Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, USA, September 2018 to September 2019 and March 2022 to May 2023

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?
   Bales, Robert D, Suttles, Steven E, De, Olivia A Meo, Ganju, Neil K, and Marsjanik, Eric D, 20240113, Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, USA, September 2018 to September 2019 and March 2022 to May 2023: data release DOI:10.5066/P9Z0Z8DM, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Z0Z8DM
   • https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data-releases/datarelease/10.5066-P9Z0Z8DM

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Suggested citation: Bales, R.D., Suttles, S.E., De Meo, O.A., Ganju, N.K., and Marsjanik, E.D., 2024, Time-series measurements of oceanographic and water quality data collected at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, USA, September 2018 to September 2019 and March 2022 to May 2023: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Z0Z8DM.

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.07240
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -74.60530
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.24490
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.98680
   

3. What does it look like?

   https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data-releases/media/2023/10.5066-P9Z0Z8DM/141ca60f74b54897be9781a4481e24ff/StoneHarbor_NJ_Fiberglass_Platform.JPG (JPEG)

   Photo of YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave mounted to fiberglass platform at Stone Harbor, NJ marsh channel.

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 18-Sep-2018

   Ending_Date: 16-May-2023

   Currentness_Reference:

   ground condition at time data were collected

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: netCDF
   

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      

      Indirect_Spatial_Reference:

      Data were collected at each sensor. Refer to self-describing netCDF files for more location information.

      This is a Raster data set.
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983 (National Spatial Reference System 2011).
      The ellipsoid used is GRS_1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
      

      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:

      Altitude_System_Definition:

      Altitude_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988 using Geoid 12B and 18
      Altitude_Resolution: 0.001
      Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
      Altitude_Encoding_Method:

      Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

      Depth_System_Definition:

      Depth_Datum_Name: Mean sea level
      Depth_Resolution: 0.01
      Depth_Distance_Units: meters
      Depth_Encoding_Method: Explicit depth coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   NetCDF files are self-describing and attribute information may be found in the header of the file itself.

   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)
   • Robert D Bales
   • Steven E Suttles
   • Olivia A De Meo
   • Neil K Ganju
   • Eric D Marsjanik
2. Who also contributed to the data set?
   Jonathan Borden (USGS retired) and Marinna Martini significantly contributed to the data collection efforts for this dataset.
3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Robert D Bales

   U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

   Oceanographer

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   US

   508-524-5714 (voice)

   whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov

   Contact_Instructions:

   The contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with USGS.

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?

   Date: 16-May-2023 (process 1 of 28)

   Beginning in September 2018, instruments to measure time-series data of water quality, water level, currents, and waves were deployed at two locations in the main marsh channel northeast of Thompsons Beach, NJ and two locations in a marsh channel in southwestern Stone Harbor, NJ. On September 18, 2018, a bottom landing fiberglass platform was used for one of the instrumented platforms in the marsh channel at Stone Harbor. This platform had a multi-parameter water quality sonde (YSI EXO2) that measured pressure, salinity, water temperature, turbidity, oxygen, fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDom), Chlorophyll, and blue green algae fluorescence. The platform also had a fast-sampling pressure logger (RBR Dwave) to measure tides and non-directional waves. On September 19, 2018, two instrumented bottom landing fiberglass platforms were deployed in the marsh channel at the Thompsons Beach site. The platform further south (seaward), had an acoustic Doppler current profiler (Nortek Aquadopp) that measured water velocity, pressure, and temperature. The platform further north (landward) had a multi-parameter water quality sonde (YSI EXO2) and a fast-sampling pressure logger (RBR Dwave) measuring the same parameters as the platform in the marsh channel at Stone Harbor. On October 10, 2018, a second instrumented bottom landing fiberglass platform was deployed further southwest in the marsh channel in Stone Harbor, NJ (closer to the creek mouth). This platform had an acoustic Doppler current profiler (Sontek IQ Plus) to measure water level, water velocity, and estimate flow/discharge. At approximately 2.5-month intervals, the platforms were recovered and the instruments were removed to download the data. New instruments were attached to the platforms and redeployed the same day resulting in minimal loss of data. On September 24 and 25, 2019, all instruments and platforms were recovered and removed from all 4 marsh channel sites. Data collection was paused until March 22, 2022, when all instrumentation was redeployed at the same marsh channel sites. The instrument platforms deployed at the Stone Harbor site in March 2022 were identical to those deployed in September 2018; however, the grated platforms were replaced with fence posts driven into the seabed allowing instrument mounts to be attached higher above the channel bed to avoid sand burial of the sensors. All instruments measured and recorded parameters at 15-minute intervals during the deployments, except for the RBR Dwaves. The RBR Dwaves burst sampled pressure data at 4 Hz for 1024 seconds, every 30 minutes in 2018-2019 and sampled continuously at 4 Hz in 2022-2023. Specifics are given in the metadata of the netCDF files. In February 14, 2023, all instruments and platforms were recovered and removed, except the seaward platform at Thompsons Beach, which was not recoverable due to marsh grass covering the platform. A second attempt was made to recover the seaward platform at Thompsons Beach in March 28 and 29, 2023; however, this attempt was unsuccessful as well. Finally, the platform was recovered on May 16, 2023, which marked the end of the data collection of this dataset. More information on each of the deployment and recovery segments and data processing is given in additional process steps. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Robert D Bales

