Chesapeake Bay Earth Science Study (CBESS): Physical Properties of Surficial Sediments, Cheseapeake Bay, Maryland (Tabular Data)

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Kerhin, R.T.

Originator: Halka, J.P.

Originator: Wells, D.V.

Originator: Hennessee, E.L.

Originator: Blakeslee, P.J.

Originator: Zoltan, N.

Originator: Cuthbertson, R.H.

Publication_Date: 1998

Title:

Chesapeake Bay Earth Science Study (CBESS): Physical Properties of Surficial Sediments, Cheseapeake Bay, Maryland (Tabular Data)

Edition: 1.0

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Baltimore, MD, USA

Publisher: Maryland Geological Survey

Online_Linkage: <http://www.mgs.md.gov/coastal/data/baysedata.html>

Description:

Abstract:

This is a data table, in comma-delimited, ASCII format, which contains information about selected physical properties, particularly grain size, of 4,255 surficial sediment samples from the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Samples were collected on a 1-km grid by the Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) between June 1976 and August 1984.

Purpose:

One component of the Chesapeake Bay Earth Science Study (CBESS) was a baseline inventory of Chesapeake Bay bottom sediments, more particularly of those properties or features (e.g. sediment type, water content, sulfur content, carbon content, rate of sediment accumulation or erosion) that affect the distribution of toxic substances. The project, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (Contract No. EPA R805965), was a cooperative effort between the states of Maryland and Virginia. The Maryland Geological Survey and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) were responsible for sampling and analyzing sediments deposited in the waters of their respective states. Information contained in this data set is for Maryland only.

Supplemental_Information:

The first row of the data table contains column headings. Parameters in the data table are in the following order: ID Raydist Red Raydist Green Sample Number Sample Description Latitude (decimal degrees, NAD27) Longitude (decimal degrees, NAD27) Collection Date Water Depth Water Content Bulk Density Total Carbon Organic Carbon Sulfur Gravel Phi -1.00 Phi -0.75 Phi -0.50 Phi -0.25 Phi 0.0 Phi 0.25 Phi 0.50 Phi 0.75 Phi 1.00 Phi 1.25 Phi 1.50 Phi 1.75 Phi 2.00 Phi 2.25 Phi 2.50 Phi 2.75 Phi 3.00 Phi 3.25 Phi 3.50 Phi 3.75 Phi 4.00 Phi 4.33 Phi 4.67 Phi 5.00 Phi 5.33 Phi 5.67 Phi 6.00 Phi 6.33 Phi 6.67 Phi 7.00 Phi 7.33 Phi 7.67 Phi 8.00 Phi 8.33 Phi 8.67 Phi 9.00 Phi 9.33 Phi 9.67 Phi 10.0 Phi 11.0 Phi 12.0 Phi 13.0 Phi 14.0 Sand Silt Clay Shepard's Class Median Graphic Mean Graphic Sorting Graphic Skewness Graphic Kurtosis Moment Mean Moment Sorting Moment Skewness Moment Kurtosis. The data in this table have been mapped as a series of Chesapeake Bay Earth Science Atlases. Five of seven of these atlases have been published. Each atlas contains maps showing sampling locations, water content, sulfur content, carbon content, sediment type and patterns of erosion and deposition. Cuthbertson, R.H., ed., 1987, Chesapeake Bay Earth Science Atlas Nos. 1,2, (No. 1: Head of Chesapeake Bay; No. 2: Approaches to Baltimore Harbor): Baltimore, MD, Maryland Geological Survey. Kerhin, R.T., ed., 1980, Chesapeake Bay Earth Science Atlas No. 3: Eastern Bay and South River: Baltimore, MD, Maryland Geological Survey. Halka, J.P., ed., 1982, Chesapeake Bay Earth Science Atlas No. 4: Choptank River and Herring Bay: Baltimore, MD, Maryland Geological Survey. Halka, J.P., and Wells, D.V., eds., 1982, Chesapeake Bay Earth Science Atlas No. 5: Patuxent River and Vicinity: Baltimore, MD, Maryland Geological Survey. In addition, the following reports contain detailed information about sample collection and analytical methods, as well as an interpretation of the data: Kerhin, R.T., Halka, J.P., Wells, D.V., Hennessee, E.L., Blakeslee, P.J., Zoltan, N., and Cuthbertson, R.H., 1988, The Surficial Sediments of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland: Physical Characteristics and Sediment Budget: Baltimore, MD, Maryland Geological Survey Report of Investigations No. 48, 82 p. Hennesse, E.L, Blakeslee, P.J., and Hill, J.M., 1986, The distributions of organic carbon and sulfur in surficial sediments of the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay: Jour. Sed. Pet., v. 56, no. 5, p. 674-683.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 197606

Ending_Date: 198408

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -76.560280

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.877500

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.441670

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.897780

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: General

Theme_Keyword: Surficial Sediments

Theme_Keyword: Physical Properties

Theme_Keyword: Water Content

Theme_Keyword: Bulk Density

Theme_Keyword: Sulfur

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System

Place_Keyword: Maryland

Place_Keyword: Chesapeake Bay

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: General

Place_Keyword: U.S. Atlantic East Coast

Temporal:

Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: Global Change Master Directory of Valid Keywords

Temporal_Keyword: Holocene

Access_Constraints: None.

