Sonde data to characterize physical and chemical properties of the Cenote Bang, a component of the Ox Bel Ha cave network within the subterranean estuary coastal aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula, from December 2013 to January 2016

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What does this data set describe?

Title:
Sonde data to characterize physical and chemical properties of the Cenote Bang, a component of the Ox Bel Ha cave network within the subterranean estuary coastal aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula, from December 2013 to January 2016
Abstract:
Subterranean estuaries extend inland into density-stratified coastal carbonate aquifers that contain a surprising diversity of endemic animals (mostly crustaceans) within a highly oligotrophic environment. How complex ecosystems thrive in this globally-distributed, cryptic habitat (termed anchialine) is poorly understood. The northeastern margin of the Yucatan Peninsula contains over 250 km of mapped, diver-accessible caves passages where previous studies have suggested chemoautotrophic processes are the source of carbon and energy sustaining the anchialine food web. This dataset, collected during four field events during U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program Field Activities 2015-013-FA and 2016-003-FA in conjunction with Texas A&M University reports physical and chemical properties of the water column from Cenote Bang, a component of the Ox Bel Ha cave network that is located 5 km inland from the coast.
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information regarding the field activities is available from U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Geoscience Data System (CMGDS).
FAN 2015-013-FA: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2015-013-FA.
FAN 2016-003-FA: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2016-003-FA.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Pohlman, John W, and Brankovits, David, 2017, Sonde data to characterize physical and chemical properties of the Cenote Bang, a component of the Ox Bel Ha cave network within the subterranean estuary coastal aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula, from December 2013 to January 2016: data release DOI:10.5066/F7DJ5DJW, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Collected in support of PhD thesis research of David Brankovits, Texas A&M University
    This is part of the following larger work.

