CATALOG DOCUMENTATION COASTAL BAYS DATABASE 1993 DELAWARE AND MARYLAND BAYS SEDIMENT CHLOROPHYLL 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 Sediment Chlorophyll Data from Random and ITE Sites 1.2 Author of the Catalog entry Melissa Hughes, 0A0 Corporation 1.3 Catalog revision date 18 December 1996 1.4 Data set name BENCLRAN, BENCLITE ------- 1.5 Task Group Mid-Atlantic Integration and Assessment (MAIA) 1.6 Data set identification code 208 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 Chaillou Versar, Inc. 2.3 Principal Investigator-Sample Processing 3. DATA SET ABSTRACT 3.1 Abstract of the Data Set The Sediment Chlorophyll data set presents chlorophyll measurements from a surficial sediment sample collected at each site. Some sites were visited more than once. Results were determined from two methods of analysis. 3.2 Keywords for the Data Set Benthic chlorophyll, chlorophyll ------- 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 Sediment Chlorophyll data set is to present chlorophyll data analyzed from surficial sediment. 4.3 Data Set Background Information Water quality in the coastal bays of Delaware and Maryland was evaluated using four classes of indicators: measures of algal productivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), water clarity and nutrients. One measure of algal biomass included the concentration of chlorophyll in surficial sediment. 4.4 Summary of Investigation Parameters Chlorophyll measurements were determined by two methods using the combined supernatant from 5 samples. 5. DATA ACQUISITION AND SAMPLING METHODS 5.1 Data Acqui si ti on 5.1.1 Sampling Objective Collect surficial sediment cores suitable for the analysis of chlorophyll. 5.1.2 Sample Collection Methods Summary The grab sampler was lowered through the water column; the grab penetrated the sediment by gravity releasing a trigger allowing the jaws to close. When the grab was pulled from the sediment using the winch, the jaws closed, encapsulating the sediment sample. 5 1-cm plugs of surficial sediment were removed with a 50-cc plastic syringe. 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 wi an electric winch with a 12-foot boom. 5.1.6 Sampli ng Gear A 1/25 m2, stainless steel, Young-modified Van Veen Grab sampler was used to collect sediment grabs for benthic analyses. This grab sampled an area of 440 cm2 and a maximum depth of penetration in the sediment of 10 cm. 5.1.7 Manufacturer of Sampling Equipment Young's Welding, Sandwich, MA 5.1.8 Key Variables No data were recorded at the time of sample collection. 5.1.9 Collection Method Calibration The sampling gear did not require any calibration. It required inspection for deformities incurred due to mishandling or impact on rocky substrates. 5.1.10 Sample Collection Quality Control The sieve was inspected immediately following the removal of the sample to ensure no organisms were left clinging to the sieve. The sieve was also thoroughly scrubbed with a stiff brush between samples. At least once during the field season, QA evaluation of each field crew will be performed by either the QA officer or a designee to insure compliance with prescribed protocols. Field crews will be re-trained whenever discrepancies are noted. 5.1.11 Sample Collection Method Reference Weisberg, S.B., A.F. Holland, K.J. Scott, H.T. Wilson, D.G. Heimbuch, S.C. Schimmel, J.B. Frithsen, J.F. Paul, J.K. Summers, R.M. Valente, J. Gerritsen and R.W. Latimer. 1993. EMAP-Estuaries, Virginian Province 1990: Demonstration Project Report. EPA/600/R-92/100. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 5.1.12 Sample Collection Method Deviations NA .2 Data Preparation and Sample Processing 5.2.1 Sample Processing Objective Process sediment samples to accurately measure chlorophyll content. ------- 5.2.2 Sample Processing Methods Summary 5.2.2.1 Field Summary A 50-cc plastic syringe was inserted into a random location the grab. This was repeated until 5 1-cm plugs of surficial sediment were collected. The plugs were placed in a Nalgene bottle, wrapped in aluminum foil and frozen immediately on dry ice. 5.2.2.2 Laboratory Summary Sample aliquots were suspended in 90% acetone, extracted overnight at -20 degrees C, resuspended and the supernatant was collected. Each sample was extracted three times and the supernatants were combined. The benthic chlorophyll concentration was determined by: 1) a high-performance liquid chromatography method (Heukelem et al., 1992) and 2) a fluorometric method (Parsons et al., 1984). 5.2.3 Sample Processing Method Calibration NA 5.2.4 Sample Processing Quality Control The sediment plugs were frozen immediately on dry ice in preparation for chlorophyll analysis. 