Data tables for the Long Island Sound and New York Bight database

Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Parseable text]

Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?
    Title:
    Data tables for the Long Island Sound and New York Bight database
    Abstract:
    Detailed chemical, station (source and documentation, sample locations), and texture data are provided for sediments in Long Island Sound and New York Bight. The sediment data are provided as spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) and tab-delimited files on the web site. These data are in the form of sections within the web site, which provides extensive supporting data, interpretive diagrams, and discussion. The data were obtained from a variety of sources: published reports, theses, unpublished data from agencies and organizations in the Long Island Sound and New York Bight area and Federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA, National Status and Trends Benthic Surveillance program, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    U.S. Geological Survey, 2002, Data tables for the Long Island Sound and New York Bight database: Open-File Report 03-241, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Mecray, E.L., Hastings, M.E., and Reid, J.M., 2003, CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS DATABASE FOR LONG ISLAND SOUND AND NEW YORK BIGHT: Open-file Report 03-241, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA.

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -74.990000
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.923330
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.442190
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.493330

  3. What does it look like?

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

    Beginning_Date: 1970
    Ending_Date: 2000
    Currentness_Reference: sample collection period

  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 Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • Entity point (4302)

    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 0.000000. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000000. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1927.
      The ellipsoid used is Clarke 1866.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378206.400000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/294.978698.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Data tables

    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

    Coordinates defining the features.

    UNIQUE_ID

    LATITUDE

    LONGITUDE

    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    This contribution presents the Database of Contaminated Sediments Database for Long Island Sound and the New York Bight, which provides a documented compilation of existing, edited data on contaminated sediments and related sediment properties. The data are compiled from as many sources as possible, reviewed for data quality, and integrated into a common format in order to produce a regional database. This database contains original data from heterogeneous sources and provides documentation about the quality of those data. The data are sorted, mapped, and plotted to create a synthesis that addresses a variety of research and management applications. A description of the methods utilized to create the database and the structure of the compiled database is provided in USGS Open-file Report 02-403.

    The Contaminated Sediments Database is a matrix (spreadsheet format) having samples in one dimension and properties, or parameters, in the other. In the database, each sample is assigned a row and the columns contain data about the location, parameters analyzed, methods, and measurements for each sample. The structure and content of the database are defined by the Data Dictionary, which defines what types of data are entered into each parameter field for each of six separate data tables. Each sample in the database is linked across the tables by a unique identification number (Sample ID) that is assigned when the data are entered and by a citation to the original source. The sample matrix format is flexible; it allows for addition of both samples and parameters.

    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
    Mecray, E.L, M.E. Hastings, and J.M. Reid, 2003, The Data Dictionary of the Contaminated Sediments Database for Long Island Sound and the New York Bight; OFR 03-241.

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    This publication is a product of many years of work by numerous organizations and individuals. Those persons listed as contacts in the Collaborators and Acknowledgements sections (on the web site) were particularly crucial in providing contaminant data and context information to the authors.

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Polly Hastings
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Oceanographic Data Specialist
    Woods Hole Science Center
    Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2289 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    phastings@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?
The data are the results of a project to develop a comprehensive database of chemical and environmental information on sediments from Long Island Sound and New York Bight. The goal is to evaluate all data for reliability and comparability, make them widely accessible to all users, and interpret the data with respect to the environmental status of this important area.

How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    (source 1 of 1)
    Type_of_Source_Media: disc, online, paper, chart
    Source_Contribution:
    Sources for the data came from a wide variety of sources including both electronic and paper media. For a complete listing that includes source citations, please see the Content Overview section on the web site for a file called LISNYBBiblio.doc.

