I. Data Set Descriptors A. Title: Daniela Di Iorio. 2001. Spring 2001 CTD profiles for the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Altamaha River transect. Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Data Catalog (data set PHY-GCEM-0111d; http://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/public/app/dataset_details.asp?accession=PHY-GCEM-0111d) B. Accession Number: PHY-GCEM-0111d C. Description 1. Originator(s): Name: Daniela Di Iorio Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: daniela@uga.edu 2. Abstract: A series of four hydrographic surveys were performed from May 30 through June 4, 2001, along an east-to-west transect up the Altamaha River in Georgia. Vertical CTD profiles were collected at 1-2km intervals from 4km east of the line of demarcation (station -4) to 28km upriver along the transect during various tidal regimes. Conductivity, temperature, pressure and optical backscatter were measured, and depth, salinity and sigma-t were calculated for each profile. Data values collected on the upcast were deleted, and the remaining data were averaged within 0.5m depth bins and interpolated to produce a smooth profile for contouring. This data set was collected as part of the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER quarterly hydrographic monitoring program. 3. Study Type: Monitoring 4. Study Themes: Physical Oceanography, Hydrography 5. LTER Core Areas: Inorganic Nutrients 6. Georeferences: geographic coordinates as data columns 7. Submission Date: Nov 19, 2001 D. Keywords: conductivity, Cruise CTD Profiling, density, depth, estuaries, hydrography, Inorganic Nutrients, pressure, salinity, temperature, water column II. Research Origin Descriptors A. Overall Project Description 1. Project Title: Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Project 2. Principal Investigators: Name: James T. Hollibaugh Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: aquadoc@uga.edu 3. Funding Period: May 01, 2000 to May 01, 2006 4. Objectives: To investigate the linkages between coastal and distant upland areas in central Georgia mediated by surface and ground water delivery to the coastal zone. This will be addressed by examining the relationship between variability in environmental factors driven by river flow, primarily salinity, and ecosystem processes and structure. 5. Abstract: We propose to establish a Long Term Ecological Research site on the central Georgia coast in the vicinity of Sapelo Island. This is a barrier island and marsh complex with the Altamaha River, one of the largest and least developed rivers on the east coast of the US, as the primary source of fresh water. The proposed study would investigate the linkages between local and distant upland areas mediated by water - surface water and ground water - delivery to the coastal zone. We would explicitly examine the relationship between variability in environmental factors driven by river flow, primarily salinity because we can measure it at high frequency, and ecosystem processes and structure. We will accomplish this by comparing estuary/marsh complexes separated from the Altamaha River by one or two lagoonal estuary/marsh complexes that damp and attenuate the river signal. This spatial gradient is analogous to the temporal trend in riverine influence expected as a result of development in the watershed. We will implement a monitoring system that documents physical and biological variables and use the time trends and spatial distributions of these variables and of their variance structure to address questions about the factors controlling distributions, trophic structure, diversity, and biogeochemistry. An existing GIS-based hydrologic model will be modified to incorporate changes in river water resulting from changes in land use patterns that can be expected as the watershed develops. This model will be linked to ecosystem models and will serve as an heuristic and management tool. Another consequence of coastal development is that as river flow decreases, groundwater flow increases and becomes nutrified. We will compare the effects of ground water discharge from the surficial aquifer in relatively pristine (Sapelo Island) versus more urbanized (mainland) sites to assess the relative importance of fresh water versus nutrients to productivity, structure and biomass turnover rate in marshes influenced by groundwater. We will also investigate the effect of marine processes (tides, storm surge) on mixing across the fresh/salt interface in the surficial aquifer. Additional physical studies will relate the morphology of salt marsh - tidal creek channel complexes to tidal current distributions and exchange. These findings will be incorporated into a physical model that will be coupled to an existing ecosystem model. The land/ocean margin ecosystem lies at the interface between two ecosystems in which distinctly different groups of decomposers control organic matter degradation. The terrestrial ecosystem is largely dominated by fungal decomposers, while bacterial decomposers dominate the marine ecosystem. Both groups are important in salt marsh-dominated ecosystems. Specific studies will examine, at the level of individual cells and hyphae, the relationship bacteria and fungi in the consortia that decompose standing dead Spartina and other marsh plants and examine how, or if, this changes along the salinity gradient. 6. Funding Source: NSF OCE 9982133 B. Sub-project Description 1. Site Description a. Geographic Location: GCE-AL -- Altamaha River, Georgia, USA AL+00 -- AL+00 AL+02 -- AL+02 AL+04 -- AL+04 AL+06 -- AL+06 AL+08 -- AL+08 AL+10 -- AL+10 AL+12 -- AL+12 AL+14 -- AL+14 AL+16 -- AL+16 AL+18 -- AL+18 AL+19 -- AL+19 AL+20 -- AL+20 AL+22 -- AL+22 AL+24 -- AL+24 AL+26 -- AL+26 AL+28 -- AL+28 AL-01 -- AL-01 AL-02 -- AL-02 AL-03 -- AL-03 AL-04 -- AL-04 Coordinates: GCE-AL -- NW: 081 34 56.32 W, 31 24 05.05 N NE: 081 14 16.57 W, 31 24 05.05 N SE: 081 14 16.57 W, 31 17 45.72 N SW: 081 34 56.32 W, 31 17 45.72 N AL+00 -- 081 17 09.0 W, 31 19 06.0 N AL+02 -- 081 18 24.0 W, 31 19 15.0 N AL+04 -- 081 19 39.0 W, 31 19 12.0 N AL+06 -- 081 20 48.0 W, 31 18 48.0 N AL+08 -- 081 22 03.0 W, 31 19 12.0 N AL+10 -- 081 23 15.0 W, 31 18 57.0 N AL+12 -- 081 24 03.0 W, 31 18 21.0 N AL+14 -- 081 24 54.0 W, 31 18 24.0 N AL+16 -- 081 25 54.0 W, 31 18 42.0 N AL+18 -- 081 26 06.0 W, 31 19 42.6 N AL+19 -- 081 26 35.4 W, 31 19 53.4 N AL+20 -- 081 27 09.0 W, 31 19 36.0 N AL+22 -- 081 27 54.0 W, 31 20 06.0 N AL+24 -- 081 28 30.0 W, 31 20 12.0 N AL+26 -- 081 28 54.0 W, 31 20 57.0 N AL+28 -- 081 29 03.0 W, 31 22 03.0 N AL-01 -- 081 16 32.4 W, 31 18 58.2 N AL-02 -- 081 15 55.2 W, 31 18 50.4 N AL-03 -- 081 15 15.6 W, 31 18 45.6 N AL-04 -- 081 14 36.0 W, 31 18 42.0 N b. Physiographic Region: GCE-AL -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+00 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+02 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+04 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+06 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+08 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+10 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+12 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+14 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+16 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+18 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+19 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+20 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+22 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+24 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+26 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL+28 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL-01 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL-02 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL-03 -- Estuary and tidal marsh AL-04 -- Estuary and tidal marsh c. Landform Components: GCE-AL -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+00 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+02 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+04 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+06 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+08 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+10 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+12 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+14 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+16 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+18 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+19 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+20 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+22 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+24 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+26 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL+28 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL-01 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL-02 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL-03 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks AL-04 -- Intertidal marsh bordering sounds, tidal channels and creeks d. Hydrographic Characteristics: GCE-AL -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+00 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+02 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+04 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+06 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+08 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+10 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+12 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+14 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+16 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+18 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+19 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+20 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+22 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+24 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+26 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL+28 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL-01 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL-02 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL-03 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. AL-04 -- Site encompasses the Altamaha River estuary and nearby tidal creeks, and is subject to 2-3.4m semi-diurnal tides. High freshwater input from the Altamaha River, one of the largest rivers in the Southeastern United States. e. Topographic Attributes: GCE-AL -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+00 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+02 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+04 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+06 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+08 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+10 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+12 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+14 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+16 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+18 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+19 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+20 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+22 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+24 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+26 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL+28 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL-01 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL-02 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL-03 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide AL-04 -- Flat, with elevations ranging from 0-3.4m above mean low tide f. Geology, Lithology and Soils: GCE-AL -- unspecified AL+00 -- unspecified AL+02 -- unspecified AL+04 -- unspecified AL+06 -- unspecified AL+08 -- unspecified AL+10 -- unspecified AL+12 -- unspecified AL+14 -- unspecified AL+16 -- unspecified AL+18 -- unspecified AL+19 -- unspecified AL+20 -- unspecified AL+22 -- unspecified AL+24 -- unspecified AL+26 -- unspecified AL+28 -- unspecified AL-01 -- unspecified AL-02 -- unspecified AL-03 -- unspecified AL-04 -- unspecified g. Vegetation Communities: GCE-AL -- unspecified AL+00 -- unspecified AL+02 -- unspecified AL+04 -- unspecified AL+06 -- unspecified AL+08 -- unspecified AL+10 -- unspecified AL+12 -- unspecified AL+14 -- unspecified AL+16 -- unspecified AL+18 -- unspecified AL+19 -- unspecified AL+20 -- unspecified AL+22 -- unspecified AL+24 -- unspecified AL+26 -- unspecified AL+28 -- unspecified AL-01 -- unspecified AL-02 -- unspecified AL-03 -- unspecified AL-04 -- unspecified h. History of Land Use and Disturbance: none recorded i. Climate: Climate summary for Sapelo Island, Georgia, based on NWS data from 1980-2010: Daily-aggregated Values: Mean (sample standard deviation) mean air temperature: 20.09°C (7.28°C) minimum air temperature: 15.02°C (7.96°C) maximum air temperature: 24.82°C (6.98°C) total precipitation: 3.26mm (10.3mm) Yearly-aggregated Daily Values: Mean (sample standard deviation) total precipitation (1980-2010): 1124mm (266mm) 2. Experimental or Sampling Design a. Design Characteristics: Study 1: Survey 1 -- An upriver (east-to-west) survey was conducted along the Altamaha River transect from 4km east of the line of demarcation (station -4) to 26km upriver. The R/V Bluefin was used to survey the portion downriver from Buttermilk Sound (-4km to 14km), and the R/V Salty Dawg was deployed simultaneously to survey the upriver portion (16km to 26km). The tidal condition was low water at the start of the survey. Study 2: Survey 2 -- An upriver (east-to-west) survey was conducted along the Altamaha River transect from 2km east of the line of demarcation (station -2) to 28km upriver. The R/V Bluefin was used to survey the downriver portion (-2km to 18km), and the R/V Salty Dawg was deployed simultaneously to survey the upriver portion (20km to 28km). The tidal condition was high water at the start of the survey. Study 3: Survey 3 -- An upriver (east-to-west) survey was conducted along the Altamaha River transect from 3km east of the line of demarcation (station -3) to 28km upriver. The R/V Bluefin was used to survey the downriver portion (-3km to 19km), and the R/V Salty Dawg was deployed simultaneously to survey the upriver portion (20km to 28km). The tidal condition was high water at the start of the survey. Study 4: Survey 4 -- An upriver (east-to-west) survey was conducted along the Altamaha River transect from 3km east of the line of demarcation (station -3) to 28km upriver. The R/V Bluefin was used to survey the portion downriver from Buttermilk Sound (-3km to 14km), and the R/V Salty Dawg was deployed simultaneously to survey the upriver portion (16km to 28km). The tidal condition was low water at the start of the survey. b. Permanent Plots: Study 1: none Study 2: none Study 3: none Study 4: none c. Data Collection Duration and Frequency: Study 1: CTD profiles were collected at 1-2km intervals along the transect. Study 2: CTD profiles were collected at 2km intervals along the transect. Study 3: CTD profiles were collected at 1-2km intervals along the transect. Study 4: CTD profiles were collected at 1-2km intervals along the transect. Beginning of Observations: Study 1: May 30, 2001 Study 2: May 30, 2001 Study 3: Jun 04, 2001 Study 4: Jun 04, 2001 End of Observations: Study 1: May 30, 2001 Study 2: May 30, 2001 Study 3: Jun 04, 2001 Study 4: Jun 04, 2001 3. Research Methods a. Field and Laboratory Methods: Method 1: CTD Profiling (R/V Bluefin) -- The CTD instrument package was mounted inside an open stainless steel frame and deployed from the deck of the R/V Bluefin (UNOLS vessel, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography) using a hydrographic winch fitted with Kevlar(R) line. The CTD was lowered to just below the water surface and allowed to equilibrate for 45-60 seconds, then lowered at approximately 1 m/s until the frame touched bottom. Data was collected via telemetry cables in real time at 2-4 Hz and logged to a shipboard computer. Data was also logged to the internal CTD datalogger at 4-6 Hz and periodically downloaded to a shipboard computer. Method 2: CTD Profiling (R/V Salty Dawg) -- The CTD instrument package was deployed from the deck of the R/V Salty Dawg (University of Georgia Marine Institute) using a hand winch fitted with Kevlar(R) line. The CTD was lowered to just below the water surface and allowed to equilibrate for 45-60 seconds, then lowered at approximately 0.25-0.5m/s to within 1m of the bottom. Data was stored using an internal data logger, and uploaded to a shipboard computer at the end of each transect. b. Instrumentation: Method 1: SBE 25 Sealogger CTD (#250) Conductivity Sensor Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. (Model: 4C 6800m) Last Calibration: Apr 15, 1999 Parameter: conductivity (Accuracy: 0.0003 S/m, Readability: 0.00004 S/m, Range: 0 to 7 S/m) Protocol: instrument is soaked at the surface for 60 seconds, then lowered by winch for vertical profling SBE 25 Sealogger CTD (#250) Optical Back Scatter Sensor Manufacturer: D&A Instruments (Model: OBS-3) Parameter: optical backscatter (turbidity) (Range: 1-3000 mg/L sediment, 1-1500 NTU) Protocol: instrument is soaked at the surface for 60 seconds, then lowered by winch for vertical profling SBE 25 Sealogger CTD (#250) Pressure Sensor Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. (Model: SBE 29 (PAINE 211-75-710-03)) Last Calibration: Apr 27, 1999 Parameter: pressure (Accuracy: 0.25%, Range: 0-1000 psia) Protocol: instrument is soaked at the surface for 60 seconds, then lowered by winch for vertical profling SBE 25 Sealogger CTD (#250) Temperature Sensor Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. (Model: 3F 6800m) Last Calibration: Apr 06, 1999 Parameter: temperature (Accuracy: +/-0.001°C, Range: -5.0°C to +35°C) Protocol: instrument is soaked at the surface for 60 seconds, then lowered by winch for vertical profling Method 2: SEACAT SBE 19 CTD (#1234) Conductivity Sensor Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. (Model: SBE 19-03) Last Calibration: Apr 07, 1993 Parameter: conductivity (Range: standard seawater) Protocol: instrument is soaked at the surface for 60 seconds, then lowered into the water using a hydrographic winch to perform vertical profiling SEACAT SBE 19 CTD (#1234) Pressure Sensor Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. (Model: PAINE 211-75-710-01) Last Calibration: Apr 13, 1993 Parameter: pressure (Accuracy: 0.15%, Range: 0-300 psia) Protocol: instrument is soaked at the surface for 60 seconds, then lowered into the water using a hydrographic winch to perform vertical profiling SEACAT SBE 19 CTD (#1234) Temperature Sensor Manufacturer: Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. (Model: SBE 19-03) Last Calibration: Apr 07, 1993 Parameter: temperature (Range: -5.0 to +35.0°C) Protocol: instrument is soaked at the surface for 60 seconds, then lowered into the water using a hydrographic winch to perform vertical profiling c. Taxonomy and Systematics: Method 1: not applicable Method 2: not applicable d. Permit History: Method 1: none Method 2: none 4. Project Personnel a. Personnel: 1: Daniela Di Iorio 2: KiRyong Kang b. Affiliations: 1: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 2: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia III. Data Set Status and Accessibility A. Status 1. Latest Update: 19-Feb-2012 2. Latest Archive Date: 18-Nov-2011 3. Latest Metadata Update: 19-Feb-2012 4. Data Verification Status: Reviewed by GCE-LTER IM B. Accessibility 1. Storage Location and Medium: Stored at GCE-LTER Data Management Office Dept. of Marine Sciences Univ. of Georgia Athens, GA 30602-3636 USA on media: electronic data download (WWW) or compact disk 2. Contact Person: Name: Wade M. Sheldon, Jr. Address: Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-3636 Country: USA Email: sheldon@uga.edu 3. Copyright Restrictions: not copyrighted 4. Restrictions: All publications based on this data set must cite the contributor and Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER project, and two copies of the manuscript must be submitted to the GCE-LTER Information Management Office. a. Release Date: GCE LTER Affiliates: Nov 19, 2001, Public: Nov 19, 2002 b. Citation: Data provided by the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Project, supported by funds from NSF OCE 9982133 (data set PHY-GCEM-0111d) c. Disclaimer: The user assumes all responsibility for errors in judgement based on interpretation of data and analyses presented in this data set. 5. Costs: free electronic data download via WWW, distribution on CD may be subject to nominal processing and handling fee IV. Data Structural Descriptors A. Data Set File 1. File Name: PHY-GCEM-0111d_4_2.CSV 2. Size: 733 records 3. File Format: ASCII text (comma-separated value format) 3a. Delimiters: single comma 4. Header Information: 5 lines of ASCII text 5. Alphanumeric Attributes: upper case 6. Quality Control Flag Codes: I = invalid value (out of range), Q = questionable value 7. Authentication Procedures: not specified 8. Calculations: Sigma_t: (Water Density-1)*1000 9. Processing History: Software version: GCE Data Toolbox Version 3.30 (09-Feb-2012) Data structure version: GCE Data Structure 1.1 (29-Mar-2001) Original data file processed: prf_alt0501_bip.dat (1564 records) Data processing history: 10-Jul-2002: new GCE Data Structure 1.1 created ('newstruct') 10-Jul-2002: CTD profile data imported from 'prf_alt0501_bip.dat' ('imp_ctdprofile') 10-Jul-2002: column descriptor metadata assigned using template 'CTD_Profile' ('meta_template') 10-Jul-2002: updated 12 metadata fields in the Dataset, Site, Status, Study sections ('imp_ctdprofile') 10-Jul-2002: data structure validated ('gce_valid') 10-Jul-2002: removed 831 rows with empty values in columns Depth, Temperature, Conductivity, Salinity, Density, Sigma_t and OBS ('compactrows') 10-Jul-2002: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 10-Jul-2002: imported Data, Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 10-Jul-2002: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 18-Oct-2002: imported study, status, supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 18-Oct-2002: updated 40 metadata fields in the Data, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 30-Oct-2003: imported Data, Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 30-Oct-2003: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 02-Nov-2003: imported Data, Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 02-Nov-2003: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 03-Nov-2003: imported Data, Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 03-Nov-2003: Q/C flagging criteria applied, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 25-Oct-2004: added column 'Cruise' at position 0 ('addcol') 08-Nov-2005: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 08-Nov-2005: updated 66 metadata fields in the Data, Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 17-Apr-2006: standardized case of date component column units to prevent unit conversion issues ('batch_update_datetime'): updated units for column Year from 'yyyy' to 'YYYY'; updated units for column Month from 'mm' to 'MM'; updated units for column Day from 'dd' to 'DD' 26-Mar-2008: 19 values in 'Station' were updated with new values ('update_data'): changed record 380 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 381 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 382 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 383 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 384 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 385 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 386 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 387 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 388 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 389 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 390 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 602 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 603 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 604 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 605 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 606 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 607 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 608 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00', changed record 609 from 'AL-00' to 'AL+00' 26-Mar-2008: Q/C flagging criteria applied for column(s) Station, 'flags' field updated ('dataflag') 25-Aug-2011: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 25-Aug-2011: updated 57 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 25-Aug-2011: matched geographic location names in column Station to registered locations in 'geo_locations.mat' to generate column Transect containing corresponding sites/transects ('add_sitenames') 25-Aug-2011: added column 'Transect' at position 11 ('addcol') 25-Aug-2011: added column 'SurveyName' at position 13 ('addcol') 25-Aug-2011: added geographic metadata based on matching values in columns Transect and Station to site and transect names registered in 'geo_polygons.mat' and location and station names registered in 'geo_locations.mat' ('add_sitemetadata') 25-Aug-2011: updated 9 metadata fields in the Site, Status sections ('add_sitemetadata') 15-Nov-2011: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 15-Nov-2011: updated 57 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 18-Nov-2011: imported Dataset, Project, Site, Study, Status, Supplement metadata descriptors from the GCE Metabase ('imp_gcemetadata') 18-Nov-2011: updated 57 metadata fields in the Dataset, Project, Site, Status, Study, Supplement sections ('imp_gcemetadata') 19-Feb-2012: updated 7 metadata fields in the Data, Status sections ('exp_ascii') 19-Feb-2012: updated 15 metadata fields in the Status, Data sections to reflect attribute metadata ('updatecols') 19-Feb-2012: parsed and formatted metadata ('listmeta') B. Variable Information 1. Variable Name: column 1. Cruise column 2. Year column 3. Month column 4. Day column 5. Hour column 6. Longitude column 7. Latitude column 8. Depth_Total column 9. RealTime column 10. CTD column 11. Transect column 12. Station column 13. SurveyName column 14. Survey column 15. Cast column 16. Depth column 17. Temperature column 18. Conductivity column 19. Salinity column 20. Density column 21. Sigma_t column 22. OBS 2. Variable Definition: column 1. GCE-LTER research cruise identifier (LTER[MM][YY]) column 2. Calendar year column 3. Calendar month column 4. Calendar day column 5. Fractional hours GMT column 6. Geographic longitude column 7. Geographic latitude column 8. Water column depth measured by shipboard SONAR column 9. Real-time profile data flag (low frequency data collection rate) column 10. ID number of CTD instrument used for the cast column 11. GCE cruise transect column 12. GCE-LTER sampling station column 13. Cruise survey title column 14. Nominal survey column 15. CTD cast number column 16. Water depth at pressure sensor column 17. Water temperature column 18. Conductivity column 19. Salinity column 20. Water density column 21. Sigma-t (i.e. (Water Density-1)*1000) column 22. Optical back-scatter 3. Units of Measurement: column 1. none column 2. YYYY column 3. MM column 4. DD column 5. hours column 6. degrees column 7. degrees column 8. m column 9. none column 10. none column 11. none column 12. none column 13. none column 14. none column 15. none column 16. m column 17. °C column 