Chincoteague Bay surface sediment physical parameters data from the spring and fall sampling trips of 2014

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Chincoteague Bay surface sediment physical parameters data from the spring and fall sampling trips of 2014
Abstract:
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a seasonal collection of surficial sediments from Chincoteague Bay and Tom's Cove, located between Assateague Island and the Delmarva Peninsula in March/April 2014 (2014-301-FA) and October 2014 (2014-322-FA). The sampling efforts were part of a larger U.S. Geological Survey study to assess the effects of storm events on sediment distribution. The objective of this study was to characterize the sediments of Chincoteague Bay in order to create baseline conditions to incorporate with hydrodynamic and sediment transport models in order to evaluate pre- and post-storm (Hurricane Sandy) change. This report serves as an archive for sedimentological data derived from the surface sediment. Data are available for a seasonal comparison between March/April 2014 and October 2014. Downloadable data are available as Excel spreadsheets (sediment samples) and as JPEG files (maps). Additional files include: detailed results of sediment grain size analyses, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata (data downloads).
Supplemental_Information:
This publication contains data for two field activities conducted in 2014: Spring March 26 – April 4, 2014 (14CTB01); and fall October 21 – 30, 2014 (14CTB02).
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Ellis, Alisha M., Marot, Marci E., Wheaton, Cathryn J., Bernier, Julie C., and Smith, Christopher G., 20151205, Chincoteague Bay surface sediment physical parameters data from the spring and fall sampling trips of 2014: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015-1219.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Ellis, Alisha M., Marot, Marci E., Wheaton, Cathryn J., Bernier, Julie C., and Smith, Christopher G., 20151205, A seasonal comparison of surface sediment characteristics in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, USA: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015-1219, 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: -75.46667
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.11111
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.26667
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.82222
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 26-Mar-2014
    Ending_Date: 30-Oct-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?
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    14CTB_Spring and Fall_Physical Parameter Data.xlsx.zip
    Physical lithological parameter results of surface sediment collected in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia. (Source: USGS)
    Sample ID
    Sample identification number (Source: USGS) Character string. Sample IDs listed within the table used the naming convention ##CTB-^^G. Where “##” is the two digit representation of the data collection year (14 for 2014), “^^” is the site location number, and “G” are lagoonal PONAR grab sites).
    Water Content (g-water/g-wet)
    The ratio of mass of water to the mass of wet sediment in the individual sample interval, measured in grams of water per grams of wet sediment (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.19
    Maximum:0.62
    Dry Bulk Density (g/cm^3)
    Dry bulk density of the sediment measured in grams per cubic centimeter. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.47
    Maximum:1.63
    Porosity
    Porosity in each sample interval measured in cubic centimeter of void space per cubic centimeter of wet sediment. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.37
    Maximum:0.80
    Loss On Ignition (g-OM/g-dry)
    The ratio of the mass of organic matter combusted at 450 Celsius to the pre-combusted mass of dry sediment measured in grams of organic matter to grams of dry sediment. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0024
    Maximum:0.0913

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Alisha M. Ellis
    • Marci E. Marot
    • Cathryn J. Wheaton
    • Julie C. Bernier
    • Christopher G. Smith
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    U.S. Geological Survey
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    U.S. Geological Survey - St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Attn: Alisha M. Ellis
    Geologist
    600 4th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    US

    (727) 502-8056 (voice)
    aellis@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

The 14CTB_Spring and Fall_Shear Stress.xlsx.zip file includes all bulk lithologic analysis results from lagoonal surface sediments collected in Chincoteague Bay in March/April and October 2014 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

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: 2014 (process 1 of 4)
    At each sample location, the top 1 cm of the recovered, undisturbed surface material from the Ponar grab was subsampled for sediment characterization, placed in individual storage bags, and stored on ice. The surface samples were transported to the USGS SPCMSC. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Attn: Alisha M. Ellis
    Geologist
    600 4th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    U.S.

    (727) 502-8056 (voice)
    aellis@usgs.gov
    Date: 2014 (process 2 of 4)
    In the laboratory, samples were homogenized. The sediment parameters subsample from each sample location was processed for basic sediment characteristics: dry bulk density and porosity. Water content, porosity, and dry bulk density were calculated by determining water mass lost during drying. Known volumes of each wet subsample, usually 20 – 30 mL, were packed into a graduated syringe with 0.5 cm-3 resolution. The wet sediment was then extracted into a pre-weighed aluminum tray and the wet sediment's weight was recorded. The wet sediment and tray were placed in a drying oven for 48 hours at 60 °C. Water content was determined as the mass of water (lost when dried) relative to the initial wet sediment mass. Porosity was estimated from the report equation in the document (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2015/1219/ofr2015-1219_methods.html). Salt-mass contributions were removed based on the salinity measured at the time of sample collection. If salinity was not measured in the field, pore water salinity was estimated to be 25. Dry bulk density was calculated from the report equation in the document (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2015/1219/ofr2015-1219_methods.html). Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Attn: Alisha M. Ellis
    Geologist
    600 4th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    U.S.

    (727) 502-8056 (voice)
    aellis@usgs.gov
    Date: 2014 (process 3 of 4)
    Organic matter (OM) content was determined with a mass loss technique, referred to as loss on ignition (LOI). The dry sediment from the previous process was homogenized with a porcelain mortar and pestle. Approximately 5 grams 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 absorbed onto the sediment particles. The furnace temperature was then lowered to 60 °C, at which point the sediments could be reweighed. The dried sediment was returned to the muffle furnace. The furnace was heated to 550 °C over 30 minutes and kept at 550 °C for 6 hours. The furnace temperature was then lowered to 60 °C, at which point the sediments could be reweighed. The mass lost during the 6 hour baking period relative to the 110 °C-dried mass is used as a metric of organic matter content. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Attn: Alisha M. Ellis
    Geologist
    600 4th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    U.S.

    (727) 502-8056 (voice)
    aellis@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?

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    The physical parameters reported in the tables were analyzed at the USGS SPCMSC sedimentology lab. These lithologic data have not been independently verified for accuracy. Replicate analyses of loss on ignition are reported for quality assurance.
  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 physical parameters data file for the spring and fall Chincoteague Bay seasonal comparison archive.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    The data includes sample ID, water content, dry bulk density, porosity, and loss on ignition.

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 referenced 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: Alisha M. Ellis
    600 4th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL
    U.S.

    502-8056 (voice)
    aellis@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable data
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    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, 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?
  5. Is there some other way to get the data?
    none
  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    The spreadsheets included in this .zip file were created for use with Microsoft Excel 2011. They may also be viewed with the Microsoft Excel viewer or by downloading a Microsoft Compatibility Pack to view with older versions of Microsoft Excel.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 13-Oct-2020
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Attn: Alisha M. Ellis
Geologist
600 4th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL
U.S.

(727) 502-8056 (voice)
aellis@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/spcmsc/OFR20151219_Physical_Parameter-met.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Tue Sep 21 18:18:51 2021