Metadata: Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Alisha M. Ellis Publication_Date: 20220418 Title: Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Multimedia presentation Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Alisha M. Ellis Originator: Christopher G. Smith Originator: Joseph M. Vargas Originator: Cheyenne S. Everhart Publication_Date: 20220418 Title: Sediment and Radiochemical Characteristics from Shore-Perpendicular Estuarine and Marsh Transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Series_Information: Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey data release Issue_Identification: doi:10.5066/P9BLFW2G Publication_Information: Publication_Place: St. Petersburg, FL Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BLFW2G Description: Abstract: To examine sediment transport and provenance between a marsh and estuary, surface sediments were collected along two transects in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi (GNDNERR). Each shore-perpendicular transect consisted of fifteen surface samples, collected every 2.5 meters (m) from 10-m out into the estuary to 25-m into the marsh from the shoreline. Sediment samples were analyzed for their physical and radiochemical properties or signatures. Sediment samples were collected during U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) field activity number (FAN) 2017-315-FA (alternate FAN, [altFAN] 17CCT02) in April 2017. Marsh and estuarine surface samples were collected as part of the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) Estuarine-MaRsh Geology (EMRG) research project. Please read the full metadata for details on data collection, dataset variables, and data quality. Purpose: In April 2017, surface sediments were collected along transects at two sites (referred to as Site 1 and Site 3) to assess sediment characteristics (grain size) and radiochemical properties for the determination of sediment provenance. Supplemental_Information: The field visit was assigned a Field Activity Number (FAN) by the USGS SPCMSC to assist with dataset tracking. Data presented in this data release are from 2017-315-FA (also known as altFAN 17CCT02). Additional survey and data details are available from the USGS Marine Geoscience Data System (CMGDS) at, https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/. Please read the full metadata for details on data collection, dataset variables, and data quality. Position and elevation data were recorded using Ashtech Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) receivers and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antennas. Thirty second occupations occurred at each survey point, with a recording interval of 1 second. An additional DGPS receiver, recorded concurrent static data at a benchmark location within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GNDNERR): National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Permanent Identifier (PID) DO5977, stamping 189A 2012 located near the railroad tracks at the entrance of the Refuge. The differential positioning of all acquired survey points was obtained through the post processing of the rover data to the base station data using GrafNav version 8.5 (Waypoint Product Group). This dataset was transformed from the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) acquisition datum and ellipsoid height, to NAD83 and North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) orthometric height using the GEOID 12A model (NOAA NGS VDatum software version 3.4 - http://vdatum.noaa.gov/). Any use of trade names herein was only for descriptive purposes and does not imply endorsement by the US Government. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Single_Date/Time: Calendar_Date: 20170421 Currentness_Reference: ground condition Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.41217 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.39639 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.38359 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.37584 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier Theme_Keyword: USGS:68e17517-1a2c-4536-ae97-38438e138000 Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category Theme_Keyword: environment Theme_Keyword: oceans Theme_Keyword: geoscientificinformation Theme_Keyword: elevation Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: unconsolidated deposits Theme_Keyword: geology Theme_Keyword: coastal processes Theme_Keyword: transect sampling Theme_Keyword: GPS measurement Theme_Keyword: chemical analysis Theme_Keyword: grain-size analysis Theme_Keyword: uranium-lead analysis Theme_Keyword: earth sciences Theme_Keyword: estuarine processes Theme_Keyword: lead Theme_Keyword: cesium Theme_Keyword: radium Theme_Keyword: potassium Theme_Keyword: thorium Theme_Keyword: geology Theme_Keyword: field sampling Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: sediment Theme_Keyword: gamma spectroscopy Theme_Keyword: radiochemistry Theme_Keyword: surface sample Theme_Keyword: lead-210 Theme_Keyword: sediment tracer Theme_Keyword: sediment transport Theme_Keyword: radium-226 Theme_Keyword: pb-210 Theme_Keyword: ra-226 Theme_Keyword: potassium-40 Theme_Keyword: thorium-234 Theme_Keyword: cesium-137 Theme_Keyword: cs-137 Theme_Keyword: th-234 Theme_Keyword: k-40 Theme_Keyword: physical parameters Theme_Keyword: grain size Theme_Keyword: GRADISTAT Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Theme_Keyword: USGS Theme_Keyword: St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center Theme_Keyword: SPCMSC Theme_Keyword: deposition Theme_Keyword: marsh Theme_Keyword: estuary Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Place_Keyword: GNDNERR Place_Keyword: NERR Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Common Geographic Areas (CGA) Place_Keyword: Gulf of Mexico Place_Keyword: United States Place_Keyword: Mississippi Stratum: Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Stratum_Keyword: sediment Stratum_Keyword: surface 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. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Person: Alisha M. Ellis Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and physical Address: 600 4th Street South City: St. Petersburg State_or_Province: FL Postal_Code: 33701 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 727-502-8000 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: aellis@usgs.gov Data_Set_Credit: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center Native_Data_Set_Environment: Windows 10 Enterprise version 20H2; Microsoft 365 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Blott, S.J. and Pye, K. Publication_Date: 20010928 Title: Gradistat: A grain size distribution and statistics package for the analysis of unconsolidated sediments Edition: Version 8.0 Series_Information: Series_Name: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Issue_Identification: Volume 26, Issue 11 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 1237-1248 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.261 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Cutshall, N.H., and Larsen, I.L. Publication_Date: 198607 Title: Calibration of a portable intrinsic Ge gamma-ray detector using point sources and testing for field applications Series_Information: Series_Name: Health Physics Issue_Identification: Volume 51, Issue 1 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 53-59 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-198607000-00004 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Cutshall, N.H., Larsen, I.L., and Olsen, C.R. Publication_Date: 19830215 Title: Direct analysis of Pb-210 in sediment samples: a self-absorption corrections Series_Information: Series_Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Issue_Identification: Volume 206, Issues 1-2 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 309-312 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-5087(83)91273-5 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Folk, R.L, and Ward, W.C. Publication_Date: 19570301 Title: Brazos River bar: a study in the significance of grain size parameters Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Issue_Identification: Volume 27, No. 1 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 3-26 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1306/74D70646-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Krumbien, W.C. Publication_Date: 19340801 Title: Size frequency distributions of sediments Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Issue_Identification: Volume 4, No. 2 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 