USGS Open-File Report 03-001: Data Dictionary

An integral part of any functioning GIS database is the dictionary that explains the structure and content of the data layers. It contains an index and definitions of the parameters measured and list the fields that record and qualify those parameters. The glossary presented here is listed in alphabetical order and provides a inclusive list of all attribute fields contained in the compiled datasets. Although compiled here, all attribute names specific to each data layer can be found in the metadata file for that data layer. Extracting data from the data layer is facilitated by reference to this document and the attribute/entity part of the metadata files because they provide a means to keep track of abbreviations and the sediment field names.

Short Field Name	Full-Length Field Name	Field Description
ANALYSIS	Analysis	Verbal description of methodology
ANALYST	Analyst	Name of person who performed the grain size or physical properties analysis
ANAL_COMM	Analysts comments	Any further information about analyses
AREA	Area	General geographic area (general enough to easily locate on a state map)

BAY	Bay	Bay or region where sample was collected
BDEPTH	Bottom depth	Depth within the core to the bottom of the sample, in cm
B_DEPTH	Bottom depth	Bottom depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface, in cm
BOTTOM_DES	Bottom description	Brief description of bottom character

CACO3	Calcium carbonate	Percentage of carbonate in a sample determined by insoluble residue
CATALOG_NO	Catalog number	Unique number assigned to each record by the Smithsonian Institution
CFP11	Cfp11	Cumulative frequency percent of the 11 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.001 mm)
CFP10	Cfp10	Cumulative frequency percent of the 10 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.002 mm)
CFP09	Cfp09	Cumulative frequency percent of the 9 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.004 mm)
CFP08	Cfp08	Cumulative frequency percent of the 8 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.008 mm)
CFP07	Cfp07	Cumulative frequency percent of the 7 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.0016 mm)
CFP06	Cfp06	Cumulative frequency percent of the 6 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.031 mm)
CFP05	Cfp05	Cumulative frequency percent of the 5 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.062 mm)
CFP04	Cfp04	Cumulative frequency percent of the 4 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.125 mm)
CFP03	Cfp03	Cumulative frequency percent of the 3 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.250 mm)
CFP02	Cfp02	Cumulative frequency percent of the 2 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.5 mm)
CFP01	Cfp01	Cumulative frequency percent of the 1 phi fraction and coarser (less than 0.1 mm)
CFP00	Cfp00	Cumulative frequency percent of the 0 phi fraction and coarser (less than 2 mm)
CFPM1	Cfpm1	Cumulative frequency percent of the -1 phi fraction and coarser (less than 4 mm)
CFPM2	Cfpm2	Cumulative frequency percent of the -2 phi fraction and coarser (less than 8 mm)
CFPM3	Cfpm3	Cumulative frequency percent of the -3 phi fraction and coarser (less than 16 mm)
CFPM4	Cfpm4	Cumulative frequency percent of the -4 phi fraction and coarser (less than 32 mm)
CFPM5	Cfpm5	Cumulative frequency percent of the -4 phi fraction and coarser (less than 32 mm)
CLASSIFICA	Classification	Textural classification based on a rigorous scheme (e.g. Shepard, 1954; Folk, 1974)
CLASS	Classification	Textural classification based on a rigorous scheme (e.g. Shepard, 1954; Folk, 1974)
CLASS_SYS	Classification system	Description of the system used for classification
CLASS_CODE	Classification code	Classification code number (from NOS Digital Database)
CLAY	Clay	Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; 9 phi and smaller)
CLAY_PCT	Clay	Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; 9 phi and smaller)
CLAYX	Clay (coarse)	Percent of clay fraction coarser than 0.1 microns
CODE	Cartographic code	Numeric cartographic code (primarily from NOS Hydrographic Database) for bottom character
COLOR	Color	Wet sediment color based on the GSA rock color chart
COLLECTOR	Collector	Chief scientist who collected the sample
COLLOID	Colloidal clay	Percent of the clay fraction that is finer than 0.1 microns
COMBINED	Combined	Description of both the primary and secondary lithologies
COMMENTS	Comments	Comments on sample collection, analysis, or lithology
CONSECNO	Consecutive Number	Sample identifier assigned to distinguish between stations
CONTACT	Contact	Individual responsible for details and distribution of dataset; usually the Chief Scientist involved in the collection of the dataset
CORE	Core	Identifier (usually a numeric) assigned to each core
CORE_ID	Core identifier	Identifier (usually a numeric) assigned to each core
CRUISEID	Cruise identifier	Name or number of cruise on which sample was collected
CRUISE_ID	Cruise identifier	Name or number of cruise on which sample was collected
C_Code	Classification Code	Code assigned by a scientist to describe sample

DATE	Date	Day, month, and year (ddmmyy or yyyymmdd) of sample collection
DAY_ANAL	Day analyzed	Day during which sample was analyzed
DAY_COLL	Day collected	Day during which sample was collected
DEPTH (m)	Depth in meters	Measured depth of water overlying sediment at sample time, not corrected for tides, in meters
DEPTH	Depth in meters	Measured depth of water overlying sediment at sample time, not corrected for tides, in meters
DEPTH_M	Depth in meters	Measured depth of water overlying sediment at sample time, not corrected for tides, in meters
DESCRIPTIO	Description	Verbal description of the samples texture and lithology
DEVICE	Sampling device	Device used to collect the sample
DOMINANT_L	Dominant lithology	Description of the primary (i.e. major) lithology
DPTH_CODE	Depth code	Description of the depth below the sediment-water interface from which the sample was collected

FID	Feature identifier	ESRI internal feature number
FIELDID	Field identifier	Sample name or number as assigned in the field
FIELD_ID	Field identifier	Sample name or number as assigned in the field
FINES	Fines (silt + clay or mud)	Percent dry weight of the sample reported in both the silt and clay fractions (i.e. silt plus clay)
FINES_SIL	Fines (silt + clay or mud)	Percent dry weight of the sample reported in both the silt and clay fractions (i.e. silt plus clay)
FOLK_GSM	Folk's gsm classification	Folk (1974) classification scheme for gravel, sand, and mud
FOLK_SZC	Folk's szc classification	Folk (1974) classification scheme for sand, silt, and clay
FROM_PHI	From phi	Largest particle size measured, in phi units

GRAINMED	Grain median	Median grain size in millimeters
GRAINQ1	Grain quartile 1	First quartile of the grain size curve in percent
GRAINQ2	Grain quartile 2	Second quartile of the grain size curve
GRAINQ3	Grain quartile 3	Third quartile of the grain-size curve
GRAVEL	Gravel	Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 phi and larger)
GRAVEL_PCT	Gravel	Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 phi and larger)
GROUP	Group	A number assigned to data based on source

ID	Identifier	Sample or station name

KURTOSIS	Kurtosis	Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution

LATITUDE	Latitude	Latitude in decimal-degrees (south latitudes are depicted by negative values)
LENGTH_CM	Length in cm	Core length in centimeters
LITHOLOGY	Lithology	General lithologic description; may be the verbal equivalent of a classification scheme
LITHOLOG_D	Lithologic description	Verbal description of the bottom sediment lithology
LOCAL_ID	Local Identifier	Original name (usually a numeric assigned by a scientist) used to identify samples
LOI	Loss on ignition	Percent weight loss upon heating to 500 C
LONGITUDE	Longitude	Longitude in decimal-degrees (west longitudes are depicted by negative values)

