Suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) data from water samples collected in 2014-15 by the U.S. Geological Survey in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) data from water samples collected in 2014-15 by the U.S. Geological Survey in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia
Abstract:
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and technical support staff measured oceanographic, water quality, seabed elevation change, and meteorological parameters in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, during the period of August 13, 2014 to July 14, 2015 as part of the Estuarine Physical Response (EPR) to Storms project (GS2-2D) supported by the Department of the Interior Hurricane Sandy Recovery program. These measurements provide time series and supplemental data to quantify the response and understand the resilience of this back-barrier estuarine system to storm events. The Assateague Island National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) are both situated on the east side of Chincoteague Bay, and serve as the barrier between Chincoteague Bay and the Atlantic Ocean as well as providing globally important migratory bird habitat and a popular recreation destination.
Supplemental_Information:
For more information on the field activity, see https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2014-048-FA.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2017, Suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) data from water samples collected in 2014-15 by the U.S. Geological Survey in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia: data release DOI:10.5066/F7WD3XSF, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Suttles, Steven E., Ganju, Neil K., Brosnahan, Sandra M., Montgomery, Ellyn T., Dickhudt, Patrick J., Borden, Jonathan, and Martini, Marinna A., 2017, Water samples in support of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, 2014-15, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2014-048-FA: data release DOI:10.5066/F7WD3XSF, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested citation: Suttles, S.E., Ganju, N.K., Brosnahan, S.M., Montgomery, E.T., Dickhudt, P.J., Borden, J, and Martini, M.A, 2017, Water samples in support of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia 2014-2015, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2014-048-FA: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7WD3XSF.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.500
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.020
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.350
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.800
  3. What does it look like?
    https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2014-048-FA/data/Chincoteague_allsensors_allsites_calfit.pdf (PNG)
    Browse graphic plot showing suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) from analyzed water samples to in situ measured turbidity from deployed instruments in Chincoteague Bay during 2014-15 study by U.S. Geological Survey. Model fit to data is found using a repeated median regression line. NTU, nephelometric turbidity units; mg/l, milligrams per liter. The turbidity measurements are from Suttles, S.E., Ganju, N.K., Brosnahan, S.M., Montgomery, E.T., Dickhudt, P.J., Borden, Jonathan, and Martini, M.A., 2016, Oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland/Virginia, 2014 - 2015: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7DF6PBV.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 13-Aug-2014
    Ending_Date: 14-Jul-2015
    Currentness_Reference:
    Ground condition. Water samples were collected on the initial deployment cruise (2014-048-FA) from 20140813 - 20140816, and three subsequent instrument servicing trips (20141014-20141022, 20150118-20150125, and 20150420-20150428).
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Comma-separated values (CSV)
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Point data set.
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.00001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.00001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is D_WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.
      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Depth_System_Definition:
      Depth_Datum_Name: None. Measurements taken from water surface at time of sample.
      Depth_Resolution: 0.05
      Depth_Distance_Units: meters
      Depth_Encoding_Method: Attribute values
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    2014-048-FA_watersamples
    Suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) analysis of collected water samples. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Sample ID
    sample identification. Format is stationid_sample number_filter split number (if needed). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Station ID
    station identification (or site name). CB, Chincoteague Bay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Sample Date
    calendar date (mm/dd/yyyy) when water sample was collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Sample time (UTC)
    Time in universal coordinated time (UTC) time zone and 24 hour format HH:MM, when water sample was collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Latitude (degrees)
    Latitude coordinate, in decimal-degrees, of sample location. South latitude recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:37.8670
    Maximum:38.2592
    Units:decimal degrees
    Longitude (degrees)
    Longitude coordinate, in decimal degrees, of sample location. West longitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-75.4220
    Maximum:-75.1395
    Units:decimal degrees
    Total Depth (m)
    Total water depth at time of sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.75
    Maximum:2.5
    Units:meters
    Sample Depth (m)
    Depth of water sample collection. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.3
    Maximum:2.0
    Units:meters
    Filter number
    Unique filter identification (number or character). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Filter Weight (g)
    Weight of filter only, i.e. prior to filtering sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1074
    Maximum:0.1310
    Units:grams
    Sample Volume (ml)
    Volume of water sample passed through the filter. Blank space indicates additional filter for sample that required more than one filter. Total volume for sample is reported on first filter used for a sample. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:335
    Maximum:561
    Units:milliliters
    Dried at 105C Weight 1 (g)
    Mass from first dry weighing of filter plus residue retained on filter from sample after filtering and drying. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1124
    Maximum:0.1710
    Units:grams
    Dried at 105C Weight 2 (g)
    Mass from second (optional) dry weighing of filter plus residue retained on filter from sample after filtering and drying. A blank indicates there was not a second weighing. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1143
    Maximum:0.1710
    Units:grams
    Muffled at 550C Weight 1 (g)
    Mass from first weighing of filter plus residue after combustion in muffle furnace to remove volatile solids from residue retained on filter. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1122
    Maximum:0.1672
    Units:grams
    Muffled at 550C Weight 2 (g)
    Mass from second (optional) weighing of filter plus residue after combustion in muffle furnace to remove volatile solids from residue retained on filter. A blank indicates there was not a second weighing. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1132
    Maximum:0.1672
    Units:grams
    Dried Sediment Mass (g)
    Mass of dried residue on filter = Dried weight - Filter weight. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0006
    Maximum:0.0587
    Units:grams
    Muffled Sediment Mass (g)
    Mass of muffled (combusted) residue on filter = Muffled weight - Filter weight. This represents the mass of the non-volatile solids retained on the filter. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0004
    Maximum:0.0549
    Units:grams
    Mass LOI (g)
    Mass of volatile solids retained on the filter that were removed when combusted (loss-on-ignition) = Dried Sediment Mass - Muffled Sediment Mass. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0002
    Maximum:0.0056
    Units:grams
    Fraction LOI
    Ratio of mass of retained solids that were removed when combusted (loss-on-ignition) to the total mass of dried solids retained on the filter= Mass LOI/Dried Sediment Mass (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0647
    Maximum:0.5692
    Units:dimensionless
    Total Dried Sediment Mass (g)
    Sum of Dried Sediment Mass for all filters used for a single water sample. Same as Dried Sediment Mass if only one filter was used for a sample. A blank indicates an additional filter for a sample that had to be split on to more than one filter. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0006
    Maximum:0.0954
    Units:grams
    Total Muffled Sediment Mass (g)
    Sum of Muffled Sediment Mass for all filters used for a single water sample. Same as Muffled Sediment Mass if only one filter was used for a sample. A blank indicates an additional filter for a sample that had to be split on to more than one filter. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0004
    Maximum:0.0864
    Units:grams
    Total Mass LOI (g)
    Sum of LOI Mass (loss-on-ignition) for all filters used for a single water sample. Same as LOI Mass if only one filter was used for a sample. A blank indicates an additional filter for a sample that had to be split on to more than one filter. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0002
    Maximum:0.00955
    Units:grams
    Total Fraction LOI
    Ratio of total mass of retained solids that were removed when combusted (loss-on-ignition) to the total mass of dried solids retained on filter(s) for a sample = (Total Mass LOI) / (Total Dried Sediment Mass). A blank indicates an additional filter for a sample that had to be split on to more than one filter. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.065
    Maximum:0.57
    Units:dimensionless
    SSC (g l-1)
    Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) for a sample = (Total Dried Sediment Mass) / (Sample Volume). A blank indicates an additional filter for a sample that had to be split on to more than one filter. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0011
    Maximum:0.1767
    Units:grams per liter
    Inorganic SSC (g l-1)
    Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) of inorganic solids in a sample = (Total Muffled Mass) / (Sample Volume). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0007
    Maximum:0.16
    Units:grams per liter
    Filtration Date
    calendar date (mm/dd/yyyy) when sample was filtered. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Comments
    Comments and/or notes for the sample. This can included instrument type collecting simultaneous in situ turbidity data and when sample was acquired (relative to deployment). Not every sample will have comments. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set (text).
