Eelgrass and substrate characteristics in Bellingham Bay, Washington, July 2019

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Eelgrass and substrate characteristics in Bellingham Bay, Washington, July 2019
Abstract:
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) characteristics, sediment grain size distributions, sediment total organic carbon contents (TOC), carbon isotope ratios of sediment organic matter, and total carbon to total nitrogen ratios were measured at four lower intertidal sites in Bellingham Bay, Washington, July 2-5, 2019.
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information about the field activities from which these data were derived is available online at:
http://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2019-627-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., and Rubin, Stephen P., 20230824, Eelgrass and substrate characteristics in Bellingham Bay, Washington, July 2019: data release DOI:10.5066/P9LOCE8T, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Takesue, Renee K., and Rubin, Stephen P., 2023, Eelgrass and substrate characteristics in Bellingham Bay, Washington, July 2019 and July-August 2020: data release DOI:10.5066/P9LOCE8T, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested Citation: Takesue, R.K. and Rubin, S.P., 2023, Eelgrass and substrate characteristics in Bellingham Bay, Washington, July 2019 and July-August 2020: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9LOCE8T.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.51975
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.50013
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.73340
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.71464
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/64b07fa8d34e70357a29eaa0?name=pic_eelgrass_summary.jpg&allowOpen=true (JPG)
    Picture of sediment sampling for invertebrate comparisons.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 02-Jul-2019
    Ending_Date: 05-Jul-2019
    Currentness_Reference:
    Eelgrass and substrate characteristics in July 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 (40)
    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 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. -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Sample_ID
    Unique identifier assigned to each sample based on collection location, year, and order (Source: Producer defined) Unique alphanumeric sample identifier
    Date collected
    Date the sample was collected, in mm/dd/yy. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:07/02/19
    Maximum:07/05/19
    Units:mm/dd/yy
    Resolution:1
    Latitude
    Latitude where the sample was collected; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:48.71464
    Maximum:48.73340
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00001
    Longitude
    Longitude where the sample was collected; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-122.51975
    Maximum:-122.50013
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00001
    Datum
    Geodetic datum of location coordinates (Source: Producer defined) Alphanumeric datum identifier
    Percent_gravel
    Percentage by weight of particles greater than 2 millimeters in diameter; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0
    Maximum:16.6
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.1
    Percent_sand
    Percentage by weight of particles less than 2 millimeters in diameter and greater than 0.063 mm in diameter; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:61.7
    Maximum:96.9
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.1
    Percent_fines
    Percentage by weight of particles less than 0.063 millimeters in diameter; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.0
    Maximum:32.8
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.1
    TOC
    Average value of duplicate analyses of total organic carbon content (TOC); -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.2
    Maximum:5.9
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.1
    d13C
    Ratio of stable carbon 13/12 isotopes (d13C) in sediment after removal of inorganic carbonates; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-24.46
    Maximum:-20.62
    Units:standard permil notation
    Resolution:0.01
    C:N
    Molar ratio of total carbon to total nitrogen (C:N); -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.6
    Maximum:23.8
    Units:unitless
    Resolution:0.1
    Quadrat_size
    Area of the quadrat used for eelgrass shoot counts. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.25
    Maximum:0.25
    Units:square meters
    Resolution:0.01
    Quadrat_fraction_counted
    Fraction of the quadrat in which eelgrass shoots were counted. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.25
    Maximum:1.00
    Units:unitless
    Resolution:0.01
    Shoots_per_fraction
    Number of shoots counted in the whole or fraction of the quadrat. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:116
    Units:shoot
    Resolution:1
    Shoot_density
    Normalized number of shoots per 1 square meter calculated from the quadrat size, fraction counted, and shoots per fraction. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:536
    Units:shoot
    Resolution:1
    Longest_leaf_length
    Length of the longest intact leaf of the harvested shoot; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:79.0
    Maximum:175.6
    Units:centimeters
    Resolution:0.1
    Sheath_length
    Length of the sheath of the harvested shoot; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:17.9
    Maximum:44.0
    Units:centimeters
    Resolution:0.1
    Leaf_width
    Width of the second-newest leaf measured 5 centimeters above the sheath of the harvested shoot; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:6.0
    Maximum:10.0
    Units:millimeters
    Resolution:0.1
    #_leaves
    Number of leaves in the sheath of the harvested shoot; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3
    Maximum:4
    Units:leaf
    Resolution:1
    Dry_biomass_shoot
    Weight of the harvested shoot after drying at 60 degrees Celsius for at least 24 hours; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.872
    Maximum:2.072
    Units:grams
    Resolution:0.001
    Dry_biomass_new_rhizomes
    Weight of the 5 newest rhizome segments of the harvested plant after drying at 60 degrees Celsius for at least 24 hours; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.329
