National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project Sites, 1984-1992, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How should this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal OceanScience (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA)., 1992, National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project Sites, 1984-1992, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science: NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Silver Spring, MD.

   Online Links:

   • <http://NSandT.noaa.gov>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -166.5

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -67.333

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 70.5

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 25.615

3. What does it look like?

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 1984

   Ending_Date: 1992

   Currentness_Reference: publication date

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Point data set.

   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal Degrees.

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites

   The SITES data file reports information regarding the nominal sampling locations (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   NST_SITE

   Five letter site acronym (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   SEQ

   The Sequence is the arbitrary number that places the sites in geographical (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   GEN_LOCA

   General water body in which site is found (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   SPEC_LOC

   More specific water body or land feature with which the site is associated (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   ST_ABBR

   Standard two letter postal code for each state (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   ST_NAME

   Spelled out name in with the site is located (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   LATDMS

   Latitude given in degrees, minutes, and seconds; values are not parsed (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   LONGDMS

   Longitude given in degrees, minutes, and seconds; values are not parsed (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   LATDEG

   Latitude given as decimal degree (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   LONDEG

   Longitude given as decimal degree (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   SPEC_CD1

   Species code for the primary species collected at a site. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   SPEC_CD2

   The same codes apply here. This code indicates a secondary species that may be collected at the site. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   OTHER_CD

   Another site identifier, Codes used by NSandT participating laboratories. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   PGM

   Program, in this case Benthic Surveillance Project. The Benthic Surveillance Project is one of the three major elements of the NSandT. The other projects are the Mussel Watch Project and the Bioeffects Project. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   TARGET

   Target species for a given site (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   CHART

   NOAA chart on which the site can be found (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   W_DEPTH

   Water depth at which a sites benthic fish and sediments are usually collected. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   DESCRIP1

   Provides the site's specific information (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   REGCODE

   Region codes have been designated for sub-areas of the US (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   REGION

   Regions are North Atlantic (N), Middle Atlantic (M), South Atlantic (S), Puerto Rico (PR), Gulf Coast (G), West Coast (W), Alaska (AK), Hawaii (HI). (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   EDASUB

   Estuarine Drainage (sub.code), NOAA's Coastal Assessment Framework (CAF) 5-digit Watershed Code (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   EDASUNM

   Estuarine Drainage (sub.name), NOAA's Coastal Assessment Framework (CAF) Watershed Name (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   EDACDA

   Estuarine Drainage (maj.code), NOAA's Coastal Assessment Framework (CAF) 4-digit Major Watershed Code (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   EDACDANM

   No, Estuarine Drainage (maj.name), NOAA's Coastal Assessment Framework (CAF) Major Watershed Name (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   DA_SEDI

   Indicates whether or not sediment was taken. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   DA_TISS

   Indicates whether or not tissue was taken. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   DA_PATH

   Indicates whether or not taxonomy/pathology was taken. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

   REV_SITE

   Last revision of site file. (Source: NS&T, Benthic Surveillance Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	Dataset Parameters for Benthic Surveillance Sites
   Codeset Source:	National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal OceanScience (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA).

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA)
   National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project Manager
   1305 East West Highway N/SCI1
   Silver Spring, MD 20910
   U.S.A
   

   301-713-3028 (voice)
   301-713-4388 (FAX)
   

Why was the data set created?

In response to concerns over environmental quality of the Nation's coastal and estuarine ecosystems, NOAA created the National Status and Trends (NSandT) Program in 1984. From 1984 through 1993, the Benthic SurveillanceProject monitored chemical concentrations in the livers (and for metabolites of PAH's in the bile) of bottom-dwelling fish and in sediments at the sites of fish capture. The Benthic Surveillance Project also measured the biological effects of contaminant exposure, primarily as prevalence's of toxicopathic liver diseases.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   Tech Memo 40 (source 1 of 1)

   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), 198805, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS OMA 40, "National Status and Trends Program for Marine Environmental Quality: Benthic Surveillance and Mussel Watch Projects Sampling Protocols".

   Type_of_Source_Media: document

   Source_Contribution: Benthic Surveillance Sampling Protocols.

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: Unknown (process 1 of 1)

   A National Benthic Surveillance Project site bears the name of the general coastal or estuarine region sampled, and is defined by the individual stations in that area where bottom sediments are obtained. In most cases, threestations comprise a site. Trawls for bottomfish are conducted as close to the sediment stations as possible.Sediment samples are obtained by a specially constructed box core device or a standard Smith-MacIntyre bottom grab. National Benthic Surveillance Project sediment samples are analyzed for selected organic compounds, trace elements, total organic carbon, moisture content, and particle size. NOAA compiled a field sampling manual to ensure uniformity for sediment and fish sample collection.

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   The same kind of field/site data have been supplied since the start of the Benthic Surveillance Project, in 1984. Original site coordinates were derived from Loran-C time conversions. When GPS was first available the signal wasintentionally degraded so earlier coordinate information, even if it resulted from GPS, is not as accurate as data would be today.Early sites information resulting from Loran-C was converted from time delay information to latitudes and longitudes. These earlier data may be suspect when sites were located close to large structures that could have interfered with accurate time delays. These concerns apply specifically to the first National Status and Trends sites document, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 70, National Status and Trends Program: Monitoring Site Descriptions (1984-1990) for the National Mussel Watch and Benthic Surveillance Projects.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

   Using site selection criteria similar to those used for the Mussel Watch Project, the NBSP monitored contaminant exposure and bioeffects at more than 120 sites nationwide. The National Benthic Surveillance Program existed from 1984 through 1992. This was a cooperative effort between NOS and the National Marine Fisheries Service's Northwest, Southeast, and Northeast Fisheries Science Centers.The Benthic Surveillance Project Sites dataset does not include information relating to the chemistry, quality assurance, or pathology data that is associated with each site.

5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

   Field sample processing is minimal while laboratory sample processing is extensive. The same kind of field/site data have been supplied since the start of the Benthic Surveillance Project, in 1984.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

The National Status and Trends Program (NSandT) requests that all individuals who download NSandT data acknowledge the source of these data in any reports, papers, or presentations. If you publish these data, please include a statement similar to: "Some or all of the data described in this article were produced by NOAA through its National Status and Trends Program."

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA)
   National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project Manager
   1305 East West Highway N/SCI1
   Silver Spring, MD 20910
   U.S.A
   

   301-713-3028 (voice)
   301-713-4388 (FAX)
   

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

   Downloadable Data

3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   None

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	ASCII
     Network links:	<http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/about/coast/nsandt/download.aspx>

   • Cost to order the data: None

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 20-Dec-2012
Last Reviewed: 21-May-2010

Metadata author:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA)
National Status and Trends, Benthic Surveillance Project Manager
1305 East West Highway N/SCI1
Silver Spring, MD 20910
U.S.A.

301-713-3028 (voice)

Metadata standard:

FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)