Geochemistry of surface sediment and sediment cores in Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, in February 2020

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What does this data set describe?

Title:
Geochemistry of surface sediment and sediment cores in Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, in February 2020
Abstract:
Geochemical data are reported for surface sediments and long sediment cores from Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, collected in early February 2020 after flood conditions on the Nooksack River. Data include total organic carbon content (TOC), carbonate content (CaCO3), ratios of stable carbon 13/12 isotopes (d13C), ratios of total carbon to total nitrogen (C:N), short-lived cosmogenic radionuclide activities (Beryllium-7, Cesium-137, and excess Lead-210), and elemental chemistry.
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information about the field activity from which these data were derived is available online at:
https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2020-606-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., Conaway, Christopher H., Lorenson, Thomas D., and Grossman, Eric E., 20230206, Geochemistry of surface sediment and sediment cores in Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County, Washington, in February 2020: data release DOI:10.5066/P9YD3HJQ, 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: -122.61213
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.49895
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.76242
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.68261
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/63371d88d34e900e86cb4043?name=BEL20_sediment_sites.jpg&allowOpen=true (JPEG)
    Bellingham Bay sediment collection sites. Circles=surface grabs, squares=cores.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 09-Feb-2020
    Ending_Date: 12-Feb-2020
    Currentness_Reference:
    Sediment from Bellingham Bay was collected in February 2020.
  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 (177)
    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 indicates not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Field_I.D.
    Unique sample identifier assigned during field collection based on location and order of collection. (Source: Producer defined) Unique alphanumeric field sample identifier
    Collection date
    Date the sample was collected, in mm/dd/yyyy (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2/09/2020
    Maximum:2/12/2020
    Units:mm/dd/yyyy
    Resolution:1
    Latitude
    Latitude where the sample was collected (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:48.68261
    Maximum:48.76242
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00001
    Longitude
    Longitude where the sample was collected (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-122.61213
    Maximum:-122.49895
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00001
    Datum
    Geodetic datum of location coordinates (Source: Producer defined) Alphanumeric datum identifier
    Type
    Type of sediment sample (Source: Producer defined)
    ValueDefinition
    GRABSediment collected with a grab sampler
    CORESediment interval collected by vibracore at the specified depth below the sediment surface (midpoint depth) in the next column.
    Midpoint_depth
    midpoint depth of the 2-centimeter-thick sediment interval from which sample was collected from the surface layer of the grab sample or downcore (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.0
    Maximum:161.0
    Units:centimeters
    Resolution:0.1
    Total_organic_carbon
    Percent by weight of organic carbon; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.4537299
    Maximum:4.5225456
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.0000001
    d13C_bulk
    Ratio of carbon 13/12 stable isotopes in sedimentary organic matter; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-26.46
    Maximum:-20.74
    Units:standard per mil notation
    Resolution:0.01
    C:N_ratio
    Molar ratio of total carbon to total nitrogen (C:N); -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.91
    Maximum:28.25
    Units:mol per mol
    Resolution:0.01
    Beryllium-7_activity
    Activity of Beryllium-7; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:3.59
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Beryllium-7_uncertainty
    Measurement uncertainty of Beryllium-7 activity estimated from: detector efficiency, background correction, and one standard deviation of the counting error; -9999 =not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:2.02
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cesium-137_activity
    Activity of Cesium-137; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.11
    Maximum:0.56
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cesium-137_uncertainty
    Measurement uncertainty of Cesium-137 activity estimated from: detector efficiency, background correction, and one standard deviation of the counting error; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.00
    Maximum:0.26
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Excess_Lead-210_activity
    Activity of supported, or excess, Lead-210; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.90
    Maximum:18.72
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Excess_Lead-210_ uncertainty
    Measurement uncertainty of excess Lead-210 activity estimated from: detector efficiency, background correction, and one standard deviation of the counting error; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.18
    Maximum:1.20
    Units:disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm per g)
    Resolution:0.01
    Percent_Gravel
    percent of sample greater than 2 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:33.465785
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    Percent_Sand
    percent of sample less than 2 mm and greater than 63 microns; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.149201
    Maximum:96.257587
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    Percent_Silt
    percent of sample less than 63 microns and greater than 4 microns; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.675925
    Maximum:75.254524
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    Percent_Clay
    percent of sample less than 4 microns; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.066489
    Maximum:42.900340
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    Percent_Mud
    percent of sample less than 63 microns; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.742413
    Maximum:99.850800
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -4.00phi_16mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter greater than -4.00 phi, or 16 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -3.75phi_13.5mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -4.00 and -3.75 phi, or 13.5 and 16 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:13.677152