Use_Constraints:

Consider the age of the data (1976-1984), the sampling density (1-km grid) and the spatial and temporal variability of estuarine sediments in evaluating the fitness for use of this data set. Graphic displays and printed tabular listings derived from this data set may be used in publications and presentations, provided that credit is given to the originators of the data set. The Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) makes no warranty, either express or implied, as to the use or appropriateness of the data, and there are no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. MGS may not be subject to liability for human error, defect, or failure of machines, or any material used in connection with the machines, including tapes, disks, punchcard and energy. MGS may not be liable for any lost profits, consequential damages, or claims against the user by third parties.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jeffrey Halka

Contact_Organization: Maryland Geological Survey

Contact_Position: Chief, Coastal and Estuarine

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 2300 St. Paul Street

City: Baltimore

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 21218

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 410-554-5543

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 410-554-5502

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jhalka@mgs.dnr.md.gov

Hours_of_Service: 9am - 5pm

Data_Set_Credit:

Funding for the Chesapeake Earth Science Study was provided by the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) under Contract No. EPA R805965.

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Access for Windows 95, version 7.00 Computer Operating System: Windows 95 File Name: N:\Database\baysed.mdb (Table: tblAllCBESSData)

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Byrne, R.J.

Originator: Hobbs, C.H.

Originator: Carron, M.J.

Title:

Baseline sediment studies to determine distribution, physical properties, sedimentation budgets and rates in the Virginia portion of the Cheseapeake Bay

Other_Citation_Details:

Final report to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Grant Number R806001010, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia, 155 p.

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

This section of the metadata summarizes information found in an appendix to the report by Kerhin and others (1988) cited in Section 1.2.3 Supplemental Information. It will be easier to understand this section if you first read Section 2.5 Lineage. Quality assurance for grain-size analysis involved three major components: (1) calibration of the individual analytical instruments, (2) inter-calibration of specially designed instruments with similar devices at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences (VIMS), and (3) duplicate analyses at MGS and VIMS of sediments collected in both Maryland and Virginia waters. Instrument Calibration Calibration of the rapid sediment analyzer (RSA) was accomplished through the use of glass beads of known size, sphericity and density. Calibration of the Coulter Counter was accomplished through procedures recommended in the manufacturer's operating manual. At the time of the CBESS study, most previous sedimentological studies had used pipetting techniques, rather than a Coulter Counter, to determine the size distribution of fine-grained sediments. Therefore, for three sediment samples, MGS compared results obtained by the two methods. For all three samples, the grain-size distribution resulting from Coulter Counter analysis was somewhat finer than that determined by pipette analysis. The difference in the mean grain size calculated by each technique ranged from a low of 0.07f for one sample to a high of 0.29f for another. For each sample, the envelope enclosing the Coulter Counter data was smaller than that for the pipette data, indicating the superior precision of the Coulter Counter technique. Two possible explanations were offered to account for the difference in results obtained by the two techniques: (1) particle density or shape effects, and (2) an instrument "noise" effect. The second effect probably contributed more to the observed differences; Coulter Counter operators noticed that machine noise tended to accumulate in the output channels representing the finer end of the size distribution. In any case, the differences between the two techniques were quite small. The greater precision of the Coulter Counter, coupled with its ease of operation, recommended its use. Inter-Laboratory Calibration Both MGS and VIMS processed 20 sediment samples, representative of a broad range of sediment types, to compare results from the two laboratories. Eight samples were collected from the Bay in Virginia, and 12 from Maryland. Each of the paired samples matched on Shepard's class. For 14 of the samples, both institutions were able to determine mean grain size. The analytical results were compared statistically, using a t-test for dependent samples. At the 5% level of significance, there were no differences between the results obtained by MGS and VIMS.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Data were checked for permissible values. For most of the parameters measured, "-999" indicates a missing value.

Completeness_Report:

Omissions The main trunk of the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay was sampled, as well as Eastern Bay, the Choptank River, and Tangier Sound. Within the study area, no samples were collected in the vicinity of Aberdeen Proving Ground or Bloodsworth Island because of the risk of retrieving unexploded ordnance. Selection criteria Total carbon, organic carbon, and total sulfur determinations were made for about 25% of the samples collected. Initially, every mid-bay and certain nearshore samples were analyzed, providing coverage on a 1-km grid. Sampling density was reduced when it became apparent that carbon and sulfur analyses could not keep pace with other phases of the project. Results from the early analyses showed that in 85% of the sandy samples, carbon and sulfur were below detection. Based on those findings, sandy samples - usually nearshore samples characterized by low water content - were excluded from analysis. Later in the project, every fourth mid-bay sample was analyzed, provided that its water content exceeded 25% by weight. If water content fell below that limit, the sample was generally replaced by a neighboring one.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

Sample collection, surficial samples were collected according to two different protocols, "nearshore" or "mid-bay". Accuracy of nearshore sample location was estimated to be ñ 30 m. Teledyne-Hastings, the manufacturer of the Raydist radionavigational system used to locate mid-bay samples, reported the positional accuracy of the system as ñ 0.5 m. To ensure accuracy, the crew checked calibrations at least twice during each sampling day. Based on these checks, operational accuracy was about ñ 1.5 m. However, due to such factors as vessel orientation, wind, and tidal currents, mid-bay sampling accuracy was estimated to be ñ 10 m.