   U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

   Oceanographer

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   US

   508-458-8700 (voice)

   whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov

   Contact_Instructions:

   The contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with USGS.

   Date: 19-Sep-2018 (process 2 of 28)

   Deployment 1116A, 1118AB, and 1119A: On September 18, 2018, a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1116A (the northeast site at the Stone Harbor marsh channel) on a bottom lander platform. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get horizontal and vertical positions of the platform. On September 19, 2018, a YSI EXO2, and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1119A (the landward site at the Thompsons Beach marsh channel) on a bottom lander platform and a Nortek Aquadopp was deployed at mooring 1118AB (the seaward site at the Thompsons Beach marsh channel). Steve Suttles is the contact for this process step and subsequent process steps until otherwise noted. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Steven E Suttles

   U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

   Mechanical Engineer

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   US

   508-458-8700 (voice)

   whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov

   Contact_Instructions:

   The contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with USGS.

   Date: 10-Oct-2018 (process 3 of 28)

   Deployment 1115A: On October 10, 2018, a Sontek IQ Plus was deployed at mooring 1115A (the southwest site in the Stone Harbor marsh channel) on a bottom lander platform. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of platform as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations.

   Date: 05-Dec-2018 (process 4 of 28)

   Recovery 1115A, 1116A, and 1119A: On December 4, 2018, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered at mooring 1116A.The Sontek IQ measurements at 1115A were stopped and the data downloaded. On December 5, 2018, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered at mooring 1119A. Data was downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC (Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center) file server.

   Date: 05-Dec-2018 (process 5 of 28)

   Deployment 1115B, 1116B, and 1119B: On December 4, 2018, the Sontek IQ Plus was configured to continue collecting data at mooring 1115B. A YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1116B on a bottom lander platform. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of 1115B and 1116B platforms, as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations. On December 5, 2018, a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at 1119B.

   Date: 27-Feb-2019 (process 6 of 28)

   Recovery 1115B, 1116B, and 1118AB: On February 26, 2019, the Nortek Aquadopp was recovered from mooring 1118AB. An attempt was made to retrieve 1119B; however, was not successful and was left deployed. On February 27, 2019, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1116B. The Sontek IQ data collection was stopped and the data were downloaded at mooring 1115B. Data were downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 27-Feb-2019 (process 7 of 28)

   Deployment 1115C, 1116C, 1118CD: On February 26, 2019, the Nortek Aquadopp was deployed at 1118CD. Instruments for 1119C were not deployed because the 1119B platform recovery was unsuccessful. On February 27, 2019, the Sontek IQ Plus was configured to continue collecting data at mooring 1115C. A YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1116C on a bottom lander platform. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of the 1115C and 1116C platforms, as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations.

   Date: 24-Apr-2019 (process 8 of 28)

   Deployment 1119D: On April 24, 2019, a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1119D. Another unsuccessful attempt was made to recover 1119B, so the platform remained deployed. 1119D was deployed about 25m further west than 1119B to avoid instrumentation damage at 1119B.

   Date: 25-Apr-2019 (process 9 of 28)

   Recovery 1115C and 1116C: On April 25, 2019, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1116C. The Sontek IQ measurements at mooring 1115C were stopped and the data downloaded. The data were downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 25-Apr-2019 (process 10 of 28)

   Deployment 1115D and 1116D: On April 25, 2019, the Sontek IQ Plus was configured to continue collecting data at mooring 1115D. A YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1116D on a bottom lander platform. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of 1115D and 1116D platforms as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations.

   Date: 13-Jun-2019 (process 11 of 28)

   Recovery 1119B: On June 13, 2019, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1119B using USGS divers. Data was downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 17-Jul-2019 (process 12 of 28)

   Recovery 1115D, 1116D, 1118CD, 1119D: On July 16, 2019, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1116D. The Sontek IQ Plus measurements at mooring 1115D were stopped and data downloaded. On July 17, 2019, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1119D and the Nortek Aquadopp was recovered from mooring 1118CD. Data was downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 17-Jul-2019 (process 13 of 28)

   Deployment 1115E, 1116E, 1118E, and 1119E: On July 16, 2019, the Sontek IQ Plus was configured to continue collecting data at mooring 1115E. A YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1116E on a bottom lander platform. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of 1115E and 1116E platforms as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations. On July 17, 2019, the Nortek Aquadopp was deployed at 1118E and a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave at mooring 1119E.

   Date: 25-Sep-2019 (process 14 of 28)

   Recovery 1115E, 1116E, 1118E, and 1119E: On September 24, 2019, all sensors were recovered from 1118E and 1119E at Thompsons Beach. On September 25, 2019, all sensors were recovered from 1115E and 1116E at Stone Harbor. The recovered sensors were brought back to the lab and raw data were downloaded and archived on the WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 22-Mar-2022 (process 15 of 28)

   Deployment 11150A, 11151A, 11152AB, and 11153A: On March 22, 2022, the Sontek IQ Plus was deployed on a fiberglass grate (parallel to bed, like bottom landing grated platforms) mounted to a fence post for mooring 11150A (the southwest site at Stone Harbor marsh channel). A YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1151A (the northeast site at Stone Harbor marsh channel) on a fence post mount. A SP80 RTK receiver was used to get horizontal and vertical positions of 1150A and 1151A platforms as well as a cross-sectional survey of marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations. A Nortek Aquadopp was deployed at 1152AB (seaward site at marsh channel northeast of Thompsons Beach) and a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave at mooring 1153A (landward site at marsh channel northeast of Thompsons Beach) both using bottom lander platforms. Robert Bales is the contact for this process step and subsequent process steps until otherwise noted. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Robert D Bales

   U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

   Oceanographer

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   US

   508-458-8700 (voice)

   whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov

   Contact_Instructions:

   The contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with USGS.

   Date: 07-Jun-2022 (process 16 of 28)

   Recovery 1150A, 1151A, 1153A: On June 06, 2022, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1153A. On June 7, 2022, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1151A. Technical issues occurred while attempting to communicate with the Sontek IQ Plus at mooring 1150A. The Sontek IQ Plus was removed from mooring 1150A and taken offsite for troubleshooting and the power/comms cable was replaced. Data was downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 08-Jun-2022 (process 17 of 28)

   Deployment 1150B, 1151B, 1153B: On June 6, 2022, a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1153B. On June 7, 2023, a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at 1151B. On June 8, 2022, the Sontek IQ Plus was redeployed at 1150B after troubleshooting was completed. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of 1150B and 1151B platforms as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations.

   Date: 13-Aug-2022 (process 18 of 28)

   Recovery 1150B, 1151B, 1152AB, and 1153B: On August 11, 2022, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1153B. The attempt to recover 1152AB was unsuccessful. On August 12, 2022, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1151B and data collection was stopped and data downloaded for the Sontek IQ Plus at mooring 1150B. On August 13, 2022 the Nortek Aquadopp was recovered from 1152AB. Data was downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 13-Aug-2022 (process 19 of 28)

   Deployment 1150C, 1151C, 1152C, and 1153C: On August 11, 2022, a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed for mooring 1153C on a bottom landing platform. On August 12, 2022, the Sontek IQ Plus was configured to continue collecting data for mooring 1150C and a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed for mooring 1151C. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of 1150C and 1151C moorings as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations. On August 13, 2022, a Nortek Aquadopp was deployed at 1152C.

