Location and grain-size analysis results of sediment samples collected in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 by the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Connecticut, and University of New Haven during field activities 2017-056-FA and 2018-018-FA (simplified point shapefile and CSV files)

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What does this data set describe?

Title:

Location and grain-size analysis results of sediment samples collected in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 by the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Connecticut, and University of New Haven during field activities 2017-056-FA and 2018-018-FA (simplified point shapefile and CSV files)

Abstract:

Two marine geological surveys were conducted in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), University of Connecticut, and University of New Haven through the Long Island Sound Mapping and Research Collaborative. Sea-floor images and videos were collected at 210 sampling sites within the survey area, and surficial sediment samples were collected at 179 of the sites. The sediment data and the observations from the images and videos are used to identify sediment texture and sea-floor habitats.

Supplemental_Information:

See the larger work citation to view the geotagged sea-floor images, location of bottom images, sea-floor videos, and location of bottom video tracklines collected during the surveys. For more information about these field activities, see https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2017-056-FA and https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2018-018-FA. These data were collected as part of a larger collaborative project, the Long Island Sound Habitat Mapping Initiative; for more information about this project, see https://lismap.uconn.edu/.

How might this data set be cited?
U.S. Geological Survey, 20201123, Location and grain-size analysis results of sediment samples collected in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 by the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Connecticut, and University of New Haven during field activities 2017-056-FA and 2018-018-FA (simplified point shapefile and CSV files): data release DOI:10.5066/P9GK29NM, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P9GK29NM
- https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5de9be03e4b02caea0eeda45
This is part of the following larger work.
Ackerman, Seth D., Huntley, Emily C., Blackwood, Dann S., Babb, Ivar G., Zajac, Roman N., Conroy, Christian W., Auster, Peter J., Schneeberger, Courtney L., and Walton, Olivia L., 2020, Sea-floor sediment and imagery data collected in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, 2017 and 2018: data release DOI:10.5066/P9GK29NM, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P9GK29NM
- https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5de951a4e4b02caea0eed886
Other_Citation_Details:
Suggested citation: Ackerman, S.D., Huntley, E.C., Blackwood, D.S., Babb, I.G., Zajac, R.N., Conroy, C.W., Auster, P.J., Schneeberger, C.L., and Walton, O.L., 2020, Sea-floor sediment and imagery data collected in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, 2017 and 2018: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9GK29NM.
What geographic area does the data set cover?
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -72.430178
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -71.866860
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.324710
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.193178
What does it look like?

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/5de9be03e4b02caea0eeda45/?name=2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_browse.jpg (JPEG)
Map of sediment sample locations in the survey area in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York.
Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

Beginning_Date: 28-Nov-2017

Ending_Date: 15-May-2018

Currentness_Reference:

Data were collected on the following dates: 20171128-20171203 and 20180508-20180515
What is the general form of this data set?
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector and tabular digital data
How does the data set represent geographic features?
1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
  This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
  - Entity point (210)
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 0.00000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.00000001. 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.

How does the data set describe geographic features?

2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-LD

Grain-size analysis results using the HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction analyzer and sieving of the >= -2-phi fraction for sediment samples collected in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 during USGS field activities 2017-056-FA and 2018-018-FA. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

ANALYSIS_ID

An identifier for the sample that 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. (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 sting.

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

Name of Principal investigator or chief scientist responsible for data collection, or researcher submitting samples for analysis (usually first initial and last name). (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.

SUBMISSION

Unique sample submission identifier. This identifier begins with the initials of the submitter, followed by a two-digit number assigned sequentially relative to previous submissions. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

LATITUDE

Latitude coordinate, in decimal degrees (WGS 84), of sample location. South latitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	41.19317830
Maximum:	41.32471000
Units:	decimal degrees
Resolution:	0.00000001

LONGITUDE

Longitude coordinate, in decimal degrees (WGS 84), of sample location. West longitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	-72.43017830
Maximum:	-71.86686000
Units:	decimal degrees
Resolution:	0.00000001

DEPTH_M

Approximate depth of water in meters at the sample location derived from an unpublished composite bathymetry dataset used by the Long Island Sound Mapping and Research Collaborative project. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	4
Maximum:	89
Units:	meters
Resolution:	1

T_DEPTH

Top depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface in centimeters. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	0
Units:	centimeters

B_DEPTH

Bottom depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface in centimeters. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	2
Maximum:	2
Units:	centimeters

DEVICE

Sampling device used to collect the sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

DATE COLLECTED

Calendar date based on UTC time indicating when the sample was collected in the format MM/DD/YYYY where MM is the numeric month, DD is the day of the month, and YYYY is the year. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

ANALYSIS COMPLETION DATE

Calendar date indicating when analyses on the sample were completed in the format MM/DD/YYYY where MM is the numeric month, DD is the day of the month, and YYYY is the year. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

ANALYSIS METHOD

Method used to analyze the sample for grain-size distribution. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Value	Definition
GS-LD	Grain-size analysis using the HORIBA laser diffraction unit and sieving of the >= -2 phi fraction.

WEIGHT WET SAMPLE (g)

Weight of initial sample in grams. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	4.3286
Maximum:	30.3185
Units:	grams
Resolution:	0.0001

GRAVEL (wt%)

Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample. Gravel consists of particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm (-1 phi and larger). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	61.3508
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.0001

SAND (wt%)

Sand content in percent dry weight of the sample. Sand consists of particles with nominal diameters less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm (0 phi through 4 phi, inclusive). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0515
Maximum:	99.5135
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.0001

SILT (wt%)

Silt content in percent dry weight of the sample. Silt consists of particles with nominal diameters less than 0.0625 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.004 mm (5 phi through 8 phi, inclusive). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	62.8030
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.0001

CLAY (wt%)

Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample. Clay consists of particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm (9 phi and smaller). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	47.5030
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.0001

CLASSIFICATION (Shepard)

Sediment classification based on a rigorous definition (Shepard [1954] as modified by Schlee and Webster [1967], Schlee [1973], and Poppe and others [2005]). In the definitions below, gravel is defined as particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; sand consists of particles with nominal diameters less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm; silt consists of particles with nominal diameters less than 0.0625 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.004 mm; and clay consists of particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Value	Definition
clayey silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant clay.
gravel	Sediment whose main phase is gravel.
gravelly sediment	Sediment whose main phase is gravel, but with significant other sediment. Gravel greater than 10 percent.
sand	Sediment whose main phase is sand.
sandy silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
silty sand	Sediment whose main phase in sand, but with significant silt.

MEAN (Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [phi])

Average value in the grain-size distribution in phi units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	-2.16
Maximum:	8.59
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

STDEV (Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [phi])

Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain-size distribution in phi units (sorting). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.57
Maximum:	3.87
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

SKEWNESS (Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [phi])

Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain-size distribution in phi units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	-2.39
Maximum:	4.29
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

KURTOSIS (Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [phi])

Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain-size distribution in phi units. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	1.01
Maximum:	35.39
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

D10 (Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [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:	-4.80
Maximum:	5.81
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

D25 (Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [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:	-4.50
Maximum:	6.66
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

MEDIAN (D50; Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [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:	-3.98
Maximum:	7.88
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

D75 (Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [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:	0.32
Maximum:	11.17
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

D90 (Method of Moments Statistics - Logarithmic [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:	0.83
Maximum:	11.89
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

MEAN (Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

Average value in the grain-size distribution in microns. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	6.65
Maximum:	12,594.95
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

STDEV (Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain-size distribution in microns (sorting). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	8.11
Maximum:	10,397.25
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

SKEWNESS (Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain-size distribution in microns. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	-0.19
Maximum:	14.80
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

KURTOSIS (Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain-size distribution in microns. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	1.06
Maximum:	266.87
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

D10 (Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

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:	0.28
Maximum:	711.50
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

D25 (Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

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:	0.45
Maximum:	924.32
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

MEDIAN (D50; Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

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:	4.93
Maximum:	15,856.37
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

D75 (Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

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:	10.86
Maximum:	23,976.96
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

D90 (Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic [micron])

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:	19.02
Maximum:	28,790.78
Units:	microns
Resolution:	0.01

PHI_16

Weight percent of the sample in the 16-phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles less than 0.00003125 mm); colloid. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	0
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_15

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
Maximum:	0
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_14

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
Maximum:	0.491
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_13

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
Maximum:	7.122
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_12

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
Maximum:	20.865
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_11

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
Maximum:	5.917
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_10

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
Maximum:	1.938
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_9

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
Maximum:	11.171
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_8

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
Maximum:	20.639
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_7

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
Maximum:	25.934
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_6

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
Maximum:	21.261
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_5

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
Maximum:	34.783
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_4

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
Maximum:	54.543
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_3

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
Maximum:	52.024
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_2

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:	0
Maximum:	59.879
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_1

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:	0
Maximum:	69.706
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_0

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
Maximum:	63.764
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-1

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
Maximum:	8.571
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-2

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
Maximum:	29.953
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-3

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
Maximum:	53.733
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-4

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
Maximum:	49.856
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-5

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
Maximum:	0
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-6

Weight percent of the sample in the -6-phi fraction and larger (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 64 mm); cobbles and boulders. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	0
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. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

QA/QC COMMENTS

Relevant comments 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.

COMMENTS

Comments field with the USGS site number and University of Connecticut's Northeast Underwater Research, Technology and Education Center (NURTEC) site name for the spring 2018 survey. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-MS

Grain-size analysis results using the Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 and sieving of the >= 4-phi fraction for sediment samples collected in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 during USGS field activities 2017-056-FA and 2018-018-FA. These are the attributes for the CSV file. The shapefile is a simplified version of the CSV file with fewer attribute fields and two additional software-generated attributes, FID and Shape. 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 that 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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

FIELD_NO

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 sting.

FA_ID

CONTACT

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 (WGS 84), of sample location. South latitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	41.19317830
Maximum:	41.32471000
Units:	decimal degrees
Resolution:	0.00000001

LONGITUDE

Longitude coordinate, in decimal degrees (WGS 84), of sample location. West longitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	-72.43017830
Maximum:	-71.86686000
Units:	decimal degrees
Resolution:	0.00000001

DEPTH_M

Range of values
Minimum:	4
Maximum:	89
Units:	meters
Resolution:	1

T_DEPTH

Top depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface in centimeters. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	0
Units:	centimeters

B_DEPTH

Bottom depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface in centimeters. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	2
Maximum:	2
Units:	centimeters

DEVICE

Sampling device used to collect the sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

DATE_COLLECTED

ANALYSIS_COMPLETION_DATE

Calendar date indicating when analyses on the sample were completed in the format MM/DD/YYYY where MM is the numeric month, DD is the day of the month, and YYYY is the year. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

WEIGHT

Weight of initial sample in grams. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	36.3872
Maximum:	153.7566
Units:	grams
Resolution:	0.0001

GRAVEL_PCT

Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample. Gravel consists of particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm (-1 phi and larger). No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	74.3715
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.0001

SAND_PCT

Range of values
Minimum:	12.8380
Maximum:	99.8050
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.0001

SILT_PCT

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0002
Maximum:	60.4170
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.0001

CLAY_PCT

Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample. Clay consists of particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm (9 phi and smaller). No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	41.9248
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.0001

CLASSIFICATION (Shepard)

Value	Definition
gravel	Sediment whose main phase is gravel.
gravelly sediment	Sediment whose main phase is gravel, but with significant other sediment. Gravel greater than 10 percent.
sand	Sediment whose main phase is sand.
sandy silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
silty clay	Sediment whose main phase in clay, but with significant silt.
silty sand	Sediment whose main phase in sand, but with significant silt.

MEDIAN

Range of values
Minimum:	-4.22
Maximum:	6.51
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

MEAN

Average value in the grain-size distribution in phi units. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	-3.04
Maximum:	5.94
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

STDEV

Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain-size distribution in phi units (sorting). No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.52
Maximum:	4.15
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

SKEWNESS

Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain-size distribution in phi units. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	-1.90
Maximum:	4.66
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

KURTOSIS

Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain-size distribution in phi units. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	1.35
Maximum:	63.48
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

PHI_11

Weight percent of the sample in the 11-phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles less than 0.001 mm); fine clay. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	9.451
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_10

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	21.003
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_9

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	13.526
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_8

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	11.599
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_7

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	13.693
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_6

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	19.248
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_5

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	26.456
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_4

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.031
Maximum:	78.656
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_3

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.065
Maximum:	81.325
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_2

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.392
Maximum:	90.072
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_1

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.188
Maximum:	75.003
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_0

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.026
Maximum:	42.523
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-1

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). No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	29.194
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-2

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	35.482
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-3

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	26.718
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-4

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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	30.900
Units:	weight percent
Resolution:	0.001

PHI_-5

Weight percent of the sample in the -5-phi fraction and larger (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 32 mm); very coarse pebbles, cobbles, and boulders. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	46.452
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. No data value is -9999. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

