CATALOG DOCUMENTATION EMAP-ESTUARIES PROGRAM LEVEL DATABASE 1993 DELAWARE AND MARYLAND COASTAL BAYS PHYSICAL BOTTOM DATA FROM RANDOM AND ITE SITES TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. DATA SET IDENTIFICATION 2. INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION 3. DATA SET ABSTRACT 4. OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION 5. DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING METHODS 6. DATA MANIPULATIONS 7. DATA DESCRIPTION 8. GEOGRAPHIC AND SPATIAL INFORMATION 9. QUALITY CONTROL/QUALITY ASSURANCE 10. DATA ACCESS 11. REFERENCES 12. TABLE OF ACRONYMS 13. PERSONNEL INFORMATION 1. DATA SET IDENTIFICATION 1.1 Title of Catalog document Coastal Bays Database 1993 Delaware and Maryland Bays Physical Data from Random and ITE Sites 1.2 Author of the Catalog entry Melissa Hughes, OAO Corporation 1.3 Catalog revision date 18 December 1996 1.4 Data set name PHYSITE, PHYSRAN ------- 1.5 Task Group Mid-Atlantic Integration and Assessment (MAIA) 1.6 Data set identification code 202 1.7 Version 001 1.8 Requested Acknowledgment If you plan to publish these data in any way, EPA requires a standard statement for work it has supported: "Although the data described in this article have been funded wholly or in part by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency through its EMAP-Estuaries Program, it has not been subjected to Agency review, and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred." 2. INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION 2.1 Principal Investigator Dr. Frederick W. Kutz U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region III 2.2. Investigation Participant-Sample Collection Janis C. Chaillou Versar, Inc. 3. DATA SET ABSTRACT 3.1 Abstract of the Data Set The Physical Water Quality file presents bottom data from a Hydrolab Surveyor II. Depth, pH, salinity and temperature are reported for each Random and ITE site. Since ITE sites were visited more than once, data are reported for each visit. 3.2 Keywords for the Data Set Bottom physical measurements, pH, salinity, temperature, depth, dissolved oxygen 4. OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION 4.1 Program Objective The objective of the Coastal Bays Joint Assessment was to assess the ecological condition of the Delaware and Maryland coastal bays, compare the current ecological condition of the bays with their historical condition and to evaluate indicators and sampling design ------- elements that can be used to direct future monitoring activities in the system. 4.2 Data Set Objective The objective of the Vertical Profile data set is to provide summary data of bottom values of specific water column measurements recorded for each station and visit. 4.3 Data Set Background Discussion Measurements of physical characteristics provide basic information about the environmental setting of a sample site. Knowledge of the physical context in which biological and chemical data are collected is important for interpreting results accurately because physical characteristics of the environment determine the distribution and species composition of estuarine communities, particularly assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates. Salinity and temperature are among the most important factors controlling the distribution of biota and ecological processes in estuaries. Depth, bottom salinity, temperature and pH were measured to describe the physical conditions at sites in the coastal bays. 4.4 Summary of Data Set Parameters Bottom water quality measurements are reported for each vertical profile taken at a station. These included: temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and depth. 5. DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING METHODS 5.1 Data Acqui si ti on 5.1.1 Sampling Objective To collect high-quality vertical water column profiles to characterize the physical conditions at a sampling site. 5.1.2 Sample Collection Methods Summary The Hydrolab was attached to the end of a winch cable with a shackle. The instrument was swung over the side of the boat, turned on and lowered to just below the water surface. The instrument was then lowered through the water column until it reached the bottom. Criteria were set for in situ water quality measurements: Bottom Depth (m) Water Quality Measurements 2-3.3 >3.3 < 1 1-2 Surface (0.5 m below the surface) Surface, bottom (0.5 m above the bottom) Surface, midpoint, bottom 1 meter intervals from surface to bottom 5.1.3 Sampling Start Date 12 July 1993 ------- 5.1.4 Sampling End Date 30 September 1993 5.1.5 Platform Sampling was conducted from 7 m (21 ft) Privateer equipped with an electric winch with a 12-foot boom. 5.1.6 Sampli ng Gear Hydrolab Surveyor II 5.1.7 Manufacturer of Instrument NA 5.1.8 Key Variables This data set contains bottom values measured at the time of sampling. 5.1.9 Sampling Method Calibration NA 5.1.10 Sample Collection Quality Control NA 5.1.11 Sample Collection Method Reference NA 5.1.12 Sample Collection Method Deviations NA Data Preparation and Sample Processing 5.2.1 Sample Processing Objective Ensure accurate data collection; all probes functioning properly. 