65-77 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1306/D4268EB9-2B26-11D7-8648000102C1865D Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Wentworth, C.K. Publication_Date: 1922 Title: A scale of grade and class terms for clastic sediments Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Geology Issue_Identification: Volume 30, No. 5 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 377-392 Online_Linkage: https://www.jstor.org/stable/30063207 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Friedman, G.M., and Saunders, J.E. Publication_Date: 1978 Title: Principles of Sedimentology Other_Citation_Details: 792 pages Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Smith, K.E.L., Terrano, J.F., Khan, N.S., and Stalk, C.A. Publication_Date: 20200226 Title: 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 Series_Information: Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey data release Issue_Identification: P9BFR2US Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BFR2US Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Dean, W.E. Publication_Date: 19740301 Title: Determination of carbonate and organic matter in calcareous sediments and sediment rocks by loss on ignition: comparison with other methods Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Issue_Identification: Volume 44, No. 1 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 242-248 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1306/74D729D2-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Galle, O.K., and Runnels, R.T. Publication_Date: 19601201 Title: Determination of CO2 in carbonate rocks by controlled loss on ignition Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology Issue_Identification: Volume 30, No. 4 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 613-618 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1306/74D70ABF-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: 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. Publication_Date: 200410 Title: Loss on ignition: a qualitative or quantitative method for organic matter and carbonate mineral content in sediments? Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Paleolimnology Issue_Identification: Volume 32 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 287-299 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOPL.0000042999.30131.5b Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Wang, Q., Li, Y., and Wang, Y. Publication_Date: 201103 Title: Optimizing the weight loss-on-ignition methodology to quantify organic and carbonate carbon of sediments from diverse sources Series_Information: Series_Name: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Issue_Identification: Volume 174 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 241-257 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1454-z Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Heiri, O., Lotter, A.F., and Lemcke, G. Publication_Date: 200101 Title: Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content in sediments: reproducibility and comparability of results Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Paleolimnology Issue_Identification: Volume 25 Other_Citation_Details: Pages 101-110 Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008119611481 Data_Quality_Information: Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: 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. Logical_Consistency_Report: 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. Completeness_Report: 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. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: 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. Vertical_Positional_Accuracy: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: 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. Lineage: Process_Step: Process_Description: 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. Process_Date: 20170424 Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: 17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.xlsx Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: 17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.csv Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: Christopher G. Smith Contact_Position: Researcher Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and physical Address: 600 4th Street South City: St. Petersburg State_or_Province: FL Postal_Code: 33701 Country: U.S. Contact_Voice_Telephone: (727) 502-8000 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: cgsmith@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: 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. Process_Date: 2022 Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: 17CCT02_Transect_LOI.xlsx Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: 17CCT02_Transect_LOI.csv Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: Alisha M. Ellis Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and physical Address: 600 4th Street South City: St. Petersburg State_or_Province: FL Postal_Code: 33701 Country: U.S. Contact_Voice_Telephone: (727) 502-8000 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: aellis@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: 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. Process_Date: 2021 Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Person: Alisha M. Ellis Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and physical Address: 600 4th Street South City: St. Petersburg State_or_Province: FL Postal_Code: 33701 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: (727) 502-8000 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: aellis@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: 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. Process_Date: 2021 Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: 17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.xlsx Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: 17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.csv Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Person: Alisha M. Ellis Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address: 600 4th Street South City: St. Petersburg State_or_Province: FL Postal_Code: 33701 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: (727) 502-8000 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: aellis@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: 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. Process_Date: 2019 Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: 17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.xlsx Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: 17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.csv Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: Marci E. Marot Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and physical Address: 600 4th Street South City: St. Petersburg State_or_Province: FL Postal_Code: 33701 Country: U.S. Contact_Voice_Telephone: (727) 502-8000 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: mmarot@usgs.gov Spatial_Data_Organization_Information: Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Geographic: Latitude_Resolution: 0.0197459685 Longitude_Resolution: 0.0258684611 Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal Degrees Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum 1983 Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80 Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 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 Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.xlsx Entity_Type_Definition: 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). Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USGS Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.csv Entity_Type_Definition: 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). Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute: Attribute_Label: Site ID Attribute_Definition: Site identifier assigned by USGS scientist consisting of a single-digit number. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Represents site 1. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 3 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Represents site 3. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute: Attribute_Label: Sample ID Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string Attribute: Attribute_Label: Distance from Shoreline (m) Attribute_Definition: Distance identifier Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -10 Range_Domain_Maximum: 25 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute: Attribute_Label: Date Collected (mm/dd/yy) Attribute_Definition: Date identifier Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 04/21/2017 Range_Domain_Maximum: 04/21/2017 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: mm/dd/yyyy Attribute: Attribute_Label: Latitude (NAD83) Attribute_Definition: Latitude of station location, in decimal degrees (North American Datum of 1983). Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 30.37584 Range_Domain_Maximum: 30.38359 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal degrees Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.00001 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Longitude (NAD83) Attribute_Definition: Longitude of site location, in decimal degrees (North American Datum of 1983). Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -88.41217 Range_Domain_Maximum: -88.39639 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal degrees Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.00001 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Elevation (m, NAVD88 G12A) Attribute_Definition: Elevation of site location, in meters (North American Vertical Datum of 1988, Geoid 12A). Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -0.434 Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.409 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.001 Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 17CCT02_Transect_LOI.xlsx Entity_Type_Definition: 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. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USGS Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 17CCT02_Transect_LOI.csv Entity_Type_Definition: 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). Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute: Attribute_Label: Sample ID Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string Attribute: Attribute_Label: Depth (cm) Attribute_Definition: Depth of surface sample, in centimeters. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0-1 Range_Domain_Maximum: 0-1 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: centimeters Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Loss On Ignition (g-OM/g-dry) Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0080 Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.2194 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Grams of organic matter per grams of dry sediment Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.0001 Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.xlsx Entity_Type_Definition: 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. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USGS Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.csv Entity_Type_Definition: 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. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute: Attribute_Label: Site ID Attribute_Definition: Site identifier assigned by USGS scientist consisting of a single-digit number. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Represents site 1. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 3 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Represents site 3. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute: Attribute_Label: Sample ID Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string Attribute: Attribute_Label: Distance from Shoreline (m) Attribute_Definition: Distance identifier Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -10 Range_Domain_Maximum: 25 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute: Attribute_Label: Cs-137 Activity (dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.13 Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.93 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Cs-137 Error (+/- dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: The counting error associated with the total activity of cesium-137 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.04 Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.09 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Pb-210 Activity (dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 1.12 Range_Domain_Maximum: 9.75 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Pb-210 Error (+/- dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: The counting error associated with the total activity of lead-210 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.22 Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.66 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Ra-226 Activity (dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.81 Range_Domain_Maximum: 1.96 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Ra-226 Error (+/- dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: The counting error associated with the total activity of radium-226 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.05 Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.15 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Th-234 Activity (dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.88 Range_Domain_Maximum: 4.84 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Th-234 Error (+/- dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: The counting error associated with the total activity of thorium-234 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.21 Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.58 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: K-40 Activity (dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: 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. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 4.76 Range_Domain_Maximum: 27.46 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: K-40 Error (+/- dpm/g) Attribute_Definition: The counting error associated with the total activity of potassium-40 for each surface sample in disintegrations per minute per gram of sediment. Attribute_Definition_Source: USGS Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.55 Range_Domain_Maximum: 1.73 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Disintegrations per minute per gram Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.xlsx Entity_Type_Definition: 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. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USGS Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.csv Entity_Type_Definition: 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. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: USGS Overview_Description: 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. Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: Alisha M. Ellis Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and physical Address: 600 4th Street South City: St. Petersburg State_or_Province: FL Postal_Code: 33701 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 727-502-8000 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: aellis@usgs.gov Resource_Description: Downloadable data Distribution_Liability: 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. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: data download Format_Version_Date: 2022 Format_Specification: WinZip, 7-Zip Format_Information_Content: 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). File_Decompression_Technique: Unzip Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9BLFW2G/data/17CCT02_Transect_SiteInfo.zip Network_Resource_Name: https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9BLFW2G/data/17CCT02_Transect_LOI.zip Network_Resource_Name: https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9BLFW2G/data/17CCT02_Transect_GrainSize.zip Network_Resource_Name: https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-P9BLFW2G/data/17CCT02_Transect_Radiochemistry.zip Fees: None, if obtained online Technical_Prerequisites: 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. Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20220418 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Person: Alisha M. Ellis Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and physical Address: 600 4th Street South City: St. Petersburg State_or_Province: FL Postal_Code: 33701 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 727-502-8000 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: aellis@usgs.gov Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998 Metadata_Access_Constraints: None Metadata_Use_Constraints: Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Metadata_Security_Information: Metadata_Security_Classification_System: None Metadata_Security_Classification: Unclassified Metadata_Security_Handling_Description: None