Locations and analyses of sediment samples collected on Stellwagen Bank on U.S. Geological Survey field activity 2017-009-FA, aboard the R/V Auk, Jan. 30, 2017

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What does this data set describe?

Title:
Locations and analyses of sediment samples collected on Stellwagen Bank on U.S. Geological Survey field activity 2017-009-FA, aboard the R/V Auk, Jan. 30, 2017
Abstract:
This field activity is part of the effort to map geologic substrates of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region off Boston, Massachusetts. The overall goal is to develop high-resolution (1:25,000) interpretive maps, based on multibeam sonar data and seabed sampling, showing surficial geology and seabed sediment dynamics. This cruise was conducted in collaboration with the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and the data collected will aid research on the ecology of fish and invertebrate species that inhabit the region. The Sanctuary's research vessel, R/V Auk, visited 13 locations on Stellwagen Bank at which a customized Van Veen grab sampler (SEABOSS) equipped with a video camera and a CTD was deployed in drift mode to collect sediment for grain-size analysis, video imagery of the seabed, and measurements of water column properties.
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information regarding the field activity can be obtained from https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2017-009-FA.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Valentine, Page C., 2019, Locations and analyses of sediment samples collected on Stellwagen Bank on U.S. Geological Survey field activity 2017-009-FA, aboard the R/V Auk, Jan. 30, 2017: data release DOI:10.5066/P9THIZBB, 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.

    Valentine, Page C., and Cross, VeeAnn A., 2019, Sea Floor Sediment Samples, Seabed Imagery, and CTD Water Column Data Collected on Stellwagen Bank in January 2017, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2017-009-FA: data release DOI:10.5066/P9THIZBB, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested citation: Valentine, P.C., and Cross, V.A., 2019, Sea floor sediment samples, seabed imagery, and CTD water column data collected on Stellwagen Bank in January 2017, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2017-009-FA: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9THIZBB .
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.397960
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.228660
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.195030
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.129820
  3. What does it look like?
    https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2017-009-FA/data/samples/2017-009-FA_sedsamps_browse.jpg (JPEG)
    Browse graphic of the sediment sample locations on Stellwagen Bank.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 30-Jan-2017
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition of when data were collected
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Point (13)
    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 0.000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. 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?
    Sediment sample location and analyses in Excel spreadsheet format. The attributes defined refer to the Excel spreadsheet column headings, and are also in the header row of the CSV file. The shapefile has these attributes (except ANALYSIS_I instead of ANALYSIS_ID and CLASSIFICA instead of CLASSIFICATION), and the software generated FID and shape, defined in the entity and attribute overview section.
    Sample locations and texture analysis. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ANALYSIS_ID
    Unique identification number generated in the sedimentation laboratory of the USGS's Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. This identifier consists of 2 characters followed by a dash and 6 numerics. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) 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
    Name of project or project number under which samples were taken or data generated; sometimes project name indicates a more specific area. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    FA_ID
    Name or number of cruise on which sample collected. The cruise identifier is in the format YYYY-XXX where YYYY is the survey year, and XXX is the survey number of that year. (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) when available. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    AREA
    General geographic area of data collection. Name is general enough to easily locate area on a state map. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    LATITUDE
    Latitude coordinate, in decimal-degrees, of sample location. South latitude recorded as negative values. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:42.12982
    Maximum:42.19503
    Units:Decimal degrees
    LONGITUDE
    Longitude coordinate, in decimal degrees, of sample location. West longitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-70.39796
    Maximum:-70.22866
    Units:Decimal degrees
    DEPTH_M
    Measured depth, in meters, of water overlying sediment at sample time. Depth value is not corrected for tides. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:25
    Maximum:64
    Units:meters
    T_DEPTH
    Top depth of sample, in centimeters, below the sediment-water interface. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0
    Units:centimeters
    B_DEPTH
    Bottom depth of sample, in centimeters, below the sediment-water interface. (Source: 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: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    ValueDefinition
    Mini Seaboss w/ 0.1 sq m Van Veen grabSample collected with the SEABOSS system that uses the 0.1 square meter Van Veen grab.
    MONTH_COLL
    Calendar month sample collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:1
    DAY_COLL
    Calendar day sample collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:30
    Maximum:30
    YEAR_COLL
    Calendar year sample collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2017
    Maximum:2017
    MONTH_ANAL
    Calendar month sample completed analysis. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:4
    Maximum:4
    DAY_ANAL
    Calendar day sample completed analysis. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:27
    Maximum:27
    YEAR_ANAL
    Calendar year sample completed analysis. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2017
    Maximum:2017
    WEIGHT
    Weight of dry sample in grams. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:117.72
    Maximum:203.23
    Units:grams
    GRAVEL_PCT
    Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 phi and larger). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:45.28
    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:52.22
    Maximum:99.73
    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:0.04
    Maximum:35.72
    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; less than 8 phi). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:12.04
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    CLASSIFICATION
    Sediment description based on rigorous definition usually Shepard (1954) as modified by Schlee and Webster (1967), Schlee (1973), and Poppe and others (2014). These values represent all the possible values as defined in the USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary, and do not necessarily reflect the values present in this dataset. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    ValueDefinition
    GRAVELgravel equal to or greater than 50 percent
    GRAVELLY SEDIMENTgravel equal to or greater than 10 percent, but less than 50 percent
    SANDsand equal to or greater than 75 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
    CLAYEY SANDsand less than 75 percent and equal to or greater than 50 percent, clay greater than silt, and silt less than 20 percent
    SILTsilt equal to or greater than 75 percent
    SANDY SILTsilt less than 75 percent and equal to or greater than 50 percent, sand greater than clay, and clay less than 20 percent
    CLAYEY SILTsilt less than 75 percent and equal to or greater than 50 percent, clay greater than sand, and sand less than 20 percent
    CLAYclay equal to or greater than 75 percent
    SANDY CLAYclay less than 75 percent and equal to or greater than 50 percent, sand greater than silt, and silt less than 20 percent
    SILTY CLAYclay less than 75 percent and equal to or greater than 50 percent, silt greater than sand, and sand less than 20 percent
    SAND SILT CLAYclay, sand, and silt greater than 20 percent each
    MEDIAN
    Middle point in the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.88
    Maximum:3.93
    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:-1.53
    Maximum:4.8
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    STDEV
    Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.58
    Maximum:2.17
    Units:phi
    Resolution:0.01
    SKEWNESS
    Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.22
    Maximum:1.11
    Units:unitless
    Resolution:0.01
    KURTOSIS
    Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.97
    Maximum:19.25
    Units:unitless
    Resolution:0.01
    MODE1CLASS
    First mode (particle size that occurs the most number of times) in phi units. This calculation is no longer made in the lab, but attribute value is maintained to be consistent with older datasets. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string. Blank
    MODE1FREQ
    Modal strength of the first mode in percent. This calculation is no longer made in the lab, but attribute value is maintained to be consistent with older datasets. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string. Blank
    MODE2CLASS
    Second mode in phi units. This calculation is no longer made in the lab, but attribute value is maintained to be consistent with older datasets. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string. Blank
    MODE2FREQ
    Modal strength of the second mode in percent. This calculation is no longer made in the lab, but attribute value is maintained to be consistent with older datasets. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string. Blank
    MODE3CLASS
    Third mode in phi units. This calculation is no longer made in the lab, but attribute value is maintained to be consistent with older datasets. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string. Blank
    MODE3FREQ
    Modal strength of the third mode in percent. This calculation is no longer made in the lab, but attribute value is maintained to be consistent with older datasets. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string. Blank
    NMODES
    Number of modes. This calculation is no longer made in the lab, but attribute value is maintained to be consistent with older datasets. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string. Blank
    PHIM5
    Weight percent of the sample in the -5 phi fraction and coarser (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 32mm); very coarse pebbles to cobbles. (Source: 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 16mm, but less than 32mm); coarse pebbles. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:17.08
    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 8mm, but less than 16mm); medium pebbles. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:8.35
    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 4mm, but less than 8mm); fine pebbles. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:7.95
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHIM1
    Weight percent of the sample in the -1 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to2mm, but less than 4mm); very fine pebbles (granules). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:11.9
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHI_0
    Weight percent of the sample in the 0 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 1mm, but less than 2mm); very coarse sand. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.09
    Maximum:40.32
    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 0.5mm, but less than 1mm); coarse sand. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.29
    Maximum:66.49
    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 0.25mm, but less than 0.5mm); medium sand. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.96
    Maximum:64.29
    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 0.125mm, but less than 0.25mm); fine sand. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.14
    Maximum:65.19
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHI_4
    Weight percent of the sample in the 4 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.0625mm, but less than 0.125mm); very fine sand. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:31.91
    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 0.031mm, but less than 0.0625mm); coarse silt. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:9.93
    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 0.016mm, but less than 0.031mm); medium silt. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:6.78
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHI_7
    Weight percent of the sample in the7 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.008mm, but less than 0.016mm); fine silt. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:11.33
    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 0.004mm, but less than 0.008mm); very fine silt. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:10.89
    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 0.002mm, but less than 0.004mm); coarse clay. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:9.9
    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 0.001mm, but less than 0.002mm); medium clay. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:2.14
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    PHI_11
    Weight percent of the sample in the 11 phi fraction and finer (nominal diameter of particles less than 0.001 mm; fine clay. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0.01
    Units:percent
    Resolution:0.01
    ANALYST
    Name (usually first initial and last name) of person who performed the grain size or physical properties analysis. In this case, AP stands for Allison Paquette (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    ANALCOMM
    Further information about sediment analysis. This field is not always filled in, so will have blanks. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    LITHOLOGY
    General lithologic description of sample. This field is not always filled in, so will have blanks. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    COMMENTS
    Comments on sample collection or lithology. This field is not always filled in, so will have blanks. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    These attribute definitions describe each column of information in the Excel spreadsheet. The first row of the spreadsheet is the column heading. The CSV file has the same information and the column definitions are the same. When converted to a shapefile, two additional columns are created by the software: FID and Shape. The FID is a unique number automatically assigned to each record within the file. The Shape field contains the feature geometry of each record in the shapefile format. Additionally, the attribute ANALYSIS_ID was truncated to ANALYSIS_I when converted to a shapefile due to a 10 character attribute name limit. The attribute CLASSIFICATION was truncated to CLASSIFICA when converted to a shapefile for the same reason.
    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)
    • Page C. Valentine
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Page C. Valentine
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

These sediment samples analyzed for grain-size composition, along with seabed imagery, will be used to describe the surficial geological substrates present in the study area.

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: 2017 (process 1 of 5)
    Sediment sampling methods:
    As a part of the process of mapping the sea floor, the USGS developed the SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS) to collect samples and video and photographic images of the seabed to aid in the interpretation of seabed sonar imagery. A modified Van Veen sediment grab sampler is mounted in the center of the SEABOSS frame, which ensures the sampler is properly oriented on the seabed when a sample is collected. Before deployment, the sampler bucket's jaws are opened by collapsing the extended arms to a near-horizontal position and locking them in place with two catches. The sampler operates passively to sample the seabed; it is not spring loaded.
    To collect a sediment sample, the SEABOSS frame was lowered gently onto the seabed, reducing tension on the cable, which caused the two locking catches to be automatically released by gravity. As the cable was retrieved, the grab sampler's arms were pulled upward, closing the bucket around the sediment, and the SEABOSS was lifted off the seabed.
    The SEABOSS was retrieved and set upon a wooden platform that kept the sampler bucket and camera systems above the deck. The sampler's arms were held in the upright position manually or by tension on the cable, the two doors on the upper side of the bucket were opened, and the sediment was removed. For this project, the upper 2 cm of sediment, representing the surface of the seabed, were removed with a rectangular shovel 2-cm deep and stored in a plastic bag for grain-size analysis. The remaining sediment was dumped into a tray on the deck below the sampler and discarded, after which the sampler was washed in preparation for sampling at the next site. Further information on the SEABOSS can be found in Valentine and others (2000). Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Page C. Valentine
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@usgs.gov
    Date: 2017 (process 2 of 5)
    Samples were analyzed in the sediment laboratory at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. Coarse fraction determined by sieve; fine fraction determined by Coulter Counter. Additionally carbonate concentrations were determined through acid wash analysis on the coarse fraction. See Poppe and others (2014) for analytical specifics for both grain size and carbonate measurement processes. Sediment statistics were recorded in MS Excel file (XLS) returned to the scientist.
    Date: 2018 (process 3 of 5)
    The Excel spreadsheet was exported as an MS-DOS CSV file using Excel 2016. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Page C. Valentine
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@usgs.gov
    Date: 2018 (process 4 of 5)
    Using ArcGIS 10.3.1, the CSV file was converted to a shapefile within ArcMap using File - Add Data - Add XY data. The CSV file was selected, with the x-coordinate set to LONGITUDE and the y-coordinate set to LATITUDE. The coordinate system of the input coordinates was set to the geographic coordinate system GCS_WGS_1984. Once the event theme was added to ArcMap, the data were then converted to a shapefile by right-clicking on the event theme - Data - Export Data. All of the features were exported using the layer's source data for the coordinate system. The output shapefile was set to 2017-009-FA_sedsamps.shp. 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 5 of 5)
    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?
    Blackwood, D.S., and Parolski, K.F., 2001, Seabed observation and sampling system: Sea Technology v. 42, no. 2, p.39-43.

    Valentine, P., Blackwood, D., and Parolski, K., 2000, Seabed observation and sampling system: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-142-00, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    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:


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?
    The location information for stations was acquired from a satellite navigation receiver (Furuno satellite compass SC-30, GPS receiver) at two second intervals with a horizontal accuracy of 10 m. The navigation antenna is located 5.3 m forward of the SEABOSS deployment location. This offset was not accounted for in the navigation acquisition (navigation fixes represent antenna location).
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Water depth was determined using a Simrad ES60, 120 kHz, single beam echo sounder using a 120-25 transducer, which detects the seabed to a depth of 800 m. Depth values were rounded to the nearest meter to account for ship motion.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    These data represent all the sediment samples collected as part of the field activity. However, a sample was not acquired at every station. Samples were discarded at sea if the sediment composition was visibly altered during collection, for example if the sampler did not close properly causing sediment to be lost during recovery of the sample. A total of 13 sediment samples were collected.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    These are the original files returned to the scientist after analysis in the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. These data were checked, but the only modification made to the Excel spreadsheet was the addition of a row with information regarding the meaning of each column of information.

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 If the data have a vertical component, put Not to be used for navigation. Otherwise, none.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Page C. Valentine
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? 2017-009-FA_sedsamples.zip contains the sediment sample analysis data in three formats - an Excel file (2017-009-FA_sedsamps.xlsx), a CSV file (2017-009-FA_sedsamps.csv), and a shapefile (2017-009-FA_sedsamps.shp) and additional files that make up a shapefile. In addition to the sediment analysis files, the zip file contains the browse graphic (2017-009-FA_sedsamps_browse.jpg) and FGDC CSDGM metadata in TXT, XML, 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?
    The zip file contains data in XLSX, CSV, and Esri shapefile formats. The user must have software capable of uncompressing the zip file and reading the data formats.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 18-Mar-2024
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey
Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
Marine Geologist
384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

508-548-8700 x2251 (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 Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/field_activities/2017_009_fa/2017-009-FA_sedsamps_meta.faq.html>
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