Location and analysis of sediment samples collected during field activity 2012-035-FA by the U.S. Geological Survey and Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, in August 2012 (point shapefile and CSV file)

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What does this data set describe?

Title:
Location and analysis of sediment samples collected during field activity 2012-035-FA by the U.S. Geological Survey and Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, in August 2012 (point shapefile and CSV file)
Abstract:
Accurate data and maps of sea-floor geology are important first steps toward protecting habitat, delineating marine resources, and assessing environmental changes due to natural or human effects. Initiated in 2003, the primary objective of the Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Sea Floor program is to develop regional geologic framework information for the management of coastal and marine resources. The program is focused on the inshore waters (primarily 5-30 meters deep, although the region surveyed in this field activity includes waters up to 90 meters deep) of Massachusetts. This dataset, collected aboard the Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Bold as part of the Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Sea Floor Program, is from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sampling survey 2012-035-FA (August 21-27, 2012) by the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management with partners from the Massachusetts Bays Program, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During the survey, surficial sediment samples and bottom still and video imagery were collected in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts.
Supplemental_Information:
Physical sediment samples were additionally analyzed for benthic infauna by AECOM (see report by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management [2013] available from the cross-reference citation). Bottom still and video imagery was also taken at each station (see shapefiles 2012-035-FA_photos.shp and 2012-035-FA_videos.shp available from the larger work citation; see the Coastal and Marine Geology Program Video and Photograph Portal to view the bottom videos [Golden and others, 2015; link available from the cross-reference citation]). For more information about this field activity, see https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2012-035-FA. For more information about the Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Sea Floor program, see https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/coastal_mass/.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2018, Location and analysis of sediment samples collected during field activity 2012-035-FA by the U.S. Geological Survey and Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, in August 2012 (point shapefile and CSV file): data release DOI:10.5066/P924M8R1, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Huntley, Emily C., Ackerman, Seth D., Boeri, Robert L., Callaghan, Todd P., Sampson, Daniel W., and Blackwood, Dann S., 2018, Sampling data collected in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, in 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2012-035-FA: data release DOI:10.5066/P924M8R1, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested citation: Huntley, E.C., Ackerman, S.D., Boeri, R.L., Callaghan, T.P., Sampson, D.W., and Blackwood, D.S., 2018, Sampling data collected in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, in 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2012-035-FA: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P924M8R1.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.907127
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.498603
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.873395
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.296985
  3. What does it look like?
    https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2012-035-FA/data/samples/2012-035-FA_samples_browse.jpg (JPEG)
    Thumbnail image of sample locations in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 21-Aug-2012
    Ending_Date: 27-Aug-2012
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector and tabular digital data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Entity point (350)
    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.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    2012-035-FA_samples
    Sample locations and textural analysis for samples collected during USGS survey 2012-035-FA in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, in 2012. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: Esri) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: Esri) Coordinates defining the features.
    GROUP
    Sample group number assigned to data by USGS sediment laboratory based on source. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    ValueDefinition
    3Sediment entirely or partially analyzed, processed, or visually described by USGS Woods Hole scientists; most samples analyzed in the USGS Woods Hole Sediment Laboratory.
    DB_ID
    Database identifier assigned by sediment laboratory. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    FIELD_NO
    Sample name or number as assigned in the field by the Chief Scientist. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    PROJECT
    Survey area of the research project. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary.) Character sting.
    CRUISE_ID
    Name or number of cruise on which sample collected. Historically cruise identifiers were a combination of ship name, year of cruise, and cruise leg. In more recent years, cruise identifier is a sequential serial number assigned to field activities within a specific year (in the format YYYY-XXX-FA where YYYY is the survey year, XXX is the cruise number within that year, and FA is Field Activity). (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    CONTACT
    Name of Principal Investigator or Chief Scientist responsible for data collection (usually first initial and last name). (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    AREA
    Regional research focus for USGS survey 2012-035-FA. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    LATITUDE
    Latitude coordinate, in decimal degrees (WGS 84), of sample location. South latitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:42.29698500
    Maximum:42.87339500
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-70.90712670
    Maximum:-70.49860330
    Units:decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00000001
    DEPTH_M
    Depth in meters extracted from the NOAA U.S. Coastal Relief Model data. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:11.0
    Maximum:87.3
    Units:meters
    Resolution:0.1
    T_DEPTH
    Top depth of the sub-sample collected from the whole grab sample below the sediment-water interface in centimeters. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0
    Units:centimeters
    B_DEPTH
    Bottom depth of the sub-sample collected from the whole grab sample below the sediment-water interface in centimeters. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2
    Maximum:2
    Units:centimeters
    DEVICE
    Device used to collect the sample. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    MONTH_COLL
    Calendar month sample collected based on time in UTC. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:8
    Maximum:8
    Units:months
    Resolution:1
    DAY_COLL
    Calendar day sample collected based on time in UTC. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:21
    Maximum:27
    Units:days
    Resolution:1
    YEAR_COLL
