The sediment data are provided as spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel), database (Microsoft Access), and tab-delimited files on CD-ROM and web site. The browser format is the same for both mediums. These data are in the form of appendixes at the end of the report, 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 The data were obtained from a variety of sources: published reports, theses, unpublished data from agencies and organizations in Louisiana, and Federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA,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 U.S. Geological Survey (publications and new field data)
Manheim, Frank T. , and Hayes, Laura, 2002, Sediment Database and Geochemical Assessment of Lake Pontchartrain Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper PP-1634.Online Links:
Frank T. Manheim (editor), and (editor), Laura Hayes , 2002, Lake Pontchartrain Basin: bottom sediments and related environmental resources: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper PP-1634, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.Online Links:
This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
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 North American Datum of 1983.
The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1 |
| Maximum: | 2811 |
This is a complex text containing sample identification codes. Frequently several codes are given in each field, separated by commas. Several different sample identification schemes are represented among the samples.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| "SED_CHEM, SEDGRAIN" | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 29.2 |
| Maximum: | 30.37343245 |
| Units: | decimal degrees |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 29 |
| Maximum: | 30 |
| Units: | degrees of arc |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 59 |
| Units: | minutes of arc |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 59 |
| Units: | arc-seconds |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| ddmm.mm | degrees and decimal minutes, to 0.01 minutes |
| ddmm.mmm | degrees and decimal minutes, to 0.001 minutes |
| ddmmss | degrees, minutes, and seconds |
| (empty) | Location specified in the original report as decimal degrees |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | -88.67 |
| Maximum: | -92.76417 |
| Units: | decimal degrees |
| Resolution: | 0.000001 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| -90 | probably supposed to be 90 degrees W |
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 88 |
| Maximum: | 92 |
| Units: | degrees of arc |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 59 |
| Units: | minutes of arc |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 59 |
| Units: | arc-seconds |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| ddmm.mm | degrees and decimal minutes, to 0.01 minutes |
| ddmm.mmm | degrees and decimal minutes, to 0.001 minutes |
| ddmmss | degrees, minutes, and seconds |
| (empty) | Location specified in the original report as decimal degrees |
Most values contain two numbers that cannot be latitude and longitude, two contain descriptive textual information.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| "the LORAN C coordinates in fields 8 & 13 were e-mailed to AGM by G.Flowers on 4-28-97. the coordinates in fields 7 & 12 were calculated by AGM from a faxed copy of figure 1 of Sarkar's thesis (see file""SSCONVERT.DOC"" for full details)" | |
| (empty) | not known |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 14 |
| Units: | meters |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 26 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| feet | |
| ft | feet |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| LDEQ | Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality |
| LDEQ-OWR-WPCD | Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality - Office of Water Resources - Water Pollution Control Division |
| LDNR-CZMD | Louisiana Department of Natural Resources - Coastal Zone Management Division |
| LSU | Louisiana State University |
| UNO | University of New Orleans |
| USEPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency |
| USACE | United States Army Corps of Engineers |
| USGS | United States Geological Survey |
| USGS - WRD | United States Geological Survey - Water Resources Division |
Attribute values are the source citation abbreviations given in the Lineage of this report; each refers to the corresponding data source.
self-explanatory text
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| "EMAP-Estuaries Province Level Database, Louisianian Province 1991-1994" | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| EMAP | Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | |
| (empty) | information not provided |
Common name given as text.
Self-explanatory text describing geographic location with reference to named places.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| BLaBr | Bayou LaBranche |
| BretS | Breton Sound |
| BTrep | Bayou Trepagnier |
| CMent | Chef Menteur |
| EngCa | Engineers Canal |
| ICW | Intracoastal Waterway |
| IHNC | Inner Harbor Navigation Canal |
| LBorg | Lake Borgne |
| LMaur | Lake Maurepas |
| LP | Lake Pontchartrain |
| LP-BC | Lake Pontchartrain, Bonnet Carre Region |
| LP-CE | Lake Pontchartrain, central region east of Causeway |
| LP-CW | Lake Pontchartrain, central region west of Causeway |
| LP-NO | Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans region |
| LP-NS | Lake Pontchartrain, north shore region |
| LP-PH | Lake Pontchartrain, Pointe aux Herbes region |
| LP-RG | Lake Pontchartrain, Rigolets region |
| LP-WS | Lake Pontchartrain, west shore region |
| MissB | Mississippi Bayou |
| MRGO | Mississippi River Gulf Outlet |
| Rigol | Rigolets |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1 |
| Maximum: | 88 |
Self-explanatory text.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1 |
| Maximum: | 31 |
| Units: | day |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1 | January |
| 2 | February |
| 3 | March |
| 4 | April |
| 5 | May |
| 6 | June |
| 7 | July |
| 8 | August |
| 9 | September |
| 10 | October |
| 11 | November |
| 12 | December |
| (empty) | date not specified |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1972 |
| Maximum: | 1998 |
| Units: | year |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 23 | 23rd day of the month? |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 6 | June |
| 10 | October |
| (empty) | date not specified |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1980 |
| Maximum: | 1984 |
| Units: | year |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| No date stated for sediment analysis | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 11 |
| Maximum: | 13 |
| Units: | hour of day |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) | time not available |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 55 |
| Units: | minutes |
| Resolution: | 1 |
Dates are given as dd/mm/yy where dd and mm may consist of only one digit.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 6/1/80 | June 1, 1980 |
| 10/23/84 | October 23, 1984 |
| (empty) |
Many of the values are integer numbers, but some are codes with letters and numbers, or comments.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| """a coring device""" | |
| "0.1 m^2 box corer, subsampled using a 4.25 inch polycarbonate core liner" | |
| Box corer | |
| Eckman mechanical grab sampler | |
| Peterson dredge | |
| Petite ponar | |
| Petite Ponar dredge | |
| Petite ponar dredge | |
| Petite ponar grab | |
| piston corer | |
| scoop sampler | |
| spade corer | |
| unknown | |
| unknown corer | |
| Van Veen Grab | |
| Vibracore | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| none | not available |
| sediment | sediment sample |
Many of the fields contain a number, but some contain comments such as "bottom" or a depth range indicated by two numbers separated by a hyphen. Some fields contain units as well. Some fields are empty.
Values contain a number followed by "m" (meters) or "inches". Some lack units.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 144 |
| Units: | centimeters |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 7 |
| Maximum: | 505 |
| Units: | centimeters |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| inches | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| Core | |
| Surface | |
| Surface of core | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| """Three samples were taken at each location and homogenized by mixing using plastic utensils.""" | |
| sample is a homogenate composed of the surficial 2 cm from several grabs (see methods field in grain size table for additional comments) | |
| (empty) | sample not combined with others |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| BASE | Stations that were randomly selected based on EMAP sampling design (grid). |
| INDEX | Stations that were paired with small estuary and tidal river base sites. They were intended to represent the area of sediment deposition with the estuary or river. Not random. |
| ITE | Indicator Testing and Evaluation Sites - only for 1991. Selected specifically to test indicators' ability to discriminate between degraded and reference sites. |
| SUPPL | Stations that were randomly selected by using the EMAP grid design and reducing it to fit within a single estuary. |
| QA/QC | The replicate sampling of a base station (exact location) within a short time span. (Collection methods quality reference.) |
| REP-91 | Between-year replicates of 1991 base sites. These 1991 sites were sampled every year to represent variation and long term trends. (No within-year replicates, see next definition.) |
| REP-9? | Randomly selected sites that are "near-by" to one another to evaluate variability within a given area (for example, within a hexagon or small estuary). Used to test the EMAP design. |
| VARIANCE | Trend sites selected to evaluate variation and long term trends (selected in addition to the REP-91 sites). |
This is a long text field intended to be self-explanatory.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| """at least 200cc" | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| n | no |
| no; see Byrne | qualified no |
| y | yes |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| n | no |
| no: see McFall et al | qualified no |
| y | yes |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| n | no |
| y | yes |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| n | bioassay data not collected |
| y | bioassay data were collected |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| n | no other analyses were found |
| y | additional analyses were found |
| (empty) | we do not know whether other analyses are documented in the reference |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| "6 water microbiology parameters, 5 sediment microbiological parameters, benthic invertebrate analysis, 60 species of fish collected" | |
| "Toxicity Test Data, Water Quality Vertical Profile, Benthic Data, Fish/Invertebrate Data" | |
| benthic fauna counts | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 4 |
| Maximum: | 31 |
| Units: | day of the month |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1 | January |
| 2 | February |
| 4 | April |
| 5 | May |
| 8 | August |
| 9 | September |
| 10 | October |
| 11 | November |
| 12 | December |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1996 |
| Maximum: | 2000 |
| Units: | year |
| Resolution: | 1 |
Dates are given as dd/mm/yy where dd and mm may consist of only one digit.
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| agm | Andrew G. McIntire |
| LH | Laura Hayes |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| <DL | Less than detection limit. (Concentration reads "0" because the measurement fell below the detection limit). |
| DV | Discriminant value (For discussion of discriminant functions see Analytical Methods and Quality Control). |
| DVS | 25% of samples for this component and source show unresolved anomalies in discriminant values. |
| HA | High Alert (see table 8 for alert levels). |
| LA | Low Alert (see table 8 for alert levels). |
| Leach | Leachate method was used for metal analysis. Values resulting from this type of analysis have valid uses but are not comparable to those resulting from total dissolution methods. See Discussion and Inorganic Chemistry sections for more explanation. |
| LW | Source reports data on a wet-weight basis, which gives lower apparent values than dry-weight basis. mean (n = *) Multiple samples were collected from the same location and analyzed; the value reported is the mean (n = number of replicates). |
| ND | Not detected. |
| Repl. DL | A replicate value is below detection limit (the value reported is the mean of the others). |
| W | Warning: unresolved questions (no quality-control corroboration or causal relationships for anomalous data are available). |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 231 |
| Maximum: | 2625 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 2 types of samples analyzed: A subsample of the composited homogenate (top 2-3 cm of sediment taken from collective grabs) was analyzed for grain distribution. Also small core samples taken from each of 3 grabs were used for determination of % silt/clay. | |
| A subsample of the composited homogenate (top 2-3 cm of sediment taken from collective grabs) was used to determine % silt/clay. (Grain size distribution not analyzed. No small cores collected). | |
| small core samples taken from each of 3 grabs were used for determination of % silt/clay. (Grain size distribution dropped as parameter). | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| SAND_PCT = 100 - FINES_SIL. The percent sand calculation is: %sand = sand wt/(sand wt + silt-clay wt) * 100 | |
| SAND_PCT was interpreted (estimated) by F. Manheim from lithologic descriptions written by P. Connor | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 99.5 |
| Units: | percent dry weight of sample |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 87 |
| Units: | percent dry weight of sample |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0.64 |
| Maximum: | 89.67 |
| Units: | percent dry weight of sample |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0.5 |
| Maximum: | 99.6 |
| Units: | percent dry weight of sample |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| W | data appear to have unresolved anomalies |
| (empty) | no anomalies indicated |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0.5 |
| Maximum: | 10.27 |
| Units: | phi |
| Resolution: | 0.01 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 2.26 |
| Maximum: | 9.64 |
| Units: | phi |
| Resolution: | 0.01 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0.2 |
| Maximum: | 3.9 |
| Units: | phi |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1.8 |
| Maximum: | 7.9 |
| Units: | phi |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0.5 |
| Maximum: | 2 |
| Units: | phi |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0.72 |
| Maximum: | 8.75 |
| Units: | phi |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | -0.1 |
| Maximum: | 0.77 |
| Units: | phi |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0.6 |
| Maximum: | 9.73 |
| Units: | phi |
| Resolution: | 0.1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units (-1)-0 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| 0 | none |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 0-1 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 14 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 1-2 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 34 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 2-3 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 26 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 3-4 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 30 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 4-5 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 48 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 5-6 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 1 |
