Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi

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• What does this data set describe?
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• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
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What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Ellis, Alisha M., 20220418, Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi:.

   This is part of the following larger work.
   Ellis, Alisha M., Smith, Christopher G., Vargas, Joseph M., and Everhart, Cheyenne S., 20220418, Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi: U.S. Geological Survey data release doi:10.5066/P9BLFW2G, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, FL.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BLFW2G

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.41217
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.39639
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.38359
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.37584
   

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

   Calendar_Date: 21-Apr-2017

   Currentness_Reference:

   ground condition

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Multimedia presentation
   

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.
   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 0.0197459685. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0258684611. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal Degrees. The horizontal datum used is North American Datum 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222101.
      

      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:

      Altitude_System_Definition:

      Altitude_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum 1988
      Altitude_Resolution: 0.0001
      Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
      Altitude_Encoding_Method: Attribute values
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.xlsx

   Microsoft Excel workbook defining the field sampling dates, site locations, elevations, and distances relative to the shoreline for the surficial sediment samples collected along two shore-perpendicular transects from Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA, project ID and altFAN 17CCT02). (Source: USGS)

   17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.csv

   Comma-separated values text file defining the field sampling dates, site locations, elevations, and distances relative to the shoreline for the surficial sediment samples collected along two shore-perpendicular transects from Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA, project ID and altFAN 17CCT02). (Source: USGS)

   Site ID

   Site identifier assigned by USGS scientist consisting of a single-digit number. (Source: USGS)

   Value	Definition
   1	Represents site 1.
   3	Represents site 3.

   Sample ID

   Sample identifier assigned by USGS scientist consisting of altFAN, 17CCT02, GB, indicating Grand Bay, a three-digit number, and followed with an S, indicating a surface sample. Samples collected along site 1 transect have a three-digit number that begins with one while those collected along site 3 transect have a three-digit number that begins with three. (Source: USGS) Character string

   Distance from Shoreline (m)

   Distance identifier (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-10
   Maximum:	25
   Units:	meters

   Date Collected (mm/dd/yy)

   Date identifier (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	04/21/2017
   Maximum:	04/21/2017
   Units:	mm/dd/yyyy

   Latitude (NAD83)

   Latitude of station location, in decimal degrees (North American Datum of 1983). (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	30.37584
   Maximum:	30.38359
   Units:	Decimal degrees
   Resolution:	0.00001

   Longitude (NAD83)

   Longitude of site location, in decimal degrees (North American Datum of 1983). (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-88.41217
   Maximum:	-88.39639
   Units:	Decimal degrees
   Resolution:	0.00001

   Elevation (m, NAVD88 G12A)

   Elevation of site location, in meters (North American Vertical Datum of 1988, Geoid 12A). (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-0.434
   Maximum:	0.409
   Units:	meters
   Resolution:	0.001

   17CCT02_Transect_LOI.xlsx

   Microsoft Excel workbook lists loss-on-ignition data for sediment surface samples collected from Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA, project ID and altFAN 17CCT02). The results for each site are provided on its own tab. (Source: USGS)

   17CCT02_Transect_LOI.csv

   Comma-separated values text file lists loss-on-ignition data for sediment surface samples collected from Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA, project ID and altFAN 17CCT02). (Source: USGS)

   Sample ID

   Sample identifier assigned by USGS scientist consisting of GB, indicating Grand Bay, a three-digit number, and followed with an S, indicating a surface sample. Samples collected along site 1 transect have a three-digit number that begins with one while those collected along site 3 transect have a three-digit number that begins with three. A, B, and C appended to the end of each sample denotes sample replicates or subsamples run in triplicate from a single sample for statistical purposes. (Source: USGS) Character string

   Depth (cm)

   Depth of surface sample, in centimeters. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0-1
   Maximum:	0-1
   Units:	centimeters
   Resolution:	1

   Loss On Ignition (g-OM/g-dry)

   The ratio of the mass of organic matter (OM) combusted at 550 degrees Celsius, in grams, to the pre-combusted mass of dry sediment, in grams. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0080
   Maximum:	0.2194
   Units:	Grams of organic matter per grams of dry sediment
   Resolution:	0.0001

   17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.xlsx

   Microsoft Excel workbook summarizing the total cesium-137, lead-210, radium-226, thorium-234, and potassium-40, and their associated errors for each sediment sample collected from the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA, project ID and altFAN 17CCT02). ND in place of an isotope measurements indicates value isotope value was not detected. (Source: USGS)

   17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.csv

   Comma-separated values text file summarizing the total cesium-137, lead-210, radium-226, thorium-234, and potassium-40, and their associated errors for each sediment sample collected from the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA, project ID and altFAN 17CCT02). ND in place of an isotope measurements indicates value isotope value was not detected. (Source: USGS)

   Site ID

   Site identifier assigned by USGS scientist consisting of a single-digit number. (Source: USGS)

   Value	Definition
   1	Represents site 1.
   3	Represents site 3.

   Sample ID

   Sample identifier assigned by USGS scientist consisting of altFAN, 17CCT02, GB, indicating Grand Bay, a three-digit number, and followed with an S, indicating a surface sample. Samples collected along site 1 transect have a three-digit number that begins with one while those collected along site 3 transect have a three-digit number that begins with three. (Source: USGS) Character string

   Distance from Shoreline (m)

   Distance identifier (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-10
   Maximum:	25
   Units:	meters

   Cs-137 Activity (dpm/g)

   The total activity of cesium-137 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Critical level is 0.09 dpm/g. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.13
   Maximum:	0.93
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   Cs-137 Error (+/- dpm/g)

   The counting error associated with the total activity of cesium-137 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.04
   Maximum:	0.09
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   Pb-210 Activity (dpm/g)

   The total activity of lead-210 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Critical level is 0.39 dpm/g. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.12
   Maximum:	9.75
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   Pb-210 Error (+/- dpm/g)

   The counting error associated with the total activity of lead-210 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.22
   Maximum:	0.66
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   Ra-226 Activity (dpm/g)

   The total activity of radium-226 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Critical level is 0.14 dpm/g. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.81
   Maximum:	1.96
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   Ra-226 Error (+/- dpm/g)

   The counting error associated with the total activity of radium-226 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.05
   Maximum:	0.15
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   Th-234 Activity (dpm/g)

   The total activity of thorium-234 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Critical level is 0.43 dpm/g. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.88
   Maximum:	4.84
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   Th-234 Error (+/- dpm/g)

   The counting error associated with the total activity of thorium-234 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.21
   Maximum:	0.58
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   K-40 Activity (dpm/g)

   The total activity of potassium-40 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Critical level is 0.82 dpm/g. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	4.76
   Maximum:	27.46
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   K-40 Error (+/- dpm/g)

   The counting error associated with the total activity of potassium-40 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.55
   Maximum:	1.73
   Units:	Disintegrations per minute per gram
   Resolution:	0.01

   17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.xlsx

   Microsoft Excel workbook summarizing grain-size parameters for each surface sample collected from the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA, project ID and altFAN 17CCT02). The averaged results for each sample, including the number of runs used, the standard deviation of the averaged results, and graphical class-size descriptions are provided. (Source: USGS)

   17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.csv

   Comma separated values text file summarizing grain-size parameters for each surface sample collected from the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA, project ID and altFAN 17CCT02). The averaged results for each sample, including the number of runs used, the standard deviation of the averaged results, and graphical class-size descriptions are provided. (Source: USGS)

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   The detailed attribute descriptions for the grain size workbooks are provided in the included data dictionary (17CCT02_GrainSize_DataDictionary.pdf). These metadata are not complete without this file.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Data Dictionary for Grain-Size Data Tables in: Ellis, A.M., Smith, C.G., Vargas, J. M., and Everhart, C.S., 2022: Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BLFW2G.

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
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

   727-502-8000 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov

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?

   Date: 24-Apr-2017 (process 1 of 5)

   In April 2017, two, 35-meter shore-perpendicular transects were sampled in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi. Each transect extended from the shoreline (identified as 0), 10 meters into the estuary (identified with negative values) and 25 meters into the marsh (identified with positive values). Surface samples were collected every 2.5 meters by hand using a spoon and/or scoopula from approximately the top 1-centimeter (cm) of the marsh or estuarine surface and transferred and stored in a labeled and sealed baggie on ice for sedimentological analyses (for example, organic matter content, grain-size) for surface sediment characterization. Sample identifications all begin with altFAN, 17CCT02, contain GB, indicating Grand Bay, followed by a three-digit number starting with either 1 (indicating a site 1 sample), or 3 (indicating a site 3 sample), and are denoted with a S, for surface sample (for example, GB181S-GB195S and GB381S-GB395S). Following collection, samples were stored on ice until they reached the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center where they were then stored refrigerated. Site location information includes distance from shoreline, date collected, latitude, longitude, and elevation which are reported in an Excel spreadsheet. Comma-separated values data files containing the tabular data in plain text are included in the download files. Person who carried out this activity:
   

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

   Attn: Christopher G. Smith

   Researcher Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   U.S.