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    These data are available in a CSV format. The first line of the CSV file is a header line and those labels are the same as defined in the attribute section.
    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?
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Steven E. Suttles
    Mechanical Engineer
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    ssuttles@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

These suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) data from water samples collected in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia supplement oceanographic and water-quality time-series measurements for the EPR project. Specifically, the SSC data are used to estimate the relationship between suspended mass and optical turbidity measurements, and the LOI data provide an estimate of the organic content of the suspended sediment.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 16-Aug-2014 (process 1 of 13)
    Deployment sample collection: Collect 31 water samples using van Dorn water sampler at deployed instrument sites in Chincoteague Bay from 20140813 - 20140816. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Steven E. Suttles
    Mechanical Engineer
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
    ssuttles@usgs.gov
    Date: 19-Aug-2014 (process 2 of 13)
    Filter water samples at the USGS Woods Hole Science Center using 47mm, 1.5 micron pore size, pre-weighed, pre-volatilized 934-AH glass fiber filters. Entire sample volume is filtered, if necessary split between multiple filters if solids load is too much for a single filter. A final rinse is made using deionized water to wash out dissolved salts from each filter. Determine suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) using "Solids, residue at 105 C, suspended, gravimetric" method from Fishman and Friedman (1989). Determine loss-on-ignition (LOI) using method "Solids, volatile-on-ignition, suspended, gravimetric from Fishman and Friedman (1989). ATI Cahn C-44 micro-balance is used to weigh filters. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Thomas (Wally) Brooks
    Research Technician
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2359 (voice)
    wallybrooks@usgs.gov
    Date: 22-Oct-2014 (process 3 of 13)
    First servicing sample collection: Collect 35 water samples using van Dorn water sampler at deployed instrument sites in Chincoteague Bay from 20141014 - 20141022. This was during the first turnaround where deployed instruments were recovered, downloaded, cleaned, and batteries and anti-fouling controls refreshed as necessary. Nine of the samples were collected at the end of the first deployment (A) period and the remaining 26 after the instruments were serviced and re-deployed for the beginning of the second deployment (B). Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Steven E. Suttles
    Mechanical Engineer
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
    ssuttles@usgs.gov
    Date: 28-Oct-2014 (process 4 of 13)
    Filter water samples, collected between 20141014 - 20141022 using 47mm, 1.5 micron pore size, pre-weighed, pre-volatilized 934-AH glass fiber filters, at the USGS Woods Hole Science Center. Entire sample volume is filtered, if necessary split between multiple filters if solids load is too much for a single filter. A final rinse is made using deionized water to wash out dissolved salts from each filter. Determine suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) using "Solids, residue at 105 C, suspended, gravimetric" method from Fishman and Friedman (1989). Determine loss-on-ignition (LOI) using method "Solids, volatile-on-ignition, suspended, gravimetric from Fishman and Friedman (1989). ATI Cahn C-44 micro-balance is used to weigh filters. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Thomas (Wally) Brooks
    Research Technician
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2359 (voice)
    wallybrooks@usgs.gov
    Date: 25-Jan-2015 (process 5 of 13)
    Second servicing sample collection: Collect 31 water samples using van Dorn water sampler at deployed instrument sites and pier site in Chincoteague Bay from 20150118 - 20150125. This was during the second turnaround where deployed instruments were recovered, downloaded, cleaned, and batteries and anti-fouling controls refreshed as necessary. Nine of the samples were collected at the end of the second deployment (B) period and 19 after the instruments were serviced and re-deployed for the beginning of the third deployment (C). An additional 3 samples were collected at the public pier at Public Landing, MD on 20150125. A Wet Labs ECO-NTUSB turbidity sensor was deployed with the van Dorn water sampler for the 3 samples at the Public Landing pier, but the turbidity sensor did not collect valid data during the sampling (note: results of these 3 samples are not reported). Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Steven E. Suttles
