Uranium-Thorium Ages for Late Holocene Corals from the Southeast Florida Nearshore Ridge Complex

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Uranium-Thorium Ages for Late Holocene Corals from the Southeast Florida Nearshore Ridge Complex
Abstract:
This data release (Modys and others, 2023a) compiles Uranium-Thorium (U-Th) dating data for late Holocene coral samples collected from the Nearshore Ridge Complex (NRC) off Pompano Beach, Southeast Florida (SEFL). The samples were collected under Scientific Activity Licenses (SAL) from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (SAL-18-1659A-SRP) and with permission from Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Modys, Alexander B., Toth, Lauren T., Mortlock, Richard A., and Oleinik, Anton E., 20230714, Uranium-Thorium Ages for Late Holocene Corals from the Southeast Florida Nearshore Ridge Complex:.

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Modys, Alexander B., Toth, Lauren T., Mortlock, Richard A., and Oleinik, Anton E., 20230714, Uranium-Thorium Ages for Late Holocene Corals from the Southeast Florida Nearshore Ridge Complex: U.S. Geological Survey data release doi:10.5066/P9VTNG2N, U.S. Geological Survey - St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, FL.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 2023a
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -80.086200
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -80.083350
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 26.229320
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 26.216440
    Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
    Nearshore Ridge Complex off Pompano Beach in northern Broward County, FL
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 01-Jun-2014
    Ending_Date: 31-Aug-2022
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    Late_Holocene_coral_data_from_SEFL_NRC
    Comma-separated values (.csv) and Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) files containing Uranium-Thorium data for Late Holocene corals collected along the Nearshore Ridge Complex, off Pompano Beach, Southeast Florida. (Source: USGS)
    Sample ID
    Unique identifier (ID) for each coral sample dated in this study. (Source: USGS) The sample IDs are a combination of an abbreviation of the site name (PMP or PT=Pompano) and a unique sample number and/or letter combination.
    Taxon
    The taxa of the dated coral sample, identified to the species level. (Source: USGS)
    ValueDefinition
    Acropora palmataThe sample was collected from an Acropora palmata coral skeleton.
    Orbicella annularisThe sample was collected from an Orbicella annularis coral skeleton.
    Dendrogyra cylindrusThe sample was collected from a Dendrogyra cylindrus coral skeleton.
    Pseudodiploria strigosaThe sample was collected from a Pseudodiploria strigosa coral skeleton.
    Colpophylia natansThe sample was collected from an Colpophylia natans coral skeleton.
    Acropora cervicornisThe sample was collected from an Acropora cervicornis coral skeleton.
    Acropora proliferaThe sample was collected from an Acropora prolifera coral skeleton.
    delta-234U initial
    Corrected initial δ234U (delta-234U initial) in the sample. U=Uranium (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:143.2
    Maximum:154.6
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.1
    delta-234U initial uncertainty (2-sigma)
    2 standard error (2-sigma) corrected initial δ234U (delta-234U initial) in the sample. U=Uranium (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.4
    Maximum:1.1
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.1
    U (ppm)
    The measured concentration of the 238U isotope (Uranium-238) in the sample in parts per million (ppm). (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2.357
    Maximum:3.903
    Units:parts per million (ppm)
    Resolution:0.001
    U (ppm) uncertainty (2-sigma)
    The 2-standard error (2 SE) analytical uncertainty of the measured 238U (Uranium 238) isotope in the sample in parts per million (ppm). (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.001
    Maximum:0.003
    Units:parts per million (ppm)
    Resolution:0.001
    232Th (ppt)
    The measured concentration of the 232Th (232-Thorium) isotope in the sample in parts per thousand (ppt). (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:28
    Maximum:584
    Units:parts per thousand (ppt)
    Resolution:1
    232Th (ppt) uncertainty (2-sigma)
    The 2-standard error (2-sigma) analytical uncertainty of the measured 232Th (232-Thorium) isotope in the sample in parts per thousand (ppt). (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:12
    Units:parts per thousand (ppt)
    Resolution:0.1
    [234U/238U]
    The 234U/238U (234-Uranium to 238-Uranium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.142
    Maximum:1.505
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.001
    [234U/238U] uncertainty (2-sigma)
    The 2-standard error (2-sigma) uncertainty in 234U/238U (234-Uranium to 238-Uranium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0003
    Maximum:0.0008
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.0001
    [230Th/232Th]
    The 230Th/232Th (230-Thorium to 232-Thorium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:285.3
    Maximum:9501.0
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.1
    [230Th/232Th] uncertainty (2-sigma)
    The 2-standard error (2-sigma) uncertainty in the 230Th/232Th (230-Thorium to 232-Thorium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.9
    Maximum:299.0
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.1
    [238U/232Th]
    The 238U/232Th (238-Uranium to 232-Thorium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:12339
    Maximum:348999
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:1
    [238U/232Th] uncertainty (2-sigma)
    The 2-standard error (2-sigma) uncertainty in the 238U/232Th (238-Uranium to 232-Thorium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:22
    Maximum:9206
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:1
    [230Th/234U]
    The 230Th/234U (230-Thorium to 234-Uranium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0157
    Maximum:0.0950
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.0001
    [230Th/234U] uncertainty (2-sigma)
    The 2-standard error (2-sigma) uncertainty in the 230Th/234U (230-Thorium to 234-Uranium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0000
    Maximum:0.0006
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.0001
    [230Th/238U]
    The 230Th/238U (230-Thorium to 238-Uranium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0019
    Maximum:0.0449
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.0001
    [230Th/238U] uncertainty (2-sigma
    The 2-standard error (1-sigma) uncertainty in the 230Th/238U (230-Thorium to 238-Uranium) isotope activity ratio in the sample. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0000
    Maximum:0.0209
    Units:ratio
    Resolution:0.0001
    Years BP
    The 230Th (Uranium-Thorium) age of the coral sample used as age of the sample in years before present (where present is 1950). (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:975
    Maximum:4276
    Units:years
    Resolution:1
    Years BP uncertainty (2-sigma)
    The 2-standard error (2-sigma) analytical uncertainty of the 230Th age in years before present (1950). (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:4
    Maximum:33
    Units:years
    Resolution:1

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Alexander B. Modys
    • Lauren T. Toth
    • Richard A. Mortlock
    • Anton E. Oleinik
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Data collection and analysis was made possible in part by collaborators at Florida Atlantic University and Rutgers University’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Lauren T Toth
    U.S. Geological Survey, SOUTHEAST REGION
    Research Physical Scientist
    600 4Th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    US

    727-502-8029 (voice)
    727-502-8182 (FAX)
    ltoth@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

These data were collected for a series of studies (Modys and others, 2022; 2023b) aimed at evaluating the timing and paleoecological implications of late Holocene reef development in southeast Florida.

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: 2022 (process 1 of 3)
    Coral samples were collected from the northern part of the Nearshore Ridge Complex off the coast of Pompano Beach, in northern Broward County, FL (26.219764, -80.085489). Whole coral colonies or coral fragments were collected by hand by SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) divers either haphazardly along 50 x 5 meter (m) belt transects, from 50-centimeter (cm) pits excavated to depths of 30 to 60 cm, or, for more rare target species (Dendrogyra cylindrus), these samples were collected at any location and depth where they were observed in the study area (see Modys and others, 2022; 2023 for more details).
    Date: 2022 (process 2 of 3)
    Researchers used a tile saw with a diamond blade to collect small pieces of internal coral aragonite free of visually observable diagenesis for dating. Those samples were soaked in an 8% sodium hypochlorite solution for ~24 hours and then sonicated in deionized water to remove any detrital material. Subsamples of each coral sample were powdered and analyzed for evidence of secondary alteration to calcite by X-ray diffraction (XRD) in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Rutgers University (Philips XPert Powder Diffractometer) Only samples with <0.2‰ calcite were used for Uranium-Thorium (U-Th) dating.
    Date: 2022 (process 3 of 3)
    U-Th isotopes were measured on the ThermoScientific NEPTUNEPLUS Multi-collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Rutgers University following the methods described in Mortlock and others (2005), and revised in Abdul and others (2016). These data were used to estimate ages before present (relative to 1950) with 2 standard error (two-sigma [σ]) uncertainties. Person who carried out this activity:
    Richard A. Mortlock
    Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology – Rutgers University
    123 Bevier Road
    Piscataway, New Jersey
    United States

    848-445-8699 (voice)
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Late_Holocene_coral_data_from_SEFL_NRC.csv
    • Late_Holocene_coral_data_from_SEFL_NRC.xlsx
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Modys, Alexander B., Oleinik, Anton E., Mortlock, Richard A., Toth, Lauren T., and Precht, William F., 20221206, Climate-modulated range expansion of reef-building coral communities off southeast Florida during the late Holocene: Frontiers in Marine Science Volume 9, Article 995256, Frontiers Media SA, Online.

    Online Links:

    Modys, Alexander B., Toth, Lauren T., Mortlock, Richard A., Oleinik, Anton E., and Precht, William F., 20230502, Discovery of a rare pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) death assemblage off southeast Florida reveals multi-century persistence during the late Holocene: Coral Reefs 2023, Springer, Online.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 2023b
    Mortlock, Richard A., Fairbanks, Richard G., Chiu, Tzu-chien, and Rubenstone, James, 20050201, 230Th/234U/238U and 231Pa/235U ages from a single fossil coral fragment by multi-collector magnetic-sector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Volume 69, Issue 3, Elsevier BV, Online.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: Pages 649-657
    Abdul, Nicole A., Mortlock, Richard A., Wright, James D., and Fairbanks, Richard G., 20160220, Younger Dryas sea level and meltwater pulse 1B recorded in Barbados reef crest coral Acropora palmata: Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology Volume 31, Issue 2, American Geophysical Union (AGU), Online.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: Pages 330-344

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    No formal attribute accuracy tests were conducted.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    The 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?
    No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints None.
Use_Constraints Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. The U.S. Geological Survey requests to be acknowledged as originator of the data in future products or derivative research.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Lauren T Toth
    U.S. Geological Survey, SOUTHEAST REGION
    Research Physical Scientist
    600 4Th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    US

    727-502-8029 (voice)
    727-502-8182 (FAX)
    ltoth@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Late_Holocene_coral_data_from_SEFL_NRC.csv, Late_Holocene_coral_data_from_SEFL_NRC.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 (USGS), 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 constitute any such warranty. The USGS shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described or contained herein. Any use of trade, firm, or product names 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: 31-Jul-2023
Metadata author:
Lauren T Toth
U.S. Geological Survey, SOUTHEAST REGION
Research Physical Scientist
600 4Th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL
US

727-502-8029 (voice)
727-502-8182 (FAX)
ltoth@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/Late_Holocene_coral_data_from_SEFL_NRC_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Mon Jul 31 14:32:20 2023