This data set represents the benthic community information gathered from grab sampling in 2002 (56 stations). In Fall/Winter 2002, researchers from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and the NOAA Coastal Services Center conducted a project to map benthic habitats by Catlett and Goodwin Islands on the York River, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Sediment grab samples were collected at 56 stations and sediment profile images were collected at 200 stations. Sampling areas were also surveyed using side scan sonar and multibeam bathymetry sensors. Scientists from the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences returned to sample a subset of the 2002 sediment grab data in 2003 and then again in 2004. A subset of SPI stations (79) were revisited in 2004.
VIMS and the NOAA Coastal Services Center are using the acoustic, grab, and SPI information (collected in 2002, 2003, and 2004) to characterize benthic habitats by Catlett and Goodwin Islands on the York River, and to examine relationships between animal communities and sediment characteristics. Identification and enumeration of infauna, biomass, and benthic community parameters were measured from the benthic grab samples.
ground condition
These data should be used for resource mapping and comparison purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within limits of the state of the art, NOAA will not assume any liability for damages caused by any inaccuracies in these data, or failure in their use.
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Values were checked against hard copy data sheets collected in the field.
All data are believed to be logically consistent.
All grab data were not included in this data layer. Abundance values for each sampling station, dry weight, wet weight, ash free dry weight, and abundances of species groups (Amphipoda, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Oligochaeta, Phoronidae, and Polychaeta) were included in this data layer.
Stations were located in the field using a differential Global Positioning System (GPS), and station coordinates, date and time of day were recorded upon arrival at each station.
Not relevant to data set.
Field Methods Grabs for sediments and benthos were collected in October 2002 at a total of 92 stations. A Young grab, 0.044 m2 surface area, was deployed twice to collect a sample for substrate and a sample for benthic community data. The Young grab is the same sampler used by EPA in its Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) and Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment (MAIA) programs. The Young grab is similar to a van Veen grab that has been placed in a frame to hold it level with the sediment surface while a sample is collected. Grabs without frames tend to twist and collect uneven samples. Because of its frame, the Young grab functions well in both soft and hard sediment. Laboratory Methods From the sediment grab, one sediment subsamples of about 50 g was taken, for sediment grain-size analysis. Samples were placed on ice in the field and frozen in the laboratory until they were analyzed. Sediment grain-size distributions and sand fraction distributions were determined (by Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Analytical Services Laboratory, Gloucester Pt., VA). Grain-size distributions were determined using wet sieve techniques for fines and sand size fractions were measured using a Rapid Sediment Analyzer.
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Data from field samples was entered into an Access database for the York River, Chesapeake Bay benthic survey. A set of queries were developed to review benthic community data from all grab sampling stations. A shapefile was created using the field data in the Access database to show spatial trends in benthic community distribution in the York River at Catlett and Goodwin Islands.
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Internal feature number.
ESRI
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Name of site.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Catlett Island
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Goodwin Island
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Station identification number.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Year sampled.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Year sampled
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Latitude in decimal degrees.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Longitude in decimal degrees.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Total number of infaunal organisms in sample.
NOAA Coastal Services Center.
Dry weight of sample in grams.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Wet weight of sample in grams.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Ash free dry weight of sample in grams.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Total abundance of all polychaetes.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Total abundance of all amphipods.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Total abundance of all bivalves.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Total abundance of all gastropods.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Total abundance of all oligochaetes.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Total abundance of all phoronids.
NOAA Coastal Services Center
Shannon-Weiner diversity index score.
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While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within limits of the state of the art, NOAA will not assume any liability for damages caused by any inaccuracies in these data, or failure in their use.
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