USGS - Pontchartrain Geochemistry

Lake Pontchartrain Basin: Bottom Sediments and Related Environmental Resources

Chapter G

Data Visualization by use of Geographic Mapping Tools (GIS)
By Laura Hayes¹, Chris Polloni¹, and E.J. McFaul¹
¹ USGS

Introduction

Software Overview

Data and Mapping Tools
(ArcExplorer, ArcView, MapInfo, and LandView IV)

Resource Links

References

INTRODUCTION

This CD-ROM was developed with the intention of providing data that are compatible with Geographic Information System (GIs) software to enhance the visualization and analysis of sediment data from the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. Sample locations from the sediment database can be mapped by latitude/longitude pairs and displayed on the basis of any of the associated characteristics (for example, grain size, zinc concentration, source of data, or collection date). Spatial data from other sources have also been gathered to serve as background map layers. Each layer is a collection of geographic features or events such as political boundaries, a coastline, or bathymetry. The user can select layers with the same map projection and reference datum to overlay and view simultaneously. GIs tools allow spatial patterns in the data to emerge by viewing different combinations of data sets and changing the colors, symbols, or zoom level to highlight particular attributes of the data. Many of the figures contained in this publication are images saved from GIs map windows. Offering the GIs tools and data allows users to create customized maps and draw their own conclusions about the environment of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.

SOFTWARE OVERVIEW

Most of the GIs data development for this project was carried out with MapInfo, although other software including ArcView, ARC/INFO, ArcExplorer, LandView IV, MAPGEN, GIV, and ABICAS also proved useful. The MapInfo tables were converted to ArcView shapefiles, and project files (workspaces) were created for both systems. For users without one of these software packages, the GIs data are also viewable in either of two simplified programs offered on this CD-ROM, ArcExplorer (Windows only) and LandView (Macintosh or Windows). ArcExplorer is a simplified version of ArcView developed by ESRI to facilitate data sharing. ArcExplorer version 1.1 and an accompanying ArcExplorer manual in PDF format are contained on this CD-ROM (see the next section), or may be downloaded from the ESRI web site (see the Resource Links section). LandView IV is a geographic viewing and reference tool that was jointly developed by Federal agencies and contains data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other agencies. The complete DVD-ROM is available from the Census Bureau (see Resource Links), but the Louisiana portion of the data has been extracted and offered here with the program and manuals.

DATA AND MAPPING TOOLS

Project files for ArcExplorer, ArcView, and MapInfo
A set of map project files has been assembled so that users can quickly and easily access the data that are provided in ArcExplorer, ArcView, or MapInfo. Map windows are set up within these project files in a manner that best illustrates the data contained in the GIs layers. The user can open a project file from within the appropriate application or directly from its directory under sed_data/. The project files highlight specific data attributes; therefore, not all the GIs layers are shown. They provide a good introduction to certain themes, and the user can add more data layers once the project is opened. The initial map extent for most view windows shows the lake region and was selected to give a general overview of the basin. Certain color schemes and symbols have been selected to be consistent with existing maps that were produced for this report. However, the user has the option of changing display parameters to highlight other trends in the data.

Go to GIs project files and workspaces

Individual layers
The data layers are also available individually without any preset legends. These can be added to existing project files or opened in a new window. An index of the GIs data included is arranged as a data matrix showing feature type, layer description, source, projection, and extent of coverage. This is a simple chart to provide a minimum definition and metadata for the data layers that are included on this CD-ROM.

Go to GIs layers and metadata

LandView IV
One additional manner of viewing the contents of the sediment database in a spatial context is by using LandView IV. This is a light mapping application developed by the Census Bureau in cooperation with EPA, USGS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The main advantage to using this product is that it comes bundled with data from US Federal agencies that can serve as a supplement to other GIs data.

Go to LandView IV for more information and an option to install a customized version of LandView IV.

RESOURCE LINKS

A complete set of LandView IV data covering the United States is available for purchase on a DVD-ROM from the Census Bureau (see http://landview.census.gov for more information and updates).

For the most recent versions of ArcExplorer and Acrobat Reader, check the following web sites: http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/index.html, and http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html

To restore the compressed .zip files,
Windows users may download the WinZip utility from http://www.winzip.com/download.htm, and Macintosh users may download StuffIt Expander from http://www.aladdinsys.com/expander/index.html.

The following World Wide Web links provide additional information on the software and data discussed here:
Commercial Home Pages
ESRI, MapInfo, Northwood Geoscience, Adobe

Federal Agency Home Pages
Census Bureau, FEMA, NOAA, USACE, USCG, EPA, USGS.

REFERENCES

Long, E.R., MacDonald, D.D., Smith, S.L., and Calder, F.D., 1995, Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments: Environmental Management, v. 19, no.1, p. 81-87.

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Chapter G Data Visualization by use of Geographic Mapping Tools (GIS) *By Laura Hayes¹, Chris Polloni¹, and* E.J. McFaul¹ ¹ USGS Introduction Software Overview Data and Mapping Tools (ArcExplorer, ArcView, MapInfo, and LandView IV) Resource Links References INTRODUCTION This CD-ROM was developed with the intention of providing data that are compatible with Geographic Information System (GIs) software to enhance the visualization and analysis of sediment data from the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. Sample locations from the sediment database can be mapped by latitude/longitude pairs and displayed on the basis of any of the associated characteristics (for example, grain size, zinc concentration, source of data, or collection date). Spatial data from other sources have also been gathered to serve as background map layers. Each layer is a collection of geographic features or events such as political boundaries, a coastline, or bathymetry. The user can select layers with the same map projection and reference datum to overlay and view simultaneously. GIs tools allow spatial patterns in the data to emerge by viewing different combinations of data sets and changing the colors, symbols, or zoom level to highlight particular attributes of the data. Many of the figures contained in this publication are images saved from GIs map windows. Offering the GIs tools and data allows users to create customized maps and draw their own conclusions about the environment of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. SOFTWARE OVERVIEW Most of the GIs data development for this project was carried out with MapInfo, although other software including ArcView, ARC/INFO, ArcExplorer, LandView IV, MAPGEN, GIV, and ABICAS also proved useful. The MapInfo tables were converted to ArcView shapefiles, and project files (workspaces) were created for both systems. For users without one of these software packages, the GIs data are also viewable in either of two simplified programs offered on this CD-ROM, ArcExplorer (Windows only) and LandView (Macintosh or Windows). ArcExplorer is a simplified version of ArcView developed by ESRI to facilitate data sharing. ArcExplorer version 1.1 and an accompanying ArcExplorer manual in PDF format are contained on this CD-ROM (see the next section), or may be downloaded from the ESRI web site (see the Resource Links section). LandView IV is a geographic viewing and reference tool that was jointly developed by Federal agencies and contains data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other agencies. The complete DVD-ROM is available from the Census Bureau (see Resource Links), but the Louisiana portion of the data has been extracted and offered here with the program and manuals. DATA AND MAPPING TOOLS Project files for ArcExplorer, ArcView, and MapInfo** A set of map project files has been assembled so that users can quickly and easily access the data that are provided in ArcExplorer, ArcView, or MapInfo. Map windows are set up within these project files in a manner that best illustrates the data contained in the GIs layers. The user can open a project file from within the appropriate application or directly from its directory under sed_data/. The project files highlight specific data attributes; therefore, not all the GIs layers are shown. They provide a good introduction to certain themes, and the user can add more data layers once the project is opened. The initial map extent for most view windows shows the lake region and was selected to give a general overview of the basin. Certain color schemes and symbols have been selected to be consistent with existing maps that were produced for this report. However, the user has the option of changing display parameters to highlight other trends in the data. Go to GIs project files and workspaces *Individual layers* The data layers are also available individually without any preset legends. These can be added to existing project files or opened in a new window. An index of the GIs data included is arranged as a data matrix showing feature type, layer description, source, projection, and extent of coverage. This is a simple chart to provide a minimum definition and metadata for the data layers that are included on this CD-ROM. Go to GIs layers and metadata *LandView IV* One additional manner of viewing the contents of the sediment database in a spatial context is by using LandView IV. This is a light mapping application developed by the Census Bureau in cooperation with EPA, USGS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The main advantage to using this product is that it comes bundled with data from US Federal agencies that can serve as a supplement to other GIs data. Go to LandView IV for more information and an option to install a customized version of LandView IV. RESOURCE LINKS A complete set of LandView IV data covering the United States is available for purchase on a DVD-ROM from the Census Bureau (see http://landview.census.gov for more information and updates). For the most recent versions of ArcExplorer and Acrobat Reader, check the following web sites: http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/index.html, and http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html To restore the compressed .zip files, Windows users may download the WinZip utility from http://www.winzip.com/download.htm, and Macintosh users may download StuffIt Expander from http://www.aladdinsys.com/expander/index.html. The following World Wide Web links provide additional information on the software and data discussed here: Commercial Home Pages ESRI, MapInfo, Northwood Geoscience, Adobe Federal Agency Home Pages Census Bureau, FEMA, NOAA, USACE, USCG, EPA, USGS. REFERENCES Long, E.R., MacDonald, D.D., Smith, S.L., and Calder, F.D., 1995, Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments: Environmental Management, v. 19, no.1, p. 81-87.
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