Grain size analyses of sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch collected on USGS Field Activity 2016-001-FA

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What does this data set describe?

Title:

Grain size analyses of sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch collected on USGS Field Activity 2016-001-FA

Abstract:

Variability in sediment properties with depth and the thickness of individual sedimentary layers are critical determinants of seabed acoustic response. The New England Mud Patch (NEMP), located south of Cape Cod, is an unusual feature on the U.S. Continental Shelf in that it is composed of fine-grained sediment layers containing a relatively-homogeneous mix of sand, silt, and clay-sized particles bounded by more typical sandy shelf sediments. The unique characteristics and nature of this deposit is due to a derivation of sediments that have been transported to, and deposited in, a basal bowl-shaped depression since the last glacial maximum. Ninety-two piston, vibra-, and gravity cores with a maximum length of 8.2 meters were collected from across the New England Mud Patch during a 2-leg, 10-day cruise aboard the R/V Endeavor in the spring of 2016. Geologic characterization and analysis of a subset of the cores including grain size, CaCO3, mineral composition, and bulk index properties (undrained shear strength, water content, density, and porosity) of discrete samples was carried out at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center's (WHCMSC) Sediment Analysis Laboratory. This data release contains the results of these analyses, along with visual core descriptions and summary sheets for each core analyzed for this study.

Supplemental_Information:

Cores were collected on the 2016 R/V Endeavor cruise EN577 from April 19, 2016 to May 2, 2016. Information about this expedition, also known as USGS Field Activity 2016-001-FA, is available at https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2016-001-FA

How might this data set be cited?
Boggess, A.A., Buczkowski, B.J., and Chaytor, J.D., 20210819, Grain size analyses of sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch collected on USGS Field Activity 2016-001-FA: data release DOI: 10.5066/P9ZYK3PX, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZYK3PX
- https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/60551970d34e1894882d0a38
This is part of the following larger work.
Boggess, A.A., Buczkowski, B.J., and Chaytor, J.D., 2021, Sedimentological and geotechnical analyses of marine sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZYK3PX
- https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/604b8bc4d34eb120311b3800
Other_Citation_Details:
Suggested citation: Boggess, A.A., Buczkowski, B.J., and Chaytor, J.D., 2021, Sedimentological and geotechnical analyses of marine sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZYK3PX.
What geographic area does the data set cover?
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.7979
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.4370
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.5952
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.3058
What does it look like?

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/60551970d34e1894882d0a38/?name=MudPatchCores_BrowseGraphic.png (PNG)
Browse image of the core collection locations and spatial extent of the study area
Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

Beginning_Date: 19-Apr-2016

Ending_Date: 02-May-2016

Currentness_Reference:

ground condition
What is the general form of this data set?
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet
How does the data set represent geographic features?
1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
  Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0197464427. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0258271413. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is WGS_1984.
  The ellipsoid used is WGS_84.
  The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0.
  The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
  
  Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
  Depth_System_Definition:
  Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
  Depth_Resolution: 0.1
  Depth_Distance_Units: meters
  Depth_Encoding_Method: Attribute values

How does the data set describe geographic features?

EN577_GrainSize_PistonCores.csv

Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing grain-size data for NEMP piston cores. Point dataset. 770 data records. (Source: Producer Defined)

SAMPLE_ID

Sample ID. Naming convention: FFFFF-CC-P-GS-# (FFFFF= Field ID abbreviation) (CC=Core ID) (P=Piston Core) (GS= Grain Size Sample) (# = Sample Number) (Source: USGS) character string

PROJECT

Project group ID (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
ONR Mud Patch	ID for USGS project

CRUISE ID

Cruise identification code assigned by research vessel (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
EN577	R/V Endeavor Cruise EN577, also known by WHCMSC field activity number 2016-001-FA

CONTACT

Contact for samples (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
JCHAYTOR	Jason D. Chaytor

AREA

General area where samples were taken (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
Mud Patch	Southern New England Mud Patch

CORE_ID

Core identification number assigned in field. Naming convention EN577-XXPC (EN577=Cruise ID) (XX=Core number) (PC=Piston Core) (Source: USGS) character string

LATITUDE

Latitude of core that grain-size data came from (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	39.893954
Maximum:	40.50153
Units:	decimal degrees

LONGITUDE

Longitude of core that grain-size data came from (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	-70.948424
Maximum:	-70.482964
Units:	decimal degrees

WATER_DEPTH

Water depth at location where core was collected (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	69.3
Maximum:	645.0
Units:	Meters
Resolution:	0.1

SAMPLE_DEPTH_TOP

Top of interval that was sampled for grain-size analysis (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	3
Maximum:	780
Units:	centimeters

SAMPLE_DEPTH_BOTTOM

Bottom of interval that was sampled for grain-size analysis (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	4
Maximum:	781
Units:	centimeters

DEVICE

Device used to collect core (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
PISTON CORER	Piston Corer

DATE_COLLECTED

Date that core was collected. Format: MM/DD/YYYY (MM= Month) (DD=Day) (YYYY=Year) (Source: USGS) character string

DATE_ANALYZED

Date that grain-size analysis was completed. Format: MM/DD/YYYY (MM= Month) (DD=Day) (YYYY=Year) (Source: USGS) character string

WEIGHT

Weight of dry sample (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	2.151
Maximum:	31.167
Units:	grams
Resolution:	0.001

GRAVEL_PCT

Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 Phi and coarser). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	28.87
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

SAND_PCT

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	2.53
Maximum:	99.78
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

SILT_PCT

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, inclusive). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	86.13
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

CLAY_PCT

Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; 9 Phi and finer). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	85.38
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

CLASSIFICATION

Sediment description based on a rigorous definition, usually Shepard (1954) as modified by Schlee (1973) and Poppe and others ( 2005). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Value	Definition
clayey silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant clay.
sand silt clay	Sediment with significant (over 20 percent) sand, silt, and clay
silty clay	Sediment whose main phase is clay, but with significant silt.
sandy silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
silty sand	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
sand	Sediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.062 mm.
gravelly sediment	Sediment with gravel component equal to or greater than 10 percent, but less than 50 percent
clay	Sediment whose main phase is less than 0.004 mm.
clayey sand	Sediment whose main phase is sand, but with significant clay.
silt	Sediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm but greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm; 0 phi through 4 phi

MEDIAN

Middle point in the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.85
Maximum:	10.39
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

MEAN

Average value in the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.46
Maximum:	9.44
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

STDEV

Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units (sorting). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.55
Maximum:	3.57
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

SKEWNESS

Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	-2.24
Maximum:	5.17
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

KURTOSIS

Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	-0.59
Maximum:	39.63
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

PHI11

11 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 11 Phi fraction and finer (nominal diameter of particles less than 0.001 mm); fine clay. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	21.01
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI10

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	34.68
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI9

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	37.35
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI8

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.01
Maximum:	31.60
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI7

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.01
Maximum:	47.41
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI6

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.01
Maximum:	34.11
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI5

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	65.37
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI4

4 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 4 Phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to .0625 mm, but less than 0.125 mm); very fine sand. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.5
Maximum:	85.89
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI3

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.01
Maximum:	68.25
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI2

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	81.9
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI1

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	43.01
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI0

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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	16.68
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm1

-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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	4.85
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm2

-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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	28.19
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm3

-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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	11.66
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm4

-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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	17.72
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm5

-5 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -5 Phi fraction and coarser (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 32 mm); very coarse pebbles, cobbles, and boulders. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	6.93
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

ANALYST

Analyst who performed grain size laboratory analysis (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
ARP	Allison R. Paquette

DATA 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, and any comments or notes about the data for a particular sample are included in the results table for that sample under "comments". 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. (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
A	Coarse fraction percent differences between 0% and ±1.5%
B	Coarse fraction percent differences between ±1.5% and ±3%
D	Coarse fraction percent differences between percent differences greater than ±4.5%
C	Coarse fraction percent differences between ±3% and ±4.5%

GRADE QUALIFIER

Scientist who determined the data quality grade of sample (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
BJB	Brian J. Buczkowski
JDC	Jason D. Chaytor

COMMENTS

Information about percent difference between initial calculated coarse fraction (3 phi and coarser) weight and the sum of the sieved and weighed coarse material. (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
<< empty cell >>	No comments given for sample by grade qualifier

character string; statement of justification for data quality grade

EN577_GrainSize_TriggerCores.csv

Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing grain-size data for NEMP trigger cores. Point dataset. 77 data records. (Source: Producer Defined)

SAMPLE_ID

Sample ID. Naming convention: FFFFF-CC-T-GS-# (FFFFF= Field ID abbreviation) (CC=Core ID) (T=Trigger Core) (GS= Indicates Grain Size Sample) (# = Sample Number) (Source: Producer Defined) character string

FAN

Field activity number assigned by center. (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
2016-001-FA	R/V Endeavor Cruise EN577

CONTACT

Contact for samples (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
JCHAYTOR	Jason D. Chaytor

AREA

General area where samples were taken (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
Southern New England Mud Patch	Southern New England Mud Patch

CORE_ID

Core identification number assigned in field. Naming convention EN577-XXPC (EN577=Cruise ID) (XX=Core number) (PC=Piston Core) (Source: Producer Defined) character string

LATITUDE

Latitude of core that grain-size data came from (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	40.305839
Maximum:	40.520818
Units:	decimal degrees

LONGITUDE

Longitude of core that grain-size data came from (Source: Producer Defined)

Range of values
Minimum:	-70.7472293
Maximum:	-70.482964
Units:	decimal degrees

WATER_DEPTH

Water depth at location where core was collected (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	68.6
Maximum:	107.9
Units:	Meters
Resolution:	0.1

SAMPLE_DEPTH_TOP

Top of interval that was sampled for grain-size analysis (Source: Producer Defined)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	65
Units:	centimeters

SAMPLE_DEPTH_BOTTOM

Bottom of interval that was sampled for grain-size analysis (Source: Producer Defined)

Range of values
Minimum:	1
Maximum:	66
Units:	centimeters

DEVICE

Device used to collect core (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
PISTON CORER	Piston Corer

DATE_COLLECTED

Date that core was collected. Format: MM/DD/YYYY (MM= Month) (DD=Day) (YYYY=Year) (Source: USGS) character string

DATE_ANALYZED

Date that grain-size analysis was completed. Format: MM/DD/YYYY (MM= Month) (DD=Day) (YYYY=Year) (Source: USGS) character string

WEIGHT

Weight of dry sample (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	4.367
Maximum:	10.760
Units:	grams
Resolution:	0.001

GRAVEL_PCT

Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 Phi and coarser). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	2.29
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

SAND_PCT

Range of values
Minimum:	10.56
Maximum:	56.33
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

SILT_PCT

Range of values
Minimum:	31.43
Maximum:	80.61
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

CLAY_PCT

Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; 9 Phi and finer). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.02
Maximum:	40.82
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

CLASSIFICATION

Value	Definition
clayey silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant clay.
sand silt clay	Sediment with significant (over 20 percent) sand, silt, and clay
silty clay	Sediment whose main phase is clay, but with significant silt.
sandy silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
silty sand	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
sand	Sediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.062 mm.
gravelly sediment	Sediment with gravel component equal to or greater than 10 percent, but less than 50 percent
clay	Sediment whose main phase is less than 0.004 mm.
clayey sand	Sediment whose main phase is sand, but with significant clay.
silt	Sediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm but greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm; 0 phi through 4 phi

MEDIAN

Middle point in the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	3.89
Maximum:	7.56
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

MEAN

Average value in the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	4.54
Maximum:	6.99
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

STDEV

Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units (sorting). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	1.31
Maximum:	2.33
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

SKEWNESS

Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	-0.82
Maximum:	1.56
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

KURTOSIS

Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	-0.13
Maximum:	5.99
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

PHI11

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	11.17
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI10

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	14.55
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI9

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	26.14
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI8

Range of values
Minimum:	2.07
Maximum:	29.90
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI7

Range of values
Minimum:	4.55
Maximum:	51.54
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI6

Range of values
Minimum:	4.11
Maximum:	32.75
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI5

Range of values
Minimum:	1.53
Maximum:	60.07
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI4

Range of values
Minimum:	10.51
Maximum:	55.15
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI3

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	1.44
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI2

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	0.37
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI1

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	0.19
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI0

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	0.12
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm1

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	0.22
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm2

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	2.18
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm3

Range of values
Minimum:	0.0
Maximum:	0.00
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm4

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	0.00
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm5

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	0.00
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

ANALYST

Analyst who performed grain size laboratory analysiss (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
ARP	Allison R. Paquette

DATA QUALITY GRADE

Value	Definition
A	Coarse fraction percent differences between 0% and ±1.5%
B	Coarse fraction percent differences between ±1.5% and ±3%
C	Coarse fraction percent differences between ±3% and ±4.5%

GRADE QUALIFIER

Scientist who determined the data quality grade of sample (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
BJB	Brian J. Buczkowski
JDC	Jason D. Chaytor

COMMENTS

Information about percent difference between initial calculated coarse fraction (3 phi and coarser) weight and the sum of the sieved and weighed coarse material. (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
<< empty cell >>	No comments given for sample by grade qualifier

character string; statement of justification for data quality grade

EN577_GrainSize_AcousticCores.csv

Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing grain size data for NEMP acoustic/gravity cores. Point dataset. 58 data records. (Source: Producer Defined)

SAMPLE_ID

Sample ID. Naming convention: FFFFF-CC-G-GS-# (FFFFF= Field ID abbreviation) (CC=Core ID) (G=Gravity/Acoustic Core) (GS= Indicates Grain Size Sample) (# = Sample Number) (Source: Producer Defined) character string

FAN

Field activity number assigned by center. (Source: USGS)

Value	Definition
2016-001-FA	R/V Endeavor Cruise EN577

CONTACT

Contact for samples (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
JCHAYTOR	Jason D. Chaytor

AREA

General area where samples were taken (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
Mud Patch	Southern New England Mud Patch

CORE_ID

Core identification number assigned in field. Naming convention EN577-ACXX (EN577=Cruise ID) (AC Core) (XX=Core number) (Source: Producer Defined) character string

LATITUDE

Latitude of core that grain-size data came from (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	40.4329
Maximum:	40.48132
Units:	decimal degrees

LONGITUDE

Longitude of core that grain-size data came from (Source: Producer Defined)

Range of values
Minimum:	-70.792517
Maximum:	-70.59867
Units:	decimal degrees

WATER_DEPTH

Water depth at location where core was collected (Source: USGS)

Range of values
Minimum:	76
Maximum:	86
Units:	Meters
Resolution:	1

SAMPLE_DEPTH_TOP

Top of interval that was sampled for grain-size analysis (Source: Producer Defined)

Range of values
Minimum:	2
Maximum:	226
Units:	centimeters

SAMPLE_DEPTH_BOTTOM

Bottom of interval that was sampled for grain-size analysis (Source: Producer Defined)

Range of values
Minimum:	3
Maximum:	227
Units:	centimeters

DEVICE

Device used to collect core (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
GRAVITY (ACOUSTIC) CORER	Gravity (Acoustic) Corer

DATE_COLLECTED

Date that core was collected. Format: MM/DD/YYYY (MM= Month) (DD=Day) (YYYY=Year) (Source: USGS) character string

DATE_ANALYZED

Date that grain-size analysis was completed. Format: MM/DD/YYYY (MM= Month) (DD=Day) (YYYY=Year) (Source: USGS) character string

WEIGHT

Weight of dry sample (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	3.3660
Maximum:	11.5893
Units:	grams
Resolution:	0.001

GRAVEL_PCT

Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 Phi and coarser). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0
Maximum:	5.75
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

SAND_PCT

Range of values
Minimum:	6.48
Maximum:	64.72
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

SILT_PCT

Range of values
Minimum:	23.48
Maximum:	78.19
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

CLAY_PCT

Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; 9 Phi and finer). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	3.82
Maximum:	47.89
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

CLASSIFICATION

Value	Definition
clayey silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant clay.
sand silt clay	Sediment with significant (over 20 percent) sand, silt, and clay
silty clay	Sediment whose main phase is clay, but with significant silt.
sandy silt	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
silty sand	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
sand	Sediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.062 mm.
gravelly sediment	Sediment with gravel component equal to or greater than 10 percent, but less than 50 percent
clay	Sediment whose main phase is less than 0.004 mm.
clayey sand	Sediment whose main phase is sand, but with significant clay.
silt	Sediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm but greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm; 0 phi through 4 phi

MEDIAN

Middle point in the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	2.39
Maximum:	7.88
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

MEAN

Average value in the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	3.03
Maximum:	7.01
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

STDEV

Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units (sorting). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	1.57
Maximum:	2.78
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

SKEWNESS

Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	-2.24
Maximum:	5.17
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

KURTOSIS

Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

Range of values
Minimum:	0.13
Maximum:	3.03
Units:	phi
Resolution:	0.01

PHI11

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	13.17
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI10

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	18.26
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI9

Range of values
Minimum:	1.90
Maximum:	28.62
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI8

Range of values
Minimum:	4.08
Maximum:	29.90
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI7

Range of values
Minimum:	3.35
Maximum:	24.82
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI6

Range of values
Minimum:	1.14
Maximum:	25.28
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI5

Range of values
Minimum:	0.79
Maximum:	53.40
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI4

Range of values
Minimum:	6.42
Maximum:	27.91
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI3

Range of values
Minimum:	0.02
Maximum:	16.66
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI2

Range of values
Minimum:	0.01
Maximum:	26.88
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI1

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	9.87
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHI0

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	1.18
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm1

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	1.28
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm2

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	4.47
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm3

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	0.00
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm4

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	0.00
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

PHIm5

Range of values
Minimum:	0.00
Maximum:	0.00
Units:	percent
Resolution:	0.01

ANALYST

Analyst who performed grain size laboratory analysiss (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
ARP	Allison R. Paquette

DATA QUALITY GRADE

Value	Definition
A	Coarse fraction percent differences between 0% and ±1.5%
B	Coarse fraction percent differences between ±1.5% and ±3%
D	Coarse fraction percent differences between percent differences greater than ±4.5%
C	Coarse fraction percent differences between ±3% and ±4.5%

GRADE QUALIFIER

Scientist who determined the data quality grade of sample (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
BJB	Brian J. Buczkowski
JDC	Jason D. Chaytor

COMMENTS

Information about percent difference between initial calculated coarse fraction (3 phi and coarser) weight and the sum of the sieved and weighed coarse material. (Source: Producer Defined)

Value	Definition
<< empty cell >>	No comments given for sample by grade qualifier

character string; statement of justification for data quality grade

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

Finalized undrained grain size data was taken from a master table of calculations and compiled into three CSV (comma-separated value)spreadsheet files pertaining to each core type (piston, trigger, and acoustic cores).

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)
- A.A. Boggess
- B.J. Buczkowski
- J.D. Chaytor
Who also contributed to the data set?
To whom should users address questions about the data?

Jason Chaytor

U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

Research Geologist

384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA

US

508-548-8700 x2351 (voice)

jchaytor@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

The data gained through the analyses of cores collected from the New England Mud Patch help provide a comprehensive understanding of the nature and properties of the sediments found in this geographic location. Grain size analyses were used to define the grain size distribution and sedimentary character of samples collected from the cores.

How was the data set created?

From what previous works were the data drawn?
How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

Date: 2016 (process 1 of 5)
Each core was cut into sections on the ship during collection. The cores were then split into halves in the core lab. Subsamples (1- cm thick) were taken from the split cores for grain size analysis. Person who carried out this activity:

Jason Chaytor

U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

Research Geologist

384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA

US

508-548-8700 x2351 (voice)

jchaytor@usgs.gov

Date: 2020 (process 2 of 5)
Samples submitted to the sediment analysis laboratory for grain size analysis using the Beckman Coulter Multisizer3 and sieving of the ≥ 4 phi fraction are assigned internal analysis identifiers to record the measurement data. About 50 grams of wet sediment are placed in a pre-weighed beaker, weighed, oven dried at 100°C, and reweighed to correct for salt. The dried sample is wet sieved through a 0.062 mm (No. 230) sieve. The coarse fraction remaining in the sieve is oven dried at 100°C (until completely dried) and weighed. The fine fraction in water is collected in a plastic Nalgene bottle and sealed with a screw lid (stored for no longer than one week). The coarse fraction is dry sieved to determine the individual weights of the 4 to -5 phi fractions, and the weights are recorded in the data entry spreadsheet. At the request of the submitter, shell and shell fragments can be manually removed from the -2 phi and coarser fractions, weighed and their weights are recorded in the data entry spreadsheet. The fine fraction is run and combined using the 200 μm and 30 μm Coulter analyses using the Multisizer3 software (version 3.53) to get the fine fraction grain size distribution. The fine fraction distribution data are added to the data entry spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is used to calculate a continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions. Person who carried out this activity:

Allyson A Boggess

U.S. Geological Survey, NORTHEAST REGION

Geologist

384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA

US

508-548-8700 x2341 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

aboggess@usgs.gov

Date: 2020 (process 3 of 5)
Continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions are transposed to the "results" tab in the macro-enabled Microsoft Excel data entry workbook with a unique identifier assigned to the sample submission. Macros in the workbook are run to calculate grain size classification and statistical analyses. 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 for each sample submission batch . 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 analysis laboratory. Person who carried out this activity:

Brian Buczkowski

U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region

Physical Scientist

384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA

US

508-548-8700 x2361 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

bbuczkowski@usgs.gov

Date: 2020 (process 4 of 5)
Finalized grain-size data was taken from individual batch tables and compiled into three CSV (comma-separated value)spreadsheets of data pertaining to each core type (piston, trigger, and acoustic cores). Person who carried out this activity:

Allyson A Boggess

U.S. Geological Survey, NORTHEAST REGION

Geologist

384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA

US

508-548-8700 x2341 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

aboggess@usgs.gov

Date: 17-Nov-2021 (process 5 of 5)
Tweaked a thesaurus name (20211117). Person who carried out this activity:

U.S. Geological Survey

Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

Marine Geologist

384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA

508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

508-457-2310 (FAX)

vatnipp@usgs.gov
What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
Chaytor, Jason D., Ballard, Megan S., Buczkowski, Brian J., Goff, John A., Lee, Kevin M., Reed, Allen H., and Boggess, Allyson A., 2021, Measurements of Geologic Characteristics and Geophysical Properties of Sediments from the New England Mud Patch: IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, Piscataway, NJ.
Online Links:
- https://doi.org/10.1109/JOE.2021.3101013
Other_Citation_Details:
This journal article is the publication supported by this data release.

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

How well have the observations been checked?
Data quality grades have been assigned to each sample analysis, indicating the accuracy of the grain size distribution of the sample's coarse fraction. Standards are regularly run for quality control on the Beckman Coulter Multisizer3, ensuring accuracy of grain-size measurements of the fine fractions.
How accurate are the geographic locations?
How accurate are the heights or depths?
Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
Of the 98 cores collected during the R/V Endeavor EN577 cruise, 66 cores were analyzed for this grain-size dataset. Cores chosen for analysis were those that were thought to represent the full range of sediments expected to be encountered. Any cores omitted from analysis were not included because the coring locations were in close proximity to previously analyzed cores.
How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
Samples' quantified grain size classification, calculated with workbook macros (see Process Step 3), were compared to the qualitative grain size classification described by observers on the core's visual description. This was done to ensure that the actual grain-size data was consistent with expected results determined by inspection of physical samples.

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	Not to be used for navigation. The 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

United States

1-888-275-8747 (voice)

sciencebase@usgs.gov
What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? The dataset includes the data files (EN577_GrainSize_PistonCores.csv, EN577_GrainSize_TriggerCores.csv, EN577_GrainSize_AcousticCores.csv), the browse graphic (MudPatchCores_BrowseGraphic.png) and the FGDC CSDGM metadata in XML format (EN577_GrainSize_Metadata.xml).
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.

How can I download or order the data?

Availability in digital form:

Data format:	Comma separated value spreadsheet in format CSV (version Microsoft Excel 2008) Size: 1.32
Network links:	https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/60551970d34e1894882d0a38 https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/60551970d34e1894882d0a38 https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZYK3PX

Cost to order the data: None

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 22-May-2023

Metadata author:

Allyson A Boggess

U.S. Geological Survey, NORTHEAST REGION

Geologist

384 Woods Hole Road

Woods Hole, MA

508-548-8700 x2341 (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 metadata contact is no longer with the USGS or the email is otherwise invalid.

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_P9ZYK3PX/EN577_GrainSize_Metadata.faq.html>