Abstract:

Samples for sediment grain size, TOC and water content were collected in Spring and Fall 2013 coincident with benthic infauna (UDI R1.x139.144:0020), plant biomass (UDI R1.x139.144:0023), and mussel and snail collections (UDI R1.x139.144:0021) to determine those factors most important in influencing the benthic communities and the intertidal marsh invertebrate distributions.

Suggested Citation:

Rabalais, Nancy. 2016. Ancillary sedimentary data supporting marsh and subtidal benthic community, plant biomass, and marsh invertebrate distribution studies in paired oiled/unoiled sites in coastal Louisiana in Spring and Fall 2013. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N71V5BW1

Purpose:

To determine those factors most important in influencing benthic and interdal marsh invertebrate communities in paired oiled/unoiled sites.

Data Parameters and Units:

Worksheet: Site Information Parameter Descriptions: Attribute_Label: Site Attribute_Definition: Producer defined name of general location sampled Attribute_Label: Hypothesized Site Exposure Type Attribute_Definition: Producer defined classification of the site at the beginning of the project, in regards to possible oil exposure Attribute_Label: Transect # Attribute_Definition: Identifier for individual transects established within each study site Attribute_Label: Distance from marsh edge (m) Attribute_Definition: Distance from edge into marsh where samples were collected (1m = edge, 10 m = interior) Attribute_Label: LAT (decimal degrees) Attribute_Definition: Latitude of each transect in decimal degrees Attribute_Label: LONG (decimal degrees) Attribute_Definition: Longitude of each transect in decimal degrees Worksheet: TOC and Water % Parameter Descriptions: Attribute_Label: Site Attribute_Definition: Producer defined name of general location sampled Attribute_Label: Date Collected Attribute_Definition: Date samples were collected Attribute_Label: Transect # Attribute_Definition: Identifier for individual transects established within each study site Attribute_Label: Distance from marsh edge (m) Attribute_Definition: Distance from edge into marsh where samples were collected (1m = edge, 10 m = interior) Attribute_Label: Replicate # Attribute_Definition: Replicate designator Attribute_Label: Water% Attribute_Definition: Unit indicating the percentage of water in the sediment Attribute_Label: TOC% Attribute_Definition: Unit indicating the percentage of organic matter in the sediment Worksheet: Grain Size Parameter Descriptions: Attribute_Label: Site Attribute_Definition: Producer defined name of general location sampled Attribute_Label: Date Collected Attribute_Definition: Date samples were collected Attribute_Label: Transect # Attribute_Definition: Identifier for individual transects established within each study site Attribute_Label: Distance from marsh edge (m) Attribute_Definition: Distance from edge into marsh where samples were collected (1m = edge, 10 m = interior) Attribute_Label: %clay

Methods:

Samples for water content, total organic matter, and grain size were collected using a 7.62 cm diameter core tube to a depth of 10 cm, placed in zip-loc bags and stored in the freezer until processing (water content by difference between wet and dry weights, organic content by loss on ignition, and grain size by hydrometer or particle analyzer).

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