5.2.2 Sample Processing Methods Summary NA 5.2.3 Sample Processing Method Calibration NA 5.2.4 Sample Processing Quality Control NA ------- 5.2.5 Sample Processing Method Reference NA 6. DATA MANIPULATIONS 6.1 Name of New or Modified Values NA 6.2 Data Manipulation Description NA 7. DATA DOCUMENTATION '. 1 Description of Parameters Parameter Data Parameter # SAS Name Type Len Format Label 1 SITE Num 8 3. Site Number 2 EVNTDATE Num 8 MMDDYY8. Date when Sample Collected 3 EVNTNUM Num 8 5. Event Number 4 B TEMP Num 8 5.2 Bottom Temperature 5 B PH Num 8 5.2 Bottom pH (pH) 6 B SALIN Num 8 4.1 Bottom Salinity (ppt) 7 B DEPTH Num 8 6.2 Bottom Depth (m) 7.1.6 Precision to which values are reported The number of decimal places for ¦ each value reflects the precision the probe. 7.1.7 Minimum Value in Data Set by Parameter B TEMP 19.16 B PH 7.00 B SALIN 2.8 B DEPTH 0.61 7.1.7 Maximum Value in Data Set by Parameter B TEMP 37.40 B PH 9.82 B SALIN 36.2 B DEPTH 3.66 '.2 Data Record Example 7.2.1 Column Names for Example Records SITE EVNTDATE EVNTNUM B TEMP B PH B SALIN B DEPTH ------- 7.2.2 Example Data Records 0BS SITE EVNTDATE EVNTNUM B_TEMP B_PH B_SALIN B_DEPTH 1 101 08/10/93 1091 25.75 7.73 16.3 1.22 2 102 08/10/93 1092 25.82 8.13 8.4 0.91 3 105 07/15/93 2016 37.40 7.70 21.6 1.22 4 106 08/17/93 1117 27.46 7.63 27.8 1.52 5 107 08/04/93 1080 28.71 7.46 26.9 1.22 8. GEOGRAPHIC AND SPATIAL INFORMATION 8.1 Minimum Longitude -77 Degrees 19 Minutes 51.00 Decimal Seconds 8.2 Maximum Longitude -69 Degrees 56 Minutes 27.60 Decimal Seconds 8.3 Minimum Latitude 36 Degrees 51 Minutes 51.00 Decimal Seconds 8.4 Maximum Latitude 42 Degrees 05 Minutes 15.49 Decimal Seconds 8.5 Name of area or region Delaware and Maryland Coastal Bays Stations were located in coastal bays along the East Coast of the United States in the States of Delaware and Maryland. Four major subsystems included Rehobeth Bay, Indian River Bay, Assawoman Bay and Chincoteague Bay. Areas of interest included Indian River, St. Martin River, Trappe Creek and artificial lagoons. 9. QUALITY CONTROL/QUALITY ASSURANCE 9.1 Data Quality Objectives Measurement quality objectives were outlined in the Quality Assurance Project Plan (Valente et al., 1990). Accuracy and precision goals are outlined below: Measurement Quality Objectives for EMAP-Estuaries Indicators and associated data. Data Maximum Allowable Type Accuracy Preci si on Completeness Goal Goal Goal Sali ni ty 1 ppt 10 % 90 % Depth 0.5 m 10 % 90 % pH 0.2 units NA 90 % Temperature 0.5 deg C NA 90 % ------- 9.2 Quality Assurance Procedures NA 9.3 Unassessed Errors NA 10. DATA ACCESS 10.1 Data Access Procedures Data can be requested from a contact under Section 10.3. Data can be downloaded from the WWW server. 10.2 Data Access Restrictions Data can only be accessed from the WWW server. 10.3 Data Access Contact Persons Dr. Frederick W. Kutz U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III (410)305-2742 (Tel.) 10.4 Data Set Format Data can be transmitted in a variety of formats derived from SAS data sets. 10.5 Information Concerning Anonymous FTP Data cannot be accessed via ftp. 10.6 Information Concerning Gopher and WWW Data can be downloaded from the WWW server. 10.7 EMAP CD-ROM Containing the Data Set Data are not available on CD-ROM 11. REFERENCES Chaillou, J.C., S.B. Weisberg, F.W. Kutz, T.E. DeMoss, L. Mangiaracina, R. Magnien, R. Eskin, J. Maxted, K. Price and J.K. Summers. 1996. Assessment of the Ecological Condition of the Delaware and Maryland Coastal Bays. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prepared by Versar, Inc., Columbia, MD. Holland, A.F., ed. 1990. Near Coastal Program Plan for 1990: Estuaries. EPA 600/4-900/033. Narragansett, RI: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NHEERL-AED, Office of Research and Development. ------- Strobel, C. J., 1990. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program - Near Coastal Component: 1990 Demonstration Project, Field Operations Manual. U.S. EPA NHEERL-AED. Narragansett, RI. October 1990. Valente, R., C.J. Strobel, J.E. Pollard, K.M. Peres, T.C. Chang and J. Rosen. 1990. Quality Assurance Project Plan for EMAP Near Coastal: 1990 Demonstration Project. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NHEERL-AED. Narragansett, RI. Weisberg, S.B., J.B. Frithsen, A.F. Holland, J.F. Paul, K.J. Scott, J.K. Summers, H.T. Wilson, R. Valente, D.G. Heimbuch, J. Gerritsen, S.C. Schimmel and R.W. Latimer, 1993. EMAP- Estuaries Virginian Province 1990 Demonstration Project Report. EPA 620/R-93/006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NHEERL-AED, Narragansett, RI 02882-1197. 12. TABLE OF ACRONYMS 13. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Principal Investigator Dr. Frederick W. Kutz Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment Team 701 Mapes Road Fort Meade, MD 20755-5350 (410)305-2742 (Tel.) (410)305-3095 (FAX) kutz.ri ck0epa.gov Investigators-Sample Collection/Processing Janis C. Chaillou Versar, Inc. 9200 Rumsey Road Columbia, MD 21045-1934 (410)964-9200 (Tel.) (410)964-5156 (FAX) chailloujan0versar.com Data Librarian, EMAP-IM Melissa M. Hughes 0A0 Corp. U.S. EPA NHEERL-AED 27 Tarzwell Drive Narragansett, RI 02882-1197 (401)782-3184 (Tel.) (401)782-3030 (FAX) hughes.meli ssa0epa.gov ------- |