5.2.5 Sample Processing Method Reference Heukelem, L. Van, A.J. Lewitus, T.M. Kana and N.E. Croft. 1992. High-performance liquid chromatography of phytoplankton pigments using a polymeric reversed phase C18 column. J. Phycol. 28:867-872 Parsons, T.R., Y. Maita and C.M. Lalli. 1984. A Manual of Chemical and Biological Methods for Seawater Analysis. Pergamon Press. 5.2.6 Sample Processing Method Deviations NA DATA ANALYSIS AND MANIPULATIONS 6.1 Name of New or Modified Value NA 6.2 Data Manipulation Description NA 6.3 Data Manipulation Examples NA ------- 7. DATA DESCRIPTION 7.1 Description of Parameters Parameter Data Parameter # SAS Name Type Len Format Label 1 SITE Num 8 4. The Site Number 2 EVNTDATE Num 8 YYMMDD6. Date when Sample Collected 3 EVNTNUM Num 8 4. Event Number 4 HPLC Num 8 5.1 HPLC Method Chl_a (ug/g) 5 FLUOR Num 8 6.1 Fluorometric Method Chl_a (ug/g) 7.1.6 Precision to which values are reported Chlorophyll measurements are accurate to one decimal place 7.1.7 Minimum Value in Data Set HPLC 0.1 FLUOR 0.5 7.1.7 Maximum Value in Data Set HPLC 122.1 FLUOR 115.7 7.2 Data Record Example 7.2.1 Column Names for Example Records SITE EVNTDATE EVNTNUM HPLC FLUOR 7.2.2 Example Data Records 0BS SITE EVNTDATE EVNTNUM HPLC FLUOR 1 101 08/10/93 1091 14.8 14.0 2 102 08/10/93 1092 87.3 3 105 09/30/93 1330 17.8 24.7 4 106 08/17/93 1117 5.3 7.0 5 107 08/04/93 1080 7.1 7.9 8. GEOGRAPHIC AND SPATIAL INFORMATION 8.1 Minimum Longitude -77 Degrees 17 Minutes 4.80 Decimal Seconds 8.2 Maximum Longitude -70 Degrees 04 Minutes 18.60 Decimal Seconds 8.3 Minimum Latitude 36 Degrees 49 Minutes 54.60 Decimal Seconds ------- 8.4 Maximum Latitude 41 Degrees 38 Minutes 33.00 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 Measurement Quality Objectives Measurement quality objectives are outlined for precision and accuracy are outlined below: Accuracy Precision Completion Goal Goal Goal Chlorophyll a 20 % 20% 90% 9.2 Quality Assurance/Control Methods 9.2.1 Sample Collection Quality Control At least once during the field season, QA evaluation of each field crew will be performed by either the QA officer or a designee to insure compliance with prescribed protocols. Field crews will be re-trained whenever discrepancies are noted. 9.2.2 Sample Processing Quality Control Complete and detailed QA/QC procedures for field and laboratory measurements can be found in the EMAP-E Quality Assurance Project Plan (Heitmuller and Valente, 1992). chlorophyll are outlined below: QA Sample Type Frequency of Use QA sample procedures for Data Generated for Measurement Quality Defi ni ti on Duplicates and analysis of standards Each batch Duplicate results and standard recovery 9.3 Quality Assessment Results These in-house QC measures met the requirements established in the QA Plan. ------- 9.4 Unassessed Errors NA 10. DATA ACCESS 10.1 Data Access Procedures Data can be downloaded from the WWW site. 10.2 Data Access Restrictions 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 The data sets are in a fixed column format. 10.5 Information Concerning Anonymous FTP Not accessible 10.6 Information Concerning WWW Data can be downloaded from the WWW. 10.7 EMAP CD-ROM Containing the Data Set Data 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. Frithsen, J.B., L.C. Scott and M. Young 1994. Methods for processi estuarine benthic macroinvertebrate samples from the EMAP Estuaries Virginian Province. Versar, Inc, Columbia, MD. Heitmuller, P.T. and R. Valente. 1992. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: EMAP-Estuaries Louisianian Province: 1992 quality assurance project plan. EPA/ERL-GB No. SR-XXX. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Environmental Research Laboratory, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561. ------- Heukelem, L. Van, A.J. Lewitus, T.M. Kana and N.E. Croft. 1992. High-performance liquid chromatography of phytoplankton pigments using a polymeric reversed phase C18 column. J. Phycol. 28:867-872. Parsons, T.R., Y. Maita and C.M. Lalli . 1984. A Manual of Chemical and Biological Methods for Seawater Analysis. Pergamon Press. 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. U.S. EPA. 1995. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP): Laboratory Methods Manual-Estuaries, Volume 1: Biological and Physical Analyses. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Narragansett, RI. EPA/620/R-95/008. Valente, R., C.J. Strobel, J.E. Pollard, K.M. Peres, T.C. Chiang and J. Rosen. 1990. Quality Assurance Project Plan for Near Coastal: 1990 Demonstration Project. U.S. EPA NHEERL-AED, Narragansett, RI. 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.rick0epa.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 ------- |