   Date: 28-Sep-2022 (process 20 of 28)

   Recovery 1150C, 1151C, 1152C, and 1153C: On September 26, 2022, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1153C and a Nortek Aquadopp was recovered for mooring 1152C. On September 28, 2022, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1151C. The Sontek IQ Plus measurements were stopped and data were downloaded at mooring 1150C. Data was downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 28-Sep-2022 (process 21 of 28)

   Deployment 1150D, 1151D, 1152DE, and 1153D: On September 26, 2022, a Nortek Aquadopp was deployed at 1152DE and a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave at mooring 1153D. On September 28, 2022, the Sontek IQ Plus was configured to collect data at mooring 1150D and a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1151D. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of 1150D and 1151D platforms as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations.

   Date: 08-Dec-2022 (process 22 of 28)

   Recovery 1150D, 1151D, and 1153D: On December 6, 2022, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered from mooring 1151D. The Sontek IQ Plus measurements were stopped and data were downloaded at mooring 1150D. On December 8, 2022, the YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were recovered for mooring 1153D. Data was downloaded from all recovered instruments and archived on a WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 08-Dec-2022 (process 23 of 28)

   Deployment 1150E, 1151E, and 1153E: On December 6, 2022, the Sontek IQ Plus was configured to collect data at mooring 1150E and a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1151E. An SP80 RTK receiver was used to get the horizontal and vertical positions of 1150E and 1151E platforms as well as a cross-sectional survey of the marsh channel for Sontek IQ Plus flow calculations. On December 8, 2022, a YSI EXO2 and RBR Dwave were deployed at mooring 1153E.

   Date: 14-Feb-2023 (process 24 of 28)

   Recovery 1150E, 1151E, and 1153E: On February 14, 2023, all sensors and equipment were recovered from 1150E, 1151E, and 1153E. An attempt was made to recover 1152DE, but due to suspected plant material covering the platform, the recovery was unsuccessful. The recovered sensors were brought back to the lab and raw data were downloaded and archived on the WHCMSC file server.

   Date: 16-May-2023 (process 25 of 28)

   Recovery 1152DE: On March 22, 2023, another failed attempt to recover 1152DE was made. On May 16, 2023, the Nortek Aquadopp and all mooring equipment was recovered at 1152DE which marked the end of the data collection of this dataset. The recovered sensor was brought back to the lab and raw data were downloaded and archived on the WHCMSC file server.

   Date: Jun-2023 (process 26 of 28)

   Flow data from the raw the Sontek IQ Plus datasets were calculated by inputting marsh channel cross-section measurements in the SonTek IQ: Intelligent Flow v3.0 software and reexported in .mat format. The channel cross-section data was collected from SP80 RTK surveys on the day of each mooring segment deployment.

   Date: Oct-2023 (process 27 of 28)

   Flow data from the Sontek IQ Plus datasets were reversed using SonTek IQ: Intelligent Flow v3.0 software and reexported in .mat format.

   Date: Dec-2023 (process 28 of 28)

   The raw data files from each sensor were processed and converted to netCDF using the stglib python library, a package of code to process data consistent with procedures of the USGS Coastal/Marine Hazards and Resources Program. In stglib, attributes conforming to Climate and Forecast (CF) Conventions version 1.6 were added. All times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). For all pressure sensors except the Sontek IQ, corrected pressure data (P_1ac) were calculated by finding an offset with local atmospheric pressure readings when the pressure sensor was reading in air just prior to deployment. Pressure data were corrected using the offset and a time-series of local atmospheric pressure over the course of the deployment to remove the atmospheric contribution to the deployed pressure data. The resulting corrected pressure variable is the pressure due to seawater (standard_name "sea_water_pressure_due_to_seawater" in netCDF files). The pressure sensor from the Sontek IQ Plus was corrected internally (by the IQ firmware) to eliminate atmospheric pressure using the vertical beam (beam 5). Data quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) was performed by inspecting all variables and replacing spurious values with the fill value. Details of which portions of data were flagged and replaced are available in the metadata in each netCDF file and information about the individual QAQC trimming functions are available in the stglib documentation (https://stglib.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) in the "Instrument configuration file" section. The netCDF files are named using the convention ####XYZZZ-a.nc where '####' is the mooring number, 'X' is the position on the mooring of the sensor with 1 being closest to the surface and 3 being the most submerged, 'Y' is a letter (A through E) corresponding to the sequential deployment at each mooring location, and 'ZZZ' is an abbreviation for the instrument that was deployed. For example, in the file 11531Aexo-a.nc, '1153' is the mooring number, '1' is the position of the sensor on the mooring, 'A' indicates the first deployment, and 'exo' refers to the YSI EXO2 sensor. If the instrument was left in the field for the duration of multiple deployments, ‘Y’ will include two letters that correspond to the deployments. For example, 11521ABaqd-a.nc.

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
   De, Olivia A Meo, Bales, Robert D, Suttles, Steven E, Ganju, Neil K, and Marsjanik, Eric D, 2024, Supplementary data in support of oceanographic and water quality times-series measurements made at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, NJ from September 2018 to February 2023: data release DOI:10.5066/P9CS5U6N, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CS5U6N

