Grain-size analysis of sediment samples collected in the nearshore zone offshore of Marconi Beach, Wellfleet, MA, December 9, 2024

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Title:
Grain-size analysis of sediment samples collected in the nearshore zone offshore of Marconi Beach, Wellfleet, MA, December 9, 2024
Abstract:
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center deployed a nanopod to collect measurements of winter wave conditions directly offshore of Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, MA. Supplementary sediment samples were collected to characterize grain size. Marconi Beach is the site of ongoing measurements of wave runup, and this field work provides information on the incident waves and water levels that are ultimately responsible for wave runup on the beach. Maps of subaerial topography and nearshore bathymetry were made to augment the wave and runup measurements. These observations will allow us to test and validate models of wave shoaling and transformation and generation of wave runup. The larger objective of this work is to provide validation and indicate needed improvements for the Total Water Level and Coastal Change forecasts made publicly available in real time by the USGS. These forecasts provide information that emergency managers and the American public can use to help safeguard coastal property, businesses, energy production and distribution facilities, and national security installations.
Supplemental_Information:
This work was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program as part of the Next Generation Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast project. More information about the field activity during which these data were collected is available at https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2024-028-FA.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    De, Olivia A. Meo, Suttles, Steven E., Marsjanik, Eric D., Bales, Robert D., and Sherwood, Christopher R., 20251119, Grain-size analysis of sediment samples collected in the nearshore zone offshore of Marconi Beach, Wellfleet, MA, December 9, 2024: data release DOI:10.5066/P14KORS8, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested citation: De Meo, O.A., Suttles, S.E., Marsjanik, E.D., Bales, R.D., and Sherwood, C.R., 2025, Grain-size analysis of sediment samples collected in the nearshore zone offshore of Marconi Beach, Wellfleet, MA, December 9, 2024: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P14KORS8.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -69.945148
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -69.939899
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.898308
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.897584
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/68557a53d4be0247ebc53222?name=caco-waves_sediment_sample.JPG (JPEG)
    Shipek grab sampler and sediment sample.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 09-Dec-2024
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition at time data were collected
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector and 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 (6)
    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 D_WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.
      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Depth_System_Definition:
      Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
      Depth_Resolution: 0.1
      Depth_Distance_Units: meters
      Depth_Encoding_Method: Explicit depth coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    caco-waves_grainsize.csv
    Data spreadsheet containing grain-size analysis results analyzed using the HORIBA laser diffraction unit and sieving of the ≥ -2 phi fraction. These are the attributes for the CSV file. The shapefile has two additional software-generated attributes, FID and Shape, and some modified field names that are truncated and have underscores instead of spaces and hyphens. Please see the entity and attribute overview section for a description of the shapefile attributes. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ANALYSIS_ID
    An identifier for the sample which is unique to the database. This identifier begins with the assigned multi-letter code GS-, which corresponds to the type of analysis performed on the sample (grain-size analysis), followed by a six-digit number assigned sequentially as samples are registered for analysis. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    SAMPLE_ID
    The identification value assigned to the sample at the time of collection. This varies from field activity to field activity and the ID can contain any combination of letters and numbers. The suffix "dup" refers to a duplicate sample collected at the same location. The suffix "rep" refers to replicate samples that were analyzed in the Sediment Laboratory twice to confirm HORIBA LA-960 accuracy. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    PROJECT
    Name of project or project number under which samples were taken or data generated; sometimes project name indicates a more specific area. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    FAN
    The serial number assigned to the dataset field activity during which the sample was collected. This value is in the format YYYY-XXX-FA where YYYY is the year, XXX is the number assigned to the activity within the year, and FA indicates Field Activity. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    SUBMITTER
    Last name of Principal investigator or chief scientist responsible for data collection, or researcher submitting samples for analysis. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    AREA
    General geographic area of data collection. Name is general enough to easily locate area on a map. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    LATITUDE
    Latitude coordinate, in decimal-degrees, of sample location. South latitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:41.89770
    Maximum:41.89822
    Units:Decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00001
    LONGITUDE
    Longitude coordinate, in decimal degrees, of sample location. West longitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-69.94498
    Maximum:-69.94016
    Units:Decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00001
    DEPTH_m
    Measured depth of water overlying sediment at sample time, in meters. Depth value is not corrected for tides. Entries with no depth indicated are left blank. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:18.6
    Maximum:19.0
    Units:meters
    Resolution:0.1
    T_DEPTH
    Top depth of sample below the sediment-water interface, in centimeters. Entries with no depth indicated are left blank. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0
    Maximum:0.0
    Units:centimeters
    Resolution:0.1
    B_DEPTH
    Bottom depth of sample below the sediment-water interface, in centimeters. Entries with no depth indicated are left blank. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:7.5
    Maximum:7.5
    Units:centimeters
    Resolution:0.1
    DEVICE
    Device used to collect the sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    ShipekSampling device consisting of a set of jaws and a deployment mechanism designed to collect sediments or loose substrate from the surface of the sea floor.
    DATE COLLECTED
    Calendar date indicating when the sample was collected in the format DD-MMM-YY where DD is the day of the month, MMM is the month abbreviation, and YY is the year. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    ANALYSIS COMPLETION DATE
    Calendar date indicating when sample analysis was completed in the format DD-MMM-YY where DD is the day of the month, MMM is the month abbreviation, and YY is the year. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    WEIGHT