    Mechanical Engineer
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
    ssuttles@usgs.gov
    Date: 06-Feb-2015 (process 6 of 13)
    Filter water samples collected between 20150118 – 20150125 using 47mm, 1.5 micron pore size, pre-weighed, pre-volatilized 934-AH glass fiber filters, at the USGS Woods Hole Science Center. Entire sample volume is filtered, if necessary split between multiple filters if solids load is too much for a single filter. A final rinse is made using deionized water to wash out dissolved salts from each filter. Determine suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) using "Solids, residue at 105 C, suspended, gravimetric" method from Fishman and Friedman (1989). Determine loss-on-ignition (LOI) using method "Solids, volatile-on-ignition, suspended, gravimetric from Fishman and Friedman (1989). ATI Cahn C-44 micro-balance is used to weigh filters. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Thomas (Wally) Brooks
    Research Technician
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2359 (voice)
    wallybrooks@usgs.gov
    Date: 28-Apr-2015 (process 7 of 13)
    Third servicing sample collection: Collect 23 water samples using van Dorn water sampler at deployed instrument sites and pier/dock site in Chincoteague Bay from 20150420 - 20150428. This was during the third turnaround where deployed instruments were recovered, downloaded, cleaned, and batteries and anti-fouling controls refreshed as necessary. Seven of the samples were collected at the end of the third deployment (C) period and 12 after the instruments were serviced and re-deployed for the beginning of the fourth deployment (D). An additional 4 samples were collected at a pier/dock of rental house in Greenbackville, VA on 20150420. A Wet Labs ECO-NTUSB turbidity sensor was deployed with the van Dorn water sampler for the 4 pier/dock samples in effort capture some higher suspended-sediment events that are hard to capture at the deployed instrument sites located in the open waters of Chincoteague Bay. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Steven E. Suttles
    Mechanical Engineer
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
    ssuttles@usgs.gov
    Date: 28-Apr-2015 (process 8 of 13)
    Filter water samples collected between 20150420 – 20150428 using 47mm, 1.5 micron pore size, pre-weighed, pre-volatilized 934-AH glass fiber filters, onsite at the rental house in Greenbackville, VA. Entire sample volume is filtered, if necessary split between multiple filters if the solids load is too much for a single filter. A final rinse is made using deionized water to wash out dissolved salts from each filter. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Sandra Brosnahan
    Physical Scientist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2359 (voice)
    sbrosnahan@usgs.gov
    Date: 15-Jun-2015 (process 9 of 13)
    Determine suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) using "Solids, residue at 105 C, suspended, gravimetric" method from Fishman and Friedman (1989). Determine loss-on-ignition (LOI) using method "Solids, volatile-on-ignition, suspended, gravimetric from Fishman and Friedman (1989). Laboratory analyses conducted at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory using a Mettler Toledo AT250 balance to weigh filters. Person who carried out this activity:
    University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory (UMCES-HPL)
    Attn: Erika Kiss
    Faculty Research Assistant/Analytical Lab Manager
    P.O. Box 775
    Cambridge, Maryland
    USA

    410-221-8317 (voice)
    ekiss@umces.edu
    Date: 12-Jul-2015 (process 10 of 13)
    Recovery sample collection: Collect 6 water samples using van Dorn water sampler at deployed instrument sites prior to final instrument recovery. Note: these samples were ultimately discarded because too much time had passed before the opportunity to filter them (> 1 month); therefore these samples are not in the dataset. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Steven E. Suttles
    Mechanical Engineer
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
    ssuttles@usgs.gov
    Date: 2016 (process 11 of 13)
    Use Microsoft Excel (2013 professional) spreadsheet to compile all laboratory analysis of suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) from collected water samples in Chincoteague Bay Maryland and Virginia during 2014-15. Add sample locations (latitude/longitude) to the compiled tabular results spreadsheet. Export results spreadsheet to comma-separated values (csv) file format. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Steven E. Suttles
    Mechanical Engineer
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
    ssuttles@usgs.gov
    Date: 20-Jul-2018 (process 12 of 13)
    USGS Thesaurus keywords added to the keyword section. 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
    Date: 08-Sep-2020 (process 13 of 13)
    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?