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:14.155417
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -3.00phi_8mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -3.25 and -3.00 phi, or 8 and 9.51 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -2.75phi_6.73mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -3.00 and -2.75 phi, or 6.73 and 8 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -2.00phi_4mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -2.25 and -2.00 phi, or 4 and 4.76 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -1.75phi_3.36mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -2.00 and -1.75 phi, or 3.36 and 4 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:1.359579
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:1.317331
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:1.762154
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -1.00phi_2mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -1.25 and -1.00 phi, or 2 and 2.38 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:1.435268
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -0.75phi_1.68mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -1.00 and -0.75 phi, or 1.68 and 2 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:4.153997
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:5.230148
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    -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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:5.134500
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    0.00phi_1mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between -0.25 and 0.00 phi, or 1 and 1.19 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:5.635046
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    0.25phi_0.8409mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 0.00 and 0.25 phi, or 0.8409 and 1 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:3.697238
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:4.173296
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:4.602564
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:5.300426
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:5.649360
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:6.487764
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:10.345615
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:14.019759
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:16.203697
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:17.371158
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:16.340360
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:15.765978
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:14.821196
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.001200
    Maximum:11.591943
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.028000
    Maximum:7.641820
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.120001
    Maximum:7.633608
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.120011
    Maximum:10.729605
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.124009
    Maximum:13.154333
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.138821
    Maximum:13.342704
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.161140
    Maximum:11.368545
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.164934
    Maximum:8.312148
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.152597
    Maximum:6.401893
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.143160
    Maximum:5.599325
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.144435
    Maximum:5.429781
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.155413
    Maximum:5.959548
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.160676
    Maximum:6.348214
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.159685
    Maximum:6.408009
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.153124
    Maximum:6.280561
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.143904
    Maximum:6.270561
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.135111
    Maximum:6.228474
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.123552
    Maximum:5.948991
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.116475
    Maximum:5.719416
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.111347
    Maximum:5.370062
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.106146
    Maximum:4.840039
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.10628
    Maximum:4.490036
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.107405
    Maximum:4.160033
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.109852
    Maximum:3.870031
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.108787
    Maximum:3.630029
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.105507
    Maximum:3.460028
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    9.99phi_0.000983mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 9.75 and 9.99 phi, or 0.00098 and 0.00116 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.090220
    Maximum:3.140025
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.074701
    Maximum:3.030116
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.053377
    Maximum:2.550098
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.042302
    Maximum:2.070079
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    10.99phi_0.000492mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 10.75 and 10.99 phi, or 0.00049 and 0.00058 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.029744
    Maximum:1.450056
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    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; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.016855
    Maximum:0.830030
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    11.48phi_0.00035mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 11.25 and 11.48 phi, or 0.00035 and 0.0004 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.003966
    Maximum:0.190044
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    12.02phi_0.000241mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 11.48 and 12.02 phi, or 0.000241 and 0.00035 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    13.02phi_0.00012mm
    Weight percent of sample with grain diameter between 12.02 and 13.02 phi, or 0.00012 and 0.000241 mm; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000000
    Maximum:0.000000
    Units:percentage
    Resolution:0.000001
    Job_number
    Unique laboratory identifier assigned to a batch of samples by the GGGSC Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (Source: Producer defined) Unique alphanumeric batch identifier
    Lab_I.D.
