Abstract:

This report contains shoreline erosion staking data and provides additional context for the posted dataset, including information about the collection, analysis, and organization of the data. Characteristics of this dataset include the following: The shoreline erosion staking dataset documents the position of specific marsh shorelines in 2012 relative to their position in 2011. The shoreline erosion staking dataset was collected independently by BP contractors. Before posting, extensive work was done to independently by BP contractors to verify some aspects of the posted data (e.g., positional coordinates and field data). The focus of this data posting is shoreline erosion staking data. This dataset includes data associated with field observations including observation date, observation location, shoreline position, and a brief description of the character of the shoreline where the stake was placed. Observations were made at 112 staking locations in Barataria Bay, Louisiana and along the northern side of Louisiana barrier islands. Most stake locations were established in Fall 2011, with a few stakes added in Spring 2012. The distance from the stake to the edge of the marsh scarp/vegetation was measured during subsequent spring and/or fall observation events. These data were collected under a work plan titled Sampling and Monitoring Plan for the Assessment of Marsh Loss Due to the Impacts from MC252 Oil in the Gulf of Mexico. This work was conducted independently by BP to support and inform the NRDA. Sampling variations may exist across observers, methods, locations, and times.

Suggested Citation:

BP Gulf Science Data. 2016. Shoreline Erosion Staking Data at stations in Barataria Bay and Barrier Islands in Louisiana, Fall 2011 through Fall 2012. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7CR5RR8

Purpose:

The purpose of this dataset was to assess the marsh loss due to erosion as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). These data were collected by BP to help guide cleanup operations under the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard and to support the Natural Resource Damage Assessment efforts by federal and state agencies and BP to evaluate potential injury to natural resources in the Gulf. The data and supplemental information are being made available to the public in a format that will facilitate the use of the data for research and other studies. GRIIDC is making these data available following the shutdown of the Gulf Science Data Portal. This will ensure that the data are available and searchable through GRIIDC data discovery.

Data Parameters and Units:

Data Publication Date = Date associated with the current data posting date (M/DD/YYYY); Data Publication Reference = A general description of data provided in the data posting (i.e., water chemistry) and a version control number; Study Reference No. = Number assigned by BP to provide a link between the data provided in the data file and the associated work plans and study descriptions ; Study Name = Abbreviated title for work completed under the Sampling and Monitoring Plan for the Assessment of Marsh Loss Due to the Impacts from MC252 Oil in the Gulf of Mexico; Site ID = Site identification (AT=aerial target, BI=barrier island, BR=Barataria, TBS=T.Baker Smith (professional surveyors)); Latitude = Latitude of the site location (WGS84 decimal degree); Longitude = Longitude of the site location (WGS84 decimal degree); Max SCAT = The highest oiling level observed by Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Teams as of 4/5/2012; Fall 2011 Sample Date = Date observation occurred (NULL=site was not established in Fall 2011) (MM/DD/YYYY); Fall 2011 Distance to Solid Marsh = Measured distance to solid marsh if stake was set adjacent to broken marsh (NULL=site was not established in Fall 2011); Fall 2011 Distance to Marsh Units = Unit of measurement for distance to solid marsh (m=meters, in=inches, or NULL=no numeric value was recorded, or site was not established in Fall 2011); Fall 2011 Stake Placement = Description of where the stake was placed along the shoreline (Scarp, Healthy Marsh, Disjunct Marsh, Edge of Stubble, NULL=no data was recorded or site was not established in Fall 2011); Spring 2012 Sample Date = Date observation occurred (MM/DD/YYYY); Spring 2012 Distance to Solid Marsh = Measured distance to solid marsh if stake was set adjacent to broken marsh (NULL=site was established prior to Spring 2012); Spring 2012 Dist to Marsh Units = Unit of measurement for distance to solid marsh (m=meters, NULL=site was established prior to Spring 2012); Spring 2012 Dist from Stake to Shoreline Edge = Measured distance from stake to shoreline edge (NULL=no data was recorded or site was established in Spring 2012); Spring 2012 Dist to Shoreline Units = Unit of measurement for distance from stake to shoreline edge (m=meters, NULL=no data was recorded or site was established in Spring 2012); Spring 2012 Stake Placement = Description of where the stake was placed along the shoreline (Scarp, Healthy Marsh, Disjunct Marsh, Edge of Stubble, NULL=no data was recorded or site was established prior to Spring 2012); Fall 2012 Sample Date = Date observation occurred (MM/DD/YYYY); Fall 2012 Dist from Stake to Shoreline Edge = Measured distance from stake to shoreline edge (NULL=no data was recorded); Distance to Edge Units = Unit of measurement for distance from stake to shoreline edge (m=meters, NULL=no data was recorded); Field Data Verification Status = Summary of the data verification process status described in Appendix B. Valid entries - Not started, Underway, and Complete;

Individual Files: