Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Foraminifera Data

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title: Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Foraminifera Data
Abstract:
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a sediment trap (McLane PARFLUX 78H) mooring in the northern Gulf of Mexico (27.5 °N and 90.3°W, water depth 1150 meters [m]) in January 2008 to collect seasonal time-series data on the flux and assemblage composition of planktic foraminifers. The trap was positioned in the water column at a depth of 700 m on the mooring cable to enable the collection of deeper dwelling species of planktic foraminifera. The trap contains 21 collection cups that were programmed to rotate every 7 to 14 days (resulting in weekly to biweekly sampling resolution). Upon retrieval, samples were subsequently wet split into four aliquots using a precision rotary splitter, stored in buffered deionized water, and refrigerated. A quarter split was wet sieved over a 150-micron (μm) sieve and subsequently wet picked for all foraminifers. In samples containing fewer than 300 foraminifers in the first quarter split, an additional split was processed and picked in its entirety. The counts were then summed. All planktic foraminifers were identified to the species level. This report gives information on the raw counts and foraminifera flux (tests m−2 day−1) through May 2014. Flux was calculated based on the total number of foraminifera for each sub-sample, the fraction of the total sample used, the duration (days) the sediment trap was opened and collecting data for a given sample, and the aperture area of the sediment trap (0.5 meter-squared [m2]). The sediment trap mooring is currently deployed, and foraminifera data will be updated as new samples are processed.
Supplemental_Information:
Field Activity Numbers (FANs) are unique identifiers assigned by the USGS to provide more information about the activities conducted in the field for a study. Refer to the data files for a complete list of associated FANs for this data release. Please visit the Coastal and Marine Geoscience Data System (CMGDS) field activity webpage for more information about each FAN related to this dataset. To view field activity details for any of the datasets included in this data release, replace the FAN (09CEV02) in the following url with the FAN of interest (for example, 10CEV01): https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=09CEV02. This data release (Reynolds and Richey, 2023) includes data from previously published releases by Reynolds and others (2018) and Richey and others (2019). The raw counts and flux data were withdrawn from those two data releases, as the sediment trap foraminifera flux were incorrectly calculated per 0.5 m2 area instead of 1 m2. The corrected data has been provided in this data release and will continue to be updated as more samples are collected.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Reynolds, Caitlin E., and Richey, Julie N., 20230911, Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Foraminifera Data:.

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Reynolds, Caitlin E., and Richey, Julie N., 20230911, Gulf of Mexico Sediment Trap Foraminifera Data: U.S. Geological Survey data release doi:10.5066/P9O76R8R, U.S. Geological Survey - St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, Florida.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -90.49
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -90.30
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 28.38
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 27.50
    Description_of_Geographic_Extent: northern Gulf of Mexico
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 18-Jan-2008
    Ending_Date: 25-May-2014
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Point (244)
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    The entity and attribute descriptions for the GMT_foraminifera_data_Flux and GMT_foraminifera_data_RawCounts datasets (.xlsx and .csv) included in this data release (Reynolds and Richey, 2023) are detailed in a data dictionary (Data_Dictionary_GMT_foraminifera.docx). A copy of the data files and data dictionary are included in the data zip file (GMT_foraminifera_data.zip). These metadata are not complete without this file, and users should refer to the Data Dictionary when viewing the data files.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
    Reynolds, C.E., and Richey, J.N., 2023, Gulf of Mexico sediment trap foraminifera data: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9O76R8R.
  8. What biological taxa does this data set concern?
    Taxonomy:
    Keywords/Taxon:
    Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Biocomplexity Thesaurus
    Taxonomic_Keywords: Protists
    Taxonomic_System:
    Classification_System/Authority:
    Classification_System_Citation:
    Citation_Information:
    Originator: Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
    Publication_Date: 2022
    Title: Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: ONLINE_REFERENCE
    Publication_Information:
    Publication_Place: Washington, D.C.
    Publisher: Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
    Online_Linkage: http://itis.gov
    Identifier:
    Contact_Information:
    Contact_Person_Primary:
    Contact_Person: Caitlin E. Reynolds
    Contact_Organization: Southeast Region: ST. PETE COASTAL & MARINE SC
    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: US
    Contact_Voice_Telephone: 727-502-8046
    Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: creynolds@usgs.gov
    Taxonomic_Procedures: expert advice;;identification keys;;specimen processing
    Taxonomic_Completeness:
    All planktic foraminifera were collected and identified under the microscope by trained scientists. No ambiguous individuals were used to ensure correct species identification.
    General_Taxonomic_Coverage: Planktic foraminifera were collected and identified to species.
    Taxonomic_Classification:
    Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
    Taxon_Rank_Value: Protozoa
    Taxonomic_Classification:
    Taxon_Rank_Name: Phylum
    Taxon_Rank_Value: Protozoa
    Taxonomic_Classification:
    Taxon_Rank_Name: Subphylum
    Taxon_Rank_Value: Sarcodina
    Taxonomic_Classification:
    Taxon_Rank_Name: Superclass
    Taxon_Rank_Value: Rhizopoda
    Taxonomic_Classification:
    Taxon_Rank_Name: Class
    Taxon_Rank_Value: Granuloreticulosea
    Taxonomic_Classification:
    Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
    Taxon_Rank_Value: Foraminiferida
    Taxonomic_Classification:
    Taxon_Rank_Name: Suborder
    Taxon_Rank_Value: Rotaliina

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Reynolds, Caitlin E.
    • Richey, Julie N.
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Caitlin E. Reynolds
    Southeast Region: ST. PETE COASTAL & MARINE SC
    Geologist
    600 4Th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    US

    727-502-8046 (voice)
    creynolds@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

Sediment trap studies help scientists better understand the environmental factors (e.g., temperature, salinity, ocean circulation, nutrient supply, etc.) that control the chemical composition, ecology, and life history of planktonic organisms living in the water column. These planktonic organisms, preserved in ocean sediments as microfossils or molecular fossils, can be used to reconstruct oceanographic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico over the past few centuries to the past few millions of years. Scientists at the USGS use a long-running sediment trap (since 2008) in the northern Gulf of Mexico to calibrate foraminifera, biomarker, and other micropaleontological proxies for use in climate reconstructions.

How was the data set created?

  1. What methods were used to collect the data?
    Method 0 of 1
    Type: field and laboratory
    A McLane PARFLUX Mark 78 automated sediment trap was deployed in early January 2008 at approximately 27.5 °N and 90.3 °W, in about 1,150 meters (m) of water. The trap was positioned in the water column at a depth of 700 m on the mooring cable to guarantee the collection of deeper dwelling species of planktic foraminifers. The trap was equipped with 21 collection cups mounted on a rotating plate that was programmed to rotate every 7 to 14 days (representing a 1- or 2-week collection period). Following retrieval of samples from January 2008 to late May 2009, sample cups were filled with a buffered formalin solution made with seawater filtered at 0.44 micrometers (μm) and with an ambient salinity of approximately 33 psu (practical salinity unit). Following retrieval of samples from September 2009 through 2014, sample cups were filled with a density-gradient solution with a salinity of approximately 44 psu. Formalin (3.7 percent) and sodium borate were added to the density-gradient solution to poison and preserve the samples for all years (2008-2014) of the study. Further details on this methodology can be found in Tedesco and others (2009).
  2. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    Reynolds and others (2018) (source 1 of 2)
    Reynolds, C.E., Richey, J.N., Fehrenbacher, J.S., Rosenheim, B.E., and Spero, H.J., 20180406, Globorotalia truncatulinoides Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, FL.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: comma-delimited text
    Source_Contribution:
    The G. truncatulinoides raw counts and flux dataset (Raw_Counts_and_Flux_Data.csv) was obtained from version 1.0 of the data release and the sediment trap foraminifera flux and counts were corrected to a 1 m2 area.
    Richey and others (2019) (source 2 of 2)
    Richey, J.N., Thirumalai, T., Khider, D., Reynolds, C.E., Partin, J., and Quinn, T.M., 20190211, Globigerinoides ruber Sediment Trap Data in the Gulf of Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, FL.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: comma-delimited text
    Source_Contribution:
    The G. ruber flux dataset (G_ruber_Flux.csv) was obtained from version 1.0 of the data release and the sediment trap foraminifera flux and counts were corrected to a 1 m2 area.
  3. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 29-Jun-2023 (process 1 of 2)