    Maximum:1.168
    Units:grams
    Resolution:0.001
    Dry_biomass_all_rhizomes
    Weight of all rhizome segments of the harvested plant after drying at 60 degrees Celsius for at least 24 hours; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.483
    Maximum:2.427
    Units:grams
    Resolution:0.001
    Internode_length_1
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 1; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:13.78
    Maximum:50.03
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_2
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 2; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:12.68
    Maximum:41.09
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_3
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 3; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:13.99
    Maximum:39.30
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_4
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 4; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:15.67
    Maximum:39.63
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_5
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 5; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:12.83
    Maximum:46.49
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_6
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 6; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:11.61
    Maximum:43.74
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_7
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 7; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:7.89
    Maximum:39.01
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_8
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 8; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:6.47
    Maximum:40.92
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_9
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 9; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:4.25
    Maximum:41.05
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_10
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 10; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.05
    Maximum:35.79
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_11
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 11; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.97
    Maximum:26.90
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_12
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 12; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.37
    Maximum:24.79
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_13
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 13; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.22
    Maximum:15.49
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_14
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 14; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.89
    Maximum:9.66
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_15
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 15; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.66
    Maximum:11.77
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_16
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 16; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.91
    Maximum:13.73
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_17
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 17; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.30
    Maximum:13.21
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_18
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 18; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.96
    Maximum:15.94
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_19
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 19; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:11.80
    Maximum:14.55
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_20
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 20; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:7.20
    Maximum:19.23
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_21
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 21; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.88
    Maximum:21.44
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_22
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 22; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:8.55
    Maximum:24.26
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_23
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 23; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:8.62
    Maximum:10.91
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_24
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 24; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:7.65
    Maximum:8.17
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_25
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 25; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.69
    Maximum:7.53
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    Internode_length_26
    Distance between nodes of rhizome segment 26; -9999, not determined. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:6.54
    Maximum:7.75
    Units:percent weight
    Resolution:0.01
    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
    • Stephen P. Rubin
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Angela Tan measured sediment grain-size distributions and total organic carbon contents at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory. Colin Carney at the University of California Santa Cruz Stable Isotope Lab measured stable carbon 13/12 isotope ratios and total carbon to total nitrogen ratios.
  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?

Eelgrass and substrate were characterized along the urban waterfront (east shore) of Bellingham Bay, Washington, to explore influences of alongshore gradients in wave energy and shoreline development and distance from sources of Nooksack River sediment and terrestrial organic matter. These data were collected to inform site selection for future interdisciplinary studies about the role of eelgrass in wave-energy attenuation, particle trapping, biodiversity, and contaminant exposure.

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: 05-Jul-2019 (process 1 of 7)
    SEDIMENT COLLECTION: The surface 0-2 centimeters of sediment was scooped by hand at the beginning, middle, and end of lower intertidal transects where eelgrass was characterized. Sediment was stored chilled until analysis.