    Pohlman, John W, and Brankovits, David, 2017, Water column physical and chemical properties of Cenote Bang, a component of the Ox Bel Ha cave network within the subterranean estuary coastal aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula, from December 2013 to January 2016: data release DOI:10.5066/F7DJ5DJW, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested citation: Pohlman, J.W., and Brankovits, David, 2017, Water column physical and chemical properties of Cenote Bang, a component of the Ox Bel Ha cave network within the subterranean estuary coastal aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula, from December 2013 to January 2016: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7DJ5DJW.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -87.5693
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -87.41655884
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 20.28293751
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 20.10841783
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/59554113e4b04e08be532858?name=CenoteBang_sondedata_browse.jpg (JPEG)
    Physicochemical profiles from the density-stratified groundwater. Panel A are salinity-depth profiles and panel B are dissolved oxygen-salinity profiles.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 05-Dec-2013
    Currentness_Reference:
    Data were collected by AAUS (American Academy of Underwater Sciences) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) sanctioned dives during the days listed in the Time_Period Information. These data were not collected as part of a long-term monitoring program.
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: comma-separated values file
  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 (3582)
    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 0.00001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.00001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is World Geodetic System 1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS 84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    CenoteBangSondeData_2013-2016
    Data from diver sonde deployments in the Cenote Bang, which is part of the larger Ox Bel Ha cave network. The profiles were conducted along vertical profiles in the water column of the caves and cenotes using a YSI XLM-600 (Dec 2013, Aug 2014 and Jan 2015) or an EXO2 multi-parameter datasonde (Jan 2016). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Location
    The location was at the Cenote Bang, a small pool located in the interior of the a tropical forest that provides access to caves we investigated within the Ox Bel Ha network. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Latitude
    Latitude as determined by Garmin GPSmap 60CSx GPS in decimal degrees (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:20.21026
    Maximum:20.21026
    Units:degrees decimal minutes
    Longitude
    Longitude as determined by Garmin GPSmap 60CSx GPS in decimal degrees west (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:87.50107
    Maximum:87.50107
    Units:decimal degrees
    Station
    Description of location in the Cenote Bang system where sonde data were obtained. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    Cenote PoolFlooded sinkhole that provides entry into cave system
    Cave Passage1Interior cave passage where sonde profile was obtained. Cave Passage1 is located near the entrance to the cenote.
    Cave Passage2Interior cave passage where sonde profile was obtained. Passage 2 begins at the large domed cavern located 20 meters beyond the right branch of tee found near the cenote entrance.
    Cave Passage3Interior cave passage where sonde profile was obtained. Cave Passage3 is main corridor located beyond the domed room. The profile terminated where the passage passes into the deeper saline waters.
    Date (MM/DD/YYYY)
    Calendar date sonde data were obtained in the format MM/DD/YYYY (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Time (HH:MM:SS)
    Time of day, local time, Central Standard Time (CST) in the format HH:MM:SS (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Depth (m)
    Water depth measured by 600XLM (+/-0.12 m) or EXO2 (+/-0.10 m) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.092
    Maximum:22.43
    Units:meters
    Temp (degC)
    water temperature measured by 6560 sensor on 600XLM (+/-0.15 degC) or conductivity/temperature sensor (599827) on EXO2 (+/-0.2) degC) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:24.36
    Maximum:25.87
    Units:degrees Celsius
    Salinity (psu)
    Salinity is calculated from conductivity and temperature measured by 6560 sensor on 600XLM (+/- 1% of reading or 0.1 psu, whichever is greater) or conductivity/temperature sensor (599827) on the EXO2 (+/- 2% of reading or 0.2 psu, whichever is greater) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.33
    Maximum:37.57
    Units:practical salinity units
    pH
    Hydrogen ion concentration (expressed as pH) as measured by 6561 sensor on 600XLM (+/-0.2 units) or pH sensor (599702) on EXO2 (+/-0.2 units) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.96
    Maximum:7.93
    Units:unitless
    ORP (mV)
    oxidation reduction potential measured by ORP sensor on XLM600 (+/-20 mV) or pH/ORP sensor (599705) on EXO2 (+/-20 mV) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-145.7
    Maximum:248.10
    Units:millivolts (mV)
    ODO (%sat)
    dissolved oxygen measured by 6562 Rapid Pulse Sensor on 600XLM (+/-2% of reading or 2% air saturation, whichever is greater) or optical dissolved oxygen sensor (599100-01) on EXO2 (+/-1% of reading or 1% of air saturation, whichever is greater) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.3
    Maximum:26.70
    Units:percent saturation
    ODO (mg/L)
    dissolved oxygen measured by 6562 Rapid Pulse Sensor on 600XLM (+/-0.2 mg/L or 2% of reading, whichever is greater) or Optical dissolved oxygen sensor (599100-01) on EXO2 (+/-0.1 mg/L or 1% of reading, whichever is greater) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.02
    Maximum:1.76
    Units:milligrams per liter (mg/L)
    DO (microM)
    (calculated) dissolved oxygen concentration calculated from DO mg per liter (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:55
    Units:micromolar
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    These data are also available in a XLSX format. The first line of the CSV file is a header line and those labels are the same as the fourth row of the Excel spreadsheet. The first row of the Excel spreadsheet contains a header line that includes the month and year the data were obtained, the second row indicates the sonde utilized, and the third row is the same information as these attributes, but some columns include special characters. The Excel spreadsheet has 4 individual sheets, all containing the same row and column information. Each sheet represents data from a different sampling event.
    Sheet data_Jan'16 corresponds to CSV file CenoteBangSondeData_Jan2016;
    Sheet data_Jan'15 corresponds to CSV file CenoteBangSondeData_Jan2015;
    Sheet data_Aug'14 corresponds to CSV file CenoteBangSondeData_Aug2014;
    Sheet data_Dec'13 corresponds to CSV file CenoteBangSondeData_Dec2013
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • John W Pohlman
    • David Brankovits
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: John W. Pohlman
    Research Geochemist
    Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2213 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    jpohlman@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

These data are used to characterize the habitat and constrain the biogeochemical processes that support anchialine habitat ecosystems. The sonde data are used to identify details about the physical and chemical structure of the water column and availability of dissolved oxygen in the subterranean estuary.

