Bimonthly surveys of benthic fauna were conducted at four sites in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta from November 1981 to September 1982. Two sites were at the upper reaches of the river delta, and two were at the mouth. Fauna were enumerated and identified to lowest taxon possible. Hydrographic data were also collected, including temperature, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.

Beginning in late 1979, the Alabama Coastal Area Board (CAB) funded a series of baseline surveys on the coastal resources of Alabama, from which they could develop a monitoring program to observe any significant changes in the resources over time. Eight stations within Mobile Bay were sampled monthly from April 1980 to April 1981. Data collected included samples for benthic fauna, pelagic fauna, sediment particle size, total organic carbon, foraminifera, zooplankton, phytoplankton, chlorophyll, turbidity, river flow, and hydrographic parameters. The subset of data presented here are for sediment particle size, total organic carbon, and foraminifera. Data are available from April 1980 to April 1981 for eight stations (14 sampling trips), and one station until August 1981 (4 additional trips).

Benthic organism were collected using sediment sampler, BT, and bottle casts from the EASTWARD and other platforms in the Georges' Bank from 10 July 1981 to 08 June 1984. Data were submitted by the Battelle Marine Research Laboratory in New England with support from Ocean Continental Shelf - Georges' Bank project. The F132 format contains data from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms. The data provide information on species abundance, distribution, and biomass; they may have been collected by point sampling (grab or core), by tow (dredge, trawl or net), by photographic surveys, or by other methods. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator, and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Environmental data reported at each sampling site may include meteorological and sea surface conditions; surface and bottom temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen; and sediment characteristics. Number of individual organisms and total weight of organisms is reported for each species. A text record is available for comments.

The three files contain trace metal data from North, Central and South Atlantic observed in bottom sediment samples along the East Coast Continental Slope and Rise region. Samples were collected from a large number of surveys from May 1983 to July 1986. These data were collected by National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole for the US East Coast Continental Rise/Slope region. The documentation includes the field variables (including region, box core number, location, and type of metal recorded) and a listing of cruises.

Chemical, benthic organisms, and other data were collected using moored current meter casts and other instruments in the Gulf of Mexico from November 11, 1983 to November 13, 1984. Data were submitted by Alaska Research Associates, Inc., as part of the Gulf of Mexico North Continental Slope Study (MNCSS) project. Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard F004 Water Physics and Chemistry, F123 Fish Shellfish Resource, and F132 Benthic Organisms formats. The F004 format is used for data from measurements and analyses of physical and chemical characteristics of the water column. Among chemical parameters that may be recorded are salinity, pH, and concentration of oxygen, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, chlorophyll, and suspended solids. Physical parameters that may be recorded include temperature, density (sigma-t), transmissivity, and current velocity (east-west and north-south components). Cruise and station information, including environmental conditions of the study site at the time of observations, is also included. The F123 format is used for data from field sampling of marine fish and shellfish. The data derive from analysis of midwater or bottom tow catches and provide information on population density and distribution. Cruise information, position, date, time, gear type, fishing distance and duration, and number of hauls are reported for each survey. Environmental data may include meteorological conditions, surface and bottom temperature and salinity, and current direction and speed. Bottom trawl or other gear dimensions and characteristics are also reported. Catch statistics (e.g., weight, volume, number of fish per unit volume) may be reported for both total haul and for individual species. Biological characteristics of selected specimens, predator/ prey information (from stomach contents analysis), and growth data may also be included. A text record is available for comments. The F132 format contains data from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms. The data provide information on species abundance, distribution, and biomass; they may have been collected by point sampling (grab or core), by tow (dredge, trawl or net), by photographic surveys, or by other methods. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator, and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Environmental data reported at each sampling site may include meteorological and sea surface conditions; surface and bottom temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen; and sediment characteristics. Number of individual organisms and total weight of organisms is reported for each species. A text record is available for comments.

These data were collected to evaluate the best measures of the effect of contaminants on the biota to be used as part of the National Status and Trends Program. Sediment and benthic samples were collected in coastal waters around San Francisco Bay, specifically from the Russian River to Santa Cruz. The samples were collected from November 1, 1986 to February 27, 1987. Each sample was tested for trace metal and organic compound concentrations, organic carbon and texture. The originator's data are in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet submitted by Dr. Edward Long from NOS/CEAB. They are documented in the NOAA technical memorandum nos OMA 45 (1989) titled "An Evaluation of Candidate Measures of Biological Effects for the National Status and Trends Program".