Title: usSEABED: Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) Offshore Surficial Sediment Data Release
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Data Series
Issue_Identification: 146
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Wooods Hole Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage: http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/2006/146/
Description:
Abstract: This component data layer (_CMP.txt) file gives information about selected components (minerals, rock type, microfossils, benthic biota) and seafloor features (bioturbation, structure, ripples) at a given site. Values in the attribute fields represent the membership to that attribute's fuzzy set. For components such as minerals, rocks, micro-biota and plants, and/or epifauna and infauna, corals and other geologic and biologic information, the value depends on sentence structure and other components in description. For features (denoted by an asterisk) such as ripples, ophiuroids, sponges, shrimp, worm tubes, lamination, lumps, grading, and/or bioturbation, the value of the fuzzy set depends on the development of the attribute. Only the relative fuzzy presence of components and features can be determined; the absence of information does not indicate a lack of the attribute, only lack of information about that attribute.
Purpose: The component data file (_CMP.txt) can be used to investigate the relative presence of various constituents and the development and expression of selected seafloor characteristics.
Supplemental_Information: This layer can be used in a relational data base, using the DataSetKey to link to the GMX_SRC.txt file for brief metadata information and to formal metadata written on each source, and to the other data files of usSEABED using the SiteKey or SampleKey as relational links.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 2006
Currentness_Reference: publication date
Status:
Progress: In work
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -100.000000
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -64.000000
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 32.000000
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.000000
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: General
Theme_Keyword: marine
Theme_Keyword: sediment
Theme_Keyword: seafloor
Theme_Keyword: seabed
Theme_Keyword: descriptions
Theme_Keyword: analyses
Theme_Keyword: usSEABED
Theme_Keyword: dbSEABED
Theme_Keyword: components
Theme_Keyword: features
Theme_Keyword: genesis
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey
Theme_Keyword: Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Theme_Keyword: Woods Hole Science Center
Theme_Keyword: Pacific Science Center
Theme_Keyword: Marine Aggregates Resources and Processes Project
Theme_Keyword: Benthic Habitats (Pacific) Project
Theme_Keyword: University of Colorado
Theme_Keyword: Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research
Theme_Keyword: USGS
Theme_Keyword: CMGP
Theme_Keyword: WHSC
Theme_Keyword: PSC
Theme_Keyword: UC
Theme_Keyword: INSTAAR
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System
Place_Keyword: Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)
Place_Keyword: Gulf Coast
Place_Keyword: United States
Place_Keyword: North America
Place_Keyword: Caribbean Sea
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints: Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with the proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as the source of this information.
Browse_Graphic_File_Description: Image map showing extent of data layer coverage
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: JPEG
Data_Set_Credit: We thank the following interns for their assistance in data entry, coding, and data testing: Viness Ubert, Emma Mitchell, Emily Denham ,Shea Quinn and Ariadne Prior-Grosch.
Native_Data_Set_Environment: Tkme: Another editor for formal metadata by Peter N. Schweitzer (U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA 22092), version 2.9.13, Microsoft Windows Version 5.1; Microsoft Word 2000 9.0
Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Accuracy of each attribute is dependent on the accuracy of the original source description and the values calculated by the mining software, dbSEABED. Values are based on filters using fuzzy set theory and represent a measure of truth about the attribute.
Logical_Consistency_Report: Data in the usSEABED data collection are based on the observations and analyses of others, filtered through a unifying and mining software. Each source report varies in type of information/data recorded and format. Only those observations that are recorded can be filtered and mined; only presence (not absences) of information can be noted.
Completeness_Report: Additional useable data may exist in this area; the authors appreciate any information and leads.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Locational accuracy is dependent on both the accuracy of the navigational technique and the level of detail about the location as recorded in the individual data sources, and may vary widely (e.g., from 0.005 km (differential GPS) in the more recent surveys to greater than 2 km based on radar, Loran, or dead reckoning in the older surveys. Users of the data should note the metadata written about the original sources and use their own criteria for assessing the accuracy of the locations.
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Depth determinations, both water depth and subsample depth, are dependent on the accuracy of the depth determination technique and the level of detail noted in the original source. Users of the data should note the metadata written about the original sources and use their own criteria for assessing the accuracy of the locations.
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Various
Publication_Date: Unpublished and published material
Title: See separate listing, GMX_SRC.txt, and links provided therein, within data publication (see Larger_Work_Citation) for the specific sources and associated metadata.
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Hard copy documents and digital files
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Various publication places
Publisher: Various publishers/originators
Other_Citation_Details: X number of sources, both published and unpublished, are used as the sources of information for usSEABED. Metadata for each source is linked through the usSEABED source file (GMX_SRC.txt). Sources include the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Minerals Management Service (MMS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the Maryland and New Jersey State Geological Surveys (MGS, NJGS), NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), the Smithsonian Institution, and others.
Type_of_Source_Media: Hard copy and digital
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 00001840
Ending_Date: 2003
Source_Currentness_Reference: Source publication date or date of collection
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Varies with source
Source_Contribution: Point locations, descriptions, and various analytical data (textural, granulometric, geochemical, geophysical, acoustic) on sediments, rock exposure, and benthos. Varies with source.
Process_Step:
Process_Description: Source data may be digitized as necessary (typed or scanned in), with a visual inspection of digitized data to the source report and corrections as necessary, and are tested for completeness in Microsoft Excel as appropriate. Other digital data may be decoded using source-specific programs, downloaded via the web, or sent directly to the USGS or University of Colorado via email. Data are formatted into the dbSEABED Data Entry template (db9_DataEntry.xls, version 08/07/2004) by hand, and tested using the dbSEABED relational database program (RDBi, version 01/05/2006) for correctness of formatting. Data are compiled into source data resource files (DRF) and processed through the dbSEABED data mining program (MNEt, version 04/18/2006) program, using the dbSEABED thesaurus (db9_dct.rtf, version 04/07/2006) and component set up file for U.S. waters (db9_ABUN.txt, version 04/11/2006). Data are iteratively reprocessed and corrected until noted errors are fixed, as recorded by the _RBDS.2fx and _MNE.DGN files. Data are exercised in a GIS for location tests and useability.
Distribution_Liability: Although this data set has been used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in the use of these data or related materials. Trade, firm, or product names and other references to non-USGS products and services are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or warranty, express or implied, by the USGS, USDOI, or U.S. Government, as to their suitability, content, usefulness, functioning, completeness, or accuracy.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: ASCII text
Format_Information_Content: Text file containing data input to usSEABED. Fields are comma separated values. First record of file contains field names.
File_Decompression_Technique: no compression applied
Format_Information_Content: The SHP file contains the geospatial data. The SHX file contains the index of the geospatial data. The DBF file contains the attribute data in dBASE format. The PRJ file contains the coordinate system information (optional). The AVL file contains the legend information (optional). The SBN and SBX files contain the spatial index of the geospatial data (optional). The XML file contains the metadata describing the data set <data set name>.shp.xml. An ASCII version of the metadata file. A browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent (optional).
Technical_Prerequisites: These data are available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) shapefile format. The user must have ArcGIS« or ArcView« 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing the data. A free data viewer, arcexplorer, capable of displaying the data is available from ESRI at www.esri.com.
