Short-Lived Radium-Isotope (Radium-223 and -224) Specific Activity for Samples Collected Between November 2022 and March 2024 Along the West Florida Shelf (Indian Rocks Beach, Nature Coast, and Venice Headland)

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Short-Lived Radium-Isotope (Radium-223 and -224) Specific Activity for Samples Collected Between November 2022 and March 2024 Along the West Florida Shelf (Indian Rocks Beach, Nature Coast, and Venice Headland)
Abstract:
In 2021, a collaborative scientific investigation (National Science Foundation Grant Award OCE-2148989, Project 880516) was stated for the purpose of quantifying shelf inventories and boundary fluxes of dissolved organic nitrogen and dissolved iron to the West Florida Shelf (WFS) to assess their role in supporting the oligotrophic WFS ecosystem. To assess the spatial and temporal variability in submarine groundwater as a boundary source to the shelf, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center designed a marine well network (three transects of wells across different coastal regions) and conducted five sampling events over a 16-month period. For each trip, samples were collected from shallow (< 10 meters [m] water depth), offshore groundwater wells and coincidental water column stations. Samples were collected from the different water types for the determination of naturally occurring, short-lived isotopes of radium (Ra): Ra-223 (half-life, t1/2 = 11.4 days) and Ra-224 (t1/2 = 3.63 days). Identifiers for the transects and subsequent samples are two to three letter acronyms based on coastal communities or geographic features: Nature Coast near Hudson (FL); Indian Rocks Beach near Indian Rocks Beach (FL), and Venice Headland near Venice (FL). Radium-223 and Radium-224 were absorbed onto manganese (di)oxide impregnated fibers (referred to as Mn-fibers from hereon) following exposure to seawater and the fiber was retained as the sample. The activities of Radium-223 and Radium-224 absorbed onto the Mn-fibers were measured on a set of Radium Delayed Coincidence Counters (RaDeCC) as outlined originally in Moore and Arnold (1996) and updated for procedural recommendations by Diego-Feliu and others (2020). Data included in this data release correspond to USGS Field Activity Number 2022-340-FA, with associated events spanning over one year (November 2022 to March 2024) and are distinguished by alternative FANs (altFANs) of 22WFS05, 23WFS01, 23WFS02, 23WFS03, 23WFS04, 24WFS01. Samples were acquired in November 2022, January-February 2023, May-June 2023, September 2023, December 2023, and February-March 2024, respectively.
Supplemental_Information:
All sampling activities correspond to the USGS Field Activity Number 2022-340-FA. Additional survey and data details are available from the USGS Coastal and Marine Geoscience Data System (CMGDS) at https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2022-340-FA.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Smith, Christopher G., 20250212, Short-Lived Radium-Isotope (Radium-223 and -224) Specific Activity for Samples Collected Between November 2022 and March 2024 Along the West Florida Shelf (Indian Rocks Beach, Nature Coast, and Venice Headland):.

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Chestang, Emma S., Ellis, Alisha M., Smith, Christopher G., Knapp, Angela, Tamborski, Joseph J., and Lindgren, Andrew, 20250212, Short-Lived Radium-Isotope (Radium-223 and -224) Specific Activity for Samples Collected Between November 2022 and March 2024 Along the West Florida Shelf (Indian Rocks Beach, Nature Coast, and Venice Headland): U.S. Geological Survey data release doi:10.5066/P1ZIOFSX, 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: -83.00116
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -82.46020
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 28.39993
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 27.08939
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 14-Nov-2022
    Ending_Date: 08-Mar-2024
    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 (158)
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      The horizontal datum used is WGS 1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Field data files: Comma-separated values files (.csv) of the field data for surface and ground water samples collected from Indian Rocks Beach, Hudson, and Venice (Florida) from six separate field activities conducted from November 2022-March 2024 (altFANs: 22WFS05, 23WFS01, 23WFS02, 23WFS03, 23WFS04, and 24WFS01). Field data files are named as follows: altFAN_FieldData.csv. Detailed attribute descriptions for these files are included data dictionary (Data_Dictionary_Radium_Measurements.docx). These metadata are not complete without this file. All files are available for download in WFS_SW_GW_FieldRadiumData.zip.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
    The entity and attribute information were generated by the individual and/or agency identified as the originator of the dataset. Please review the rest of the metadata record for additional details and information.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Radium data files: Comma-separated values files (.csv) of the processed data for radium isotopes (Radium-223 and Radium-224) of surface and ground water samples collected from Indian Rocks Beach, Hudson, and Venice (Florida) from six separate field activities conducted from November 2022-March 2024 (altFANs: 22WFS05, 23WFS01, 23WFS02, 23WFS03, 23WFS04, and 24WFS01). Radium data files are named as follows: altFAN_Radium-223-224_data.csv. Detailed attribute descriptions for these files are included data dictionary (Data_Dictionary_Radium_Measurements.docx). These metadata are not complete without this file. All files are available for download in WFS_SW_GW_FieldRadiumData.zip.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
    The entity and attribute information were generated by the individual and/or agency identified as the originator of the dataset. Please review the rest of the metadata record for additional details and information.

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Christopher G. Smith
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Acknowledgment of the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, as a data source would be appreciated in products developed from these data, and such acknowledgment as is standard for citation and legal practices. Sharing of new data layers developed directly from these data would also be appreciated by the U.S. Geological Survey staff. These data are not legal documents and are not to be used as such. Acknowledgement of the National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation Grant Award OCE-2148989, Project 880516) and USGS Coastal Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) for funding and resources that enabled samples to be collected and analyzed.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Christopher G. Smith
    600 4th Street South
    St. Petersburg, FL

    727-502-8035 (voice)
    cgsmith@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This dataset, WFS_SW_GW_FieldRadium_Data.zip, contains processed radioisotope data obtained from Indian Rocks Beach, Hudson, and Venice (Florida, United States of America). Activities of Radium-223 and Radium-224 were measured in this study. These data were acquired to aid researchers understanding of submarine groundwater discharge within the West Florida Shelf.

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: 08-Mar-2024 (process 1 of 5)
    Six separate sampling activities in November 2022, January-February 2023, May-June 2023, September 2023, December 2023, and February-March 2024 from USGS FAN 2022-340-FA (altFANs 22WFS05, 23WFS01, 23WFS02, 23WFS03, 23WFS04, and 24WFS01) were made at Indian Rocks Beach, Hudson, and Venice (Florida). Throughout all field activities, samples from water column (surface water, bottom water) and groundwater wells were collected for the determination of radioisotopes of Radium-223 and Radium-224. Surface water is operationally defined as the upper one meter of the water column and bottom water is operationally defined as one to two meters above the seafloor. 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) 502-8035 (voice)
    cgsmith@usgs.gov
    Date: 08-Mar-2024 (process 2 of 5)
    SPCMSC researchers extracted radium isotopes from the water column samples using a known volume of water (Moore and Reid, 1973). When a large volume of water is exposed to Mn-fibers at flow rates less than two liters per minute (L/min), naturally occurring radium isotopes are quantitatively adsorbed onto the high surface area of hydrated manganese-oxides bound to the fibers producing a representative sample of the radium in surficial seawater (Moore and Reid, 1973; Moore and Arnold, 1996; ASTM International, 2017). Direct sampling involves the Mn-fiber encountering a known volume of collected water. During all sampling activities samples were collected using a direct method with a quantitative volume of water passed across the fiber. For groundwater sampling, 2 L of water was gravity-fed across 20 grams (g) Mn-fiber housed in a flow-through column. For 22WFS05 and 23WFS01 only, water column samples were collected and extracted using a flow through cell system in the field; surface samples for the remainder of the sampling activities were collected in one or more, field rinsed 20-L cube containers and extracted by gravity after returning to shore. Volumes were recorded to the nearest 0.1 L for groundwater samples and 1 L for water column samples; uncertainties were 0.1-0.2 L and 1-2 L, respectively. The date and time of collection and extraction were recorded for each sample. 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) 502-8035 (voice)
    cgsmith@usgs.gov
    Date: 08-Mar-2024 (process 3 of 5)
    Mn-fibers were analyzed for Radium-223 and Radium-224 using the Radium Delayed Coincidence Counter (RaDeCC) and methods described in Moore and Arnold (1996). The RaDeCC's ability to measure Radium-223 and Radium-224 isotopes relies on the short-lived radon daughters, Radon-219 and Radon-220, respectively. Mn-fibers were connected to the RaDeCC in a sample cartridge which was contained within a closed helium-circulated loop. Helium gas strips the short-lived Radon daughters from the fiber and is used as a carrier gas to transport these particles to a Zinc-Sulfide coated alpha scintillation vessel or cell (Ralph and Arnold, 1996). Flow of helium was regulated to allow Radon-219 (half-life of 3.96 seconds) and Radon-220 (half-life of 55.6 seconds) to undergo alpha decay into Polonium-215 and Polonium-216 within the cell. The base of the scintillation cell was coupled to a photomultiplier tube, pre-amplifier, and a high voltage supply sensitive enough to detect photons generated from the interaction of the alpha particles from polonium decay and the scintillator. These analog events and their timing are passed through a delay coincidence circuit that has been tuned to differentiate the mean statistical occurrence (time) of each polonium isotope. The analog counts for each polonium isotope passing for through the circuit is converted to a digital signal that is then passed to RaDeCC Software (Scientific Computer Instruments, 2016) computer program via a universal serial bus (USB). 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) 502-8035 (voice)