    Unique laboratory identifier assigned to each sample by the GGGSC Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (Source: Producer defined) Unique alphanumeric batch identifier
    Hg_by_CVAA
    Total mercury (Hg) content analyzed by cold vapor atomic absorption (CVAA) in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.03
    Maximum:4.35
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Al_by_fusion
    Aluminum (Al) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:4.84
    Maximum:8.71
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ca_by_fusion
    Calcium (Ca) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.41
    Maximum:15.50
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.01
    Fe_by_fusion
    Iron (Fe) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.93
    Maximum:5.53
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.01
    K_by_fusion
    Potassium (K) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.00
    Maximum:1.80
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.01
    Mg_by_fusion
    Magnesium (Mg) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.53
    Maximum:3.72
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.01
    Na_by_multi-acid
    Sodium (Na) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.22
    Maximum:4.10
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.01
    P_by_fusion
    Phosphorus (P) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.07
    Maximum:0.14
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.01
    S_by_multi-acid
    Sulfur (S) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.16
    Maximum:1.94
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.1
    Si_by_fusion
    Silica (Si) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:16.7
    Maximum:28.2
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.1
    Ti_by_fusion
    Titanium (Ti) content of fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent); -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.29
    Maximum:0.67
    Units:weight percent (percent)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ag_by_multi-acid
    Silver (Ag) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.22
    Maximum:0.70
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    As_by_multi-acid
    Arsenic (As) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:6.8
    Maximum:18.4
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Ba_by_fusion
    Barium (Ba) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:326
    Maximum:572
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    Be_by_multi-acid
    Beryllium (Be) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.85
    Maximum:1.55
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Bi_by_multi-acid
    Bismuth (Bi) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.12
    Maximum:1.02
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cd_by_multi-acid
    Cadmium (Cd) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.15
    Maximum:1.61
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ce_by_fusion
    Cerium (Ce) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:29.8
    Maximum:46.6
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Co_by_multi-acid
    Cobalt (Co) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:10.1
    Maximum:25.4
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Cr_by_fusion
    Chromium (Cr) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:86
    Maximum:922
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    Cs_by_multi-acid
    Cesium (Cs) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.38
    Maximum:3.69
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Cu_by_multi-acid
    Copper (Cu) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:20.6
    Maximum:70.1
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Dy_by_fusion
    Dysprosium (Dy) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.10
    Maximum:4.64
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Er_by_fusion
    Erbium (Er) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.87
    Maximum:2.83
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Eu_by_fusion
    Europium (Eu) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.96
    Maximum:1.47
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ga_by_multi-acid
    Gallium (Ga) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:9.3
    Maximum:20.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Gd_by_fusion
    Gadolinium (Gd) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.42
    Maximum:5.28
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Ge_by_fusion
    Germanium (Ge) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:2
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    Hf_by_fusion
    Hafnium (Hf) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3
    Maximum:11
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    Ho_by_fusion
    Holmium (Ho) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.67
    Maximum:0.97
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    In_by_multi-acid
    Indium (In) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.041
    Maximum:0.078
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.001
    La_by_fusion
    Lanthanum (La) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:14.4
    Maximum:22.5
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Li_by_multi-acid
    Lithium (Li) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:23.5
    Maximum:47.6
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Lu_by_fusion
    Lutetium (Lu) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.26
    Maximum:0.46
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Mn_by_multi-acid
    Manganese (Mn) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:356
    Maximum:821
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    Mo_by_multi-acid
    Molybdenum (Mo) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.93
    Maximum:7.94
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Nb_by_multi-acid
    Niobium (Nb) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.4
    Maximum:10.6
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Nd_by_fusion
    Neodymium (Nd) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:15.4
    Maximum:24.2
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Ni_by_multi-acid
    Nickel (Ni) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:36
    Maximum:173
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    P_by_multi-acid
    Phosphorus (P) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:694
    Maximum:1270
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    Pb_by_multi-acid
    Lead (Pb) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:7.6
    Maximum:55.4
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Pr_by_fusion
    Praseodymium (Pr) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.66