    Calendar year sample collected based on time in UTC. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2012
    Maximum:2012
    Units:years
    Resolution:1
    MONTH_ANAL
    Calendar month sample analyzed. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:11
    Maximum:11
    Units:months
    Resolution:1
    DAY_ANAL
    Calendar day sample analyzed. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:28
    Maximum:28
    Units:days
    Resolution:1
    YEAR_ANAL
    Calendar year sample analyzed. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2012
    Maximum:2012
    Units:years
    Resolution:1
    WEIGHT
    Weight of dry sample in grams. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:16.7942
    Maximum:246.6600
    Units:grams
    Resolution:0.0001
    GRAVEL_PCT
    Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 phi and larger). No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:74.51
    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, inclusive). No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.39
    Maximum:99.69
    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). No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.18
    Maximum:70.51
    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 smaller). No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.08
    Maximum:34.49
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    CLASSIFICA
    Sediment classification based on a rigorous definition (Shepard [1954] as modified by Schlee [1973] and Poppe and others [2014]). For stations where a physical sample was not collected, the classification was based on visual analysis by USGS geologists of the bottom still and video imagery taken during the sampler deployment. 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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    ValueDefinition
    CLAYEY SILTSilt less than 75 percent and equal to or greater than 50 percent, clay greater than sand, and sand less than 20 percent.
    GRAVELGravel equal to or greater than 50 percent.
    GRAVELLY SEDIMENTGravel equal to or greater than 10 percent, but less than 50 percent.
    MUDMud (silt plus clay) equal to or greater than 50 percent based on visual observation.
    SANDSand equal to or greater than 75 percent.
    SAND SILT CLAYClay, sand, and silt greater than 20 percent each.
    SANDY SILTSilt less than 75 percent and equal to or greater than 50 percent, sand greater than clay, and clay less than 20 percent.
    SILTY SANDSand less than 75 percent and equal to or greater than 50 percent, silt greater than clay, and clay less than 20 percent.
    MEDIAN
    Middle point in the grain-size distribution in phi units. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-4.20
    Maximum:7.34
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    MEAN
    Average value in the grain-size distribution in phi units. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-2.37
    Maximum:7.06
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.44
    Maximum:4.65
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    SKEWNESS
    Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain-size distribution where positive values show an excess of fine-grained sediments and negative values show an excess of coarse-grained sediments. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.45
    Maximum:5.30
    Units:unitless
    Resolution:0.01
    KURTOSIS
    Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain-size distribution. No data value is -9999. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-1.44
    Maximum:144.45
    Units:unitless
    Resolution:0.01
    MODE1CLASS
    First mode (particle size that occurs the most number of times) in phi units. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) -9999 (representing no data for this field).
    MODE1FREQ
    Modal strength of the first mode in percent. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) -9999 (representing no data for this field).
    MODE2CLASS
    Second mode in phi units. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) -9999 (representing no data for this field).
    MODE2FREQ
    Modal strength of the second mode in percent. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) -9999 (representing no data for this field).
    MODE3CLASS
    Third mode in phi units. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) -9999 (representing no data for this field).
    MODE3FREQ
    Modal strength of the third mode in percent. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) -9999 (representing no data for this field).
    NMODES
    Number of modes. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) -9999 (representing no data for this field).
    PHIm5
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHIm4
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:62.49
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHIm3
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:26.13
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHIm2
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:29.58
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHIm1
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:40.11
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:41.54
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:81.40
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.10
    Maximum:61.82
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.12
    Maximum:74.09
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:92.53
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.04
    Maximum:18.99
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.03
    Maximum:18.06
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.05
    Maximum:29.21
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.05
    Maximum:27.05
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.04
    Maximum:18.67
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:10.59
    Units:percent
    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: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.02
    Maximum:5.23
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    ANALYST
    Name (usually first initial and last name) of person who analyzed the sediment samples in the sediment lab. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    ANAL_COMM
    Any further information about sediment analysis for all or specific parameters in this table. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    LITHOLOGY
    Description of physical characteristics of the sample, if appropriate. (Source: Modified from USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary.) Character string.
    COMMENTS
    Comments on sample collection or lithology. Visual observation of bottom type was made from bottom still and video imagery for this survey. (Source: USGS East-Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    The CSV file has the same attributes, except for FID (which is not included), with the same definitions.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • U.S. Geological Survey
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. 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 includes the locations and grain-size analysis or textural description of surficial sediments collected with a modified Van Veen grab on the SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS) during USGS survey 2012-035-FA.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    Sediment sample locations with sediment grain-size analysis and raw navigation files (source 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey, Unpublished Material, Sediment sample locations with sediment grain-size analysis and navigation data.