    cgsmith@usgs.gov
    Date: 08-Mar-2024 (process 4 of 5)
    Prior to the analysis of Radium-223 and Radium-224, each system's background radiation level was measured by circulating ambient air through the system. Mn-fiber samples were rinsed with radium-free, Milli-Q© deionized water to remove sea salts and the fibers masses were adjusted to roughly 50-100% total moisture content to ensure maximum emanation of radon from the Mn-fibers (Sun and Torgersen, 1998). The weight was recorded, and fibers were gently pulled apart to increase surface area and placed into sample cartridges. The cartridges were snapped into holders and the top flow tubing attached to the cartridge. Ultra-High Purity Helium ('helium' hence forth) was introduced to the system at the lower port of the column purging the system until all ambient air had been displaced (purged) as indicated by a stable flow rate of approximately 0.4 L per minute. Helium is superior to ambient air as a carrier gas in the counting chamber because more alpha particles from radon decay can reach the walls of the chamber and interact with the zinc-sulfide, thus dramatically increasing the systems efficiency (Moore, 2008). Once the system is saturated with helium and a stable flow rate reached, the helium hose was removed and quickly replaced with the system return flow hose to create a closed-loop system with the sample and the instrument. The pump was turned on and the analysis was started on the RaDeCC Software (Scientific Computer Instruments, 2016). The radium-radon-polonium isotopes within the closed system were allowed to reach secular equilibrium, which provided radon and polonium progeny half-lives takes 5 minutes. After this period, the RaDeCC Software (Scientific Computer Instruments, 2016) test was reset and left to count until Radium-220 counts reached a minimum of 300 counts or until the test reached 240 minutes, which ever came first (Diego-Feliu and others, 2020). 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) 502-8035 (voice)
    cgsmith@usgs.gov
    Date: 08-Mar-2024 (process 5 of 5)
    Raw Radium-223 and Radium-224 data were exported off the RaDeCC software (Scientific Computer Instruments, 2016) into a text file and included: background count rates, count time, Radon-219 and Radon-220 count rates, Radon-219 and Radon-220 total counts, and combined total counts. Determination of Radium-223 and Radium-224 via the delayed coincidence counter follows the procedure from Diego-Feliu and others (2020) and previously outlined by Moore and Arnold (1996). The count rates for the Radon-219 and Radon-220 circuits were corrected for chance coincidence events using the formula found in Giffin and others (1963). Giffin and others (1963) based this formula on total count rates and the time each circuit is open. Corrected Radon-219 and Radon-220 count rates were then determined by subtracting the correction factor from the raw count rates. Another adjustment to the Radon-220 data was required, due to Radon-219 and its daughter, Polonium-215. It is possible that two Radon-219 molecules decay while the Radon-220 window is open. This leaves the second Radon-219 and the Polonium-215 decays to be recorded in the Radon-220 channel. A second order correction must be made to produce a final Radon-220 count rate (Moore and Arnold, 1996). This second order correction is not needed for the Radon-219 channel (Moore and Arnold, 1996). Radium-223 and Radium-224 count rates were calculated using the final Radon-219 and Radon-220 count rates, respectively, and adjusting for decay, system efficiency, sample volume, and background measurements using the formula: Cx = (CRFinal x / [ DF * Ex]) * (100/V). Cx is the concentration of the desired isotope, CRFinal x is the final count rate of the respective circuit, DF is the decay factor, Ex is the system efficiency, and V is the sample volume (Moore and Arnold, 1996; Diego-Feliu and others, 2020). Data treatment follows that outlined in Diego-Feliu and others (2020) and contains sample sensitivity and uncertainty statements as well as metrics quantifying detection and determination limits (McCurdy and others, 2008) as defined in the accompanying data dictionary (Data_Dictionary_Radium_Measurements.docx) included with this data release. 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) 502-8035 (voice)
    cgsmith@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Moore, W.S., 20080416, Fifteen Years Experience in Measuring 224Ra and 223Ra by Delayed-Coincidence Counting: Marine Chemistry Volume 109, Issues 3-4.

    Online Links:

    Sun, Y., and Torgersen, T., 19981007, The Effects of Water Content and Mn-Fiber Surface Conditions on 224Ra Measurement by 220Rn Emanation: Marine Chemistry Volume 62, Issues 3-4.

    Online Links:

    McCurdy, D.E., Garbarino, J.R., and Mullin, A.H., 2008, Interpreting and Reporting Radiological Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 5-B6.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Book 5, Laboratory Analysis Section B, Methods of the National Water Quality Laboratory Chapter 6
    International, ASTM, 20170712, ASTM D8027-17 Standard Practice for Concentration of Select Radionuclides Using MnO2 for Measurement Purposes: ASTM International Volume 11.02, Version D8027-17.

    Online Links:

    Moore, W. S., and Arnold, R., 19960115, Measurement of 223Ra and 224Ra in Coastal Waters Using a Delayed Coincidence Counter: Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans Volume 101, Issue C1.

    Online Links:

    Moore, W.S. and Reid, D.F., 19731220, Extraction of Radium from Natural Waters Using Manganese-Impregnated Acrylic Fibers: Journal of Geophysical Research Volume 78, Issue 36.

    Online Links:

    Giffin, C., Kaufman, A., and Broecker, W., 19630315, Delayed Coincidence Counter for the Assay of Actinon and Thoron.: Journal of Geophysical Research Volume 68, Issue 6.

    Online Links:

    Scholten, J.C., Pham, M.K., Blinova, O., Charette, M.A., Dulaiova, H., and Eriksson, M., 20100820, Preparation of Mn-fiber Standards for the Efficiency Calibration of the Delayed Coincidence Counting System (RaDeCC): Marine Chemistry Volume 121, Issues 1-4.

    Online Links:

    Instruments, Scientific Computer, 2016, RaDeCC Software (v 2.6).

    Online Links:

    Diego-Feliu, M., Rodellas, V., Alorda-Kleinglass, A., Tamborski, J., van Beek, P., Heins, L., Bruach, J.M., Arnold, R., and Garcia-Orellana, J., 20200327, Guidelines and Limits for the Quantification of Ra Isotopes and Related Radionuclides With the Radium Delayed Coincidence Counter (RaDeCC): Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans Volume 125, Issue 4.

    Online Links:

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Samples were collected from transects offshore of Indian Rocks Beach, Hudson, and Venice (Florida) and spatial position was determined using a vessel mounted global positioning system (GPS) using the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84) geographic datum. Points were recorded up to five decimal places of a degree in the field. Field based water parameters were measured using a YSI ProDSS multiparameter water quality meter (Xylem, Inc.) set up with a flow-through cell onboard the research vessel for all sampling activities. Salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential were calibrated for the ProDSS before each trip. The YSI was calibrated before each measurement with pH 7 buffer solution, 50 millisiemens per centimeter (mS/cm) conductivity solution, and Zobell solution to ensure accuracy. Field-based water parameters were recorded to the resolution displayed by the ProDSS handheld unit (usually three to four decimal places). A known volume of groundwater or water column water was collected from each well/station using a diaphragm pump. Water column samples for 22WFS05 and 23WFS01 were collected and extracted using a flow through cell system in the field; surface samples for the remainder of the sampling events were collected in one or more, field rinsed 20-liter (L) cube containers and extracted after returning to shore. All groundwater samples were collected in field rinsed, 2-L high density polyethylene bottles and extracted back onshore. Onshore extraction of radium was performed using gravity-fed flow through cell filled with manganese fiber. Volumes were recorded to approximately 10% of the total measured volume. Efficiencies of RaDeCC systems are determined approximately every two months using an in-house set of fiber filters prepared with 19.9 disintegrations per minute (dpm) of Actinium-227 and 13.0 dpm of Thorium-232 standard solutions. A weighted-three point moving average and relative standard error are used for the efficiency reported to the thousandths place of each isotope for determination of the sample activity. These data were reviewed in accordance with USGS quality management system requirements.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Coordinates were read directly off a Garmin GPS plotter and recorded by hand in a field notebook. Information was digitized, reviewed, and subject to error associated with the plotter, which is ± 15 m.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Sampling depth is based on total water depth at each site and includes 0.5 m below the surface of the ocean and 0.5 m above the sea floor. Vertical accuracy is thus assessed to be approximately ± 0.5 m. Vertical accuracy of the wells was measured relative to the seafloor, with an uncertainty of approximately ± 0.1 m.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    These are complete, processed data for all Radium-223 and Radium-224 measurements collected during USGS Field Activity Numbers (FAN) 2022-340-FA (altFANs 22WFS05, 23WFS01, 23WFS02, 23WFS03, 23WFS04, and 24WFS01). Indian Rocks Beach, Hudson, and Venice (Florida) were sampled during all sampling activities. Throughout all field activities, samples containing radioisotopes of Radium-223 and Radium-224 were collected from wells, the coastal water column (except for 23WFS04) and select offshore sites (23WFS02). All laboratory analytical data sets (the measured radium-223 and radium-224 activities) for all measurements collected have been reviewed in accordance with USGS quality management system requirements.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    This data release contains processed data files that provide the specific activities of radioisotopes Radium-223 and Radium-224 from Indian Rocks Beach, Hudson, and Venice (Florida) offshore of Florida's west coast. Samples were collected during USGS FAN 2022-340-FA (altFANs 22WFS05, 23WFS01, 23WFS02, 23WFS03, 23WFS04, and 24WFS01).

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 to be acknowledged as originator of the data in future products or derivative research. Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Attn: USGS SPCMSC Data Management
    600 4th Street South
    Saint Petersburg, FL
    United States

    727-502-8000 (voice)
    gs-g-spcmsc_data_inquiries@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? 22WFS05_FieldData.csv, 23WFS01_FieldData.csv, 23WFS02_FieldData.csv, 23WFS03_FieldData.csv, 23WFS04_FieldData.csv, 24WFS01_FieldData.csv, 22WFS05_Radium-223-224_data.csv, 23WFS01_Radium-223-224_data.csv, 23WFS02_Radium-223-224_data.csv, 23WFS03_Radium-223-224_data.csv, 23WFS04_Radium-223-224_data.csv, 24WFS01_Radium-223-224_data.csv, and Data_Dictionary_Radium_Measurements.docx.
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. 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: 12-Feb-2025
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Attn: USGS SPCMSC Data Management
600 4th Street South
Saint Petersburg, FL
United States

727-502-8000 (voice)
gs-g-spcmsc_data_inquiries@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/spcmsc/WFS_SW_GW_FieldRadium_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Wed Feb 12 11:44:17 2025