   (727) 502-8000 (voice)

   cgsmith@usgs.gov

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • 17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.xlsx
   • 17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.csv

   Date: 2022 (process 2 of 5)

   In the sedimentology laboratory, surface sediment samples were homogenized in the sample bag. The wet sediment sample was placed in an aluminum tray/weigh boat, and the wet sediment sample and tray were placed in a drying oven for 48 hours at 60° Celsius (C) to remove water content; no measurements were made for determination of dry bulk density (a mass/volume measurement). Organic matter (OM) content was determined with a mass loss technique referred to as loss on ignition (LOI). The dry sediment was homogenized with a porcelain mortar and pestle. Approximately 5 grams (g) of the dry sediment was placed into a pre-weighed porcelain crucible. The mass of the dried sediment was recorded with a precision of 0.01 g on an analytical balance. The sample was then placed inside a laboratory muffle furnace with stabilizing temperature control. The furnace was heated to 110 °C for a minimum of 6 hours to remove hygroscopic water adsorbed onto the sediment particles. The furnace temperature was then lowered to 60 °C, at which point the sediments could be reweighed safely (modified from Dean, 1974 who heated the furnace to 100 °C for 1 hour). The dried sediment was returned to the muffle furnace and heated to 550 °C over a period of 30 minutes and kept at 550 °C (Galle and Runnels, 1960) for 6 hours (optimal exposure times for complete combustion of organic carbon are reported ranging between 1–12 hours; Dean, 1974; Wang and others, 2011; Heiri and others, 2001; Santisteban and others, 2004). Following the 6-hour burn time for removal of organic carbon, the furnace temperature was lowered to 60 °C, at which point the sediments could be reweighed safely while preventing the absorption of moisture, which can affect the measurement. The mass lost during the 6-hour baking period relative to the 110 °C-dried mass is used as a metric of OM content (Dean, 1974). Twenty percent of the field samples were run in triplicate for LOI to assess precision. Data are reported as a ratio of mass (g) of organic matter to mass (g) of dry sediment (post-110 °C drying). Triplicate analyses of loss on ignition are reported for quality assurance in the Excel spreadsheet. A comma-separated values data file containing the tabular data in plain text is included in the download file. Person who carried out this activity:
   

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

   Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

   Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   U.S.

   (727) 502-8000 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • 17CCT02_Transect_LOI.xlsx
   • 17CCT02_Transect_LOI.csv

   Date: 2021 (process 3 of 5)

   Particle size analysis was performed on all surface transect samples. Prior to analyses, sediment samples were digested with 8 milliliters (mL) of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) overnight to remove excess organics. The H2O2 was then evaporated slowly on a hot plate, and the sediment was washed and centrifuged twice with deionized water. Grain-size analyses were performed using a Coulter LS 13 320 (https://www.beckmancoulter.com/) particle-size analyzer (PSA), which uses laser diffraction to measure the size distribution of sediments ranging in size from 0.4 microns to 2 millimeters (mm; clay to very coarse-grained sand). To prevent shell fragments from damaging the Coulter instrument, particles greater than 1 mm in diameter were separated from all samples prior to analysis using a number 18 (1000 microns or 1 mm) U.S. standard sieve, which meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E11 standard specifications for determining particle size using woven-wire test sieves. Two subsamples (sets) from each interval were processed through the PSA (4 runs per set). The sediment slurry made from the digested sample and deionized water was sonicated with a wand sonicator for 1 minute before being introduced into the Coulter PSA to breakdown aggregated particles. The Coulter PSA measures the particle-size distribution of each sample by passing sediment suspended in solution between two narrow panes of glass in front of a laser. Light is scattered by the particles into characteristic refraction patterns measured by an array of photodetectors as intensity per unit area and recorded as relative volume for 92 size-related channels (bins). The bin boundaries are determined by the manufacturer and GRADISTAT groups the data from the bins into sediment-size classifications. Individual run statistics for all sample are available upon request for detailed grain-size distribution analyses. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

   Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   (727) 502-8000 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov

   Date: 2021 (process 4 of 5)

   The raw grain-size data were processed with the free software program, GRADISTAT version 8, (Blott and Pye, 2001), which calculates the mean, median, sorting, skewness, and kurtosis of each sample geometrically in metric units and logarithmically in phi units (Φ) (Krumbien, 1934) using a modified Folk and Ward (1957) scale. GRADISTAT also calculates the fraction of sediment from each sample by size category (for example, clay, coarse silt, fine sand) based on Friedman and Saunders (1978), a modified Wentworth (1922) size scale. A macro function in Microsoft Excel, developed by the USGS SPCMSC, was applied to the data to calculate the average and standard deviation for each sample set (4 runs per set, 8 runs per sample), and highlight runs that varied from the set average by more than ± 1.5 standard deviations. Excessive deviations from the mean are likely the result of equipment error or extraneous organic material in the sample and are not considered representative of the sample. The highlighted runs were removed from the results, and the sample average was recalculated using the remaining runs. The averaged results for all samples, including the number of averaged runs and the standard deviation of the averaged results were summarized in an of Excel workbook. A comma-separated values data file containing the tabular data in plain text is included in the download file. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

   Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   (727) 502-8000 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • 17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.xlsx
   • 17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.csv

   Date: 2019 (process 5 of 5)

   Dried, ground sediment from the surface samples were analyzed for the detection of radionuclides by standard gamma-ray spectrometry (Cutshall and Larsen, 1986) at the USGS SPCMSC radioisotope lab. The sediments were sealed in airtight polypropylene containers with plumbers' tape around the threads for the planar detectors. The sample weights and counting container geometries were matched to pre-determined calibration standards. The sealed samples were stored for a minimum of 3 weeks prior to analysis to allow radium-226 (Ra-226) to come into secular equilibrium with its progeny isotopes lead-214 (Pb-214) and bismuth-214 (Bi-214). The sealed samples were then counted for 24-200 hours on a 16 x 40-millimeter well or 50-millimeter diameter planar-style, low energy, high-purity germanium, gamma-ray spectrometer. The suite of naturally occurring and anthropogenic radioisotopes measured along with their corresponding photopeak energies in kiloelectron volts (keV) are lead-210 (Pb-210; 46.5 keV), thorium-234 (Th-234; 63.3 keV), Pb-214 (295.7 and 352.5 keV; proxies for Ra-226), Bi-214 (609.3 keV; proxy for Ra-226), cesium-137 (Cs-137; 661.6 keV), and potassium-40 (K-40; 1640.8 keV). Sample count rates were corrected for detector efficiency determined with International Atomic Energy Agency RGU-1 reference material, standard photopeak intensity, and self-absorption using a uranium-238 (U-238) sealed source (planar detectors only, Cutshall and others, 1983). All activities, with the exception of short-lived Pb-214 and Bi-214, were decay-corrected to the date of field collection. The radioisotopic activities reported in the Excel spreadsheet include the counting error for all samples; results from each core are on its own tab. Throughout the data, ND stands for Not Detectable, indicating the radioisotope activity for that interval was lower than the critical level. The critical level (Lc) is reported for each core. A comma-separated values data file containing the tabular data in plain text is included in the download file. Person who carried out this activity:
   

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

   Attn: Marci E. Marot

   Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   U.S.

   (727) 502-8000 (voice)

   mmarot@usgs.gov

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • 17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.xlsx
   • 17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.csv

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
   Blott, S.J. and Pye, K., 20010928, Gradistat: A grain size distribution and statistics package for the analysis of unconsolidated sediments: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Volume 26, Issue 11.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.261

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 1237-1248
   

   Cutshall, N.H., and Larsen, I.L., 198607, Calibration of a portable intrinsic Ge gamma-ray detector using point sources and testing for field applications: Health Physics Volume 51, Issue 1.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-198607000-00004

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 53-59
   

   Cutshall, N.H., Larsen, I.L., and Olsen, C.R., 19830215, Direct analysis of Pb-210 in sediment samples: a self-absorption corrections: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Volume 206, Issues 1-2.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-5087(83)91273-5

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 309-312
   

   Folk, R.L, and Ward, W.C., 19570301, Brazos River bar: a study in the significance of grain size parameters: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Volume 27, No. 1.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1306/74D70646-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 3-26
   

   Krumbien, W.C., 19340801, Size frequency distributions of sediments: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Volume 4, No. 2.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1306/D4268EB9-2B26-11D7-8648000102C1865D

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 65-77
   

   Wentworth, C.K., 1922, A scale of grade and class terms for clastic sediments: Journal of Geology Volume 30, No. 5.

   Online Links:

   • https://www.jstor.org/stable/30063207

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 377-392
   

   Friedman, G.M., and Saunders, J.E., 1978, Principles of Sedimentology.