    Type_of_Source_Media: disc
    Source_Contribution:
    Sediment samples were acquired using the InterOcean SEABOSS. The sediment data and the observations from video and still cameras are used to explore the nature of the sea floor and, in conjunction with high-resolution geophysical data, to make interpretive maps of sedimentary environments and validate acoustic remote sensing data. The InterOcean SEABOSS incorporates a downward-looking video camera, a still camera, and a modified Van Veen sediment sampler. The elements of this particular SEABOSS system are held within a stainless-steel frame that measures 1.15 x 1.15 meters. The frame has a stabilizer fin that orients the system as it drifts over the seabed. The OSV Bold occupied one of the target stations and the SEABOSS was deployed off the vessel's A-frame on the stern of the ship. The vessel and sampler drifted with wind and current for up to a few minutes to ensure a decent image with a clear view of the sea floor and then at most stations the sea floor was sampled with the SEABOSS's integrated Van Veen grab. 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 top-side live video feed. The system was then raised and recovered to the deck of the survey vessel. DGPS navigation from a Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx receiver was logged through a Microsoft HyperTerminal (version 5.1) session on a Dell Latitude D820 laptop computer running Windows XP SP2 via serial cable and was also recorded to the audio channel of the video files. The DGPS was set to receive fixes at a two-second interval in geographic coordinates (WGS 84). Log files were saved approximately for each Julian day in ASCII text format.
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: Aug-2012 (process 1 of 7)
    Three hundred fifty stations were occupied aboard the OSV Bold during USGS survey 2012-035-FA with the InterOcean SEABOSS (Blackwood and Parolski, 2001). The SEABOSS was equipped with a Van Veen grab sampler, a still camera, and a downward-looking video camera. Physical sediment samples were collected at 219 of the 350 stations. Times for the sampler retrieval, which would later be used to derive the sample locations, were manually recorded in the logbook from the DGPS receiver when the sampler was lifted from the seabed (the Van Veen sampler closed and collected a sample as it was lifted off the sea floor). Once the sampler was recovered, the sample was divided in the Van Veen grab using an acrylic sheet. One side was used for grain-size analysis, while the other side was processed for benthic infaunal analysis by AECOM (see report by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management [2013] available from the cross-reference citation). 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:
    • Physical sediment samples
    • Logbook
    Date: Sep-2012 (process 2 of 7)
    DGPS navigation from a Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx receiver was logged through a Microsoft HyperTerminal (version 5.1) session on a Dell Latitude D820 laptop computer running Windows XP SP2 via serial cable. The DGPS was set to receive fixes at a two-second interval in geographic coordinates (WGS 84). Log files were saved approximately for each Julian day in ASCII text format. Dates and times were recorded in UTC. The original log files were reformatted into log files by full Julian day based on UTC time. An AWK script (awkseth.gprmc.12035.awk) was run on the log files to parse for the GPRMC navigation string and create ASCII Comma Separated Value (CSV) text files. The output files were merged and then reformatted using an AWK script (nav_time_reformat.awk), creating a final processed navigation file for the entire 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 used in this process:
    • Raw navigation files
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Processed two-second navigation file
    Date: Oct-2012 (process 3 of 7)
    The sediment samples were geolocated by linking the sampler retrieval time, which was recorded in the logbook as the VOFFB (vehicle off bottom) time, to the corresponding time in the navigation file. 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:
    • Logbook
    • Processed two-second navigation file
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Sediment sample locations CSV file
    Date: Nov-2012 (process 4 of 7)
    Samples were analyzed in the sediment laboratory at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. The coarse fraction was determined by sieve; the fine fraction was determined using a Coulter Counter. See Poppe and others (2014) for analytical specifics for grain-size measurement processes. Sediment statistics and sample locations were recorded in Microsoft Excel and saved as a CSV file. Person who carried out this activity:
    Kate McMullen
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    Data sources used in this process:
    • Physical sediment samples
    • Sediment sample locations CSV file
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Sediment grain-size analysis CSV file
    Date: Feb-2014 (process 5 of 7)
    A shapefile was created using the sediment grain-size analysis CSV file in Esri ArcGIS (version 10.2). Stations with no physical sediment sample were included in the shapefile and classified by USGS geologists based on the visual observation of the bottom still and video imagery taken during the sampler deployment. 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:
    • Sediment grain-size analysis CSV file
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Sediment grain-size analysis shapefile
    Date: Nov-2017 (process 6 of 7)
    The visual observation sediment samples are generally located along the bottom video trackline at the start of the sampler retrieval; 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. When creating the bottom video tracklines shapefile, the manually recorded sampler retrieval times for some stations were replaced with more precise video end times obtained from the audio channel of the video files. As a result, 29 of the 131 visual observation stations did not intersect a bottom video trackline and were moved in Esri ArcGIS (version 10.3.1); these stations were moved to the last navigation fix along the bottom video trackline (stations 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 23, 26, 33, 34, 45, 67, 76, 77, 97, 151, 214, 219, 224, 258, 260, 264, 265, 266, 271, 272, 27, 308, and 310) or to the last bottom photo if the recorded video was cut short (station 125). The latitude and longitude of the edited points were calculated using the Calculate Geometry tool (Property=Y Coordinate of Point and X Coordinate of Point, respectively; Use coordinate system of the data source=WGS 1984; Unit=Decimal Degrees). XTools Pro (version 12.0) for Esri ArcGIS was used to edit field types in the point shapefile (Table Operations - Table Restructure). The field calculator in Esri ArcGIS was used to add a no data value (-9999) to empty numeric attributes in the attribute table as needed. The shapefile's attribute table was exported and saved as a CSV file. The FID field was deleted in the CSV file. 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@usgs.gov
    Data sources used in this process:
    • Sediment grain-size analysis shapefile
    • Bottom video tracklines shapefile (2012-035-FA_videos.shp)
    • Bottom still imagery shapefile (2012-035-FA_photos.shp)
    • Processed two-second navigation file
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Final sediment grain-size analysis shapefile
    • Final sediment grain-size analysis CSV file
    Date: 08-Sep-2020 (process 7 of 7)
    Added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, 2013, ENV13 CZM 01 Benthic Infaunal Analysis Report: Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, Boston, MA.