| Maximum: | 14 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 6-7 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 18 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 7-8 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 21 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 8-9 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 19 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units 9-10 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 0 |
| Maximum: | 16 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| phi units >10 | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| (empty) |
| Range of values | |
|---|---|
| Minimum: | 5 |
| Maximum: | 48 |
| Units: | percent by weight |
| Resolution: | 1 |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| see METHOD_CO | (evidently not first initial and last name) |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| "sand, silt, and clay = ***" | |
| "sand, silt, and clay all the same (41.52)" | |
| "upper 3 inches of core samples analyzed using: Folk, Robert L., 1968. Petrology of sedimentary rocks. University of Tex. 182 p." | |
| Data derived from fig.21 of referenced source. Figure consists of line graphs for each station showing % by weight of 12 classes of phi units. Figure was gridded and values were estimated for each class at each station. | |
| missing data due to loss of samples | |
| Texture too coarse? | |
| (empty) |
| Value | Definition |
|---|---|
| estimated sand% from Dunbar's data | |
| Values for this reference do not always total 100%. Average total for all sites is 103%; range is 90-116%. Classes: sand (-1)-0 to 4-5; silt: 4-5 to 8-9; clay: 8-9 to >10. | |
| (empty) |
Special acknowledgment is given here to S.J. Williams (Chief Scientist of the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Reston, VA) who provided the initial opportunity for this database development and supplied extensive documents that permitted initiation of data entry. J.L. Kindinger (USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program, St. Petersburg, FL) provided cooperation throughout the work. A.G. McIntire (now U.S. Bureau of Census, Geography - TIGER Mapping Branch, Upper Marlboro, MD) entered many of the early data sets, converted the database to an initial Microsoft® Access format, and created many of the illustrations in the preliminary publication (Manheim, Hayes, and McIntire, 1998). G.C. Flowers (Tulane University Department of Geology, New Orleans, LA) provided an important unpublished electronic data set. We are grateful for the cooperation of J. Macauley and L. Harwell (US EPA, EMAP Program, Gulf Breeze, FL) for providing unpublished data and clarifying many details about the EMAP data for southern Louisiana estuaries. Finally, we are indebted to the many organizations and participants listed in Participants and Cooperators for the data and cooperation.
703-648-6150 (voice)
703-648-6252 (FAX)
fmanheim@usgs.gov
The data are preliminary results of a project to develop a comprehensive database of chemical and environmental information on sediments from Lake Pontchartrain, LA, and surrounding water bodies. 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 these important estuaries. It is part of a larger 5-year research program investigating the geological framework of Lake Pontchartrain, LA (FY 1994-FY 1999), begun by S.J. Williams and currently under overall leadership of J.L. Kindinger (USGS, St. Petersburg, FL).
Byrne, C.J., and DeLeon, I.R., 1986, Trace metal residues in biota and sediments from Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 37, University of New Orleans (UNO) / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Byrne, C.J., and DeLeon, I.R., 1987, Contribution of heavy metals from municipal runoff to the sediments of Lake Pontchartrain: Chemosphere 16:10-12.
Childers, G.W., 1985, A baseline study of the water quality and selected faunal communities in Lake Maurepas, its major tributaries, and Pass Manchac: Southeastern Louisiana University Department of Biological Sciences, Hammond, LA.
Crocker, J.A., 1988, Sediment deposition in Lake Pontchartrain from the 1973 Bonnet Carré Spillway operation: University of New Orleans Department of Geology and Geophysics, New Orleans, LA.
Demcheck, D.K., Garrison, C.R., and McGee, B.D., 1996, Selected water-quality data for the lower Mississippi River, Bonnet Carré Spillway, and Lake Pontchartrain area, Louisiana, April through June 1994 and 1974-84: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96-652-A, U.S. Geological Survey.
Dunbar, J.B., Blaes, M.R., Dueitt, S.E., and May, J.R., 1995, Geological investigation of the Mississippi River deltaic plain: Technical Report GL-84-15, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
Ferrario, J.B., Lawler, G.C., DeLeon, I.R., and Laseter, J.L., 1985, Volatile organic pollutants in biota and sediments of Lake Pontchartrain: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 34.
Flocks, J.G., 1998, New field sampling techniques and data description:.This is part of the following larger work.
Manheim, F.T. (ed.), 1998, Lake Pontchartrain Basin: Bottom sediments and regional scientific and educational resources: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-805.
Flowers, G.C., 1987, (unpublished data from Tulane University Department of Geology).
Landrum, K.E., 1995, Trace metal variability of estuarine sediments, St. Bernard Geomorphic Region, Louisiana: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions 45.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Qualiry, 1989, Impact assessment of Bayou Trepagnier: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Water Resources, Water Pollution Control Division, Baton Rouge, LA.
Macauley, J.M., and Summers, J.K., 1998, Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program (EMAP) Louisiana Province Database: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development.Online Links:
Marot, M., and Holmes, C.W., in prep, (data in review): U.S. Geological Survey.
McFall, J.P., Antoine, S.R., and DeLeon, I.R., 1985, Base-neutral extractable organic pollutants in biota and sediments from Lake Pontchartrain: Chemosphere 14:10.
Roberts, D.W., 1981, Structure and function of nearshore and open lake benthic communities in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Sarkar, Satavisa, 1995, Heavy metal transport from Bayou Trepagnier into Lake Pontchartrain: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.
Schurtz, M.H., and St. Pé, K.M., 1984, Report on interim findings: Water quality investigation of environmental conditions in Lake Pontchartrain: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Water Pollution Control Division.
Sikora, W.B., and Sikora, J.P., 1982, Ecological characterization of the benthic community of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana: Louisiana State University, Coastal Ecology Laboratory, Center for Wetlands Resources, Baton Rouge, LA.
Tarver, J.W., and Dugas, R.J., 1973, A study of the clam, Rangia cuneata, in Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas: Technical Bulletin 5, Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission; Oyster, Water Bottoms and Seafoods Division.
Tarver, J.W., and Savoie, L.B., 1976, An inventory and study of the Lake Pontchartrain-Lake Maurepas estuarine complex: Technical Bulletin 10, Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission; Oyster, Water Bottoms and Seafoods Division.
Voyksner, R.D., 1985, Final report: Analysis of metals and organics in sediment and biota: Research Triangle Institute report RTI/2830/00-01Q, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC.
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.
Data sources used in this process:
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 "quality-control fields".
The designation "W" in quality-control fields placed adjacent to data fields in the full database warns that the data in question appear to show unresolvable anomalies. "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. See appendix B for further explanations on quality control and codes.
Some latitudes and longitudes listed for stations near New Orleans were found to plot on land, rather than offshore. Fortunately, supplementary site descriptions available in the original reference made better site identification possible in this case.
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.
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.
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USGS Professional Paper 1634
Sediment chemical and other data on this CD-ROM and the companion 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.
| Data format: | Station location and sample characteristics, grain-size, and geochemical measurements in format Tab-delimited text Tab characters delimit fields; newline characters (LF) delimit records Size: 2.1 megabytes |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/station.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/grain_sz.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/inorgan.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/gen_org.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/organa.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/organb.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/organc.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/organd.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/organu.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/db_txt/cas_no.txt> |
| Data format: | Station location and sample characteristics, grain-size, and geochemical measurements in format Microsoft Access (MDB) (version 97) Size: 524 kilobytes for .zip, 4 megabytes for .mdb |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/pont_dbmdb.zip> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/pont_db.mdb> |
| Data format: | Station location and sample characteristics, grain-size, and geochemical measurements in format Microsoft Excel (XLS) (version 97) Size: 701 kilobytes for .zip, 3.2 megabytes for .xls |
|---|---|
| Network links: |
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/pont_db.zip> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/prof/p1634j/sed_data/pont_db.xls> |
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