    Sediment-trap samples were processed and analyzed at the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C., under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey. Samples were wet split into four aliquots using a precision rotary splitter, stored in buffered de-ionized water, and refrigerated. A quarter split was wet sieved over a 150-μm sieve and subsequently wet picked for all foraminifers. In samples containing fewer than 300 foraminifers in the first quarter split, an additional quarter split was processed and picked. The counts were then summed. All planktic foraminifers were identified to species level. Species taxonomy, descriptions, photos, and references can be found online at Young and others (2017). The species counts are reported as flux in tests per square meter per day (tests m–2 day–1). Flux was calculated by multiplying the individual species counts by number of splits, then dividing by the total duration of the sampling period, which was typically 7 or 14 days, and multiplying by 2 to account for the aperture area of the sediment trap (0.5m2).
    Date: 29-Jun-2023 (process 2 of 2)
    The G. truncatulinoides raw counts and flux (Raw_Counts_and_Flux_Data) and the G. ruber flux datasets (G_ruber_Flux) were obtained from version 1.0 of the data releases and the sediment trap foraminifera flux and counts were corrected to a 1 m2 area. These corrected data from Reynolds and others (2018) and Richey and others (2019) were collated into this data release (Reynolds and Richey, 2023) and withdrawn from their original publications, respectively. Data sources used in this process:
    • Raw_Counts_and_Flux_Data
    • G_ruber_Flux
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • GMT_foraminifera_data_Flux
    • GMT_foraminifera_data_RawCounts
  4. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Tedesco, K.A., Spear, J.W., Tappa, Eric, and Poore, R.Z., 2009, Seasonal Flux and Assemblage Composition of Planktic Foraminifera from the Northern Gulf of Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1293, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Young, J.R., Wade, B.S., & Huber B.T. (eds), 20170421, pforams@mikrotax - Introduction: mikrotrax, Online.

    Online Links:

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    All attribute values were determined to be accurate, please refer to the Process Steps of this metadata record for more information.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    The geographic location of the sediment trap and seawater samples were obtained using a Global Positioning System (GPS) aboard a research vessel. A formal accuracy assessment of the horizontal positional information in the data set has not been conducted or is unknown.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    A formal accuracy assessment of the vertical positional information in the data set has not been conducted or is unknown.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Data set is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    All attribute values were determined to be accurate, please refer to the Process Steps of this metadata record for more information.

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 None
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Caitlin E. Reynolds
    Southeast Region: ST. PETE COASTAL & MARINE SC
    Geologist
    600 4Th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    US

    727-502-8046 (voice)
    creynolds@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? GMT_foraminifera_data_Flux.csv, GMT_foraminifera_data_Flux.xlsx, GMT_foraminifera_data_RawCounts.csv, GMT_foraminifera_data_RawCounts.xlsx
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system, or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution imply any such warranty. The U.S. Geological Survey shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and (or) contained herein. Any use of trade, firm, or product name is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 11-Sep-2023
Metadata author:
Caitlin E. Reynolds
Southeast Region: ST. PETE COASTAL & MARINE SC
Geologist
600 4Th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL
US

727-502-8046 (voice)
creynolds@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001.1-1999)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/spcmsc/GMT_foraminifera_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Tue Sep 12 10:42:11 2023