Benthic Foraminiferal Data from Surface Samples and Sedimentary Cores in the Grand Bay Estuary, Mississippi and Alabama

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., and Smith, Christopher G., 20200708, Benthic Foraminiferal Data from Surface Samples and Sedimentary Cores in the Grand Bay Estuary, Mississippi and Alabama: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release doi:10.5066/P9YCK857, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, FL.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9YCK857

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.43298
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.33280
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.40958
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.35775
   

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

   Beginning_Date: 14-May-2016

   Ending_Date: 18-May-2016

   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:

   Detailed attribute descriptions for the foraminiferal counts workbook 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 (16CCT03-Taxonomic_Reference_List.pdf).

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Data Dictionary and Taxonomic Reference List for Foraminiferal Data Tables, in: Ellis and Smith, 2019, Benthic Foraminiferal Data from Surface Samples and Sedimentary Cores in the Grand Bay, Mississippi and Alabama Estuary, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9YCK857.

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
   • 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 surface samples and estuarine push cores were collected during USGS field activity number (FAN) 2016-331-FA, alternate FAN 16CCT03. Location and sample dates are available at https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9FO8R3Y/data/16CCT03_SiteInformation.zip. Additional information is available at https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fa=2016-331-FA. The file 16CCT03_Raw_Foram_Count_Data.zip includes all raw count data for the foraminiferal samples and subsamples collected in May 2016 during 2016-331-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: 2016 (process 1 of 3)

   Bulk estuarine grab samples (denoted with a “G”) were collected in the field using a petite Ponar sediment sampler in May 2016. At each sample location, sediment was collected from the top one centimeter (cm) of undisturbed surface material. The sample was collected using either a spatula or scoopula and placed in a plastic bag to be subsampled upon return for foraminifera, grain-size, bulk density and loss on ignition (LOI). During the same time, estuarine push cores (denoted with a “M”) were collected at each site using 11.4 cm acrylic barrels. An "A" or "B" amended to the end of any sample ID indicates a replicate surface sample or core collected from the same location. Push cores were stored upright and both cores and surface samples were stored on ice until they could be refrigerated upon return to the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center. 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)

   Upon return from the field and intermittently for multiple months following collection, foraminiferal subsamples were taken from the bulk estuarine grab samples. Foraminifera subsample volumes were recorded using a marked syringe. Once recorded, samples were washed over a 63-, 125- and 850-micron (µm) sieve in order to remove clay material, and to separate out large organics (Schönfeld and others, 2012). In some cases, sodium hexametaphosphate and multiple washes were necessary to remove all clay aggregates. For picking, the 125–850 size fraction for each sample was split into equal parts using a microsplitter and spread evenly over a gridded picking tray. Entire splits were picked until approximately 200 foraminiferal specimens were acquired to enable the calculation of foraminiferal densities. The 0-1 cm interval and 19-20 cm interval were picked for each core along with an interval or two that were estimated using sediment geochronologies via alpha and gamma spectroscopy to represent ~100 years before present. Foraminiferal identifications were made by making comparisons with published literature. The foraminiferal data presented in this publication include raw 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:

   • 16CCT03_Raw_Foram_Count_Data.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?
   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.

   Online Links:

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

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 1-13
   

   Ellis, A.M., Shaw, J.E., Osterman, L.E., and Smith, C.G., 20171128, 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 1060.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1060

   Marot, M.E., Smith, C.G., McCloskey, T.A., Locker, S.D., Khan, N.S., and Smith, K.E.L., 20190301, Sedimentary Data from Grand Bay, Alabama/Mississippi, 2014–2016: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release doi:10.5066/P9FO8R3Y.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9FO8R3Y

   Haller, C., Smith, C.G., McCloskey, T.A., Marot, M.E., Ellis, A.M., and Adams, C.S., 20180413, Benthic foraminiferal data from the eastern Mississippi Sound salt marshes and estuaries: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release doi:10.5066/F7MC8X5F.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/F7MC8X5F

   Haller, C., Smith, C.G., McCloskey, T.A., Marot, M.E., Ellis, A.M., and Adams, C.S., 20180417, Benthic foraminiferal data from sedimentary cores collected in the Grand Bay (Mississippi) and Dauphin Island (Alabama) salt marshes: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release doi:10.5066/F7445KSG.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/F7445KSG

   Ellis, A.M., Smith, C.G., and Marot, M.E., 20180322, The sedimentological characteristics and geochronology of the marshes of Dauphin Island, Alabama: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 20171165.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171165

   Ellis, A.M., Marot, M.E., Smith, C.G., and Wheaton, C.J., 20170620, The physical characteristics of the sediments on and surrounding Dauphin Island, Alabama: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1046.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1046

   DeWitt, N.T., Stalk, C.A., Smith, C.G., Locker, S.D., Fredericks, J.J., McCloskey, T.A., and Wheaton, C.J., 20171201, Single-beam bathymetry data collected in 2015 from Grand Bay, Alabama-Mississippi: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1070.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1070

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 the raw counts and are not volumetrically normalized.
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 64 estuarine push core samples and 12 estuarine surface sediment samples collected in Grand Bay, Mississippi and Alabama and its tributaries.
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? 16CCT03_Raw_Foram_Count_Data.xlsx, 16CCT03_Raw_Foram_Count_Data_EstuarineGrabs.csv, 16CCT03_Raw_Foram_Count_Data_PushCores.csv
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 16.29) .xlsx, .csv Size: 0.113
     Network links:	https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9YCK857/data/16CCT03_Raw_Foram_Count_Data.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)