    Maximum:5.84
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Rb_by_multi-acid
    Rubidium (Rb) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:31.7
    Maximum:62.2
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Sb_by_multi-acid
    Antimony (Sb) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.45
    Maximum:1.50
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Sc_by_multi-acid
    Scandium (Sc) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:11.7
    Maximum:20.6
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Sm_by_fusion
    Samarium (Sm) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.3
    Maximum:5.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Sn_by_multi-acid
    Tin (Sn) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.2
    Maximum:7.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Sr_by_fusion
    Strontium (Sr) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:221
    Maximum:1330
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    Ta_by_multi-acid
    Tantalum (Ta) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.33
    Maximum:0.70
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Tb_by_fusion
    Terbium (Tb) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.57
    Maximum:0.81
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Te_by_multi-acid
    Tellurium (Te) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined; <, less than (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:0.12
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Th_by_fusion
    Thorium (Th) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.2
    Maximum:5.9
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Tl_by_multi-acid
    Thallium (Tl) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.24
    Maximum:0.59
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    Tm_by_fusion
    Thulium (Tm) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.27
    Maximum:0.43
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    U_by_fusion
    Uranium (U) content of fused, digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.18
    Maximum:4.12
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.01
    V_by_multi-acid
    Vanadium (V) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:95
    Maximum:173
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    W_by_multi-acid
    Tungsten (W) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.6
    Maximum:1.0
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Y_by_fusion
    Yttrium (Y) content of fused digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:16.8
    Maximum:24.5
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Yb_by_fusion
    Ytterbium (Yb) content of fused digested sediment in units of mg per kg (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.8
    Maximum:2.8
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:0.1
    Zn_by_multi-acid
    Zinc (Zn) content of multi-acid digested sediment in units of mg per kg; -9999=not determined (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:76
    Maximum:138
    Units:milligrams per kilogram (mg per kg)
    Resolution:1
    Zr_by_fusion
    Zirconium (Zr) content of the fused, digested sediment in units of weight percent (percent) (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:96
    Maximum:428
    Units:weight percent (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
    • Christopher H. Conaway
    • Thomas D. Lorenson
    • Eric E. Grossman
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Angela Tan and Miranda Baker analyzed sediment grain size, total organic carbon content, and carbonate content at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment and Carbon Laboratory. Ratios of stable isotopes of carbon 13/12, and of total carbon to total nitrogen were determined by Colin Carney at the University of California at Santa Cruz Stable Isotope Lab. Elemental chemistry analyses were performed by AGAT Laboratories under contract to the Analytical Chemistry Project of the USGS Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGGSC). GGGSC staff performed QA/QC checks.
  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 geochemistry was explored to increase understanding about sediment and contaminant accumulation and provenance in Bellingham Bay over historical time scales. Improved understanding about sediment sources and dispersal patterns in the past few hundred years can inform current understanding and future projections about sediment and sediment-bound contaminant inputs, transport, fate, and potential effects on nearshore ecosystems. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound Project (CHIPS), under which the current study was conducted, pairs geochemical data, oceanographic measurements, and hydrodynamic models to inform management decisions aimed at reducing negative effects of land-based materials on valued nearshore habitats and species and to support ecosystem recovery planning.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    NIST 4350B Certificate of analysis (source 1 of 4)
    National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2015, NIST 4350B, River Sediment Environmental Radioactivity Standard: National Institute of Standards and Technology, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online document
    Source_Contribution:
    The Certificate lists the certified properties for SRM 4350B, their values, and estimated uncertainties.
    IAEA-RGU-1 Certificate of analysis (source 2 of 4)
    International Atomic Energy Agency, 1987, IAEA-RGU-1, Uranium Ore Certified Reference Material: International Atomic Energy Agency, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online document
    Source_Contribution:
    The Certificate lists the certified properties for IAEA-RGU-1, their values, and estimated uncertainties.
    IAEA-RGTh-1 Certificate of analysis (source 3 of 4)
    International Atomic Energy Agency, 1987, IAEA-RGTh-1, Thorium Ore Certified Reference Material: International Atomic Energy Agency, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online document
    Source_Contribution:
    The Certificate lists the certified properties for IAEA-RGTh-1, their values, and estimated uncertainties.
    Certificate of analysis (source 4 of 4)
    Ballestra, S., Gastaud, J., Lopez, J.J., Parsi, P., and Vas, D., 1994, Intercomparison of radionuclide measurements on marine sediment sample IAEA-300: International Atomic Energy Agency, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online document
    Source_Contribution:
    The Certificate lists the certified properties for IAEA-300, their values, and estimated uncertainties.
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 12-Feb-2020 (process 1 of 6)
    SEDIMENT COLLECTION. Surface sediment was collected using a benthic grab sampler deployed from a boat. Long cores were collected using a vibracore device deployed from the A-frame of the boat.