    Date: 16-Mar-2020 (process 2 of 7)
    SEDIMENT GRAIN-SIZE AND TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT (TOC): 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 while wet through 2-millimeter and 0.063-millimeter 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 and total inorganic carbon of bulk sediment were determined coulometrically (UIC, Inc.) at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory. Samples were run in duplicate. Coulometer performance was verified relative to a calcium carbonate reference material. Total organic carbon content (TOC) was calculated as the difference between total carbon and total inorganic carbon. Person who carried out this activity:
    Angela Tan
    USGS PCMSC
    Physical Scientist
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-460-7409 (voice)
    atan@usgs.gov
    Date: 07-Jan-2020 (process 3 of 7)
    RATIOS OF STABLE CARBON 13/12 ISOTOPES (d13C) and TOTAL CARBON TO TOTAL NITROGEN (C:N): Dried and homogenized sediment was analyzed for d13C and C:N ratios using a CE Instruments NC2500 elemental analyzer interfaced to a ThermoFinningan Delta Plus XP isotope ratio mass spectrometer at the University of California at Santa Cruz Stable Isotope Lab. A decarbonation pre-treatment step consisting of fumigation with sulfurous acid removed inorganic carbonates. Stable isotope ratios were corrected for size, drift, and source stretching effects. d13C values were referenced to the Vienna PeeDee Belemnite. 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: 05-Jul-2019 (process 4 of 7)
    EELGRASS SHOOT DENSITY- Numbers of eelgrass shoots were counted in whole or fractions of 0.25-square-meter quadrats along a shore-parallel transect at approximately -1.0 m depth (lower intertidal) relative to mean lower low water (MLLW). Eelgrass stems with fully formed sheaths at the sediment surface were counted as individual shoots. Alongshore transect lengths were 100 meters at Marine Park, Boulevard Park West, and Boulevard Park North, and 85 meters at Taylor Bridge. In-field shoot counts were normalized to 1 square meter.
    Date: 05-Jul-2019 (process 5 of 7)
    EELGRASS LEAF LENGTH, WIDTH, AND NUMBER- Eelgrass plants with the longest intact leaves inside or adjacent to quadrats were harvested in their entirety, including as much of the subterranean rhizome as could be recovered. Lengths of the longest leaf on harvested plants were measured from the top of the sheath to the tip. Widths of the second-newest leaf on harvested plants were measured 5 centimeters above the sheath. Numbers of leaves in the sheathes of harvested plants, excluding leaves of daughter shoots, were recorded.
    Date: 05-Jul-2019 (process 6 of 7)
    EELGRASS INTERNODE LENGTH- Distances between rhizome nodes were measured sequentially on the main rhizome stem using a digital caliper with a resolution of 0.01 mm (Fowler). Rhizome segment 1 is the newest fully formed rhizome with erupted root bundles.
    Date: 19-Jul-2019 (process 7 of 7)
    EELGRASS DRY BIOMASS- After collection, eelgrass leaves were rinsed with tap water and scraped with a razor blade to remove epiphytic organisms. Eelgrass rhizomes were rinsed with tap water to remove sediment and epiphytic organisms. Eelgrass shoots and rhizomes were separated at the meristem, daughter plants were removed from shoots and rhizomes, and plants were stored moist for less than 1 week. Shoots and rhizomes were dried at 60 degrees Celsius for at least 24 hours and weighed to the nearest 0.001 gram.
  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?
    GRAIN SIZE: Duplicate grain-size determinations by weight differed by 0 to 9 percent with a median of 2 percent in similar samples from Bellingham Bay. TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON (TOC): Duplicate determinations of TOC differed by 0 to 26 percent with a median of 3 percent in similar samples from Bellingham Bay. STABLE CARBON ISOTOPE RATIOS (d13C): The analytical precision of d13C ratios relative to internationally calibrated in-house reference materials is better than 0.2 permil. CARBON TO NITROGEN RATIOS (C:N): Precision of C:N relative to reference materials of known composition is better than 1 percent.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    A Garmin 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?
    Plant characteristics were measured in 10 quadrats across 100-meter-long transects except at Taylor Bridge where the transect was 85 meters long. Sediment characteristics were measured in 3 quadrats at the beginning, middle, and end of each transect.
  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 (BellinghamEelgrass_Substrate2019.csv) and are 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 any text reader.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 24-Aug-2023
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_P9LOCE8T/BellinghamEelgrass_Substrate2019_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Fri Aug 25 11:46:23 2023