to liberate the less than 0.063 millimeter-diameter (fine) fraction. The sample was centrifuged for 1.5 hours in deionized water to remove soluble salts. Samples were funneled through 2 millimeter- and 0.063 millimeter-diameter mesh sieves to separate gravel-sized (greater than 2 millimeter), sand-sized (0.063 to 2 millimeter), and mud-sized (less than 0.063 millimeter) particles. The sand and gravel fractions were dried at 80 degrees Celsius and weighed. Five milliliters of sodium hexametaphosphate was added to the mud fraction and a 20-milliliter aliquot was taken from a 1 liter graduated cylinder to determine the weight of the mud. Total carbon (TC), total inorganic carbon (TIC), and total organic carbon contents of bulk sediment were determined coulometrically (CM 5015 coulometer; UIC, Inc.) at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center sediment lab. Approximately 1 gram of sediment was dried overnight at 80 degrees Celsius and pulverized by hand in a mortar and pestle. TC was determined by incineration at 950 degrees Celsius (UIC CM 5200 furnace) of 20 milligrams of dry sediment loaded into in foil capsules. TIC was determined by perchloric acid digestion (UIC CM 5130 acid digester) of 20 milligrams of dry sediment. TOC was calculated as the difference between TC and TIC. The calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content of sediment in weight percent was determined by multiplying TIC by 8.333, the mass ratio of CaCO3 to carbon. Person who carried out this activity:
    Angela Tan
    U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Physical Scientist
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-460-7409 (voice)
    atan@usgs.gov
    Date: 21-Feb-2020 (process 3 of 5)
    RATIOS OF STABLE ISOTOPES OF CARBON 13/12 (d13C) AND NITROGEN 15/14 (d15N), and TOTAL CARBON TO TOTAL NITROGEN (C:N): Sediment d13C, d15N, and C:N ratios were determined at the University of California at Santa Cruz Stable Isotope Lab using a CE Instruments NC2500 elemental analyzer interfaced to a ThermoFinningan Delta Plus XP isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Except for Bellingham Bay sediment collected in 2017, samples were decarbonated by fumigation with sulfurous acid prior to d13C analysis to remove inorganic carbonates. Sediment d15N was determined on unacidified samples. Sediment d13C ratios were referenced to the Vienna PeeDeeBelemnit and d15N ratios were referenced to air. 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: 18-Oct-2019 (process 4 of 5)
    SHORT-LIVED COSMOGENIC RADIONUCLIDE ACTIVITIES: Prior to quantification of short-lived radionuclide activities, bulk sediment was oven-dried at 60 degrees Celsius, ground by hand in a mortar and pestle to a homogeneous grain size and packed into 10 milliliter graduated polystyrene vials. Vials were capped and sealed to prevent gas exchange. Samples and reference materials with the same geometry were counted for 24 hours in a high purity, low background germanium well detector at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center. Beryllium-7 activities were counted at 476 kiloelectron volts (keV), Cesium-137 at 661 keV, Lead-210 at 46.5 keV, and Radium-226 as the average of indirect peaks at 351.87 keV (Lead-214) and 609.31 keV (Bismuth-214). Unsupported, or excess, Lead-210 was calculated by subtracting supported Lead-210 (assumed to equal average Radium-226 activity) from total Lead-210.
    Date: 09-Jan-2020 (process 5 of 5)
    MAJOR OXIDES PERCENTAGES AND MAJOR MINOR, AND TRACE ELEMENT CONTENTS: Bulk sediment was oven-dried at 60 degrees Celsius and disaggregated gently with a mortar and pestle to avoid changing grain sizes. Disaggregated sediment was dry sieved through stainless steel sieves to obtain 2 grams of the less than 0.063 millimeter size fraction. Sieved 2-gram samples were sent to the Analytical Chemistry Project of the USGS Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center (CMERSC). Major oxides percentages were determined at CMERSC by wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (WDXRF). Sediment was fused with lithium metaborate/lithium tetraborate flux and the resultant glass disk was irradiated by x-rays tube. For major, minor, and trace element contents, CMERSC contracted AGAT Laboratories, a nationally accredited laboratory, for analyses by two methods: a near-total four-acid digestion and a total digestion with a sodium peroxide fusion for elements hosted in acid-resistant minerals. Quantification was performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) for major and some minor elements and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) for some minor and all trace elements. Person who carried out this activity:
    Jaime Azain
    U.S. Geological Survey, Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center
    Research Geologist
    Denver Federal Center, Bldg 20
    Denver, CO

    303-236-9376 (voice)
    jsazain@usgs.gov
  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?
    For sediment particle size analyses, duplicates analyzed every 20 samples were within 15% of original values. Total organic carbon analyses were run in duplicate and averaged. For elemental content determinations, digested rock reference materials were used to standardize the data. The percent recovery for all elements was within 15% of reference values for concentrations that were not less than five times the limit of detection. For major oxide determinations, data were acceptable if recovery of the major oxides was plus or minus 5 percent at the limit of detection (0.01 percent) and the calculated percent relative standard deviation of duplicate samples was no greater than 5 percent. For short-lived cosmogenic radionuclides, sample activities were calculated by comparison to reference standards with the same geometry and counting time; reported uncertainties include 1 standard deviation counting errors, detector efficiency, and background corrections. For stable isotope analyses, long-term internal reference materials were included in every run.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Garmin 78sc handheld GPS reported a horizontal accuracy of +/- 3 meters.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Sediment particle size was not determined in March 2019 Nooksack River and creek sediment landward of the shoreline. Total organic carbon, carbonate content, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were generally not determined in 2017 Nooksack River and tributary sediment, with a few exceptions. June 2017 Bellingham Bay sediment was not subject to decarbonation prior to d13C analysis. Total inorganic mercury (Hg) contents were not determined in 2017 Nooksack River and tributary sediment. Multi-acid digestions were not performed on eight samples from March 2019: BEL19-18A, BEL19-18B, BEL19-19A, BEL19-19B, BEL19-19C, BEL19-22, BEL19-27, and EG4A due to sample size limitations. Short-lived radionuclide activities were only determined in 45 samples due to the short half-life of Beryllium-7 and the time required for analysis.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    No formal logical consistency 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 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 (SedimentGeochemistryBellingham2017and2019.csv) contained in a single zip file, which also includes CSDGM FGDC-compliant metadata and a map showing sample locations.
  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 any text reader.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 02-Dec-2020
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_P90EUDMF/SedimentGeochemistryBellingham2017and2019_metadata.faq.html>
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