    Date: 15-Mar-2021 (process 2 of 6)
    SEDIMENT GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS. Sediment grain size distributions were determined at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) 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 were 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. The particle-size distribution of the mud and sand fraction was analyzed separately using a Beckman Coulter LS 13 320, and the gravel, sand, and mud results were integrated into a single grain-size distribution for each sample. 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: 15-Mar-2021 (process 3 of 6)
    SEDIMENT TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT. Sediment organic carbon content was determined at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Carbon Laboratory. Approximately 1 gram of sediment was dried overnight at 80 degrees Celsius and pulverized by hand in a mortar and pestle. Total carbon (TC) was determined by incineration at 950 degrees Celsius (UIC CM 5200 furnace) of 20 milligrams of dry sediment loaded into in foil capsules. Total inorganic carbon (TIC) was determined by perchloric acid digestion (UIC CM 5130 acid digester) of 20 milligrams of dry sediment. Total organic carbon (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. Averages of process duplicate values are reported. 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: 09-Aug-2021 (process 4 of 6)
    RATIOS OF STABLE ISOTOPES OF CARBON 13/12 (d13C and TOTAL CARBON TO TOTAL NITROGEN (C:N). Sediment d13C 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. Samples were decarbonated by fumigation with sulfurous acid prior to d13C analysis to remove inorganic carbonates. Sediment d13C ratios were referenced to the Vienna PeeDeeBelemnite. 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: 25-Oct-2020 (process 5 of 6)
    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 and packed into 10 milliliter graduated polystyrene vials. Vials were capped and sealed to prevent gas exchange, then left to equilibrate for at least 21 days. For surface sediment and Cores 3, 5, 6, and 9, samples and reference materials with the same geometry were counted for 24 hours in a high purity, low background germanium (HPGe) well detector at the USGS PCMSC Radiochemistry Lab. 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. Sediment from Cores 1, 2, 7, and 8, had Cesium-137 and Lead-210 activities determined at the USGS Menlo Park Gamma Counting Lab, where it was packed into 7 milliliter plastic vials and counted for 48 to 72 hours in a HPGe well detector.
    Date: 14-Jul-2021 (process 6 of 6)
    ELEMENTAL CHEMISTRY. 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 fine fraction. Fine sediments were sent to the Analytical Chemistry Project of the USGS Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGGSC), which contracted AGAT Laboratories, a nationally accredited laboratory, for analyses of major, minor, and trace element contents using two methods: a near-total four-acid digestion (labeled multi-acid in the table of data) and a total digestion with a sodium peroxide fusion (labeled fusion in the table of data) 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
    USGS Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry 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?
    Process duplicates for carbon analyses were run for every sample and were within 15 percent. For stable isotope analyses, long-term internal reference materials were included in every run. For short-lived 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. Detector efficiency for Cesium-137 was determined using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material 4350B (at the Menlo Park Gamma Counting Lab) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Standard Reference Material 300 (at Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Radiochemistry Lab). Detector efficiency for Lead-210 was determined using IAEA standards RGU-1 and RGTh-1. Detector efficiency for Beryllium-7 was calculated by interpolation between the efficiencies of Lead-214 at 351.9 keV and Bismuth-214 peak at 609.3 keV. For sediment grain size analyses (GSA), the laser particle counter was calibrated with three manufacturer-provided standards every day. Process duplicates for GSA were analyzed every 20 samples and were within 15 percent. For elemental chemistry determinations, long-term internal reference materials were used to standardize the data. The percent recovery for all elements was within 15 percent of reference values for concentrations that were not less than five times the limit of detection.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    A Garmin handheld GPS (model GPSmap 78sc) reported a horizontal accuracy of +/- 3 meters. However, Garmin cites the actual accuracy as 5 to 15 meters.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    The short-lived radionuclide Beryllium-7 was not measured in Cores 1, 2, 7, 8 due to its short half-life. Elemental chemistry was not measured in Cores 1 and 7 because they were sandy and thus unlikely to contain environmental geochemical information.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints None
Use_Constraints USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain 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 (SedimentGeochemistryBellingham2020.csv), accompanied by 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: 06-Feb-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_P9YD3HJQ/SedimentGeochemistryBellingham2020_metadata.faq.html>
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