    Weight of initial sample in grams. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:7.2542
    Maximum:9.3183
    Units:grams
    Resolution:0.0001
    GRAVEL
    Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 phi and larger). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0000
    Maximum:0.4240
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.0001
    SAND
    Sand content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm; 0 phi through 4 phi) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:98.5950
    Maximum:99.6155
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.0001
    SILT
    Silt content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.0625 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.004 mm; 5 phi through 8 phi). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0000
    Maximum:1.4070
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.0001
    CLAY
    Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; 9 phi and smaller). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0000
    Maximum:0.0000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.0001
    CLASSIFICATION
    Sediment description based on a rigorous definition (Shepard [1954] as modified by Schlee and Webster [1967], Schlee [1973], and Poppe and others [2014]). These values represent the classifications that are present in this dataset, not all possible sediment classifications. (Source: Shepard, F.P., 1954, Nomenclature based on sand-silt-clay ratios: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 24, p. 151-158. Schlee, J.S., and Webster, Jacqueline, 1967, A computer program for grain-size data: Sedimentology, v. 8, p. 45-54. Schlee, J.S., 1973, Atlantic continental shelf and slope of the United States—Sediment texture of the northeastern part: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 529–L, 64 p. Poppe, L.J., McMullen, K.Y., Williams, S.J., and Paskevich, V.F., eds., 2014, USGS east-coast sediment analysis: Procedures, database, and GIS data (ver. 3.0, November 2014): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1001.)
    ValueDefinition
    sandSediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.062 mm.
    MEAN_PHI
    Mean value of the grain-size distribution in phi units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.51
    Maximum:2.06
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    STDEV_PHI
    Standard deviation of the grain-size distribution in phi units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.59
    Maximum:0.90
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    SKEWNESS_PHI
    Skewness (unitless deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain-size distribution calculated from phi units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:2.28
    Units:1
    Resolution:0.01
    KURTOSIS_PHI
    Kurtosis (unitless degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain-size distribution calculated from phi units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3.48
    Maximum:17.44
    Units:1
    Resolution:0.01
    D10_PHI
    Diameter at which 10% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.40
    Maximum:2.90
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    D25_PHI
    Diameter at which 25% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.87
    Maximum:2.59
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    D50_PHI
    Diameter at which 50% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value and 50% is larger; middle point in the grain-size distribution in phi units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.51
    Maximum:2.07
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    D75_PHI
    Diameter at which 75% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.14
    Maximum:1.47
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    D90_PHI
    Diameter at which 90% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.35
    Maximum:1.10
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    MEAN_um
    Mean value of the grain-size distribution in microns. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:283.01
    Maximum:772.97
    Units:microns
    Resolution:0.01
    STDEV_um
    Standard deviation of the grain-size distribution in microns. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:131.93
    Maximum:307.40
    Units:microns
    Resolution:0.01
    SKEWNESS_um
    Skewness (unitless deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain-size distribution calculated from microns. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.11
    Maximum:1.43
    Units:1
    Resolution:0.01
    KURTOSIS_um
    Kurtosis (unitless degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain-size distribution calculated from microns. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.33
    Maximum:6.10
    Units:1
    Resolution:0.01
    D10_um
    Diameter at which 10% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:153.88
    Maximum:459.92
    Units:microns
    Resolution:0.01
    D25_um
    Diameter at which 25% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:195.27
    Maximum:579.21
    Units:microns
    Resolution:0.01
    D50_um
    Diameter at which 50% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value and 50% is larger; middle point in the grain-size distribution in microns. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:253.87
    Maximum:727.42
    Units:microns
    Resolution:0.01
    D75_um
    Diameter at which 75% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:338.34
    Maximum:904.45
    Units:microns
    Resolution:0.01
    D90_um
    Diameter at which 90% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:451.19
    Maximum:1137.93
    Units:microns
    Resolution:0.01
    PHI_16
    16 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 16 phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.000015625 mm, less than 0.00003125 mm); colloid. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_15
    15 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 15 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.00003125 mm, but less than 0.0000625 mm); colloid. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_14
    14 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 14 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.0000625 mm, but less than 0.000125 mm); colloid. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_13
    13 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 13 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.000125 mm, but less than 0.00025 mm); fine clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_12
    12 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 12 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.00025 mm, but less than 0.0005 mm); fine clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_11
    11 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 11 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.0005 mm, but less than 0.001 mm); fine clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_10
    10 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 10 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.001 mm, but less than 0.002 mm); medium clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_9
    9 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 9 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.002 mm, but less than 0.004 mm); coarse clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_8
    8 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 8 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.004 mm, but less than 0.008 mm); very fine silt. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.605
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_7
    7 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 7 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.008 mm, but less than 0.016 mm); fine silt. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.697
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_6
    6 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 6 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.016 mm, but less than 0.031 mm); medium silt. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.106
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_5
    5 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 5 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.031 mm, but less than 0.0625 mm); coarse silt. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.106
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_4
    4 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 4 phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm, but less than 0.125 mm); very fine sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:4.466
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_3
    3 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 3 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.125 mm, but less than 0.25 mm); fine sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.523
    Maximum:48.065
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_2
    2 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 2 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.25 mm, but less than 0.5 mm); medium sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:15.293
    Maximum:44.926
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_1
    1 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 1 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, but less than 1 mm); coarse sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.952
    Maximum:68.750
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_0
    0 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 0 phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to 1 mm, but less than 2 mm); very coarse sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:14.828
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_-1
    -1 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -1 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 2 mm, but less than 4 mm); very fine pebbles (granules). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.424
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_-2
    -2 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -2 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 4 mm, but less than 8 mm); fine pebbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_-3
    -3 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -3 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 8 mm, but less than 16 mm); medium pebbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_-4
    -4 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -4 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 16 mm, but less than 32 mm); coarse pebbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_-5
    -5 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -5 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 32 mm, but less than 64 mm); very coarse pebbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    PHI_-6
    -6 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -6 phi fraction and larger (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 64 mm, but less than 128 mm); cobbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.000
    Maximum:0.000
    Units:weight percent
    Resolution:0.001
    ANALYST
    Name (usually first, middle, and last initials) of person who performed the grain-size or physical properties analysis. BJB is Brian J Buczkowski; JDC is Jason D Chaytor; SJW is Sarah J Widlansky. Multiple sets of initials may be indicated if more than one person worked on the analysis. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    ANALYST COMMENTS
    Relevant comments by the analyst on analytical observations or anomalies that may affect the quality of the data. Entries with no comments are left blank. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    QUALITY GRADE
    Samples are assigned a quality grade based on the examination of the analytical data. Data quality grades may be determined by several factors, such as consistency with samples collected from a geospatially adjacent location and consistency between replicate runs, and any comments or notes that indicate the data for a particular sample may be suspect are included in the results table for that sample under "comments". When considering replicate run values, if there is over a 10% difference between relative fraction percentages in this sample and the replicate, a quality grade of B will be assigned, over 15% would be assigned a C, and over 20% would be assigned a D. Quality grades for sample data that do not have any additional comments are assigned based on the calculated percent difference between the weights of the coarse fraction remaining after wet sieving and the sum of all of the weighed fractions after dry sieving the coarse fraction, indicating an estimated differing amount of material which could skew the calculated grain size results: A = percent differences between 0% and ±1.5%, B = percent differences between ±1.5% and ±3%, C = percent differences between ±3% and ±4.5%, and D = percent differences greater than ±4.5%. The quality grade is followed by a hyphen and the initials of the person who assigned the grade: BJB is Brian J Buczkowski; JDC is Jason D Chaytor; SJW is Sarah J Widlansky. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    Apercent differences between 0% and ±1.5%, there is less than 10% difference in relative fraction percentages between this sample and the replicate, or the results are consistent with expected values.
    Bpercent differences between ±1.5% and ±3%, there is greater than 10% and less than 15% difference in relative fraction percentages between this sample and the replicate, or the results are generally consistent with expected values.
    Cpercent differences between ±3% and ±4.5%, there is greater than 15% and less than 20% difference in relative fraction percentages between this sample and the replicate, or the results are somewhat consistent with expected values.
    Cpercent differences between ±3% and ±4.5%, there is greater than 15% and less than 20% difference in relative fraction percentages between this sample and the replicate, or the results are somewhat consistent with expected values.
    Dpercent differences greater than ±4.5%, there is greater than 20% difference in relative fraction percentages between this sample and the replicate, or the results are inconsistent with expected values.
    QA/QC COMMENTS
    Relevant comments by the data reviewer on analytical observations or anomalies that may affect the quality of the data. Entries with no comments are left blank. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    These data are available in a CSV format and an Esri shapefile. The first line of the CSV file is a header line and those labels are the same as defined in the attribute section. The shapefile has the same fields as the CSV file and two additional attributes, FID (an internal feature number) and Shape (feature geometry). Please note that some of the field names in the shapefile were modified to include underscores instead of spaces and hyphens and truncated to 10 characters since a shapefile has restrictions on field name characters and length (e.g., the "DATE_COLLE" attribute in the shapefile is the same as the "DATE COLLECTED" attribute in the CSV file. Additionally, where negative phi values appear in the field name in the shapefile, they have been replaced with an M for minus, since the shapefile cannot accommodate negative values in the field names (e.g. PHI_-1 is written as PHI_M1).
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: WHCMSC Sediment Laboratory

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Olivia A. De Meo
    • Steven E. Suttles
    • Eric D. Marsjanik
    • Robert D. Bales
    • Christopher R. Sherwood
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Olivia A. De Meo
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region
    Physical Scientist
    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.

Why was the data set created?

Sediment samples were collected for grain-size analysis in support of oceanographic measurements.

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: 09-Dec-2024 (process 1 of 4)
    Collected 3 sediment grab samples from the R/V Tioga using a Shipek surficial grab sampler offshore of Marconi Beach, Wellfleet, MA. Samples were placed into plastic bags and put into a cooler. Samples were then transferred to cold storage until processing. Person who carried out this activity:
    Olivia A. De Meo
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region
    Physical Scientist
    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.
    Date: 09-May-2025 (process 2 of 4)
    Samples submitted to the Sediment Laboratory for grain size analysis using the Horiba laser diffraction unit (LA-960) and sieving of the ≥ -2 phi fraction are assigned unique analysis identifiers (ANALYSIS_ID), and divided into batches of no more than 30 samples. Each batch is entered into a Microsoft Excel data entry spreadsheet (LD Worksheet Template_RB06.xlsx, where RB06 is the identifier assigned to the sample submission) to record the initial and dried sample weights, as well as the sieved coarse fraction weights. Each batch is also is entered into macro-enabled Microsoft Excel data entry spreadsheets (RB06_GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30.xlsm or RB06_GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-60.xlsm, where RB06 is the identifier assigned to the sample submission, “LD1-30” and “LD31-60” refer to the pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vials the samples will be run in) to record the measurement data coming from the laser diffraction unit and incorporate the initial, dried, and sieved weights.
    About 5-10 grams of wet sediment or 3-5 grams of dry sediment are placed in a pre-weighed beaker and the gross weight is recorded. The sample is wet sieved through a 4 mm (No. 5) sieve. If there is any coarse fraction remaining in the sieve, the coarse material is oven dried at 100°C in a pre-weighed beaker, and weighed again when dry. This coarse fraction is dry sieved to determine the individual weights of the -2 to -5 phi fractions, and the weights are recorded in the data entry spreadsheet LD Worksheet Template_RB06.xlsx. The fine fraction in water is collected in a pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vial. If there is any coarse fraction remaining in the sieve from wet sieving, this vial is also oven dried at 100°C and weighed when dry. If there is no coarse fraction remaining from wet sieving, the sample can proceed directly to processing for analyses by the Horiba laser diffraction unit (LA-960).
    Fine fractions ready for analysis by the Horiba laser diffraction unit are rehydrated with distilled water if they’ve been dry. Fifteen (15) ml of pre-mixed 40 g/l sodium hexametaphosphate [(NaPO3)6] are added to each sample. If the height of the fluid in the laser diffraction vial is less than 5 cm, more distilled water is added to raise the level to no more than 8 cm in the vial. The samples are gently stirred, covered, and allowed to soak for at least 1 hour (for samples that were not dried) up to 24 hours (for samples that were dried). Soaked vials are placed into an ultrasonic bath and run for 10 minutes at a frequency of 37 Hz with a power level of 100. If the samples appear to be fully disaggregated, they are placed into pre-determined autosampler locations, and are run using the Horiba LA-960 for Windows software to get the fine fraction grain size distributions. The fine fraction distribution data are added to the appropriate data entry spreadsheets (RB06_GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30 or RB06_GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-60.xlsm). The spreadsheet is used to calculate a continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions. Data from this submission were processed using version 2.3 of the data entry spreadsheet.
    Date: 09-May-2025 (process 3 of 4)
    Continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions are transposed to the "results" tab in the macro-enabled Microsoft Excel data entry workbook (RB06_GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30.xlsm or RB06_GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-60.xlsm, where RB06 is the identifier assigned to the sample submission, “LD1-30” and “LD31-60” refer to the pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vials the samples will be run in). Macros in the workbook (“GS_MoM_Arithmetic_1”, “GS_MoM_Arithmetic_2”, "GS_statistics", and "sedimentname") are run to calculate grain size classification and statistical analyses and finish processing the data. Sample, navigation, and field identifiers, along with continuous phi class distribution data, grain size classification, and statistical analysis results are copied and pasted into a final Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (RB06_GS-LD_results.xlsx, where RB06 is the batch number assigned to the sample submission). The processed data are quality control checked and assigned a quality grade based on the examination of the analytical data. Processed data are released to the submitter and incorporated into the laboratory's database. All raw analytical data generated by the samples are archived in the Sediment Laboratory. Person who carried out this activity:
    Sarah J. Widlansky
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region
    Sediment Laboratory Manager
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    US