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: 2016 (process 1 of 2)
    The YSI 600-XLM sonde (used in Dec 2013, Aug 2014 and Jan 2015) was calibrated according to manufacturer specifications at Texas A&M University. The YSI EXO2 sonde (used in Jan 2016) was calibrated according to manufacturer specifications at the United Stated Geological Survey (USGS). Sonde profiles were measured along vertical profiles in the water column of the caves and cenotes with a measurement frequency of 0.25 – 2 Hz. The sonde was carried by the lead diver, slowly descending (2-4 cm/sec) and advancing with the probes projecting forward to ensure an undisturbed profile of the water column. Data was downloaded using KOR software by David Brankovits and processed within Microsoft Excel. Person who carried out this activity:
    Texas A&M University at Galveston
    Attn: David Brankovits
    PhD Student
    200 Seawolf Parkway
    Galveston, TX

    409-354-9893 (voice)
    brankovd@tamug.edu
    Date: 07-Aug-2020 (process 2 of 2)
    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?
    Brankovits, David, Pohlman, John W, Niemann, Helge, Leigh, Mary Beth, Leewis, Mary Catherine, Becker, Kevin W, Iliffe, Thomas M, Alvarez, Fernando, Lehmann, Moritz F., and Phillips, Bil, 2017, Methane- and dissolved organic carbon-fueled microbial loop supports a tropical subterranean estuary ecosystem: Nature Communications 8, Macmillan Publishers Limited, London, United Kingdom.

    Online Links:

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    The accuracy of each attribute is determined by a sensor specific to that attribute, which is provided in the process step for each measurement
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    The horizonal position (coordinates) of entrance pool of Cenote Bang was obtained with a Garmin GPSmap 60CSx GPS, which has a positional accuracy of less than 10 meters. Coordinates for the locations where the individual profiles were collected are not available because the GPS does not operate in overhead or underwater settings. The bounding coordinates provided in this data release incorporate the horizontal extent of the passages investigated in this study. However, as stated previously, the precise locations of the passages are unknown.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    The accuracies of the vertical (depth) measurements are +/-0.12 m for the 600XLM and +/-0.10 m EXO2.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    All data collected are represented here
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Data from the various sondes were processed in the same manner by the same individual. Although two differenet sondes were used to collected the data they utilized the same sensors with similar accuracies (reported below) and were calibrated in the same way to insure cross-sensor agreement. A distinction between the data reported is that the measurement frequency was different for each event. The frequencies are as follows: Dec 2014, 0.25 Hz; August 2014, 1 Hz; Jan 2015, 0.33 Hz; Jan 2016, 2 Hz.

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: None
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase
    Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302
    Denver, CO

    1-888-275-8747 (voice)
    sciencebase@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? The sonde dataset contains the following files: CenoteBangSondeData_2013-2016.xlsx (data in an Excel spreadsheet), CenoteBangSondeData_Dec2013.csv, CenoteBangSondeData_Aug2014.csv, CenoteBangSondeData_Jan2015.csv, CenoteBangSondeData_Jan2016.csv (same data in a comma-separated text file), and FGDC CSDGM metadata in XML, text and HTML formats.
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Neither the U.S. Government, the Department of the Interior, nor the USGS, nor any of their employees, contractors, or subcontractors, make any warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, nor represent that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in the use of these data or related materials. Any use of trade, product, or firm 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?
  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    The data are available in XLSX and CSV formats. The user must have software capable of reading the data formats.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 07-Aug-2020
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey
Attn: John Pohlman
Research Geochemist
384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

508-548-8700 x2213 (voice)
508-457-2310 (FAX)
jpohlman@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/SB_data_release/DR_F7DJ5DJW/CenoteBang_sondedata_meta.faq.html>
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