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   The RBR Dwave, tide and wave instrument, has a pressure accuracy of ±0.05% full scale. The Nortek Aquadopp acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) has a water velocity accuracy of ±1% of measured value ±0.5 cm/s, a heading and tilt accuracy of ±2 degrees and resolution of 0.1 degree, and a pressure accuracy of ±0.5% of full scale with resolution of 0.005% of full scale. The Sontek IQ Plus ADCP has a tilt accuracy of ±1 degree, a water level accuracy of 0.1% of measured depth or ±0.003m (whichever is greater), a pressure accuracy of 0.1% full scale, a velocity accuracy of ±1% of measured velocity, and a temperature accuracy of ±0.1 Celsius. The YSI EXO2 multiparameter sonde has the following accuracies: temperature = ± 0.01 degrees C from -5 to 35 degrees C and ± 0.05 degrees C between 35-50 degrees C, conductivity = greater of ±1% of reading or 0.002 mS/cm, barometric pressure = ±1.5 mmHg from 0-50 degrees C, depth = ± 0.004 m from 0-10 m and ±0.04 m from 0-100 m, salinity = ±1.0% of reading, turbidity = ±2% of reading from 0-999 FNU and ±5% of reading from 1000-4000 FNU, pH = ±0.2 pH units for entire temperature range, fDOM = r-squared > 0.999 for serial dilution of 300 ppb quinine sulfate solution, dissolved oxygen % air saturation = ±1% of reading from 0-200% and ±5% of reading from 200-500%, dissolved oxygen in mg/L = ±0.1 mg/L from 0-20 mg/L and ±5% of reading from 20-50 mg/L, chlorophyll = r-squared > 0.999 for serial dilution of Rhodamine WT solution from 0-400 ug/L Chl a equivalents, and blue-green algae phycoerythrin (TAL-PE) = r-squared > 0.999 for serial dilution of Rhodamine WT solution from 0-280 ug/mL TAL-PE equivalents.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   A combination of a Garmin handheld GPSMAP 78sc Global Positioning System (GPS) and a Spectra SP80 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver using the CORS network and SmartNet for real-time corrections were used to collect horizontal location data. The GPSMAP 78sc has an expected accuracy of +/- 3 m whereas the SP80 receiver using the CORS network and SmartNet has a theoretical horizontal accuracy of 0.01 m on any single point, but repeat occupations of the same spot suggest slightly higher uncertainties up to 0.06 m including user error. Horizontal position was reported in the North American Datum of 1983 (2011 realization).
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   An SP80 GNSS receiver was used to collect vertical position data of the fiberglass bottom landing frames at moorings 1115A-E and 1116A-E, and the fence post mounts at moorings 1150A-E and 1151A-E. Measurements using a tape measure were then made from the measurement point to the seabed. Orthometric elevations relative to the NAVD88 vertical datum were computed using offsets from the National Geodetic Survey Geoid12B model for measurements made in 2018-2019 and Geoid18 for measurements made in 2022. A specific location was marked at the 81st Street boat ramp parking lot in Stone Harbor, NJ and used as a reference point. Each deployment/recovery day, multiple measurements were taken at the reference point to confirm data quality. Beginning in June 2022, additional measurements were taken at a National Geodetic Survey benchmark in Stone Harbor, NJ (AH9179) each day to confirm data quality. These data have a theoretical vertical accuracy of 0.02 m on any single point but repeat occupations of the same spot suggest slightly higher uncertainties up to 0.06 m including user error. At locations where vertical elevations using the SP80 receiver were not collected (1118AB, CD, E, 1119A, B, D, E, 1152AB, CD, D and 1153A-E), orthometric elevations (NAVD88) were estimated using the Vdatum tool (https://vdatum.noaa.gov/vdatumweb/) with estimates of local mean sea-level from the corrected pressure data from the deployment; for these cases the uncertainties for vertical position are higher, typically ~ 0.10 m. All orthometric elevations (NAVD88) estimated with Vdatum used the Geoid18 model.
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   The EXO2 for deployment 1153A experienced high amounts of biofouling on the optical sensors due to the optical lens wiper falling off during deployment operations. Because the biofouling occurred rapidly, most of the data was determined not suitable for release and are not contained in this dataset. Please see file 11531Aexo-a.nc for specific filling (NaN) dates for each data variable due to optical lense wiper failing. Attempted recovery of 1119B was unsuccessful (resulted in 1119B remaining deployed) on 02/26/2019 so 1119C was not deployed in place of 1119B. Naming scheme continued with 1119D, which was deployed on 04/24/2019. Otherwise, the dataset is considered complete for the information presented herein.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   All turbidity, conductivity, oxygen, chlorophyll, blue green algae, and pH sensors were calibrated and checked to a known standard prior to deployment and checked again after being recovered and brought back to the laboratory to assess any drift or fouling that may have occurred during the deployment. Pressure sensors from Nortek Aquadopp, RBR Dwave, and YSI EXO2 were compared to local atmospheric pressure data before deployment and an offset was determined. This offset along with the time-series of local atmospheric data were used to find corrected pressure data (variable name "P_1ac" and standard_name "sea_water_pressure_due_to_sea_water" in the netCDF files). The pressure sensor from the Sontek IQ Plus was corrected internally (by the IQ firmware) to eliminate atmospheric pressure using the vertical beam (beam 5). The Sontek IQ Plus vertical beam (beam 5) measures distance from the beam transducer to water surface. Due to occasional interference to the vertical beam (like burial or biological growth), specific sections of corrected pressure (P_1ac) were filled. These data were processed and converted into a netCDF file with processing code from stglib, a package of code to process data consistent with procedures of the USGS Coastal/Marine Hazards and Resources Program. More information about the stglib package can be found here: https://stglib.readthedocs.io/en/latest/.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   Olivia A De Meo

   U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

   Technical Information Specialist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   US

   508-548-8700 (voice)

   whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov

   Contact_Instructions:

   The contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with USGS.

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable data in netCDF format. NetCDF files are named by site location code and deployment sequence at each site. There are 73 processed netCDF files in this dataset.
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 on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	Time-series data in netCDF format following Climate and Forecast (CF) Metadata Conventions version 1.6. File download sizes range from 0.295 to 4900 MB. in format NetCDF (version netCDF-4, CF-1.6) Size: 4900
     Network links:	https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data-releases/media/2024/10.5066-P9Z0Z8DM/3c1a5b134d4545419a78d9a1c7c3ee6c/NFWF_timeseries.zip https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Z0Z8DM

   • Cost to order the data: None.

5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
   These data can be viewed with any software capable of reading netCDF files.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 25-Jan-2024

Metadata author:

Robert D Bales

U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

Oceanographer

384 Woods Hole Road

Woods Hole, MA

US

508-458-8700 (voice)

whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov

Contact_Instructions:

The metadata contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with USGS.

Metadata standard:

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