MEDIAN	Median	Middle point in the grain size distribution in phi units
MEDIAN_PHI	Median	Middle point in the grain size distribution in phi units
MEDIAN_MM	Median	Middle point in the grain size distribution in millimeters
MEAN	Mean	Average value in the grain size distribution in phi units
MEAN_PHI	Mean	Average value in the grain size distribution in phi units
MODE1CLASS	Mode 1 class	First mode (particle size that occurs the most number of times) in phi units
MODE1FREQ	Mode 1 frequency	Modal strength of the first mode in percent
MODE2CLAS	Mode 2 class	Second mode in phi units
MODE2FREQ	Mode 2 frequency	Modal strength of the second mode in percent
MODE3CLAS	Mode 3 class	Third mode in phi units
MODE3FREQ	Mode 3 frequency	Modal strength of the third mode in percent
MODE_1_CLA	Mode 1 class	First mode (particle size that occurs the most number of times) in phi units
MODE_1_STR	Mode 1 strength	Modal strength of the first mode in percent
MODE_2_CLA	Mode 2 class	Second mode in phi units
MODE_2_STR	Mode 2 strength	Modal strength of the second mode in percent
MODE_3_CLA	Mode 3 class	Third mode in phi units
MODE_3_STR	Mode 3 strength	Modal strength of the third mode in percent
MONTH_ANAL	Month analyzed	Month during which sample was analyzed
MONTH_COLL	Month collected	Month during which sample was collected
MUD	Mud	Percent dry weight of silt plus clay in sample

NAI_ID	NAI identifier	Numeric assigned by Normandeau Associates, Inc. to distinguish dredging projects
NAI_DREDG	NAI event	Dredge event identifier number assigned by Normandeau Associates, Inc. (ties event to a project)
NODCREF	NODC code	Code assigned by the National Oceanographic Data Center to assign records to a source
NMODES	Number of modes	Number of modes
NO_OF_MOD	Number of modes	Number of modes

ORIG_PREC	Original precision	Precision of location measurement

PHI_STEP	Phi step	Phi interval used in analysis (e.g. full phi, half phi)
PHIM11	-11 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -11 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 2048 mm)
PHIM10	-10 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -10 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 1024 mm, but less than 2048 mm)
PHIM9	-9 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -9 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 512 mm, but less than 1024 mm)
PHIM8	-8 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -8 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 256 mm, but less than 512 mm)
PHIM7	-7 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -7 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 128 mm, but less than 256 mm)
PHIM6	-6 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -6 phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to 64 mm, but less than 128 mm)
PHIM5	-5 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -5 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 32 mm, but less than 64 mm); very coarse pebbles
PHIM4	-4 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -4 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 16 mm, but less than 32 mm; coarse pebbles
PHIM3	-3 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -3 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 8 mm, but less than 16 mm); medium pebbles
PHIM2	-2 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -2 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 4 mm, but less than 8 mm); fine pebbles
PHIM1	-1 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the -1 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 2 mm, but less than 4 mm); very fine pebbles (granules)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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); clay
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); clay
PHI_11	11 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 11 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, but less than 0.001 mm)
PHI_12	12 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 12 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.25 microns, but less than 0.5 microns)
PHI_13	13 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 13 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.125 microns, but less than 0.25 microns)
PHI_14	14 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 14 phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to .0625 microns, but less than 0.125 microns)
PHI_15	15 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 15 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.031 microns, but less than 0.0625 microns)
PHI_16	16 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 16 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.016 microns, but less than 0.031 microns)
PHI_17	17 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 17 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.008 microns, but less than 0.016 microns)
PHI_18	18 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 18 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.004 microns, but less than 0.008 microns)
PHI_19	19 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 19 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.002 microns, but less than 0.004 microns)
PHI_20	20 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 20 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.001 microns, but less than 0.002 microns)
PHI_21	21 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 21 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.0005 microns, but less than 0.001 microns
PHI_22	22 Phi	Weight percent of the sample in the 22 phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.00025 microns, but less than 0.0005 microns
PRIMARY_LI	Primary lithology	Dominant or major lithology
PROJECT	Project identifier	Project under which samples were taken
PROJ_NAME	Project name	Project under which samples were taken, or data generated (i.e. NOS Digital Database); sometimes indicates more specific area
PROJECTID	Project identifier	Project under which samples were taken, or data generated (i.e. NOS Digital Database); sometimes indicates more specific area

Q1_MM	Quartile 1	First quartile of the grain size curve in millimeters
Q2_MM	Quartile 2	Second quartile of the grain size curve in millimeters
Q3_MM	Quartile 3	Third quartile of the grain-size curve in millimeters

REFERENCE	Reference	Short citation consisting of the author and year of publication
REGFILE	Regulatory file	Regulatory file number
REQUESTER	Requester	Name of Principle Investigator or designee requesting analysis

SAMPLE	Sample	Name used to identify samples
SAMPLE	Sample identifier	Name used to identify samples
SAND	Sand	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)
SAND_PCT	Sand	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)
SECONDARY_	Secondary lithology	Description of the secondary (i.e. minor) lithology
SECOND_LIT	Secondary lithology	Description of the secondary (i.e. minor) lithology
SEDENV	Sedimentary environment	Verbal description of the sediment texture and depositional environment
SEDCLASS	Classification	Sediment description based on a rigorous definition
SED_CLASS	Classification	Sediment description based on a rigorous definition (usually Shepard (1954)) as modified by Schlee (1973)
SEQ	Sequence	Sequential number identifying a record
SEQUENCE_#	Local row number	Sequential identification number, generated by the database (Excel) as the data were entered; gaps in these sequential numbers are present
SERIES_ID	Series identifier	Number assigned to a transect along which samples were collected
SHAPE	Shape	ESRI feature geometry
SHEPARD_CL	Shepard classification	Classification of the sediment size distribution based on a scheme devised by Shepard (1954)
SHEPARD_SZC	Shepard's szc classification	Shepard (1954) classification scheme for sand, silt, and clay
SHIP	Ship	Vessel used to perform fieldwork
SHIP_CRUIS	Ship and cruise	Name assigned to identify the ship and cruise during which the data were collected
SILT	Silt	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)
SILT_PCT	Silt	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)
SITE	Site	Unique identifier assigned to each originally sample location by the scientist
SIZE_TECH	Size analysis techniques	General description of the particle-size analysis techniques used
SKEWNESS	Skewness	Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution
SMPLNG_DEV	Sampling device	Device used to collect the sample
SOIL	Soil	Dominant soil class
SOUND_METH	Sounding method	Method used to ascertain depth
SOUNDING_M	Sounding in meters	Water depth in meters
SOURCE	Source reference	Bibliographic reference in which the data were originally published, or the organization that produced the unpublished data.
SOURCEID	Source identifier	Author and year of source publication
SPECIFIC_L	Specific location	Specific geographic area where the samples were collected
STATE	State	State adjacent to the area where sample was collected
STATION	Station	Identifier assigned to each sampling station
STATION_ID	Station identifier	Identifier assigned to each sampling station
STDDEV	Standard deviation	Standard deviation (sorting; root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units
STDEV	Standard deviation	Standard deviation (sorting; root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units
STDEV_SORT	Standard deviation	Standard deviation (sorting; root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units
STDDEV_PHI	Standard deviation	Standard deviation (sorting; root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units
STDEV_PHI	Standard deviation	Standard deviation (sorting; root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units
SURVEY	Survey	Number or name assigned to the survey from which the data were generated
SYSTEM	System	Author and publication year of the system used to classify the sediments

TDEPTH	Top depth	Depth within the core to the top of the sample, in cm
TEXTURE	Texture	Verbal description of the sediment
TIME	Time	Time of day when sample was collected
TOTAL	Total percent	Total of the gravel, sand, silt, and clay percentages
TO_PHI	To phi	Smallest particle size measured, in phi units
T_DEPTH	Top depth	Top depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface, in cm
TYPE	Type	Sampling equipment used to collect sample

USGSDB_ID	USGS sample identifier	Unique identification number (consisting of 2 characters and 3 numerics) generated in the sedimentation laboratory of the USGS's Woods Hole Field Center for the Atlantic Margin Texture Database

VESSEL	Vessel	Ship or boat used to perform fieldwork

WEIGHT	Weight	Weight of sample in grams

YEAR	Year	Calender year sample collected/analyzed
YEAR_ANAL	Year analyzed	Year during which sample was analyzed
YEAR_COLL	Year collected	Year during which sample was collected

DATA DICTIONARY

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