COMMENTS

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

The shapefile is a simplified version of the CSV file of the Multisizer analysis results (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-MS.csv) with fewer attribute fields. Specifically, STDEV, SKEWNESS, KURTOSIS, and the individual phi measurements (e.g., PHI_11) were removed. The shapefile also has two additional attributes, FID and Shape, which have the following descriptions:
Attribute: Attribute Label: FID Attribute Definition: Internal feature number. Attribute Definition Source: Esri Attribute Domain Values: Unrepresentable Domain: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute: Attribute Label: Shape Attribute Definition: Feature geometry. Attribute Definition Source: Esri Attribute Domain Values: Unrepresentable Domain: Coordinates defining the features.
All the other attributes in the shapefile have the same definitions as the CSV file attributes (see the detailed description section for the 2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-MS entity for definitions of the CSV file attributes). Please note that some of the field names were truncated since a shapefile field name can only contain up to 10 characters. The following fields are included in the shapefile: FID, Shape, ANALYSIS_I (truncated field name for ANALYSIS_ID), FIELD_NO, PROJECT, FA_ID, CONTACT, AREA, LATITUDE, LONGITUDE, DEPTH_M, T_DEPTH, B_DEPTH, DEVICE, DATE_COLLE (truncated field name for DATE_COLLECTED), ANALYSIS_C (truncated field name for ANALYSIS_COMPLETION_DATE), WEIGHT, GRAVEL_PCT, SAND_PCT, SILT_PCT, CLAY_PCT, CLASSIFICA (truncated field name for CLASSIFICATION), MEDIAN, MEAN, ANALYST, and COMMENTS.

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Who produced the data set?

Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
- U.S. Geological Survey
Who also contributed to the data set?
To whom should users address questions about the data?

Seth Ackerman

U.S. Geological Survey

Geologist

384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 x2315 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

sackerman@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This dataset provides access to the locations and grain-size analysis results of surficial sediments collected with a modified Van Veen grab sampler on the SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS) aboard the Research Vessel (R/V) Connecticut during USGS field activities 2017-056-FA (November 28 to December 3, 2017) and 2018-018-FA (May 8 to 15, 2018). These data were collected to explore the nature of the sea floor and to characterize the seabed by identifying sediment texture. The sediments were analyzed using two different methods: the Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 and sieving of the >= 4-phi fraction, and the HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction analyzer and sieving of the >= -2-phi fraction. The HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction analyzer is a new method for analyzing grain-size distribution at the sediment laboratory at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. This dataset was analyzed using both methods so that the results could be compared. Results of the comparison are not included in this data release.

How was the data set created?

From what previous works were the data drawn?
How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
Date: 15-May-2018 (process 1 of 8)
Step 1: Collected data.
Two marine geological surveys were conducted in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018. The R/V Connecticut occupied one of the target sites and the SEABOSS was deployed off the vessel's A-frame on the stern of the ship. The SEABOSS was equipped with a modified Van Veen grab sampler, a Nikon D300 digital still camera with a Photosea strobe, two video cameras (one forward-looking so that a shipboard operator could monitor for proper tow depth and obstacles, and one downward-looking, a Kongsberg Simrad OE1365 in this setup, that overlapped with the field of view of the still camera) with a topside feed, a GoPro HERO4 Black camera recording backup video, and lights to illuminate the sea floor for video and photograph collection. The elements of this particular SEABOSS were held within a stainless-steel frame that measured 1.15 x 1.15 meters. The frame had a stabilizer fin that oriented the system as it drifted over the seabed. The winch operator lowered the SEABOSS until the sea floor was observed in the topside live video feed. For those sites that were primarily targeted for a sediment grab, the vessel and SEABOSS then drifted with wind and current for up to a few minutes to ensure a decent image with a clear view of the sea floor was acquired; for those sites that were targeted for both a video transect of the sea floor and a sediment grab, the vessel was navigated along a planned transect for up to an hour. A scientist monitored the real-time bottom video and acquired bottom photographs at points of interest by remotely triggering the Nikon camera shutter. Bottom video was also recorded during the drift from the downward-looking video camera. Then, at most sites the winch operator lowered the Van Veen grab sampler until it rested on the sea floor. When the system was raised, the Van Veen grab sampler closed and collected a sample as it was lifted off the sea floor. Times for the sampler retrieval, which would later be used to derive the sample locations, were manually recorded in the survey log when the sampler was lifted off the seabed. The sampler was recovered to the deck of the survey vessel where a subsample was taken for grain-size analysis at the sediment laboratory at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. Sediment samples were only attempted in areas where collecting a sample would not damage the SEABOSS; therefore, no samples were collected in areas with a cobble, boulder, or rocky seabed, as identified in real time using the topside live video feed. Samples were also not attempted if the current was too strong, if the deployment was aborted due to the strobe malfunctioning, or if the grab sampler accidentally tripped earlier in the deployment. A total of 210 sites were occupied aboard the R/V Connecticut with the SEABOSS: 93 sites were occupied in fall 2017 during field activity 2017-056-FA, and 117 sites were occupied in spring 2018 during field activity 2018-018-FA. Sediment samples were collected at 179 of the 210 sites. Person who carried out this activity:

Seth Ackerman

U.S. Geological Survey

Geologist

384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 x2315 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

sackerman@usgs.gov

Data sources produced in this process:
- Sediment samples
- Survey logs
Date: Sep-2018 (process 2 of 8)
Step 2: Acquired and processed navigation.
During the surveys, WAAS-enabled GPS navigation from a Garmin GPSMAP 76C receiver was logged through a DataBridge data logger and ArcMap GPS. The GPS was set to receive fixes at a 2-second interval in geographic coordinates (WGS 84). Dates and times were recorded in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Log files were saved for each Julian day in text format. An AWK script (parse_gprmc17056.awk for the fall 2017 log files and parse_gprmc18018.awk for the spring 2018 log files) was used to parse the GPRMC navigation string from the log files for each survey and create ASCII Comma Separated Values (CSV) text files. The output files were merged for each survey and then reformatted using an AWK script (nav_time_reformat.awk), creating a processed navigation CSV text file for each sampling survey. Person who carried out this activity:

Seth Ackerman

U.S. Geological Survey

Geologist

384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 x2315 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

sackerman@usgs.gov

Data sources produced in this process:
- Processed DataBridge navigation files
Date: Sep-2018 (process 3 of 8)
Step 3: Assembled sample information for sediment laboratory.
The sediment sample times (as recorded in the survey logs) were used to parse GPS positions for each sediment sample from the logged GPS data. Approximate depths for each sample were derived from an unpublished composite bathymetry dataset used by the Long Island Sound Mapping and Research Collaborative project. This information was then provided to the sediment laboratory at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center with the sample analysis request form for each survey. Person who carried out this activity:

Seth Ackerman

U.S. Geological Survey

Geologist

384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 x2315 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

sackerman@usgs.gov

Data sources used in this process:
- Survey logs
- Processed DataBridge navigation files
- Unpublished composite bathymetry
Data sources produced in this process:
- Sediment sample locations CSV files
Date: 01-Mar-2019 (process 4 of 8)
Step 4: Analyzed sediment samples using the HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction analyzer and sieving of the >= -2-phi fraction.
The samples from each survey were analyzed in the sediment laboratory at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center using two different methods: the Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 and sieving of the >= 4-phi fraction, and the HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction analyzer and sieving of the >= -2-phi fraction. Separate subsamples were taken from each sample submitted to the sediment analysis laboratory for each method. For the sediments analyzed using the HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction analyzer and sieving of the >= -2-phi fraction, the subsamples for grain-size analysis were assigned unique analysis identifiers (ANALYSIS_ID) and divided into batches of no more than 30 samples. Each batch was entered into a Microsoft Excel data entry spreadsheet (LD Worksheet Template_xxxx.xlsx, where xxxx 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 was also entered into macro-enabled Microsoft Excel data entry spreadsheets (GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm or GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-60_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm, where xxxx is the identifier assigned to the sample submission, "LD1-30" and "LD31-60" refer to the pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vials in which the samples will be run, and "batch_yy" refers to the sample batch) to record the measurement data coming from the laser diffraction unit and incorporate the initial, dried, and sieved weights. About 10-15 grams of wet sediment were placed in a pre-weighed beaker and the gross weight was recorded. The sample was wet sieved through a 4 mm (No. 5) sieve. If there was any coarse fraction remaining in the sieve, the coarse material was oven dried at 100 degrees Celsius in a pre-weighed beaker, and weighed again when dry. This coarse fraction was dry sieved to determine the individual weights of the -2- to -5-phi fractions, and the weights were recorded in the data entry spreadsheet LD Worksheet Template_xxxx.xlsx. The fine fraction in water was collected in a pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vial. If there was any coarse fraction remaining in the sieve from wet sieving, this vial was also oven dried at 100 degrees Celsius and weighed when dry. If there was no coarse fraction remaining from wet sieving, the sample can proceed directly to processing for analyses by the HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction unit. Fine fractions ready for analysis by the HORIBA laser diffraction unit were rehydrated with distilled water if they had been dry. Fifteen (15) ml of pre-mixed 40 g/l sodium hexametaphosphate [(NaPO3)6] were added to each sample. If the height of the fluid in the laser diffraction vial was less than 5 cm, more distilled water was added to raise the level to no more than 8 cm in the vial. The samples were gently stirred, covered, and allowed to soak for at least 1 hour (for samples that were not dried) or up to 24 hours (for samples that were dried). Soaked vials were 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 appeared to be fully disaggregated, they were placed into pre-determined autosampler locations and were run using the HORIBA LA-960 for Windows software to get the fine fraction grain-size distributions. The fine fraction distribution data were added to the appropriate data entry spreadsheets (GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm or GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-60_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm) for each survey. The spreadsheet for each survey was used to calculate a continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions. Person who carried out this activity:

Brian Buczkowski

U.S. Geological Survey

Physical Scientist

384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 x2361 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

bbuczkowski@usgs.gov

Data sources used in this process:
- Sediment samples
- Sediment sample locations CSV files
Data sources produced in this process:
- Sediment subsamples
- Laser diffraction data entry spreadsheets
Date: 18-Apr-2019 (process 5 of 8)
Step 5: Analyzed sediment samples using the Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 and sieving of the >= 4-phi fraction.
The subsamples for grain-size analysis using the Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 and sieving of the >= 4-phi fraction were assigned unique analysis identifiers (ANALYSIS_ID), and a macro-enabled Microsoft Excel data entry spreadsheet (GrainSizeWorksheet_xxxx.xlsm, where xxxx is the batch number assigned to the sample submission) was created for each survey to record the measurement data. About 50 grams of wet sediment were placed in a pre-weighed beaker, weighed, oven dried at 100 degrees Celsius, and reweighed to correct for salt. The dried sample was wet sieved through a 0.062 mm (No. 230) sieve. The coarse fraction remaining in the sieve was oven dried at 100 degrees Celsius (until completely dried) and weighed. The fine fraction in water was collected in a plastic Nalgene bottle and sealed with a screw lid (stored for no longer than one week). The coarse fraction was dry sieved to determine the individual weights of the 4- to -5-phi fractions, and the weights were recorded in the data entry spreadsheet. The fine fraction was run and combined using the 200-micron and 30-micron Coulter analyses using the Multisizer 3 software to get the fine fraction grain-size distribution for each survey. The fine fraction distribution data were added to the data entry spreadsheet for each survey. The spreadsheet for each survey was used to calculate a continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions. Person who carried out this activity:

Allison Paquette

U.S. Geological Survey

Integrated Statistics contractor to the U.S. Geological Survey

384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

Data sources used in this process:
- Sediment subsamples
- Sediment sample locations CSV files
Data sources produced in this process:
- Multisizer data entry spreadsheets
Date: 18-Apr-2019 (process 6 of 8)
Step 6: Calculated grain-size classification and statistical analyses.
A continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions was transposed to the "results" tab in the macro-enabled Microsoft Excel data entry workbook (GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm or GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-60_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm for the laser diffraction results, where xxxx is the identifier assigned to the sample submission, "LD1-30" and "LD31-60" refer to the pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vials in which the samples were run, and "batch_yy" refers to the sample batch; or GrainSizeWorksheet_xxxx.xlsm for the Multisizer results, where xxxx is the identifier assigned to the sample submission) for each survey. Macros in the workbook ("GS_MoM_Arithmatic," "GS_statistics," and "sedimentname" for the laser diffraction results, and "GS_statistics" and "sedimentname" for the Multisizer results) were 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 were copied and pasted into a final Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (xxxx_GS-LD_results.xlsx for the laser diffraction results and xxxx_GS-MS_results.xlsx for the Multisizer results, where xxxx is the batch number assigned to the sample submission) for each survey. The processed data were quality control checked and assigned a quality grade based on the examination of the analytical data. Processed data were released to the submitter and incorporated into the laboratory's database. All raw analytical data generated by the samples were archived in the sediment analysis laboratory. Person who carried out this activity:

Brian Buczkowski

U.S. Geological Survey

Physical Scientist

384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 x2361 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

bbuczkowski@usgs.gov

Data sources used in this process:
- Laser diffraction data entry spreadsheets
- Multisizer data entry spreadsheets
Data sources produced in this process:
- Final Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (SA10_GS-LD_results.xlsx, SA11_GS-LD_results.xlsx, SA10_GS-MS_results.xlsx, and SA11_GS-MS_results.xlsx)
Date: Oct-2019 (process 7 of 8)
Step 7: Created final sediment grain-size analysis results CSV files.
For the laser diffraction results, the sediment grain-size analysis results spreadsheets for each survey were merged in Microsoft Excel 2016 for Mac and then edited to remove the quality grade and metric distribution fields and to format fields. The Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was then saved as a CSV file (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-LD.csv). For the Multisizer results, the sediment grain-size analysis results spreadsheets for each survey were merged in Microsoft Excel 2016 for Mac and then edited to remove some fields, format fields, add site locations for those sites where no sample was successfully collected, and add a no data value (-9999) to empty attributes as needed. The sites with no successful grab were located using the start time of the sampler retrieval from the survey logs; the sampler retrieval position was chosen as the sample location because the video clip is considered the sample in the absence of a physical sample. Some of these site locations from the survey logs did not intersect a bottom video trackline, so they were moved to the last navigation fix along the site's bottom video trackline. Finally, the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was saved as a CSV file (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-MS.csv). This process step and the subsequent process step were performed by the same person, Emily Huntley. Person who carried out this activity:

Emily Huntley

U.S. Geological Survey

Geographer/Database Specialist

384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

ehuntley@contractor.usgs.gov

Data sources used in this process:
- Final Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (SA10_GS-LD_results.xlsx, SA11_GS-LD_results.xlsx, SA10_GS-MS_results.xlsx, and SA11_GS-MS_results.xlsx)
- Survey logs
Data sources produced in this process:
- Final sediment grain-size analysis results CSV files
Date: Oct-2019 (process 8 of 8)
Step 8: Created a simplified sediment grain-size analysis results shapefile from the Multisizer analysis.
The CSV file of the sediment grain-size analysis results from the Multisizer analysis was copied and edited to create a simplified version of the CSV file with fewer attribute fields (specifically, STDEV, SKEWNESS, KURTOSIS, and the individual phi measurements [e.g., PHI_11] were removed). A shapefile was created using the simplified version of the CSV file in Esri ArcGIS (version 10.3.1), and XTools Pro (version 12.0) for Esri ArcGIS was used to modify some field parameters in the point shapefile (Table Operations - Table Restructure). Please note that this metadata file represents the CSV file; users should access the CSV file for the full sediment grain-size analysis results. Data sources used in this process:
- Final sediment grain-size analysis results CSV file from Multisizer analysis
Data sources produced in this process:
- Final simplified sediment grain-size analysis results shapefile
What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
Shepard, F.P., 1954, Nomenclature based on sand-silt-clay ratios: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology v. 24, no. 3., p. 151-158.

Schlee, J.S., and Webster, J., 1967, A computer program for grain-size data: Sedimentology v. 8, no. 1., p. 45-53.
Schlee, J.S., 1973, Atlantic continental shelf and slope of the United States—sediment texture of the northeastern part: Professional Paper 529-L, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.3133/pp529L
Poppe, L.J., McMullen, K.Y., Williams, S.J., and Paskevich, V.F., 2014, USGS east-coast sediment analysis: Procedures, database, and GIS data: Open-File Report 2005-1001, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
Online Links:
- https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/

