Abstract:

This data set contains abundance data for the two dominant infaunal taxa (Donax and Emerita) in swash zone of sandy beaches. Data represent mean densities of swash zone fauna from a series of beaches that were oiled as a result of the DeepWater Horizon oil spill, as well as others which did not receive any oiling. Sampling was conducted in July and September 2011.

Suggested Citation:

Bell, Susan. 2015. Beach infauna from four N.E. Gulf of Mexico beaches: July and September 2011.. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7WH2NDN

Purpose:

This study was designed to collect faunal samples from beaches and provide a basis for comparing trends in oiled versus non oiled beaches. This study build upon data sets from previous studies and also contributes to the establishment of baseline data for beaches in the Gulf of Mexico.

Data Parameters and Units:

column 1: code for site [ORG, PRD, FPICN, PEN, SGPK, SGPB, HMN, LID, CC] and date (DDMMYY) column 2: Latitude (degrees minutes seconds) column 3: Longitude (degrees minutes seconds) column 4: oiled? Y = yes beach was oiled, N = no beach was not oiled column 5: swash zone, relative height, high, mid or low column 6: Dominant taxa (Donax or Emerita) column 7: mean density (per 78.5 cm2 core, n=9) column 8: standard deviation of mean density column 9: median grain size (mm) for each zone per date

Methods:

field sampling lab processing

Individual Files: