Benthic foraminiferal data from the eastern Mississippi Sound salt marshes and estuaries

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How might this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Haller, Christian, Osterman, Lisa E., Smith, Christopher G., McCloskey, Terrence A., and Adams, C. Scott, 20180413, Benthic foraminiferal data from the eastern Mississippi Sound salt marshes and estuaries: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release doi.org/10.5066/F7MC8X5F, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, FL.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/F7MC8X5F

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.60431
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.100605
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.44164
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.25274
   

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

   Beginning_Date: 14-Apr-2013

   Ending_Date: 17-May-2016

   Currentness_Reference:

   Ground condition

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
   

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   MS_AL_Benthic_Foram_CENSUS.cvs

   Comma-separated values text file listing count values for live and dead benthic foraminifera found in sediment samples collected around eastern Mississippi Sound, Mississippi and Alabama (USGS FANs 13BIM01, 2014-323-FA, 2015-322-FA, 2016-331-FA). (Source: USGS)

   Live (rB stained) counts/Dead

   Live (rB stained) or dead fossil counts (Source: USGS)

   Value	Definition
   Live	Fossil counts for live (rB stained) foraminifera.
   Dead	Fossil counts for dead foraminifera.

   Sample ID

   Sediment sample identifier, grouped by project name. Corresponds to "Station" attribute in MS_AL_XYZ.csv (Source: USGS) Character string

   Percent examined

   Split of full sample examined (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.5625
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percent
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Vol (cm3)

   Volume of wet sample in cubic centimeters (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	7
   Maximum:	71
   Units:	cubic centimeters
   Resolution:	0.5

   Pseudothurammina limnetis

   Number of Pseudothurammina limnetis specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	318

   Ammoastuta inepta

   Number of Ammoastuta inepta specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	191

   Ammotium salsum/Ammobaculites exiguus group

   Number of Ammotium salsum/Ammobaculites exiguus group specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	657

   Ammobaculites cf. A. foliaceus

   Number of Ammobaculites cf. A. foliaceus specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	2
   Maximum:	35

   Ammobaculites crassus

   Number of Ammobaculites crassus specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	2
   Maximum:	3

   Ammotium cassis

   Number of Ammotium cassis specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	50

   Arenoparrella mexicana

   Number of Arenoparrella mexicana specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	395

   Entzia macrescens

   Number of Entzia macrescens specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	323

   Haplophragmoides bonplandi

   Number of Haplophragmoides bonplandi specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	52

   Haplophragmoides manilaensis

   Number of Haplophragmoides manilaensis specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	51

   Haplophragmoides wilberti

   Number of Haplophragmoides wilberti specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	159

   Leptohalysis scotti

   Number of Leptohalysis scotti specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	14

   Paratrochammina simplissima

   Number of Paratrochammina simplissima specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	133

   Siphotrochammina lobata

   Number of Siphotrochammina lobata specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	37

   Trochammina sp. A

   Number of Trochammina sp. A specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	59

   Tiphotrocha comprimata

   Number of Tiphotrocha comprimata specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	223

   Trochammina inflata

   Number of Trochammina inflata specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	167

   Trochamminita irregularis

   Number of Trochamminita irregularis specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	135

   Textularia earlandi

   Number of Textularia earlandi specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	2

   Ammodiscus sp.

   Number of Ammodiscus sp. specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	18

   Ammodiscus tenuis

   Number of Ammodiscus tenuis specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	23

   Affinetrina alcidi

   Number of Affinetrina alcidi specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	2

   Miliammina fusca

   Number of Miliammina fusca specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	376

   Miliammina petila

   Number of Miliammina petila specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	2
   Maximum:	10

   Miliolinella subrotunda

   Number of Miliolinella subrotunda specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	90

   Pyrgo nasutua

   Number of Pyrgo nasutua specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	1

   Quinqueloculina jugosa

   Number of Quinqueloculina jugosa specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	14

   Ammonia parkinsoniana

   Number of Ammonia parkinsoniana specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	75

   Ammonia tepida

   Number of Ammonia tepida specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	522

   Cribroelphidium excavatum

   Number of Cribroelphidium excavatum specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	278

   Cribroelphidium poeyanum

   Number of Cribroelphidium poeyanum specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	37

   Elphidium gunteri

   Number of Elphidium gunteri specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	5

   Elphidium mexicanum

   Number of Elphidium mexicanum specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	2
   Maximum:	15

   Haynesina germanica

   Number of Haynesina germanica specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	53

   Helenina anderseni

   Number of Helenina anderseni specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	28

   Other aggltutinated

   Number of oOther aggltutinated specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	18

   Other Calcareous

   Number of other Calcareous specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	4

   Indeterminate planktonic

   Number of indeterminate planktonic specimens picked for each surface sample at each site. Empty cell = 0 (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	1

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Christian Haller
   • Lisa E. Osterman
   • Christopher G. Smith
   • Terrence A. McCloskey
   • C. Scott Adams
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: Christopher G. Smith

   Research Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   727-502-8000 (voice)

   cgsmith@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

Dissemination of benthic foraminiferal assemblage count data from sediment samples collected from eastern Mississippi Sound between April 2013 and May 2016. This dataset, MS_AL_Benthic_Foram_CENSUS.csv, includes foraminiferal census data collected at each sample location.

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: 2012 (process 1 of 4)

   Using a spatula, surface sediment (0-1 centimeter [cm]) samples were collected at each sampling location and sealed in 50 milliliter (ml) centrifuge tubes. In estuarine locations, the sediment was retrieved with a Ponar grab sampler prior to the surface sediment (0-1 cm) sub-sample being collected from inside the grab sampler. In most locations replicates were collected within a radius of 1 meter for comparison and assessment of patchiness. A solution of 2 grams rose Bengal per liter of ethanol (95%) was added to each centrifuge tube to stain the protoplasm of living specimens (Walton, 1952). The stained samples were transferred to the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center Foraminiferal Lab in St. Petersburg, FL. The sample ID naming scheme explanation is as follows: "13BIM01" = USGS project name. Prefix: "FR" = Fowl River, "GB" = Grand Bay, "DA" = Dauphin island, "PA" = Pascagoula. Suffix: "S" = marsh surface sample, "G" = estuarine grab sample. Replicate suffix (if replicate collected): "A", "B". All locations with a dash (for example, 13BIM01 FR17-2S A) are on a shore-perpendicular transect. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Christopher G. Smith

   Research Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   727-502-8000 (voice)

   cgsmith@usgs.gov

   Date: 2013 (process 2 of 4)

   In order to ensure accurate staining, the samples were inverted daily over a period of two weeks. Prior to washing, the relative volume (ml) of sediment was recorded using the volume gradation on the tube (±1 ml). Then, to de-flocculate clay minerals, each sample was placed in a beaker with ~2 mL of dissolved sodium hexametaphosphate (NaHMP) and agitated for 60 minutes on an orbital shaker. Each sample was washed over a 63 micrometer [μm] and 850 µm sieve under warm water; in some cases, an additional wash was necessary to remove excess clay particulates. The remaining sample (>63 µm and >850 µm size fractions) was oven-dried at 50°C. Lastly, the >63 µm dried sample was dry sieved to separate the 63-125 μm, 125-250 μm, the 250-850 μm sub-fractions. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Christopher G. Smith

   Research Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   727-502-8000 (voice)

   cgsmith@usgs.gov

   Date: 2012 (process 3 of 4)

   If more than 300 specimens were encountered in a sample, the sample was split into halves, using a micro-splitter. Both size fractions 125-250 μm and 250-850 μm were combined in a microslide (125-850 μm), counted, and identified. Dead and live (rB stained) specimens were counted separately on the microslide. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Christopher G. Smith

   Research Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   727-502-8000 (voice)

   cgsmith@usgs.gov

   Date: 13-Oct-2020 (process 4 of 4)

   Added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

   Marine Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   vatnipp@usgs.gov

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
   Ellis, A.M., Shaw, J.E., Osterman, L.E., and Smith, C.G., 20171128, Distribution of foraminifera in Chincoteague Bay and the marshes of Assateague Island and the adjacent vicinity, Maryland and Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series Data Series 1060.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1060

   Ellis, A.M., Marot, M.E., Smith, C.G., and Wheaton, C.J., 20170620, The Physical Characteristics of the Sediments on and Surrounding Dauphin Island, Alabama: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series Data Series 1046.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1046

   DeWitt, N.T., Stalk, C.A., Flocks, J.G., Bernier, J.C., Kelso, K.W., Fredericks, J.J., and Tuten, T., 20170508, Single-Beam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2015 Nearshore Dauphin Island, Alabama: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release doi.org/10.5066/F7BZ648W.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/F7BZ648W

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

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1070

   Walton, W.R., 1952, Techniques for recognition of living foraminifera: Contributions from the Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Volume 3.

   Other_Citation_Details: p. 56–60
   

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   The foraminiferal assemblage work reported in the comma separated values (.csv) file, MS_AL_Benthic_Foram_CENSUS.csv, includes count-only data for all samples.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   This is a complete, processed foraminiferal data file of 127 surface sediment grab samples and 41 ponar grab samples collected in eastern Mississippi Sound.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   The data include the assigned station name, percent of sample examined, volume of sample used, stained or unstained counts, and foraminiferal counts per species.

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:

The U.S. Geological Survey requests that it be acknowledged as the originator of this dataset in any future products or research derived from these data.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

   Attn: Christopher G. Smith

   Research Geologist

   600 4th Street South

   St. Petersburg, FL
   

   USA

   727-502-8000 (voice)

   cgsmith@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? MS_AL_Benthic_Foram_CENSUS.csv
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 s, 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 a comma-separated values file, and accompanying metadata for foraminiferal data from surface and ponar grab samples collected from eastern Mississippi Sound and salt marshes during USGS field activities 13BIM01 (14-18 April 2013), 14CCT01 (15-19 September 2014), 15BIM09 (18-20 August 2015), and 16CCT03 (16-17 May 2016). in format Compressed (zip) archive Tabular data
     Network links:	https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/data-release/doi-F7MC8X5F/data/MS_AL_Benthic_Foram_CENSUS.zip

   • Cost to order the data: None

5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

   The comma separated file (.csv) was created in Microsoft Excel 2010 and can be opened using Microsoft Excel 2007 or higher; these data may also be viewed using the free Microsoft Excel Viewer (http://office.microsoft.com/).

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 13-Oct-2020

Metadata author:

U.S. Geological Survey

Attn: Christopher G. Smith

Research Geologist

600 4th Street South

St. Petersburg, FL

USA

727-502-8000 (voice)

cgsmith@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

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