   Other_Citation_Details: 792 pages
   

   Smith, K.E.L., Terrano, J.F., Khan, N.S., and Stalk, C.A., 20200226, Shore proximal sediment deposition, elevation, turbidity, and water level data for four sites in the coastal marsh at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, from October 2016 through October 2017: U.S. Geological Survey data release P9BFR2US.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BFR2US

   Dean, W.E., 19740301, Determination of carbonate and organic matter in calcareous sediments and sediment rocks by loss on ignition: comparison with other methods: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Volume 44, No. 1.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1306/74D729D2-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 242-248
   

   Galle, O.K., and Runnels, R.T., 19601201, Determination of CO2 in carbonate rocks by controlled loss on ignition: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Volume 30, No. 4.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1306/74D70ABF-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 613-618
   

   Santisteban, J.I., Mediavilla, R., Lopez-Pamo, E., Dabrio, C.J., Blanca Ruiz Zapata, M., Garcia, M.J.G., Castano, S., and Martinez-Alfaro, P.E., 200410, Loss on ignition: a qualitative or quantitative method for organic matter and carbonate mineral content in sediments?: Journal of Paleolimnology Volume 32.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOPL.0000042999.30131.5b

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 287-299
   

   Wang, Q., Li, Y., and Wang, Y., 201103, Optimizing the weight loss-on-ignition methodology to quantify organic and carbonate carbon of sediments from diverse sources: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Volume 174.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1454-z

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 241-257
   

   Heiri, O., Lotter, A.F., and Lemcke, G., 200101, Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content in sediments: reproducibility and comparability of results: Journal of Paleolimnology Volume 25.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008119611481

   Other_Citation_Details: Pages 101-110
   

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   The positional accuracy of the sample locations is determined by the accuracy of the raw position data recorded by the GPS and antenna, in the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) and National Geodetic Survey 12A (GEOID12A) datum, during data collection. DGPS coordinates were obtained using post-processing software packages National Geodetic Survey On-Line Positioning User Service (OPUS), and Waypoint Product Group GrafNav, version 8.5. The grain size data represent the sample averages for a subset of the statistical parameters calculated by GRADISTAT (a particle-size analysis software). The number of runs included in the averaged results are reported, and the standard deviation of the averaged results are reported for most parameters. The gamma spectroscopic radioisotope activities reported include the counting error for all samples. The critical level for gamma spectroscopy is reported for each core set.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   All static GPS base station sessions were processed through OPUS, maintained by NGS. Base station positional error was calculated as the absolute value of the final position minus the session position value. The maximum horizontal error of the base station coordinates used for post-processing the sample locations were 0.00054 seconds latitude and 0.00036 seconds longitude. For more information, see Smith and others, 2020.
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   All static GPS base station sessions were processed through OPUS. Base station positional error for each GPS session was calculated as the absolute value of the final position minus the session position value. For all base station occupations, the maximum horizontal standard deviation for 189A was 0.012 meters, and the maximum vertical error was 0.029 meters.
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   This data release doi:10.5066/P9BLFW2G contains all sediment data associated with sediment samples collected during USGS FAN 2017-315-FA (altFAN 17CCT02), including site location, grain-size, loss on ignition, and gamma spectroscopy data for surficial samples collected along two 35-meter transects within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   The grain-size sample runs in the GRADISTAT output files for which the mean grain size varied from the set average by more than 1.5 standard deviations were excluded from the final averaged results. No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted on the remaining datasets.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

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

   727-502-8000 (voice)

   aellis@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable data
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
   This publication was prepared by an agency of the United States Government. 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. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.
4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	This zip archive includes Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx), comma-separated values text files (.csv) and accompanying metadata for sediment data from surface samples collected from the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (USGS FAN 2017-315-FA). in format data download WinZip, 7-Zip
     Network links:	https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9BLFW2G/data/17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.zip https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9BLFW2G/data/17CCT02_Transect_LOI.zip https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9BLFW2G/data/17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.zip https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9BLFW2G/data/17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.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 data tables for USGS FAN 2017-315-FA were created in Microsoft Excel and can be opened using Microsoft Excel 2007 or higher. The data tables are also provided as comma-separated values text files (.csv). The .csv data file contains the tabular data in plain text and may be viewed with a standard text editor.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 18-Apr-2022

Metadata author:

U.S. Geological Survey

Attn: Alisha M. Ellis

Geologist

600 4th Street South

St. Petersburg, FL

USA

727-502-8000 (voice)

aellis@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

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