18. S/m column 19. PSU column 20. kg/m^3 column 21. kg/m^3 column 22. unspecified 4. Data Type a. Storage Type: column 1. alphanumeric column 2. integer column 3. integer column 4. integer column 5. floating-point column 6. floating-point column 7. floating-point column 8. floating-point column 9. integer column 10. integer column 11. alphanumeric column 12. alphanumeric column 13. alphanumeric column 14. integer column 15. integer column 16. floating-point column 17. floating-point column 18. floating-point column 19. floating-point column 20. floating-point column 21. floating-point column 22. floating-point b. Variable Codes: CTD: 250 = DiIorio SBE25 CTD, 208 = SkIO SBE25 CTD, 1234 = UGA Marine Sciences SBE19 CTD c. Numeric Range: column 1. (none) column 2. 2001 to 2001 column 3. 5 to 6 column 4. 4 to 30 column 5. 11.0168 to 21.0279 column 6. -81.4833 to -81.2433 column 7. 31.305 to 31.3672 column 8. 3.081 to 12.145 column 9. 0 to 1 column 10. 250 to 1234 column 11. (none) column 12. (none) column 13. (none) column 14. 1 to 4 column 15. 1 to 68 column 16. 1 to 12 column 17. 25.6555 to 29.0092 column 18. 0.0249 to 5.4336 column 19. 0.1147 to 34.7494 column 20. 996.0469 to 1022.7111 column 21. -3.9592 to 22.6766 column 22. (none) d. Missing Value Code: 5. Data Format a. Column Type: column 1. text column 2. numerical column 3. numerical column 4. numerical column 5. numerical column 6. numerical column 7. numerical column 8. numerical column 9. numerical column 10. numerical column 11. text column 12. text column 13. text column 14. numerical column 15. numerical column 16. numerical column 17. numerical column 18. numerical column 19. numerical column 20. numerical column 21. numerical column 22. numerical b. Number of Columns: 22 c. Decimal Places: column 1. 0 column 2. 0 column 3. 0 column 4. 0 column 5. 3 column 6. 5 column 7. 5 column 8. 2 column 9. 0 column 10. 0 column 11. 0 column 12. 0 column 13. 0 column 14. 0 column 15. 0 column 16. 3 column 17. 3 column 18. 3 column 19. 3 column 20. 3 column 21. 3 column 22. 2 6. Logical Variable Type: column 1. nominal (none) column 2. datetime (discrete) column 3. datetime (discrete) column 4. datetime (discrete) column 5. datetime (continuous) column 6. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 7. geographic coordinate (continuous) column 8. data (continuous) column 9. logical (discrete) column 10. coded value (discrete) column 11. nominal (none) column 12. nominal (none) column 13. nominal (none) column 14. nominal (discrete) column 15. nominal (discrete) column 16. calculation (continuous) column 17. calculation (continuous) column 18. calculation (continuous) column 19. calculation (continuous) column 20. calculation (continuous) column 21. calculation (continuous) column 22. calculation (continuous) 7. Flagging Criteria: column 1. none column 2. x<2000="Q", x>2006="Q" column 3. x<1="I", x>12="I" column 4. x<1="I", x>366="I" column 5. x<0="I", x>24="I" column 6. x<-82="Q", x>-80="Q" column 7. x<31="Q", x>32="Q" column 8. x<0="I", x>50="Q" column 9. x<0="I", x>1="I" column 10. none column 11. none column 12. none column 13. none column 14. none column 15. x<0="I" column 16. x<0="I", x>50="Q" column 17. x<2="Q", x>35="Q" column 18. none column 19. x<0="I", x>36="Q" column 20. none column 21. x<-5="Q", x>28="Q" column 22. none C. Data Anomalies: none noted V. Supplemental Descriptors A. Data Acquisition 1. Data Forms: Copies of CTD cast logs and raw data are maintained at the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Information Management Office 2. Form Location: GCE-LTER Information Management Office, Dept. of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 3. Data Entry Validation: not specified B. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: QA/QC flags are generated automatically according to domain criteria specified for each data column. A flag column is generated and appended to the data table if any flags are assigned to any value, listing the flags for each column on each row. C. Supplemental Materials: not applicable D. Computer Programs: Sea-Bird Electronics Sea-Soft version 4.246, Matlab version 6.1 E. Archival Practices: Data sets and documentation are stored in structured binary (Matlab 5.x files) and delimited ASCII text formats, and archived on magnetic tape and CD at the GCE LTER Information Management Office at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA F. Publications: not specified G. History of Data Set Usage 1. Data Request History: not specified 2. Data Set Update History: none 3. Review History: none 4. Questions and Comments from Users: none