    Suttles, Steven E., Ganju, Neil K., Brosnahan, Sandra M., Montgomery, Ellyn T., Dickhudt, Patrick J., Borden, Jonathan, and Martini, Marinna A., 2016, Oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland/Virginia, 2014-2015: data release DOI:10.5066/F7DF6PBV, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Suttles, Steven E., Ganju, Neil K., Brosnahan, Sandra M., Montgomery, Ellyn T., Dickhudt, Patrick J., Beudin, Alexis, Nowacki, Daniel J., and Martini, Marinna A., 2017, Summary of Oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, 2014-15: Open-File Report 2017-1032, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

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

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Horizontal position was determined using a Garmin GPSMAP 78sc handheld GPS. The expected absolute, horizontal accuracy is stated to be 3 to 5 m at the 95% confidence level using the WAAS setting. Additional sources of error in the position for the water sample locations are caused by the offset from the deployed instrument location and the exact location of the van Dorn water sampler at the time the sample was taken, which could be as large as 20 m; therefore overall expected accuracy of the reported horizontal position for these water sample locations is on the order of 25 m or better.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Total water column depth values at each sample site were determined from one of these three methods: 1) depth sounder (from boat), 2) physical measurement with calibrated pole or measuring tape, or 3) pressure data (atmospherically corrected) from deployed pressure sensor at time of sample. Sample depths were determined by markings on the lowering line for the van Dorn sampler, and the samples were typically between 0.25 and 0.75 m above the seabed. Depths given were taken from the water surface at time of sample, and were not referenced to a fixed datum. Expected accuracy of depth measurements is 0.5 m or better.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This data set represents a total of 117 water samples and associated analyses. A total of nine water samples collected for this project are not part of these results. Three were collected on 20150125 at the Public Landing, Maryland pier and were not included because of insufficient metadata and lack of paired turbidity sensor data. The remaining six water samples were collected on 20150712 during the final deployed instrument recovery operation; these samples were not processed within the allowed time so they were discarded.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Water samples were collected using a van Dorn sampler, and processed for suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) following USGS methods (Fishman and Friedman, 1989). The two main results from the water sample analysis are the suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) in grams/liter and loss-on-ignition (LOI) expressed as the fraction of volatile solids to total solids retained on a filter(s). Water samples were stored in a refrigerated and dark location, and were filtered within one month of collection. The entire volume of each water sample was filtered to avoid sub-sampling errors. Deionized water was put through each filter as the last step of the filtration process to rinse dissolved salts from the filter. Standard laboratory protocols (Fishman and Friedman, 1989) were followed to ensure thorough drying and accurate weighing of samples. SSC results were compared to turbidity readings from deployed sensors, and were found to be highly correlated (R^2=0.93, n=97).

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)
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Steven E. Suttles
    Mechanical Engineer
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    ssuttles@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? USGS data release 2014-048-FA contains laboratory analyses for suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and loss-on-ignition (LOI) of collected water samples in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia in 2014-15 (2014-048-FA_watersamples.zip). The zip file contains the following files: 2014-048-FA_watersamples.csv (data in a comma-separated text file), and FGDC CSDGM metadata in XML, text and HTML formats.
  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 in CSV format. The user must have software capable of uncompressing the zip file and reading the data formats.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 08-Sep-2020
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey
Attn: Steven E. Suttles
Mechanical Engineer
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
USA

508-548-8700 x2228 (voice)
508-457-2310 (FAX)
ssuttles@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/field_activities/2014_048_fa/2014-048-FA_watersamples_meta.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Tue Sep 21 18:20:15 2021