    508-548-8700 (voice)
    gs-wh_sedlab@usgs.gov
    Date: 14-Jul-2025 (process 4 of 4)
    The results from the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet were imported into MATLAB R2024B where the column headings were given unique names, and the significant figures were adjusted appropriately. The final data were then exported to a CSV file. A second CSV file was made to create a shapefile where negative phi values appearing in the field names were replaced with an 'M' for minus, since the shapefile cannot accommodate negative values in the field names (e.g. PHI_-1 is written as PHI_M1). This CSV file was imported into ArcGIS Pro 3.1.0 and a shapefile (.shp) and associated files were saved. Person who carried out this activity:
    Olivia De Meo
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Technical Information Specialist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    (508) 548-8700 x2356 (voice)
    odemeo@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?
    Laboratory analyses were conducted at USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory using a HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction size analyzer with manufacturer guaranteed accuracy of +/- 0.6%. The performance of every HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction unit is verified with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable mono- and polydisperse size standards. Due to rounding, the sum of the aggregate class percentages (e.g., GRAVEL, SAND, etc.) and the sum of the phi fraction percentages (e.g., PHI_16, PHI_15, etc.) may not always add up to exactly 100.000%.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Horizontal position was determined using a Garmin GPSMAP 78sc handheld GPS. The expected absolute, horizontal accuracy is stated to be 3 to 5 m at the 95% confidence level using the WAAS setting. Additional sources of error in the position for the water sample locations are caused by the offset from the GPS and the exact location of the Shipek grab sampler at the time the sample was taken, which could be as large as 2 m; therefore, overall expected accuracy of the reported horizontal position for these water sample locations is on the order of 7 m or better.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Total water column depth values at each sample site were determined using the depth sounder from the R/V Tioga. Expected accuracy of depth measurements is 0.5 m or better.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Duplicates of each sediment sample were analyzed. The dataset is considered complete.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Sediment samples were collected using a Shipek grab sampler and stored in a refrigerated and dark location until analyzed in the laboratory on the HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction size analyzer as described in the process steps below.

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 USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain from the U.S. Government and are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator(s) of the dataset and in products derived from these data.
  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
    USA

    1-888-275-8747 (voice)
    sciencebase@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? This dataset contains grain-size analysis of sediment samples collected offshore of Marconi Beach, Wellfleet, MA in December 2024 (caco-waves_grainsize.csv and cacowaves_grainsize.shp).
  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?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 19-Nov-2025
Metadata author:
Olivia A. De Meo
U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region
Physical Scientist
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA
US

508-548-8700 (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)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/SB_data_release/DR_P14KORS8/caco-waves_grainsize_metadata.faq.html>
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