Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected 303 surface sediment samples from Dauphin Island, Alabama, and the surrounding water bodies in August 2015. These sediments were processed to determine physical characteristics such as organic content, bulk density, and grain-size. The environments where the sediments were collected include high and low salt marshes, over-wash deposits, dunes, beaches, sheltered bays, and open water. Sampling by the USGS was part of a larger study to assess the feasibility and sustainability of proposed restoration efforts for Dauphin Island, Alabama, and assess the island’s resilience to rising sea level and storm events. The data presented in this publication can be used by modelers to attempt validation of hindcast models and create predictive forecast models for both baseline conditions and storms. This study was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, via the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. This report serves as an archive for sedimentological data derived from surface sediments. Downloadable data are available as Excel spreadsheets, JPEG files, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata (data downloads).

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected 303 surface sediment samples from Dauphin Island, Alabama, and the surrounding water bodies in August 2015. These sediments were processed to determine physical characteristics such as organic content, bulk density, and grain-size. The environments where the sediments were collected include high and low salt marshes, over-wash deposits, dunes, beaches, sheltered bays, and open water. Sampling by the USGS was part of a larger study to assess the feasibility and sustainability of proposed restoration efforts for Dauphin Island, Alabama, and assess the island’s resilience to rising sea level and storm events. The data presented in this publication can be used by modelers to attempt validation of hindcast models and create predictive forecast models for both baseline conditions and storms. This study was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, via the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. This report serves as an archive for sedimentological data derived from surface sediments. Downloadable data are available as Excel spreadsheets, JPEG files, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata (data downloads).

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected 303 surface sediment samples from Dauphin Island, Alabama, and the surrounding water bodies in August 2015. These sediments were processed to determine physical characteristics such as organic content, bulk density, and grain-size. The environments where the sediments were collected include high and low salt marshes, over-wash deposits, dunes, beaches, sheltered bays, and open water. Sampling by the USGS was part of a larger study to assess the feasibility and sustainability of proposed restoration efforts for Dauphin Island, Alabama, and assess the island’s resilience to rising sea level and storm events. The data presented in this publication can be used by modelers to attempt validation of hindcast models and create predictive forecast models for both baseline conditions and storms. This study was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, via the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. This report serves as an archive for sedimentological data derived from surface sediments. Downloadable data are available as Excel spreadsheets, JPEG files, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata (data downloads).

Data release doi:10.5066/F71G0KKD associated with this metadata record serves as an archive of sediment data for samples collected in 2015, 2016, and 2017 from coastal Louisiana. In 2015 and 2016, sediment grab samples (N=874) were collected coast-wide along shore-perpendicular transects that included back-barrier, emergent (beach and barrier island), shoreface, and nearshore environments. Sample locations were selected to re-occupy locations previously sampled in 2008 (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS] Open-File Report 2013-1083). The 2008 and 2015-2016 datasets were collected under the Barrier Island Coastal Monitoring (BICM) program (CPRA project LA-0226; https://cims.coastal.louisiana.gov/outreach/ProjectView.aspx?projID=LA-0226), an ongoing collaboration between the State of Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the University of New Orleans (UNO) Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences (PIES), and the USGS. In 2017, additional grab samples (N=77) were collected along shore-perpendicular transects from West Belle Pass to Caminada Pass as part of the CPRA (CPRA project BA-0045; https://cims.coastal.louisiana.gov/outreach/ProjectView.aspx?projID=BA-0045). The 2015, 2016, and 2017 sediment samples were collected by personnel from UNO–PIES and provided to the USGS St. Petersburg and Coastal Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) sediment laboratory. Textural characteristics were analyzed using a Coulter LS 200 particle-size analyzer. Following SPCMSC data management and archiving protocols, the samples were assigned a USGS field activity number (FAN) (https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2015-301-CNT). Data products, including sample location tables, results of sediment grain-size analyses, and geographic information system (GIS) data files with accompanying formal Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata can be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.5066/F71G0KKD.

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a seasonal collection of surficial sediments from Chincoteague Bay and Tom's Cove, located between Assateague Island and the Delmarva Peninsula in March/April 2014 (2014-301-FA) and October 2014 (2014-322-FA). The sampling efforts were part of a larger U.S. Geological Survey study to assess the effects of storm events on sediment distribution. The objective of this study was to characterize the sediments of Chincoteague Bay in order to create baseline conditions to incorporate with hydrodynamic and sediment transport models in order to evaluate pre- and post-storm (Hurricane Sandy) change. This report serves as an archive for sedimentological data derived from the surface sediment. Data are available for a seasonal comparison between March/April 2014 and October 2014. Downloadable data are available as Excel spreadsheets (sediment samples) and as JPEG files (maps). Additional files include: detailed results of sediment grain size analyses, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata (data downloads).

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) conducted a time-series collection of shallow sediment cores from the back-barrier environments along the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana from March 2012 through July 2013. The sampling efforts were part of a larger USGS study to evaluate the effects on the geomorphology of the Chandeleur Islands following the construction of an artificial sand berm in response to the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the back-barrier tidal and wetland environments to the berm. This report serves as an archive for sedimentological, radiochemical, and microbiological data derived from the sediment cores. Data is available for a time-series of four sampling periods: March 2012; July 2013; September 2012; and July 2013. Data is available in downloadable spreadsheet, Joint Photographic Experts Group and Portable Document File formats. Additional files included: ArcGIS shape files of the sample locations, detailed results of sediment grain size analyses, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee (FDGC) metadata.

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected a set of sediment cores from the back-barrier environments along the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, in March 2012. The sampling efforts were part of a larger USGS study to evaluate effects on the geomorphology of the Chandeleur Islands following the construction of an artificial sand berm to reduce oil transport onto federally managed lands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the back-barrier tidal and wetland environments to the berm. This report serves as an archive for sedimentological and radiochemical data derived from the sediment cores. The data described in this report is available for download.

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center collected a set of sediment cores from the back-barrier environments along the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, in March 2012. The sampling efforts were part of a larger USGS study to evaluate effects on the geomorphology of the Chandeleur Islands following the construction of an artificial sand berm to reduce oil transport onto federally managed lands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the back-barrier tidal and wetland environments to the berm. This report serves as an archive for sedimentological and radiochemical data derived from the sediment cores. The data described in this report is available for download.