NAH_CCB_sedcover: Sediment Texture Units of the Sea Floor from Nahant to Northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts (polygon shapefile, Geographic, WGS84)

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Metadata:


Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Elizabeth Pendleton
Publication_Date: 2013
Title:
NAH_CCB_sedcover: Sediment Texture Units of the Sea Floor from Nahant to Northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts (polygon shapefile, Geographic, WGS84)
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2012-1157
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage:
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1157/GIS_catalog/SedimentTexture/SedCover.zip>
Larger_Work_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Pendleton, E.A.
Originator: Baldwin, W.E.
Originator: Barnhardt., W.A.
Originator: Ackerman, S.D.
Originator: Foster, D.S.
Originator: Andrews, B.D.
Originator: Schwab, W.C.
Publication_Date: 2013
Title:
Shallow Geology, Seafloor Texture, and Physiographic Zones of the Inner Continental Shelf from Nahant to Northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2012-1157
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1157/>
Description:
Abstract:
These data are qualitatively derived interpretive polygon shapefiles and selected source raster data defining surficial geology, sediment type and distribution, and physiographic zones of the sea floor from Nahant to Northern Cape Cod Bay. Much of the geophysical data used to create the interpretive layers were collected under a cooperative agreement among the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Coastal and Marine Geology Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Initiated in 2003, the primary objective of this program is to develop regional geologic framework information for the management of coastal and marine resources. Accurate data and maps of seafloor geology are important first steps toward protecting fish habitat, delineating marine resources, and assessing environmental changes because of natural or human effects. The project is focused on the inshore waters of coastal Massachusetts. Data collected during the mapping cooperative involving the USGS have been released in a series of USGS Open-File Reports (<http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/coastal_mass/html/current_map.html>). The interpretations released in this study are for an area extending from the southern tip of Nahant to Northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. A combination of geophysical and sample data including high resolution bathymetry and lidar, acoustic-backscatter intensity, seismic-reflection profiles, bottom photographs, and sediment samples are used to create the data interpretations. Most of the nearshore geophysical and sample data (including the bottom photographs) were collected during several cruises between 2000 and 2008. More information about the cruises and the data collected can be found at the Geologic Mapping of the Seafloor Offshore of Massachusetts Web page: <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/coastal_mass/>.
Purpose:
These sea floor sediment cover data were created from geophysical and sample data collected from Nahant to Northern Cape Cod Bay, and are used to characterize the sea floor in the area. Sediment type and distribution maps are important data layers for marine resource managers charged with protecting fish habitat, delineating marine boundaries, and assessing environmental change due to natural or human impacts.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 19940101
Ending_Date: 20080507
Currentness_Reference:
ground condition of the source data that this interpretation is based on
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -71.051972
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.154205
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.459855
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.932269
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: General
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey
Theme_Keyword: USGS
Theme_Keyword: Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Theme_Keyword: CMGP
Theme_Keyword: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Theme_Keyword: WHCMSC
Theme_Keyword: Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Theme_Keyword: CZM
Theme_Keyword: Sea floor
Theme_Keyword: Marine Geology
Theme_Keyword: Interpretation
Theme_Keyword: Bathymetry
Theme_Keyword: Backscatter
Theme_Keyword: Slope
Theme_Keyword: Topography
Theme_Keyword: Esri Shapefile
Theme_Keyword: Bottom Type
Theme_Keyword: Sediment Cover
Theme_Keyword: Sediment Texture
Theme_Keyword: Sediment Distribution
Theme_Keyword: Bottom Photographs
Theme_Keyword: Sediment Samples
Theme_Keyword: Seismic-reflection Profiles
Theme_Keyword: Shepard classification
Theme_Keyword: Lidar
Theme_Keyword: interpretation
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: oceans and estuaries
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: General
Place_Keyword: Massachusetts Bay
Place_Keyword: Atlantic Ocean
Place_Keyword: Boston Harbor
Place_Keyword: Nahant
Place_Keyword: Boston
Place_Keyword: Hull
Place_Keyword: Boston Harbor Islands
Place_Keyword: Duxbury
Place_Keyword: Provincetown
Place_Keyword: Plymouth
Place_Keyword: Scituate
Place_Keyword: Cohasset
Place_Keyword: Manomet
Place_Keyword: Winthrop
Place_Keyword: Cape Cod Bay
Place_Keyword: Humarock
Place_Keyword: Brant Rock
Place_Keyword: Marshfield
Place_Keyword: North River
Place_Keyword: Kingston
Place_Keyword: Revere Beach
Place_Keyword: Quincy
Place_Keyword: Weymouth
Stratum:
Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: General
Stratum_Keyword: Seafloor
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
Not to be used for navigation. 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. Additionally, there are limitations associated with qualitative sediment mapping interpretations. Because of the scale of the source geophysical data and the spacing of samples, not all changes in sea floor texture are captured. The data were mapped between 1:8,000 and 1:25,000, but the recommended scale for application of these data is 1:25,000. Features below 5,000 m2 or less than 50 m wide were not digitized due to positional uncertainty, lack of sample information, and the often ephemeral nature of small-scale sea floor features. Not all digitized sea floor features contained sample information, so often the sea floor texture is characterized by the nearest similar feature that contains a sample. Conversely, sometimes a digitized feature contained multiple samples and not all of the samples within the feature were in agreement (of the same texture). In these cases the dominant sediment texture was chosen to represent the primary texture for the polygon. Samples from rocky areas often only consist of bottom photographs, because large particle size often prevents the recovery of a sediment sample. Bottom photo classification can be subjective, such that determining the sediment type that is greater than 50% of the view frame is estimated by the interpreter and may differ among interpreters. Bottom photo transects often reveal changes in the sea floor over distances of less than 100 m and these changes are often not observable in acoustic data. Heterogeneous sea floor texture can change very quickly, and many small-scale changes will not be detectable or mappable at a scale of 1:25,000. The boundaries of polygons are often inferred based on sediment samples, and even boundaries that are traced based on amplitude changes in geophysical data are subject to migration. Polygon boundaries should be considered an approximation of the location of a change in texture.
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: U.S. Geological Survey
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name:
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1157/GIS_catalog/SedimentTexture/sedcover_browse.png>
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Image of the sediment texture and distribution shapefile for the Massachusetts inner continental shelf from Nahant to Northern Cape Cod Bay
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: PNG
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
Microsoft Windows 7.1 (Build 7601) Service Pack 1; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.4000
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Kelley, J.T.
Originator: Barnhardt, W.A.
Originator: Belknap, D.F.
Originator: Dickson, S.M.
Originator: Kelley, A.R.
Publication_Date: 1996
Title:
The Seafloor Revealed: The Geology of the Northwestern Gulf of Maine Inner Continental Shelf
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Maine Geological Survey Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 96-6
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Augusta, Maine
Publisher:
Maine Geological Survey, Natural Resources Information and Mapping Center
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Shepard, F.P.
Publication_Date: 1954
Title: Nomenclature Based on Sand-Silt-Clay Ratios
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal Sedimentary Petrology
Issue_Identification: volume 24
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Tulsa, OK
Publisher: Society for Sedimentary Geology
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Barnhardt, W.A.
Originator: Kelley, J.T.
Originator: Dickson, S.M.
Originator: Belknap, D.F.
Publication_Date: 1998
Title:
Mapping the Gulf of Maine with Side-scan Sonar: a New Bottom-type Classification for Complex Seafloors
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Coastal Research
Issue_Identification: volume 14(2)
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Royal Palm Beach, FL
Publisher: Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Inc.
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Wentworth, C.K.
Publication_Date: 1922
Title: A Scale of Grade and Class Terms for Clastic Sediments
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Geology
Issue_Identification: vol. 30
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Chicago, IL
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: McMullen, K.Y
Originator: Paskevich, V.F.
Originator: Poppe, L.J.
Publication_Date: 2011
Title:
USGS East-coast Sediment Analysis: Procedures, Database, and GIS Data
Edition: 2.2
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open File Report
Issue_Identification: 2005-1001
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/>
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Ford, K.H.
Originator: S.E. Voss
Publication_Date: 2010
Title:
Seafloor Sediment Composition in Massachusetts Determined Using Point Data
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Technical Report
Issue_Identification: TR-45
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: New Bedford, MA
Publisher: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
Online_Linkage: <http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/publications/tr_45.pdf>

Data_Quality_Information:
Logical_Consistency_Report:
These data were drawn and vetted for accuracy using the source input rasters and point sample data described in the processing steps and source contributions. Qualitatively-defined polygons for the Boston Harbor and approaches region had already been drawn and published by Ackerman and others (2006). In their study, their region of interest was defined by using a 'convert raster to feature' function on sidescan sonar imagery within ArcGIS. This conversion task created several very small (~ 1 square-meter) triangular and rectilinear-shaped gaps along the boundaries of the defined polygons within Boston Harbor. The original Ackerman and other (2006) bottom type polygons were merged with the polygons created in this study, and polygon and field editing was done in order to make them fit the classification schemes used in this report. However, the very small topology errors associated with the original data have not been removed, primarily because they are well below the intended scale of application of these data (1:25,000). Overlapping features and unintentional gaps within the rest of the survey area were identified using the topology checker in ArcMap (version 9.3.1) and corrected or removed.
Completeness_Report:
These sediment cover data are defined for areas where source data exists. In general, gaps in the coverage coincide with gaps in the source data. However, some small data gaps were interpreted through extrapolation. Areas of lower data quality and incomplete coverage are noted in a data confidence attribute field.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
These data were produced qualitatively from acoustic and sample data with varying resolutions. Horizontal uncertainty associated with sample collection especially, can be quite high (100's of meters), much higher than positional uncertainty associated with acoustic data (usually less than <10's of meters). The date of sample collection and ship station positioning all contribute to sample position uncertainty. These qualitatively derived polygons outlining sea floor features are estimated to be within 50 meters, horizontally, but locally may be higher when sediment texture delineation is based on sample information alone.
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Although there is a field for mean water depth, there is no assumption of vertical accuracy. The depth value is an average of all grid cells (<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1157/GIS_catalog/SourceData/bathy/>) within each polygon. In many cases the mean depth value covers a range of depths from near zero to < -20 meters, and as such should not be used for navigation or taken as an absolute depth value within a polygon.
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Ackerman, S.D.
Originator: Butman, B.
Originator: Barnhardt, W.A.
Originator: Danforth, W.W.
Originator: Crocker, J.M.
Publication_Date: 2006
Title:
High-resolution Geologic Mapping of the Inner Continental Shelf: Boston Harbor and Approaches, Massachusetts
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2006-1008
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1008/>
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20000919
Ending_Date: 20040917
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Ackerman and others, 2006
Source_Contribution:
This report provided the source geophysical (sidescan and bathymetry) and bottom photograph data for the Boston Harbor and approaches region. These geophysical data were acquired between 2000 and 2001 by NOAA aboard the Ship Whiting and its launches. The sample data were collected in 2004 by the USGS and CZM. The NOAA cruises acquired sidescan-sonar and single-beam and multibeam bathymetric data. Sidescan data were collected with the Edgetech 272-T (100 kHz) or the Klein T-5500 (455 kHz) sonar. A hull-mounted RESON SeaBat 8101(240 kHz) was used to acquire the multibeam echosounder data. Single-beam echosounder data were acquired with an Odom Echotrac DF3200 MKII (100kHz). The USGS/CZM sampling cruise was conducted aboard the R/V Rafael using the mini SEABOSS and a VanVeen grab sampler. This report also provided a qualitative interpretation of the sidescan, bathymetry, and sample data collected in the region. These interpretive polygons were used as the initial interpretation for the Boston Harbor region. Some boundaries were slightly modified and field editing was conducted to match the classification scheme used in this study. These data also provided a good check for consistency in data interpretation.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Andrews, B.D.
Originator: Ackerman, S.D.
Originator: Baldwin, W.E.
Originator: Barnhardt, W.A.
Publication_Date: 2010
Title:
Geophysical and Sampling Data from the Inner Continental Shelf: Northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2010-1006
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1006/>
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20060816
Ending_Date: 20080508
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Andrews and others, 2010
Source_Contribution:
This report provided the source geophysical (sidescan, bathymetry, and seismic-reflection profiles) and bottom photograph data for the Northern Cape Cod Bay region. These data were acquired between 2006 and 2008 by the USGS and CZM aboard the R/V Megan T. Miller, R/V Rafael, and R/V Connecticut. Bathymetric data were acquired using a Systems Engineering & Assessment, Ltd. (SEA) SWATHplus interferometric sonar system (234 or 117 kHz). Sidescan-sonar data were collected with a Klein 3000 dual-frequency sidescan-sonar (132/445 kHz), or a SWATHplus interferometric (117-kHz). Chirp seismic data were collected using an EdgeTech Geo-Star FSSB sub-bottom profiling system and an SB-0512i towfish (FM swept frequency 0.5-12 kHz). Sediment samples and bottom photos were collected with a modified Van Veen grab sampler and SEABOSS, respectively.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Barnhardt, W.A.
Originator: Ackerman, S.D.
Originator: Andrews, B.D.
Originator: Baldwin, W.E.
Publication_Date: 2010
Title:
Geophysical and Sampling Data from the Inner Continental Shelf: Duxbury to Hull, Massachusetts
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2009-1072
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1072/>
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20060804
Ending_Date: 20070911
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Barnhardt and others, 2010
Source_Contribution:
This report provided the source geophysical (sidescan, bathymetry, and seismic-reflection profiles) and bottom photograph data for the Duxbury to Hull, MA region. These data were acquired between 2006 and 2007 by the USGS, CZM, and NOAA aboard the R/V Megan T. Miller, R/V Rafael, R/V Connecticut, and NOAA launches 1005 and 1014. USGS bathymetric data were acquired using a Systems Engineering & Assessment, Ltd. (SEA) SWATHplus interferometric sonar system (234 or 117 kHz). NOAA bathymetric and backscatter data were acquired with a hull-mounted RESON SeaBat 3101 and 8125. USGS sidescan-sonar data were collected with a Klein 3000 dual-frequency sidescan-sonar (132/445 kHz), or a SWATHplus interferometric (117-kHz). USGS chirp seismic data were collected using an EdgeTech Geo-Star FSSB sub-bottom profiling system and an SB-0512i towfish (FM swept frequency 0.5-12 kHz). Sediment samples and bottom photos were collected with a modified Van Veen grab sampler and SEABOSS, respectively.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Butman, B.
Originator: Valentine, P.C.
Originator: Middleton, T.J.
Originator: Danforth, W.W.
Publication_Date: 2007
Title:
A GIS Library of Multibeam Data for Massachusetts Bay and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Offshore of Boston, Massachusetts
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Digital Data Series
Issue_Identification: 99
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/99/>
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 19940101
Ending_Date: 19981231
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Butman and others, 2007
Source_Contribution:
This report provided the source geophysical data (sidescan and bathymetry) for the western Massachusetts Bay region including Stellwagen Bank. These data were acquired between 1994 and 1998 by the USGS, Canadian Hydrographic Survey, and University of New Brunswick aboard the Frederick G. Creed. Bathymetric and backscatter data were acquired using Simrad Subsea EM 1000 Multibeam Echo Sounder.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Ford, K.H.
Originator: Huntley, E.C.
Originator: Sampson, D.W.
Originator: Voss, S.
Publication_Date: Unpublished Material
Title: Massachusetts Sediment Database
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Series_Information:
Publication_Information:
Other_Citation_Details:
This sample database has been compiled and vetted from existing samples and datasets by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. The data are currently unpublished, but may be acquired by contacting the CZM office: 251 Causeway St Boston, MA 02114 (617) 626-1000 czm@state.ma.us
Type_of_Source_Media: digital vector
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 19550101
Ending_Date: 20110101
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: CZM sample database
Source_Contribution:
Sediment sample databases of Ford and Voss (2010) and McMullen and others (2011) were combined then edited and supplemented with NOAA chart sampling data and over 2,000 bottom photos and descriptions at more than 400 stations by a group of GIS specialists at the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (Emily Huntley, personal communication). These data contained sediment laboratory statistics when available, visual descriptions if sediment analysis was not perfromed or if the site was a bottom photograph, and classification fields of Barnhardt and others (1998), Shepard (1954), and Wentworth (1922) as well as average sediment statistics and phi size, when laboratory analysis was conducted.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Joint Airborne LiDAR Bathymetry Center of Expertise
Publication_Date: 2008
Title: Massachusetts LiDAR Grid Data in Coastal Areas
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: San Diego, CA
Publisher: Fugro Pelagos, Inc
Type_of_Source_Media: disc
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20070428
Ending_Date: 20070806
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: USACE- JALBTCX, 2008
Source_Contribution:
This report provided the source lidar data for the very nearshore (< -5 m) region. Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) data were acquired with a SHOALS-1000T (for hydrographic & topographic data) using the Joint Airborne LiDAR Bathymetry Center of Expertise (JALBTCX) lidar plane.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Poppe, L.J.
Originator: Paskevich, V.F.
Originator: Butman, B.
Originator: Ackerman, S.D.
Originator: Danforth, W.W.
Originator: Foster, D.S.
Originator: Blackwood, D.S.
Publication_Date: 2006
Title:
Geological Interpretation of Bathymetric and Backscatter Imagery
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2005-1048
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1048/>
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 19981109
Ending_Date: 19981125
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Poppe and others, 2006
Source_Contribution:
This report provided the source geophysical data (sidescan and bathymetry) for the Outer Cape Cod region. These data were acquired in 1998 by the USGS, Canadian Hydrographic Survey, and University of New Brunswick aboard the Frederick G. Creed. Bathymetric and backscatter data were acquired using Simrad Subsea EM 1000 Multibeam Echo Sounder.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The texture and spatial distribution of Seafloor sediment were qualitatively-analyzed in ArcGIS using several input data sources (listed in the source contribution), including acoustic backscatter, bathymetry, Lidar, seismic-reflection profile interpretations, bottom photographs, and sediment samples. In order to create the interpretation, first a polygon shapefile of the study area was created (with ArcMap version 9.3.1) and merged with the published Boston Harbor interpretive polygons (Ackerman and others, 2006). Then sediment texture polygons were created using 'cut polygon' and 'auto-complete polygon' in an edit session. In general, polygon editing was done at scales between 1:8,000 and 1:20,000, depending on the size of the traced feature and the resolution of the source data. The following numbered steps outline the workflow of the data interpretation.
1. Backscatter intensity data (available at 1 to 10 m resolutions) was the first input. Changes in backscatter amplitude were digitized to outline possible changes in seafloor texture based on acoustic return. Areas of high backscatter (light colors) have strong acoustic reflections and suggests boulders, gravels, and generally coarse seafloor sediments. Low-backscatter areas (dark colors) have weak acoustic reflections and are generally characterized by finer grained material such as muds and fine sands. 2. The polygons were then refined and edited using gradient, rugosity, and hillshaded relief images derived from interferometric and multibeam swath bathymetry and Lidar (available at 2.5 - 30 m resolutions). Areas of rough topography and high rugosity are typically associated with rocky areas, while smooth, low-rugosity regions tend to be blanketed by fine-grained sediment. These bathymetric derivatives helped to refine polygon boundaries where changes from primarily rock to primarily gravel may not have been apparent in backscatter data, but could easily be identified in hillshaded relief and slope changes. 3. The third data input (where available) was the stratigraphic interpretation of seismic-reflection profiles, which further constrained the extent and general shape of seafloor sediment distributions and rocky outcrops, and also provided insight concerning the likely sediment texture of the feature based on the pre-Quaternary, glacial or post-glacial origin. Seismic lines and the surficial geologic maps derived from them and used here as input data were collected at typically 100-meter spacing, with tie-lines generally spaced 1-km apart. 4. After all the seafloor features were traced from the geophysical data, new fields were created in the shapefile called 'sed_type' and 'shep_code'. Bottom photographs and sediment samples were used to define sediment texture for the polygons using Barnhardt and others (1998) and Shephard code (Shepard, 1954) classifications. Some polygons had more than one sample, and some polygons lacked sample information. For multiple samples within a polygon, the dominant sediment texture (or average phi size) was used to classify sediment type (often aided by the 'data join' sediment statistics described in a later processing step). In rocky areas, bottom photos were used in the absence of sediment samples to qualitatively define sediment texture. Polygons that lacked sample information were texturally defined through extrapolation from adjacent or proximal polygons of similar acoustic character that did contain sediment samples. 615 samples of the over 5,500 total within the study area were analyzed in the laboratory for grain size. Samples with laboratory grain size analysis were preferred over visual descriptions when defining sediment texture throughout the study area. Bottom photos are typically around 2-km apart, and the density of sediment samples varies throughout the study area, with Boston Harbor having a high density of samples, while rocky areas have almost no sediment samples.
Process_Date: 20120214
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: U.S. Geological Survey
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
After some additional qualitative polygon editing and reshaping was done in order to create a sediment map that was in the best agreement with all input data: lidar, bathymetry, backscatter, seismic interpretations, bottom photographs, and sediment samples, 4 more fields were added (ArcMap version 9.3.1). The first field, 'simple' is just 3 classes: sand, mud, or hardbottom. Another field 'bedforms' defines the presence or absence of bedforms features in the geophysical data, which helps determine seabed mobility. Another filed 'phi_class' was created and defined using the Wentworth (1922) sediment classification, and finally, a field 'Data_confi' was added as a data interpretation confidence, which describes how confident we are in the interpretation based on the number and quality of the input data sources (see the entity and attribute sections for more information on these fields). The remaining fields contain sediment texture statistics or mean water depth information and were created and populated using data joins or zonal statistics functions within ArcMap (version 9.3.1). The fields beginning with "Avg_" and the "Count_" field were automatically generated by computing a data join where the CZM sample database (vector points) was edited to include only the samples with laboratory sediment analysis and joined to the qualitatively-derived polygon file. Each polygon was given an average of the numeric attributes of the points (with laboratory grain size analysis) that fall inside it, and the count field shows how many laboratory analyzed points fall inside it. 615 samples were analyzed in the laboratory. Several fields that were not wanted were deleted after the join. Finally, a mean water depth field was created using zonal statistics, where the mean water depth for each polygon was derived from the topographic and bathymetric grid (<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1157/GIS_catalog/SourceData/bathy/>).
Process_Date: 20120412
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: U.S. Geological Survey
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Finally, a feature dataset was generated inside a geodatabase (ArcCatalog version 9.3.1), and new topology rules were established to make sure that there were no overlapping polygons or accidental gaps between adjacent polygons. The topology error inspector (ArcMap version 9.3.1) was used to find topology errors and fix them. Overlapping polygon errors were fixed, and several gaps were marked as exceptions since there are several islands and significant data gaps within the study area. Very small (less than 1-square meter) gaps and triangular jogs in polygon boundaries within Boston Harbor exist where data published by Ackerman and others (2006) was used. These small topology feature errors were not corrected. Length and Area fields were generated automatically for all polygons in the geodatabase. The data were then exported to a shapefile and the polygons were reprojected from UTM Zone 19N, WGS84 to GCS WGS84.