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

How well have the observations been checked?
All attributes were evaluated during data processing as standard quality control to ensure attributes contain accurate and relevant information and values. Due to rounding, the sum of the aggregate class percentages (e.g., GRAVEL (wt%), GRAVEL_PCT, etc.) and the sum of the phi fraction percentages (e.g., PHI_11, PHI_10, etc.) may not always add up to exactly 100.000%.
How accurate are the geographic locations?
Navigation for field activities 2017-056-FA and 2018-018-FA used Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)-enabled GPS. The GPS was set to receive fixes at a 2-second interval in geographic coordinates (World Geodetic System of 1984 [WGS 84]). The recorded position of each sediment sample is the position of the GPS antenna on the survey vessel, located on the aft port side of the R/V Connecticut, not the location of the SEABOSS. The antenna was located approximately 5 meters from the SEABOSS deployment location in fall 2017 and 3 meters in spring 2018. No layback or offset was applied to the recorded position. In addition, the SEABOSS may drift away from the survey vessel when deployed to the sea floor. Based on the various sources of horizontal offsets, a conservative estimate of the horizontal accuracy of the sediment sample locations is 10 meters. The sites with no successful grab included in the Multisizer results are located along the bottom video trackline at the start of the SEABOSS retrieval. Some of these site locations did not originally intersect a bottom video trackline and were moved to the last navigation fix along the site's bottom video trackline.
How accurate are the heights or depths?
The depths recorded for each sample are approximate and were derived from an unpublished composite bathymetry dataset used by the Long Island Sound Mapping and Research Collaborative project.
Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
Physical sediment samples were collected at 179 of the 210 sites occupied during field activities 2017-056-FA and 2018-018-FA; however, locations for all 210 sites are included in the Multisizer analysis results (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-MS.csv and 2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-MS.shp) with no data values (i.e., -9999) for those sites with no sediment sample analysis. Sediment samples were only attempted in areas where collecting a sample would not damage the SEABOSS; therefore, no samples were collected in areas with a cobble, boulder, or rocky seabed, as identified in real time using the topside live video feed. Samples were also not attempted if the current was too strong, if the deployment was aborted due to the strobe malfunctioning, or if the grab sampler accidentally tripped earlier in the deployment. Each deployment of the SEABOSS is generally considered a unique site; however, five sites (sites SB64_2, 2018-018-024, 2018-018-089, 2018-018-094, and 2018-018-104) had two separate deployments because a sediment grab was not successfully collected during the first deployment. The sediment sample locations for these five sites are from the second deployment when a grab sample was successfully collected. For the spring 2018 data, 14 samples were randomly selected and run as replicates using the laser diffraction analyzer for internal testing purposes. The replicate results are not included in this publication.
How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
The sediment samples were all collected with the same modified Van Veen grab sampler mounted on the SEABOSS. The sediment samples were usually collected at the end of the video trackline, but some samples were collected in the middle of the transect (sites NB30, SB50_3, NB65, SB65_2, and 2018-018-112). The samples were analyzed using two methods; separate subsamples were taken for each grain-size analysis. For the spring 2018 survey, the University of Connecticut's Northeast Underwater Research, Technology and Education Center (NURTEC) assigned different names to the sites, which are available in the comments field (COMMENTS). Some USGS site numbers (FIELD_NO) have the same NURTEC site name (e.g., sites 2018-018-011 and 2018-018-012 are both NURTEC site NB64-T) because the NURTEC site names are based on the target sampling site names.

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	Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset.

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
What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Location and grain-size analysis results of sediment samples collected in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 by the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Connecticut, and University of New Haven during field activities 2017-056-FA and 2018-018-FA. This dataset contains the following files: a CSV file of the sediment sample locations and grain-size analysis results using the HORIBA LA-960 laser diffraction analyzer and sieving of the >= -2-phi fraction (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-LD.csv); a CSV file of the sediment sample locations and grain-size analysis results using the Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 and sieving of the >= 4-phi fraction (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-MS.csv); a simplified shapefile of the sediment sample locations and grain-size analysis results using the Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 and sieving of the >= 4-phi fraction (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_GS-MS.shp); a browse graphic of sediment sample locations (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_browse.jpg); and a Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) metadata file (2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_meta.xml).
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.

How can I download or order the data?

Availability in digital form:

Data format:

This dataset contains CSV files and a shapefile of locations and grain-size analysis results for sediment samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Connecticut, and University of New Haven in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 and the associated metadata. in format Comma-delimited text (version Microsoft Excel 2016 for Mac) Comma Separated Values (CSV) text file Size: 0.8

Network links:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5de9be03e4b02caea0eeda45
https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/5de9be03e4b02caea0eeda45
https://doi.org/10.5066/P9GK29NM

Data format:	This dataset contains CSV files and a shapefile of locations and grain-size analysis results for sediment samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Connecticut, and University of New Haven in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York, in fall 2017 and spring 2018 and the associated metadata. in format Shapefile (version Esri ArcGIS 10.3.1) Shapefile Size: 0.8
Network links:	https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/5de9be03e4b02caea0eeda45 https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/5de9be03e4b02caea0eeda45 https://doi.org/10.5066/P9GK29NM

Cost to order the data: none

What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
This dataset contains data available as CSV files and a point shapefile. The CSV files can be read with a text editor. The user must have software capable of reading shapefile format to use the point shapefile.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 19-Mar-2024

Metadata author:

Emily Huntley

U.S. Geological Survey

Geographer/Database Specialist

384 Woods Hole Rd.

Woods Hole, MA

USA

508-548-8700 (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. (updated on 20240319)

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_P9GK29NM/2017-056-FA_and_2018-018-FA_samples_meta.faq.html>