Suspended-sediment concentration and loss-on-ignition from water samples at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, collected between September 2018 and December 2022

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?
   De, Olivia A. Meo, Bales, Robert D., Suttles, Steven E., Ganju, Neil K., and Marsjanik, Eric D., 20240116, Suspended-sediment concentration and loss-on-ignition from water samples at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, New Jersey, collected between September 2018 and December 2022: data release DOI:10.5066/P9CS5U6N, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CS5U6N
   • https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/64920c64d34ef77fcb004e2a

   This is part of the following larger work.
   De, Olivia A. Meo, Bales, Robert D., Suttles, Steve E., Marsjanik, Eric D., and Ganju, Neil K., 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
   • https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/648cc60fd34ef77fcaff4462

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Suggested citation: De Meo, O.A., Bales, R.D., Suttles, S.E., Marsjanik, E.D., and Ganju, N.K., 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: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CS5U6N.

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.02975
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -74.78235
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.22254
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.02573
   

3. What does it look like?

   https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/64920c64d34ef77fcb004e2a?name=SampleCollection.JPG (JPEG)

   A Van Dorn water sampler.

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

   Beginning_Date: 18-Sep-2018

   Ending_Date: 22-Dec-2022

   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 (134)
   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 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:

      Depth_System_Definition:

      Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
      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?

   NFWF_water_samples.csv

   Suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) of collected water samples. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Sample ID

   Sample identifier. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

   Station ID

   Station identifier. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

   Sample Date

   Calendar date (dd-mmm-yy) when water sample was collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

   Sample time (UTC)

   Time in universal coordinated time (UTC) and 24-hour format HH:MM:SS when water sample was collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

   Latitude

   Latitude coordinate, in decimal-degrees, of sample location. South latitude recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	39.02573
   Maximum:	39.22254
   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:	-75.02975
   Maximum:	-74.78235
   Units:	decimal degrees
   Resolution:	0.00001

   Total Depth (m)

   Total water depth at time of sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.2
   Maximum:	4.8
   Units:	meters
   Resolution:	0.1

   Sample Depth (m)

   Depth of water sample collection from surface. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.2
   Maximum:	4.0
   Units:	meters
   Resolution:	0.1

   Filter number

   Manufacturer's filter ID number. A "+" between filter numbers means the sample was split between filters, and then the volume and weights were combined together in the final results. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

   Filter Weight (g)

   Weight of filter only, i.e. prior to filtering sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.1071
   Maximum:	0.3582
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Sample Volume (ml)

   Volume of water sample passed through the filter. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	190
   Maximum:	565
   Units:	milliliters
   Resolution:	1

   Dried at 105C Weight 1 (g)

   Mass from first dry-weighing of filter plus residue retained on filter from sample after filtering and drying. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.1182
   Maximum:	0.4784
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Dried at 105C Weight 2 (g)

   Mass from second dry-weighing of filter plus residue retained on filter from sample after filtering and drying. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.1178
   Maximum:	0.4784
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Muffled at 550C Weight 1 (g)

   Mass from first dry-weighing of filter plus residue retained on filter after muffling at 550C. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.1154
   Maximum:	0.4596
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Muffled at 550C Weight 2 (g)

   Mass from second dry-weighing of filter plus residue retained on filter after muffling at 550C. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.1156
   Maximum:	0.4587
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Dried Sediment Mass (g)

   Mass of dried residue on filter = Dried weight (average of both weights) - Filter weight. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0029
   Maximum:	0.1202
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Muffled Sediment Mass (g)

   Mass of muffled residue on filter = Muffled weight (average of both weights) - Filter weight. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0019
   Maximum:	0.1010
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Mass LOI (g)

   Mass of volatile solids retained on the filter that were removed when combusted (loss-on-ignition) = Dried Sediment Mass - Muffled Sediment Mass. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0010
   Maximum:	0.0193
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Fraction LOI

   Ratio of mass of retained solids that were removed when combusted (loss-on-ignition) to the total mass of dried solids retained on the filter = (Mass LOI) / (Dried Sediment Mass). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0426
   Maximum:	0.3908
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Total Dried Sediment Mass (g)

   Sum of Dried Sediment Mass for all filters used for a single water sample. Same as Dried Sediment Mass if only one filter was used for a sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0029
   Maximum:	0.1202
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Total Muffled Sediment Mass (g)

   Sum of Muffled Sediment Mass for all filters used for a single water sample. Same as Muffled Sediment Mass if only one filter was used for a sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0019
   Maximum:	0.1010
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Total Mass LOI (g)

   Sum of LOI Mass (loss-on-ignition) for all filters used for a single water sample. Same as LOI Mass if only one filter was used for a sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0010
   Maximum:	0.0193
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Total Fraction LOI

   Ratio of total mass of retained solids that were removed when combusted (loss-on-ignition) to the total mass of dried solids retained on filter(s) for a sample = (Total Mass LOI) / (Total Dried Sediment Mass). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0426
   Maximum:	0.3908
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   SSC (g l-1)

   Suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) for a sample = (Total Dried Sediment Mass) / (Sample Volume). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0056
   Maximum:	0.2732
   Units:	grams per liter
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Inorganic SSC (g l-1)

   Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) of inorganic solids in a sample = (Total Muffled Mass) / (Sample Volume). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.0035
   Maximum:	0.2294
   Units:	grams per liter
   Resolution:	0.0001

   Filtration Date

   Calendar date (dd-mmm-yy) when water sample was filtered. (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.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   USGS Field Activities 2018-048-FA, 2018-056-FA, 2018-059-FA, 2019-006-FA, 2019-016-FA, 2019-023-FA, 2019-028-FA, 2019-036-FA, 2022-013-FA, 2023-015-FA, and 2023-016-FA.

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
   • Robert D. Bales
   • Steven E. Suttles
   • Neil K. Ganju
   • Eric D. Marsjanik
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

   Technical Information Specialist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   US

   508-548-8700 x2356 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   odemeo@usgs.gov

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: Dec-2022 (process 1 of 5)

   Water samples were collected at depths approximately 0.25-0.75 m above the seabed using a Van Dorn water sampler at Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, NJ. Samples were collected at Thompsons Beach on September 19, 2018; October 9-10, 2018; December 5, 2018; February 26, 2019; April 24, 2019; September 24, 2019; March 22, 2022; June 6, 2022; August 11-13, 2022; September 26-27, 2022; and December 8, 2022. Samples were collected at Stone Harbor on December 4, 2018; December 27, 2019; April 25, 2019; July 16, 2019; September 25, 2019; March 22-23, 2022; June 8, 2022; August 12, 2022; September 28, 2022; and December 6, 2022. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Robert Bales

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Oceanographer

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2326 (voice)

   rbales@usgs.gov

   Date: Jan-2023 (process 2 of 5)

   Filtered water samples at USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory using 47mm, 1.5 micron pore size, pre-weighed, pre-volatilized 934-AH glass fiber filters. Entire sample volume was filtered. If necessary, samples were split between two or more filters if solids load was too much for a single filter. Water samples were resuspended in bottle prior to pouring into filter funnel. A final rinse was made using deionized water to wash out dissolved salts from each filter. This process step as well as the next two process steps were completed by Brian Buczkowski. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Brian Buczkowski

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Lab Manager

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2310 (voice)

   bbuczkowski@usgs.gov

   Date: Jan-2023 (process 3 of 5)

   Determined suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) in grams per liter using "Solids, residue at 105 C, suspended, gravimetric" method from Fishman and Friedman (1989). Laboratory analysis was conducted at USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory using an Ohaus AX224 micro-balance. Determined loss-on-ignition (LOI) using method "Solids, volatile-on-ignition, suspended, gravimetric from Fishman and Friedman (1989).

   Date: Mar-2023 (process 4 of 5)

   Used Microsoft Excel to compile all laboratory analysis of suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) from collected water samples. Data from samples split into two or more filters were combined. Added sample locations (latitude/longitude) to the compiled tabular results spreadsheet. Exported results spreadsheet to comma-separated values (.csv) file format.

   Date: Mar-2023 (process 5 of 5)

   Water sample data were compiled in Matlab (v. R2021a), matched with the GPS coordinates, and exported as a .csv file. The .csv file was imported into ArcMAP 10.8.1 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?
   Bales, Robert D., Suttles, Steven E., De, Olivia A. Meo, Ganju, Neil K., and Marsjanik, Eric 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: data release DOI:10.5066/P9Z0Z8DM, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Z0Z8DM

   Fishman, Marvin J., and Friedman, Linda C., 1989, Methods for determination of inorganic substances in water and fluvial sediments: Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations (TWRI) Book 5, Chapter A1, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Shreve, Elizabeth A., and Downs, Aimee C., 2005, Quality-Assurance Plan for the Analysis of Fluvial Sediment by the U.S. Geological Survey Kentucky Water Science Center Sediment Laboratory: Open-File Report 2005-1230, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051230

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   Laboratory analysis was conducted at USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory using an Ohaus AX224 micro-balance with listed readability of 0.0001 grams, and repeatability of +or- 0.0001 grams. The difference between the first and second weighing was checked for stability and was within +or- 1%.
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 Van Dorn water 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. The Garmin GPS collects data in the WGS84 datum; however it is reported in the NAD83 datum as the difference in the values of the latitude and longitude is within the error of the sensor.
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   Total water column depth values at each sample site were determined using a handheld depth sounder. Sample depths were determined by markings on the lowering line for the Van Dorn sampler, and the samples were typically between 0.25 and 0.75 m above the seabed. Depths provided were taken from the water surface at time of sample and were not referenced to a fixed datum. Expected accuracy of depth measurements is 0.3 m or better.
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   The dataset is considered complete for the information presented. Samples were flagged if the time between sample collection and filtration exceeded one month.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   Water samples were collected using a Van Dorn sampler and processed for suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) following USGS methods (Fishman and Friedman, 1989). Water samples were stored in a dark, refrigerated location and were typically filtered within one month of collection. Total sample holding time did not exceed 120 days (Shreve and Downs, 2005). The entire volume of each water sample was filtered to avoid sub-sampling errors. Deionized water was put through each filter as the last step of the filtration process to rinse dissolved salts from the filter. Standard laboratory protocols (Fishman and Friedman, 1989) were followed to ensure thorough drying and accurate weighing of the samples.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

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
   

   United States

   1-888-275-8747 (voice)

   sciencebase@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? This dataset contains laboratory analyses for suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) of water samples collected from Thompsons Beach and Stone Harbor, NJ in 2018, 2019, and 2022 (NFWF_water_samples.csv and NFWF_water_samples.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?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	Comma-separated values (.csv) file saved from Microsoft Excel for Office 365 (64-bit) using UTF-8 encoding. in format CSV Size: 0.02
     Network links:	https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/64920c64d34ef77fcb004e2a https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/64920c64d34ef77fcb004e2a https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CS5U6N

     Data format:	Esri shapefile (.shp) and associated files created by importing the .csv file into ArcGIS. The attribute headers include up to the first 10 characters from the .csv file header labels. in format SHP Size: 0.02
     Network links:	https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/64920c64d34ef77fcb004e2a https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/64920c64d34ef77fcb004e2a https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CS5U6N

   • Cost to order the data: None

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 16-Jan-2024

Metadata author:

Olivia A. De Meo

U.S. Geological Survey

Technical Information Specialist

384 Woods Hole Road

Woods Hole, MA

US

508-548-8700 x2356 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

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)