Location and analyses of sediment samples collected at Head of the Meadow Beach, Truro during field activity 2020-015-FA on March 4, 2020

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What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   U.S. Geological Survey, 2021, Location and analyses of sediment samples collected at Head of the Meadow Beach, Truro during field activity 2020-015-FA on March 4, 2020: data release DOI:10.5066/P9KSG1RQ, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ
   • https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2020-015-FA/

   This is part of the following larger work.
   Sherwood, C., Traykovski, P., Over, J., Borden, J., Brosnahan, S., Marsjanik, E., and Martini, M., 2021, Topographic and bathymetric data, sediment samples, and imagery collected at Head of the Meadow Beach, Truro in March 2020, U.S Geological Survey Field Activity 2020-015-FA: data release DOI:10.5066/P9KSG1RQ, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Over, J.R., Sherwood, C.R., Traykovski, P., Brosnahan, S.M., Martini, M.A., Marsjanik, E., Borden, J., 2021, Topographic and bathymetric data, sediment samples, and beach imagery collected at Head of the Meadow, Truro in March 2020, U.S Geological Survey Field Activity 2020-015-FA: U.S Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ.

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.07871
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.07629
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.05264
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.05081
   

3. What does it look like?

   2020015FA_Truro_sedsample_browse.JPG (JPG)

   Browse graphic of the sediment sample locations collected at Head of the Meadow Beach, Truro MA

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 04-Mar-2020

   Ending_Date: 04-Mar-2020

   Currentness_Reference:

   ground condition

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?
      
   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 .0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest .0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983 (National Spatial Reference System 2011).
      The ellipsoid used is GRS_1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
      
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   2020015FA_Truro_sedsamples.xlsx and 2020015FA_Truro_sedsamples.csv

   Data spreadsheet containing the grain size analysis results for sample submission CS15, analyzed using the Horiba laser diffraction unit and sieving of the ≥ -2 phi fraction. The attributes defined in the attribute_definitions section refer to the Excel spreadsheet headers, CSV headers, and shapefile attributes. Except, due to ESRI character limits, the shapefile has the ESRI software generated FID and shape attributes and the following are changed to ANALYSIS_I instead of ANALYSIS_ID, CLASSIFICA instead of CLASSIFICATION (Shepard), DATE_COLLE instead of DATE_COLLECTED, DATE_ANAL instead of ANALYSIS COMPLETION DATE, WEIGHT_WET instead of WEIGHT WET SAMPLE (g), QUALITY_GR instead of QUALITY_GRADE, and QA_QC_COMM instead of QA/QC_COMMENTS. Statistics calculated with the Method of Moments Statistics - Logirithmic (φ) are given the suffix _PHI and statistics calculated with Method of Moments Statistics - Arithmetic (μm) are given the suffix _UM. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   ANALYSIS_ID

   An identifier for the sample which is unique to the database. This identifier begins with the assigned multi-letter code GS-, which corresponds to the type of analysis performed on the sample (grain size analysis), followed by a six digit number assigned sequentially as samples are registered for analysis. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character string.

   SAMPLE_ID

   The identification value assigned to the sample at the time of collection. This varies from field activity to field activity and the ID can contain any combination of letters and numbers. (Source: 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.

   FAN

   The serial number assigned to the dataset field activity from which the sample belongs. This value is in the format YYYY-XXX-FA where YYYY is the year, XXX is the number assigned to the activity within the year, and FA indicates Field Activity. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string.

   SUBMITTER

   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 in NAD83(2011). South latitude recorded as negative values . (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	42.05081
   Maximum:	42.05254
   Units:	Decimal degrees

   LONGITUDE

   Longitude coordinate, in decimal degrees, of sample location in NAD83(2011). West longitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-70.07871
   Maximum:	-70.07629
   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:	0
   Maximum:	0
   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)

   Value	Definition
   Sampling scoop	sample collected by hand with specialized trowel

   DATE_COLLE

   Calendar date indicating when the sample was collected in the format MM/DD/YYYY where DD is the day of the month, MM is the numeric month, and YYYY is the year. Entries with no date indicated are left blank. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set

   DATE_ANAL

   Calendar month/day/year sample completed analysis. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set

   WEGIHT_WET

   Weight of wet sample in grams. Resolution is based on intrumental precision. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	21.3667
   Maximum:	29.4721
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	.0001

   GRAVEL_PCT

   Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 phi and larger). Resolution is based on intrumental precision. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	40.61
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	0.0001

   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). Resolution is based on intrumental precision. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	59.38
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	0.0001

   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). Resolution is based on intrumental precision. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	1.55
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	0.0001

   CLAY_PCT

   Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; less than 8 phi). Resolution is based on intrumental precision. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

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

   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 the values as defined in the USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary that are present in this dataset. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Value	Definition
   GRAVELLY SEDIMENT	gravel equal to or greater than 10 percent, but less than 50 percent
   SAND	sand equal to or greater than 75 percent

   MEAN_PHI

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

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-1.77
   Maximum:	0.68
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   STDEV_PHI

   Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution using logarithmic method of moments. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.48
   Maximum:	2.49
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   SKEWNESS_PHI

   Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution using logarithmic method of moments. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-1.58
   Maximum:	3.99
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   KURTOSIS_PHI

   Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution using logarithmic method of moments. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.49
   Maximum:	30.08
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   D10_PHI

   Diameter at which 10% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value using logarithmic method of moments. (Source: U.S Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-4.70
   Maximum:	0.02
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   D25_PHI

   Diameter at which 25% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value using logarithmic method of moments. (Source: U.S Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-4.25
   Maximum:	0.23
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   MEDIAN_D50_PHI

   Diameter at which 50% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value and 50% is larger; middle point in the grain size distribution using logarithmic method of moments. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-0.79
   Maximum:	0.58
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   D75_PHI

   Diameter at which 25% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value using logarithmic method of moments. (Source: U.S Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-0.22
   Maximum:	0.94
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   D90_PHI

   Diameter at which 25% of the sample mass is comprised of sediment particles with a diameter less than this value using logarithmic method of moments. (Source: U.S Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.18
   Maximum:	1.63
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   MEAN_UM

   Average value in the grain size distribution using arthmetic method of moments. (Source: U.S Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	611.22
   Maximum:	8413.04
   Units:	microns
   Resolution:	0.01

   STDEV_UM

   Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution using arthmetic method of moments. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	203.46
   Maximum:	10260.81
   Units:	microns
   Resolution:	0.01

   SKEWNESS_UM

   Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution using arthmetic method of moments. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.69
   Maximum:	4.67
   Units:	microns
   Resolution:	0.01

   KURTOSIS_UM

   Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution using arthmetic method of moments. (Source: modified from USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.49
   Maximum:	25.74
   Units:	microns
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_16

   16 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 16 phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.000015625 mm, less than 0.00003125 mm); colloid. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

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

   PHI_15

   15 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 15 phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.00003125 mm, less than 0.0000625 mm); colloid. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_14

   14 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 14 phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.0000625 mm, less than 0.000125 mm); colloid. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_13

   13 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 13 phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.000125 mm, less than 0.00025 mm); fine clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_12

   12 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 12 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.00025 mm, but less than 0.0005 mm); fine clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_11

   11 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 11 phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.0005 mm, but less than 0.001 mm); fine clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_10

   10 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 10 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.001 mm, but less than 0.002 mm); medium clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_9

   9 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 9 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.002 mm, but less than 0.004 mm); coarse clay. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_8

   8 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 8 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.004 mm, but less than 0.008 mm); very fine silt. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.755
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_7

   7 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 7 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.008 mm, but less than 0.016 mm); fine silt. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.566
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_6

   6 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 6 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.016 mm, but less than 0.031 mm); medium silt. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.684
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_5

   5 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 5 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.031 mm, but less than 0.0625 mm); coarse silt. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	1.172
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_4

   4 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 4 phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to .0625 mm, but less than 0.125 mm); very fine sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	4.982
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_3

   3 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 3 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.125 mm, but less than 0.25 mm); fine sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.994
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_2

   2 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 2 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.25 mm, but less than 0.5 mm); medium sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	20.344
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_1

   1 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 1 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, but less than 1 mm); coarse sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	12.125
   Maximum:	77.631
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_0

   0 phi: weight percent of the sample in the 0 phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to 1 mm, but less than 2 mm); very coarse sand. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	8.708
   Maximum:	73.994
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_-1

   -1 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -1 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 2 mm, but less than 4 mm); very fine pebbles (granules). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	13.883
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_-2

   -2 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -2 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 4 mm, but less than 8 mm); fine pebbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	12.764
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_-3

   -3 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -3 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 8 mm, but less than 16 mm); medium pebbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	10.456
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_-4

   -4 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -4 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 16 mm, but less than 32 mm); coarse pebbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	33.395
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_-5

   -5 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -5 phi fraction and larger (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 32 mm, but less than 64 mm); very coarse pebbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   PHI_-6

   -6 phi: weight percent of the sample in the -6 phi fraction and larger (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 64 mm, but less than 128 mm); cobbles. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	weight percent
   Resolution:	.001

   ANALYST

   Name (usually first, middle, and last initials) of person who performed the grain size or physical properties analysis. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set

   QUALITY GRADE

   Samples are assigned a quality grade based on the examination of the analytical data. Data quality grades may be determined by several factors, and any comments or notes that indicate the data for a particular sample may be suspect are included in the results table for that sample under "comments". Quality grades for sample data that do not have any additional comments are assigned based on the calculated percent difference between the weights of the coarse fraction remaining after wet sieving and the sum of all of the weighed fractions after dry sieving the coarse fraction, indicating an estimated differing amount of material which could skew the calculated grain size results: A = percent differences between 0% and ±1.5%, B = percent differences between ±1.5% and ±3%, C = percent differences between ±3% and ±4.5%, and D = percent differences greater than ±4.5%. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set

   QA/QC COMMENTS

   Relevant comments on analytical observations or anomalies that may affect the quality of the data. Entries with no comments are left blank. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   These attribute definitions describe each column of information in the Excel .xlsx and .csv spreadsheet that contain 28 data entries. The first row of the spreadsheet is the column heading. The column headings have been edited from the original spreadsheet to remove any spaces and faciliate the transfer of the data to the shapefile format. Trailing and leading zeros may not appear in the csv and so some values may not display as many significant digits as described. Attribute resolutions beyond the hundredths place are reported based on instrument precision and may not reflect meaningful significant figures when used in the interpretation of the sediment samples. The duplicates are included in the shapefile so that there are two points at each sample location.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: USGS Field Activity 2020-015-FA
   

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?
   Jin-Si Over

   U.S. Geological Survey

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2269 (voice)

   jover@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

These sediment samples analyzed for grain-size composition will be used to describe the surficial subtrates 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: 04-Mar-2020 (process 1 of 5)

   Samples were collected from the lowest exposed beach at low tide to the base of the bluff along three shore perpendicular profiles. Sand was collected with a small rectangular spade from the upper 2 cm of the beach and placed into a labeled plastic bag for grain-size analysis. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Eric Marsjanik

   U.S Geological Survey

   Electronics Technician

   384 Woods Hole Rd

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-458-8700 x2216 (voice)

   emarsjanik@usgs.gov

   Date: 29-Sep-2020 (process 2 of 5)

   Samples submitted to the sediment analysis laboratory for grain size analysis using the Horiba laser diffraction unit (LA-960) and sieving of the ≥ -2 phi fraction are assigned unique analysis identifiers (ANALYSIS_ID), and divided into batches of no more than 30 samples. Each batch is entered into a Microsoft Excel data entry spreadsheet (LD Worksheet Template_CS15.xlsx, where xxxx is the identifier assigned to the sample submission) to record the initial and dried sample weights, as well as the sieved coarse fraction weights. Each batch is also is entered into macro-enabled Microsoft Excel data entry spreadsheets (GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm or GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-600_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm, where xxxx is the identifier assigned to the sample submission, “LD1-30” and “LD31-60” refer to the pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vials the samples will be run in, and “batch_yy” refers to the sample batch) to record the measurement data coming from the laser diffraction unit and incorporate the initial, dried, and sieved weights. Sample submission identifier for these samples is "CS15".
   About 20-30 grams of wet sediment are placed in a pre-weighed beaker and the gross weight is recorded. The sample is wet sieved through a 4 mm (No. 5) sieve. If there is any coarse fraction remaining in the sieve, the coarse material is oven dried at 100°C in a pre-weighed beaker, and weighed again when dry. This coarse fraction is dry sieved to determine the individual weights of the -2 to -5 phi fractions, and the weights are recorded in the data entry spreadsheet LD Worksheet Template_xxxx.xlsx. The fine fraction in water is collected in a pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vial. If there is any coarse fraction remaining in the sieve from wet sieving, this vial is also oven dried at 100°C and weighed when dry. If there is no coarse fraction remaining from wet sieving, the sample can proceed directly to processing for analyses by the Horiba laser diffraction unit (LA-960).
   Fine fractions ready for analysis by the Horiba laser diffraction unit are rehydrated with distilled water if they’ve been dry. Fifteen (15) ml of pre-mixed 40 g/l sodium hexametaphosphate [(NaPO3)6] are added to each sample. If the height of the fluid in the laser diffraction vial is less than 5 cm, more distilled water is added to raise the level to no more than 8 cm in the vial. The samples are gently stirred, covered, and allowed to soak for at least 1 hour (for samples that were not dried) up to 24 hours (for samples that were dried). Soaked vials are placed into an ultrasonic bath and run for 10 minutes at a frequency of 37 Hz with a power level of 100. If the samples appear to be fully disaggregated, they are placed into pre-determined autosampler locations, and are run using the Horiba LA-960 for Windows software to get the fine fraction grain size distributions. The fine fraction distribution data are added to the appropriate data entry spreadsheets (GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm or GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-600_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm). The spreadsheet is used to calculate a continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Brian Buczkowski

   U.S Geological Survey

   Lab Manager

   384 Woods Hole Rd

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-458-8700 x2310 (voice)

   bbuczkowski@usgs.gov

   Date: 29-Sep-2020 (process 3 of 5)

   Continuous phi class distribution from the original fractions are transposed to the "results" tab in the macro-enabled Microsoft Excel data entry workbook (GrainSizeWorksheet_LD1-30_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm or GrainSizeWorksheet_LD31-600_xxxx(batch_yy).xlsm, where xxxx is the identifier assigned to the sample submission, “LD1-30” and “LD31-60” refer to the pre-labeled and weighed glass laser diffraction vials the samples will be run in, and “batch_yy” refer to the sample batch). Macros in the workbook (“GS_MoM_Arithmatic,” "GS_statistics," and "sedimentname") are run to calculate grain size classification and statistical analyses and finish processing the data. Sample, navigation, and field identifiers, along with continuous phi class distribution data, grain size classification, and statistical analysis results are copied and pasted into a final Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (xxxx_GS-LD_results.xlsx, where xxxx is the batch number assigned to the sample submission). The processed data are quality control checked and assigned a quality grade based on the examination of the analytical data. Processed data are released to the submitter and incorporated into the laboratory's database. All raw analytical data generated by the samples are archived in the sediment analysis laboratory. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Brian Buczkowski

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Lab Manager

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2310 (voice)

   bbuczkowski@usgs.gov

   Date: 30-Sep-2020 (process 4 of 5)

   The original Excel file was renamed to 2020015FA_Truro_sedsamples.xlsx and converted to a CSV. Using ArcGIS 10.7.1, the file was converted to a shapefile within ArcMap by right-clicking on the CSV in the catalog window and selecting using Create Feature Class - From XY data. The x-coordinate set to LONGITUDE and the y-coordinate set to LATITUDE. The coordinate system of the input coordinates was set to the planar coordinate system NAD83 (2011). and the feature was saved as a shapefile named 2020015FA_Truro_sedsamples.shp. All associated attributes from the grain-size analysis are included. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Jin-Si Over

   U.S Geological Survey

   Geographer

   384 Woods Hole Rd

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-458-8700 x2269 (voice)

   jover@usgs.gov

   Date: 09-Jun-2021 (process 5 of 5)

   Corrected a thesaurus keyword on 20210514. Fixed a problem in this process process date on 20210609 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?

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   Laboratory analyses was conducted at USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory using a Horiba laser diffraction (LA-960) size analyzer with manufacturer guaranteed accuracy of +/- 0.6%. Performance verified on every unit with NIST-traceable mono- and polydisperse size standards.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   Location information was taken with a handheld GPS with an estimated horizontal accuracy of 5 meters
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   No elevation data were recorded when samples were collected from the surface. The elevations of the sample may be extracted in geospatial software using the Digital Surface Model (DSM) in the larger citation (2020015FA_Truro_topography.tif) and the sediment samples shapefiles; the total vertical error in the DSM is 0.21 meters.
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   Fourteen sediment samples were collected and processed in duplicate. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   The location information was taken with a handheld GPS unit. The grain size data are the original files returned to the scientist after analysis in the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, these data were checked and only modifications to the header titles have been made to the file.

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 (USGS) as the source of this information.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Jin-Si Over

   Geographer

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-458-8700 x2269 (voice)

   jover@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? 2020015FA_Truro_sedsamples.zip contains the sediment sample analysis data in three formats; a CSV file (2020015FA_Truro_sedsamples.csv), Excel File (2020015FA_Truro_sedsamples.xlsx), and a shapefile (2020015FA_Truro_sedsamples.shp and additional files that make up a shapefile).
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 U.S. Geological Survey 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?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	The Excel file was distributed by the Woods Hole Sediment Analysis Laboratory. in format XLSX (version Excel Office 365 16.01) Size: 0.02
     Network links:	https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2020-015-FA/ https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ

     Data format:	Comma Separated Variable (CSV) file edited from the XLSX file. in format CSV Size: 0.011
     Network links:	https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2020-015-FA/ https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ

     Data format:	ESRI shapefile (.shp) and associated files created by importing the grain size data into ArcMap (v. 10.7.1) in format SHP Size: 0.442
     Network links:	https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2020-015-FA/ https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ

   • Cost to order the data: None.

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: 09-Jun-2021

Metadata author:

Jin-Si Over

U.S. Geological Survey

Geographer

U.S. Geological Survey

Woods Hole, MA

508-548-8700 x2269 (voice)

jover@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)