Process_Date: 20120512
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (508)-548-8700 x2259
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (508)-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@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: G-polygon
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 491

Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Geographic:
Latitude_Resolution: 0.000001
Longitude_Resolution: 0.000001
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees
Geodetic_Model:
Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984
Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224
Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Altitude_System_Definition:
Altitude_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988
Altitude_Resolution: 1
Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
Altitude_Encoding_Method: Attribute values
Depth_System_Definition:
Depth_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988
Depth_Resolution: 1
Depth_Distance_Units: meters
Depth_Encoding_Method: Attribute values

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: Nahant_CCB_sedcover
Entity_Type_Definition:
Sediment Cover shapefile for Nahant to northern Cape Cod Bay, MA
Entity_Type_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
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: sed_type
Attribute_Definition:
Bottom-type classification based on twelve composite units that represent combinations of four end-member units (R= rock; G= gravel; S= sand; M= mud).
Attribute_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Rg
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Rock (R) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) gravel (g) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Gr
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Gravel (G) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) rock (r) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Gs
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Gravel (G) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) sand (s) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: M
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The end-member texture (~ 100%) Mud (M) is the primary texture.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Ms
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Mud (M) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) sand (s) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: S
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The end-member texture (~ 100%) Sand (S) is the primary texture.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sg
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Sand (S) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) gravel (g) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sm
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Sand (S) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) mud (m) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Rs
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Rock (R) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) sand (s) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sr
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Sand (S) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) rock (r) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Mg
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The dominant texture (> 50%) Mud (M) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) gravel (g) is given a lower case letter.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: G
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The end-member texture (~ 100%) Gravel (G) is the primary texture.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: N/A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
There was not enough source input data to define sediment texture within this area.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: shep_code
Attribute_Definition:
sediment nomenclature based on sand-silt-clay ratios defined in the CZM sample database
Attribute_Definition_Source: Shepard (1954)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose main phase is <2 mm, but >0.062 mm
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: gravel
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose main phase (usually >50%) is >2 mm
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: sandy silt
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: solid
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose main phase is rock, cobble, or boulder
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: silty sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose main phase is sand, but with significant silt
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: silt
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose main phase (usually >50%) is < 0.062 mm
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: N/A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
There was not enough source input data to define sediment texture within this area.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: gravelly sediment
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
ediment whose main phase is >2 mm, but with significant other sediment.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: clayey silt
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant clay.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: simple
Attribute_Definition:
sediment nomenclature based on 3 simple classes: sand, mud, hardbottom as defined in the CZM sample database
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose primary component (> 50%) is sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: hardbottom
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
Sediment whose primary component is rock, boulder, cobble, or coarse gravel
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: mud
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment whose primary component (> 50%) is silt and clay
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: N/A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
There was not enough source input data to define simple sediment texture within this area.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: bedforms
Attribute_Definition:
text field that describes the presence or absence of bedforms on the sea floor based on geophysical raster data
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: yes
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
bedforms are present within some part of the traced polygon in the source acoustic data
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: N/A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
bedforms are not present within any part of the traced polygon in the source acoustic data
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: phi_class
Attribute_Definition:
Sediment class as defined by Wentworth classification determined using labratory analyzed samples in the CZM sample database
Attribute_Definition_Source: Wentworth (1922)
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: coarse pebbles
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between -4 and -5
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: coarse silt
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 4 and 5
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: coarse sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 0 and 1
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: cobble
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between -6 and -8
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: fine pebbles
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between -2 and -3
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: fine sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 2 and 3
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: fine silt
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 6 and 7
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: granules
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between -1 and -2
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: medium pebbles
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between -3 and -4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: medium sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 2 and 1
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: medium silt
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 5 and 6
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: solid
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
sediment class whose phi size could not be determined from grain size data, but was determined to be rock based on acoustic data
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: very coarse pebbles
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between -5 and -6
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: very coarse sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 0 and -1
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: very fine sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 3 and 4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: very fine silt
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: sediment class whose phi size is between 7 and 8
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: N/A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
sediment class whose phi size could not be determined from grain size data or there were no samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics within the polygon
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Data_confi
Attribute_Definition:
Each interpreted polygon was assigned a data interpretation confidence value from 1-4 based on the quality and number of input data sources.
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
Sediment texture regions that were defined based on the highest resolution bathymetry (5m) and backscatter (1m), bottom photos, sediment samples, and seismic interpretations were given the highest data interpretation confidence value of 1.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 2
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
Areas where sediment texture was defined based on bathymetry of 30m resolution, backscatter of 1m resolution, bottom photos, and sediment samples were given an interpretation confidence value of 2.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 3
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
A confidence value of 3 was given to areas with multibeam bathymetric and backscatter resolution of 10m and sediment samples, but no bottom photos or high density seismic interpretations were available.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
The lowest confidence values (4) were given to areas where only lidar data at 2.5m resolution (and near full coverage) and sediment samples were available.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: 0
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
no cofidence in interpretation because there was not enough source data to make an interpretation
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Count_
Attribute_Definition:
The number of sediment samples (with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) that occur within each qualitatively-derived polygon. This field is automatically generated by Esri when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation).
Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 85
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: count
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Avg_GRAVEL
Attribute_Definition:
Average percent weight (%) gravel (as determined from samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) within each qualitatively derived polygon. This field was automatically generated by Esri as a summary of the numeric attributes of the points that fall inside a polygon when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). -999 is a no data value
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 89.9
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Avg_SAND
Attribute_Definition:
Average percent weight (%) sand (as determined from samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) within each qualitatively derived polygon. This field was automatically generated by Esri as a summary of the numeric attributes of the points that fall inside a polygon when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). -999 is a no data value
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 1.79
Range_Domain_Maximum: 100
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Avg_SILT
Attribute_Definition:
Average percent weight (%) silt (as determined from samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) within each qualitatively derived polygon. This field was automatically generated by Esri as a summary of the numeric attributes of the points that fall inside a polygon when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). -999 is a no data value
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 68.37
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Avg_CLAY
Attribute_Definition:
Average percent weight (%) clay (as determined from samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) within each qualitatively derived polygon. This field was automatically generated by Esri as a summary of the numeric attributes of the points that fall inside a polygon when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). -999 is a no data value
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 44.98
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Avg_PHI
Attribute_Definition:
Average phi size within each qualitatively derived polygon (-999 is a no data value, which means there were no samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics within that polygon)
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: -4.07
Range_Domain_Maximum: 7.83
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: phi
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: mean_depth
Attribute_Definition: Average water depth within each qualitatively derived polygon.
Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: -61.15
Range_Domain_Maximum: -0.07
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Shape_Leng
Attribute_Definition: Length of feature in meters.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 125.941
Range_Domain_Maximum: 144652.135
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.001
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Shape_Area
Attribute_Definition: Area of feature in meters squared.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 899.009
Range_Domain_Maximum: 208403761.365
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters squared
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.001
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Elizabeth A Pendleton
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: U.S. Geological Survey
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov
Resource_Description: Downloadable Data
Distribution_Liability:
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.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: WinZip
Format_Version_Number: 14.5
Format_Specification: Esri Polygon Shapefile
Format_Information_Content:
WinZip file contains qualitatively derived polygons that define sea floor texture and distribution from Nahant to Northern Cape Cod Bay, MA and the associated metadata
File_Decompression_Technique: WinZip or pkUnzip
Transfer_Size: 1.87 MB
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name:
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1157/GIS_catalog/SedimentTexture/SedCover.zip>
Network_Resource_Name: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1157/html/GIS_catalog.html>
Network_Resource_Name: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1157/>
Access_Instructions: Data can be downloaded via the World Wide Web (WWW)
Fees: None
Technical_Prerequisites:
These data are available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) shapefile format. The user must have software capable of importing and processing this data type.

Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20130702
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: U.S. Geological Survey
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@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: None
Metadata_Extensions:
Online_Linkage: <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>
Profile_Name: ESRI Metadata Profile

Generated by mp version 2.9.21 on Tue Jul 02 13:39:32 2013