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 1993 (process 1 of 1)
    The development of the current database involved four phases: 1) Discussions and interactions with knowledgeable individuals and agencies to identify and retrieve pertinent data from many sources, including unpublished data, 2) Selection and augmentation of a data dictionary to provide consistent field/ parameter definitions and background documentation, 3) Encoding and integration of the data tables in a master flat-file database system involving six basic tables linked by unique sample identification codes, 4) Selective querying, mapping, and interpretation of the data to identify potential outliers and quality problems and to identify key geochemical and environmental relationships and processes.

    Environmental issues include linking the chemical data to bulk sediment toxicity criteria, searching for possible contaminant sources, and identifying transport and geochemical processes. The in-depth inventory and assessment was only possible with the help of many partners and cooperators.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    Polly Hastings
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Oceanographic Data Specialist
    Woods Hole Science Center
    Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2289 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    phastings@usgs.gov

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    A variety of methods were used to analyze the accuracy and suitability of data for their intended purposes. These are described in detail in the report, but include knowledgeable assessment of expected relationships among geochemical measures, inspection of the range of values present, bivariate plots of related measures, and comparison of nearby samples for anomalies.

    Assessments of the quality of individual measurements are included in the data as ancillary attributes; the report refers to these as "qualifier fields."

    "0" in a concentration field means that the constituent was analyzed and found to have a concentration below the detection limit for the method utilized.(Zeros are different, therefore, from blank fields, which show that the constituent was not measured). Other remarks in the quality-control fields provide comments relating to the data that may be helpful in interpreting or further evaluating the data.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Latitude and longitude coordinates are necessary for mapping data; however, their absence does not negate the value of other data reported for a sample. When numerical location data were not available, decimal latitudes and longitudes were estimated from maps or other information. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees and were often calculated from individual degree, minute and second values. Any interpretation of mapped data should consequently utilize the location qualifier fields to understand the limitations of the spatial information.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    The report includes sample location maps (as images) that indicate the general distribution of analytical data. Empty cell values in tables indicate analyses that were not obtained from the given location.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    The data in this study have been acquired from historical sources as well as from ongoing field programs. It is not feasible to apply the standard quality-control protocols that check on the details of sampling and analytical methodology (see Baker and Kravitz, 1992) to heterogeneous data. To rescue data while minimizing problems associated with data comparability, special batch screening techniques were used to identify and call attention to data that have unresolved problems. Although such tests do not necessarily prove that the data are in error, they alert users to data that should be reevaluated or confirmed before use in environmental characterization.

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 is 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
    c/o Polly Hastings
    Oceanographic Data Specialist
    Woods Hole Science Center
    Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2289 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    phastings@usgs.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Contaminated Sediments Database for Long Island Sound and New York Bight, USGS Open-file Report 03-241

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Sediment chemical and other data on the web site have been compiled from multiple sources. Reasonable care has been taken in transcription, and efforts have been made to provide quality control of the data as described in the relevant sections. Although efforts have been made to screen for and identify data that may be seriously compromised, the data provided here are not guaranteed to be correct or complete. Responsibility for the data remains with the original sources and not the U.S. Geological Survey (except where USGS analyses are involved), and conclusions drawn from the data are the responsibility of the users. Mention of commercial software or services does not imply endorsement by the USGS.

    Although this data set has been used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty, express or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. 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.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  5. Is there some other way to get the data?

    none

  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

    Tables can be viewed, downloaded and manipulated on any computer platform that has appropriate software installed and sufficient memory to open the data tables. Appropriate software include Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 or higher and Word 6.0 or higher. The tab delimited text files can be opened in a wide variety of software packages. It is recommended that your minimum configuration allow both the station table and one additional data table to be opened simultaneously.

Who wrote the metadata?
Dates:
Last modified: 03-Sep-2003
Last Reviewed: 06-Nov-2002

Metadata author:
Jamey M. Reid
U.S. Geological Survey
Information Technology Specialist (Data Management)
Woods Hole Science Center
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
USA

508-548-8700 x2204 (voice)
508-457-2310 (FAX)
jreid@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.7.3 on Wed Sep 03 14:06:15 2003