    Online Links:

    Golden, Nadine E., Ackerman, Seth D., and Dailey, Evan T., 2015, Coastal and Marine Geology Program video and photograph portal: U.S. Geological Survey, Santa Cruz, CA.

    Online Links:

    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly NOAA National Geophysical Data Center), 201110, U.S. Coastal Relief Model: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Boulder, CO.

    Online Links:

    Blackwood, D., and Parolski, K., 2001, Seabed observation and sampling system: Sea Technology v. 42, no. 2, p. 39-43, Compass Publications, Inc., Arlington, VA.

    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:

    Shepard, F.P., 1954, Nomenclature based on sand-silt-clay ratios: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology v. 24, no. 3., p. 151-158, Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Tulsa, OK.

    Online Links:

    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:

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

  1. 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.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Navigation for survey 2012-035-FA used Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). The DGPS was set to receive fixes at a two-second interval in geographic coordinates (World Geodetic System of 1984 [WGS 84]). The recorded position of each sediment sample is the position of the DGPS antenna on the survey vessel, not the SEABOSS sampler. The antenna was mounted at the top of the vessel's A-frame from which the sampler was deployed, within a few meters of the sampler (+/- 3 meters). No layback or offset was applied to the recorded position. In addition to the +/- 3-meter offset, the sampler 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 visual observation sediment samples are generally located along the bottom video trackline at the start of the sampler retrieval; 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. Twenty-nine of the 131 visual observation stations did not intersect a bottom video trackline and were moved to the last navigation fix along the station's bottom video trackline (stations 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 23, 26, 33, 34, 45, 67, 76, 77, 97, 151, 214, 219, 224, 258, 260, 264, 265, 266, 271, 272, 278, 308, and 310) or to the last bottom image if the recorded video was cut short (station 125).
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    The depths recorded for each sample were derived from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) U.S. Coastal Relief Model. See the original data to determine the vertical accuracy of these depth values (link available from the cross-reference citation).
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    All 350 stations that were occupied during USGS survey 2012-035-FA are included in this dataset; however, physical sediment samples were only collected at 219 of the 350 stations. 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 top-side live video feed. At one site (station 115), a sample was attempted in what appeared in the real-time video as mud, but the sampler got caught in a net and no sample was successfully collected. The 131 stations with no physical sediment sample were classified by USGS geologists based on the visual observation of the bottom still and video imagery taken during the sampler deployment, which is noted in the comments field for these stations. Note that the term "sediment samples" used herein may be used to describe physical samples as well as stations where the bottom type was determined by visual observation and no physical sediment sample was collected.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    The physical sediment samples were all collected with the same modified Van Veen grab sampler mounted on the InterOcean SEABOSS. The station numbers (FIELD_NO) were determined before the survey and are not necessarily in sequential order of when they were occupied. Gaps in sequential station numbers exist as not all planned stations were occupied during the survey. No additional checks for topological consistency were performed on these data.

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.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    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
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? USGS data release 2012-035-FA contains sediment sample locations and grain-size analysis collected offshore of Massachusetts in Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay (2012-035-FA_samples.zip). The zip file contains the following files: a shapefile of the sediment sample locations and analysis (2012-035-FA_samples.shp); a CSV file of the sediment sample locations and analysis (2012-035-FA_samples.csv); a browse graphic of sediment sample locations (2012-035-FA_samples_browse.jpg); and Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) metadata files in three standard formats (2012-035-FA_samples_meta.html, 2012-035-FA_samples_meta.txt, and 2012-035-FA_samples_meta.xml).
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Neither the U.S. Government, the Department of the Interior, nor the USGS, nor any of their employees, contractors, or subcontractors, make any warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, nor represent that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in the use of these data or related materials. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
  4. How can I download or order the data?
  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    This zip file contains data available as a point shapefile and CSV file. The user must have software capable of reading shapefile format to use the point shapefile. The CSV file can be read with a text editor.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 18-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 20240318)
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/field_activities/2012_035_fa/2012-035-FA_samples_meta.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Wed Apr 24 13:53:35 2024