Normalized Foraminiferal Data for Chincoteague Bay and the Marshes of Assateague Island and the Adjacent Vicinity, Maryland and Virginia- Fall 2014

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How might this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  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?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Ellis, Alisha M., Shaw, Jaimie E., Osterman, Lisa E., and Smith, Christopher G., 20180530, Normalized Foraminiferal Data for Chincoteague Bay and the Marshes of Assateague Island and the Adjacent Vicinity, Maryland and Virginia- Fall 2014: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release doi:10.5066/F7Z036CV, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, FL.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/F7Z036CV

   This is part of the following larger work.
   Ellis, Alisha M., Shaw, Jaimie E., Osterman, Lisa E., and Smith, Christopher G., 20170401, Distribution of foraminifera in Chincoteague Bay and the Marshes of Assateague Island and the Adjacent Vicinity, Maryland and Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series doi:10.3133/ds1060, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, FL.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1060

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.874776
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.223674
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.753898
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.011494
   

3. What does it look like?
4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 21-Oct-2014

   Ending_Date: 30-Oct-2014

   Currentness_Reference:

   Ground condition

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Tabular digital data
   

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   The detailed attribute descriptions for the foraminiferal counts workbooks are provided in the included data dictionary (Foraminiferal Data Dictionary.pdf). These metadata are not complete without this file. Supplemental information includes a taxonomic reference list which may be used for visual and descriptive purposes and species name changes (14CTB-Taxonomic Reference List.pdf).

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Data Dictionary and Taxonomic Reference List for Foraminiferal Data Tables, in: Ellis and others, 2018, Foraminiferal Data for Chincoteague Bay and the Marshes of Assateague Island and the Adjacent Vicinity, Maryland and Virginia, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7Z036CV.

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Alisha M. Ellis
   • Jaimie E. Shaw
   • Lisa E. Osterman
   • Christopher G. Smith
2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

   Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   (727) 502-8056 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

Sediment sample data were collected during USGS field activity number (FAN) 2014-322-FA, additional survey details are available at https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2014-322-FA. The file 14CTB02_G_S_Normalized_Foram_Counts.zip includes all volumetrically normalized count data for the foraminiferal samples collected and analyzed in October 2014 during 2014-322-FA.

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: 2014 (process 1 of 3)

   Estuarine grab samples (denoted with a “G”) were collected in the field using a petite Ponar sediment sampler in the spring (March 26–April 4) and fall (October 21–30) of 2014. During the same time periods, surface samples (denoted with an “S”) were collected on land from marsh and sandy over-wash environments . At each sample location, the top one centimeter (cm) of undisturbed surface material was subsampled for two (replicate) foraminiferal samples of approximately 25 milliliters (mL) using either a spatula or scoopula and placed in two graduated centrifuge tubes (denoted with “a” and “b”). All surface samples were preserved in the field using 90% ethanol mixed with Rose Bengal stain within hours of collection in order to distinguish between live (and recently live) and dead foraminifera (modified from Walton, 1952). Each centrifuge tube was shaken twice daily for at least two weeks prior to lab processing. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

   Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   (727) 502-8056 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov

   Date: 2014 (process 2 of 3)

   Following a two-week staining period, foraminiferal sample volumes were recorded from the centrifuge tube they were stored in. Once recorded, samples were washed over a 63- and 850-micron (µm) sieve in order to remove ethanol, clay material, and to separate out large organics (Schonfeld and others, 2012). In some cases, multiple washes were necessary to remove all clay aggregates. Once dry, some of the samples with a high sand content were processed using sodium polytungstate in order to concentrate foraminifera (Munsterman and Kerstholt, 1996). Prior to picking, samples were dry sieved over 125 and 250 µm sieves in order to create four splits; 63–125, 125–250, 250–850, and >850 µm and vialed separately. For picking, the 125–250 and 250–850 size fractions for each sample were split into equal parts using a microsplitter and spread evenly over a hole punched, gridded picking tray. Entire splits were picked until approximately 200 foraminiferal specimens were acquired to enable the calculation of foraminiferal densities. At least one sample was picked from each spring site whereas only a select few samples collected in the fall and from the offshore sites were picked for contrast while attempting to choose sites that vary geographically. Foraminiferal identifications were made by making comparisons with published literature. The foraminiferal data presented in this publication include raw count data and volumetrically normalized (25 mL) specimen counts. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

   Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   (727) 502-8056 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • 14CTB02_G_S_Normalized_Foram_Counts.zip

   Date: 13-Oct-2020 (process 3 of 3)

   Added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

   Marine Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   vatnipp@usgs.gov

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
   Munsterman, D., and Kerstholt, S., 1996, Sodium polytungstate, a new non-toxic alternative to bromoform in heavy liquid separation: Review of Paleobotany and Palynology Volume 91, Issues 1–4.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1016/0034-6667(95)00093-3

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 417-422
   

   Schönfeld, J., Alve, E., Geslin, E., Jorissen, F., Korsun, S., Spezzaferri, S., and Members of the FOBIMO group, 2012, The FOBIMO (FOraminiferal BIo-MOnitoring) initiative—Towards a standardised protocol for soft-bottom benthic foraminiferal monitoring studies: Marine Micropaleontology Volume 94–95.

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 1-13
   

   Walton, W. R., 1952, Techniques for recognition of living foraminifera: Contributions from the Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Volume 3.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marmicro.2012.06.001

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 56-60
   

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   The foraminiferal data presented are volumetrically and split normalized count data.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   This is a complete foraminiferal dataset that includes counts for 72 surface sediment samples collected on Assateague Island and in Chincoteague Bay and associated water bodies, Virginia and Maryland.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   The complete foraminiferal dataset includes all species counts, the percent of each sample picked and assessed, and total volume of the sample collected. Detailed information regarding species identifications is available upon request.

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:

Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. The U.S. Geological Survey requests that it be acknowledged as the originator of this dataset in any future products or research derived from these data.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

   Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

   Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   (727) 502-8056 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? 14CTB02_G_S_Normalized_Foram_Counts.xlsx
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, 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 imply any such warranty. The U.S. Geological Survey shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and (or) contained herein. Any use of trade, firm, or product name is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	Microsoft Excel, comma-separated values (version 2016) .xlsx, .csv Size: 0.134
     Network links:	https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-F7Z036CV/data/14CTB02_G_S_Normalized_25mL_Foram_Counts.zip

   • Cost to order the data: None, if obtained online

5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

   The workbook included in this .zip file was created for use with Microsoft Excel 2016. It may also be viewed with the Microsoft Excel viewer or by downloading a Microsoft Compatibility Pack to view with older versions of Microsoft Excel.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 13-Oct-2020

Metadata author:

U.S. Geological Survey

Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

Geologist

600 4th Street South

St. Petersburg, FL

USA

(727) 502-8056 (voice)

aellis@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)