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

Water depths recorded at each sampling site were not adjusted for tide level.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Process steps for this data set included sample collection, water content, grain size analysis, carbon analysis, and sulfur analysis . Please <http://www.mgs.md.gov/coastal/data/Chesapeake/Sediment> Characteristics/CBMetatxt.zip see for full information regarding these process steps.

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jeffrey Halka

Contact_Organization: Maryland Geological Survey

Contact_Position: Chief, Coastal and Estuarine Geology Program

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 2300 St. Paul Street

City: Baltimore

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 21218

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (410) 554-5543

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (410) 554-5502

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jhalka@mgs.dnr.md.gov

Hours_of_Service: 9am - 5pm

Process_Step:

Process_Description: Data was downloaded from the online publication.

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: <http://www.mgs.md.gov/coastal/data/baysedata.html>

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jane Reid

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Position: Geologist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address

Address: 400 Natural Bridges Drive

City: Santa Cruz

State_or_Province: CA

Postal_Code: 95060

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (831) 427-4727

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (831) 427-4748

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jareid@usgs.gov

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Significant figures were reduced to 3 for statistics, components, acoustics and geotechnical properties. GRZ bins above phisize 9 were combined. Some GRZ lines had negative values; total GRZ data were decommissioned in the usSEABED data resource file.

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jane Reid

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Position: Geologist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address

Address: 400 Natural Bridges Drive

City: Santa Cruz

State_or_Province: CA

Postal_Code: 95060

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (831) 427-4727

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (831) 427-4748

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jareid@usgs.gov

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Digital data were checked, formatted to dbSEABED input format, then processed using dbSEABED software to produce a range of output formats. The processing contained quality checking that may have declined to pass faulty or suspect data to outputs.

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jane Reid

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Position: Geologist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address

Address: 400 Natural Bridges Drive

City: Santa Cruz

State_or_Province: CA

Postal_Code: 95060

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (831) 427-4727

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (831) 427-4748

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jareid@usgs.gov

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Entity point

Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 4255

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0.000000

Longitude_Resolution: 0.000000

Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1927

Ellipsoid_Name: Clarke 1866

Semi-major_Axis: 6378206.400000

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 294.978698

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: cbess

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: FID

Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape

Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LATITUDE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LONGITUDE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SITENAME

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATASETKEY

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jeffrey Halka

Contact_Organization: Maryland Geological Survey

Contact_Position: Chief, Coastal and Estuarine Geology Program

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 2300 St. Paul Street

City: Baltimore

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 21218

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (410) 554-5543

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (410) 554-5502

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jhalka@mgs.dnr.md.gov

Hours_of_Service: 9am - 5pm

Resource_Description:

CBESS: Physical Properties of Surficial Sediments, Cheseapeake Bay, Maryland (Tabular Data)

Distribution_Liability:

Although this data set has been used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty, expressed 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. Trade, firm, or product names and other references to non-USGS products and services are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or warranty, express or implied, by the USGS, USDOI, or U.S. Government, as to their suitability, content, usefulness, functioning, completeness, or accuracy

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Information_Content:

comma-delimited ASCII file; each record contains 71 fields, which are in the same order as the attributes listed in Appendix 2; all fields are numeric, except "Sample Description," which is text

File_Decompression_Technique: no compression applied

Transfer_Size: 0.114

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Access_Instructions:

Access the data file from the Maryland Geological Survey - Coastal & Estuarine Geology Program home page on the Internet. This metadata file is also available from the MGS home page in two formats: (1) WordPerfect 6/7/8 - CBESSMetadata.wpd and (2) ASCII - CBESSMetadata.txt.

Offline_Option:

Offline_Media: CD-ROM

Recording_Format: ISO 9660

Fees:

No fees apply if the data set is downloaded from the Internet. A CD-ROM containing the data set and the metadata files costs $25.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20050504

Metadata_Review_Date: 20050504

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jamey Reid

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Position: IT Specialist (Data Management)

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.

City: Woods Hole

State_or_Province: MA

Postal_Code: 02543-1598

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (508) 548-8700 x2204

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (508) 457-2310

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jreid@usgs.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

Metadata_Access_Constraints: None

Metadata_Use_Constraints:

Original metadata was slightly modified by a user of the data. Any other information available from the Maryland Geological Survey is authoritative and supercedes any information given here.

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>

Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>

Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile