Benthic organisms and marine toxic substances and pollutants were collected using net casts, sediment sampler, and other instruments from the GYRE and other platforms in NW Atlantic Ocean. Data were collected from 11 November 1983 to 30 July 1986. Data were submitted by Battelle Marine Research Laboratory in New England with support from the New England Shelf and Slope Program. Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard F132- Benthic Organisms and F144- Marine Toxic Substances and Pollutants formats. 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 F144 format contains data on ambient concentrations of toxic substances and other pollutants in the marine environment. The data derive from laboratory analyses of samples of water, sediment, or marine organisms. Samples may have been collected near marine discharge sites or during ocean monitoring surveys of large areas. Field observations of tar deposits on beaches may also be reported. Survey information includes platform type, start and end dates, and investigator and institution. If data are collected near a discharge site, discharge location, depth, distance to shore, average volume, and other characteristics are reported. Position, date, time and environmental conditions are reported for each sample station. Environmental data may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, tide stage and height, depth of the thermocline or mixed layer surface temperature and salinity, and wave height and periods. Sample characteristics, collection methods, and laboratory techniques are reported for each sample collected and analyzed. The data record comprises concentration values (or a code to indicate trace amounts) for each chemical substance analyzed. Chemical substances are identified by codes based on the registry numbers assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) of the American Chemical Society. Marine organisms from which samples have been taken are identified using the 12-digit NODC Taxonomic Code. A text record is available for optional comments.

The accession contains Sediment Toxicity data collected from Gulf of Mexico, Hudson Bay, New York Bight, North American Coastline-North, and Pamlico Sound as part of National Status and Trends (NS&T) program. The data was collected from multiple ships between March 18, 1991 and March 3, 1993 by National Ocean Service, Rockville, MD. Originator's Macintosh Excel data submitted by Dr. Edward R. Long were converted to Lotus 1-2-3 Format at NODC. NOAA initiated an area-wide survey of sediment toxicity in 1991 to provide internally-consistent data on the spatial extent and severity of the toxicity. The intent of this survey was to sample all of the major regions within the study area (Hudson-Raritan Estuary, 40 N and 73 - 74 W), collect surficial fine-grained sediments, and determine the degree of toxicity of the sediments to laboratory organisms. Three toxicity tests were performed: a 10-day, solid phase survival test with the amphipod ampelisca abdita, a 48-hour, elutriate/ liquid phase test of development/survival with the larvae of the clam mulinia lateralis, and a 15-minute organic extract test of bioluminescence with the bacterium photobacterium phosphoreum (microtox test). Data obtained from the study "magnitude and extent of sediment toxicity in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary" was submitted in spreadsheet format in Macintosh Excel. The documentation includes details of the stations, methodology, and summary of results. Additional information may be obtained by contacting: the National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program which has monitored the concentrations of selected toxicants in sediments, oysters, and bottom-dwelling fish in Tampa Bay since 1986. The observation of high concentrations of some chemicals has prompted the NS&T Program to initiate an intensive survey of the biological effects of toxicants in the estuary. NOAA's assessment of the biological effects associated with toxicants in Tampa Bay was initiated with a research plan that involved analyses of three media: sediments, bivalve mollusks, and demersal fish. The sediment toxicity tests were intended to provide information based on laboratory tests in which "natural" factors would be controlled in assessing the significance of the toxicants, and to provide bioeffects information on a small spatial scale. Sediment samples for this study were collected in: Hills- borough Bay, all of Tampa Bay, Boca Ciega Bay, cockroach Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, Manatee River, Anna Maria Sound, St. Petersburg Harbor, Gulfport/Bear Creek, and Charlotte Harbor (i.e., between 27 N and 83 W). NOAA initiated an area-wide survey of sediment toxicity in 1991 to provide internally-consistent data on the spatial extent and severity of the toxicity. The intent of this survey was to sample all of the major regions within the study area (Newark Bay, and Arthur Kill and Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, 40 N and 75 W), collect surficial fine-grained sediments, and determine the degree of toxicity of the sediments to laboratory organisms these data are the results of the amphipod bioassay (with the amphipod ampelisca abdita), expressed in terms of percent survival. The documentation includes details of the stations, methodology, and summary of results. Additional information may be obtained by contacting: NOAA/ORCA/ Bioeffects Assessment Branch 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115.

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.

CTD, marine invertebrate pathology, benthic organisms, and marine toxic substances and pollutants data were collected using CTD, net casts, and other instruments from the SEA TRANSPORTER and other platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Data were collected from 20 May 1978 to 15 January 1979. Data were submitted by the South West Research Institute in Houston with support from the Ocean Continental Shelf (OCS). The F022 format contains high-resolution data collected using CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) and STD (salinity-temperature-depth) instruments. As they are lowered and raised in the oceans, these electronic devices provide nearly continuous profiles of temperature, salinity, and other parameters. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering or obtained by interpolation and may be reported at depth intervals as fine as 1m. Cruise and instrument information, position, date, time and sampling interval are reported for each station. Environmental data at the time of the cast (meteorological and sea surface conditions) may also be reported. The data record comprises values of temperature, salinity or conductivity, density (computed sigma-t), and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity at specified depth or pressure levels. Data may be reported at either equally or unequally spaced depth or pressure intervals. A text record is available for comments. Marine Invertebrate Pathology (F063) contains data from examinations of diseased marine invertebrates. Although these data maybe from field observations, they derive primarily from laboratory analyses. Data include: catch statistics (e.g., total weight, number of individual, identity of disease and number of diseased individuals) by species for any number of species; and biological condition of selected specimens. The size location, and frequency of lesions may be reported for individual specimens. Specimens are identified by an NODC Taxonomic Code. A text record is available for comments. The F132 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. This file contains data on ambient concentrations of toxic substances and other pollutants in the marine environment. The data derive from laboratory analyses of samples of water, sediment, or marine organisms. Samples may have been collected near marine discharge sites or during ocean monitoring surveys of large areas. Field observations of tar deposits on beaches may also be reported. Survey information includes platform type, start and end dates, and investigator and institution. If data are collected near a discharge site, discharge location, depth, distance to shore, average volume, and other characteristics are reported. Position, date, time and environmental conditions are reported for each sample station. Environmental data may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, tide stage and height, depth of the thermocline or mixed layer surface temperature and salinity, and wave height and periods. Sample characteristics, collection methods, and laboratory techniques are reported for each sample collected and analyzed. The data record comprises concentration values (or a code to indicate trace amounts) for each chemical substance analyzed. Chemical substances are

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".

This dataset contains an analog copy of the 1974 Ph.D. dissertation "Some effects of sewage discharge to the marine environment" by Gary Bartlett Smith. The dissertation is available from other sources which can be discovered using WorldCat.org.

Marine chemistry, fish / shell-fish surveys, benthic organisms, and marine toxic substances and pollutants data were collected using current meter and other instruments from J.W. POWELL and other platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Data were collected from 26 January 1993 to 13 June 1994. Data were submitted by Dr. Gary Wolf of Texas A&M University with support from the Gulf of Mexico Offshore Operations Monitoring Experiment (GOOMEX). Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard F069 (Marine Chemistry), F123 (Fish/Shell-fish Surveys), F132 (Benthic Organisms), and F144 (Marine Toxic Substances and Pollutants) formats. The F069 format is used for data from chemical analyses of seawater samples. Cruise information, position, date, and time is reported for each station along with sample depth, temperature, salinity, and density (sigma-t). Chemical and biochemical parameters that may be reported include: dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, inorganic phosphate, and silicate; dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, and particulate organic nitrogen; and apparent oxygen utilization, percent oxygen saturation, adenosine triphosphate, total phaeophytin, total chlorophyll, total suspended matter, total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons, and total resolved light hydrocarbons. 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 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 F144 contains data on ambient concentrations of toxic substances and other pollutants in the marine environment. The data derive from laboratory analyses of samples of water, sediment, or marine organisms. Samples may have been collected near marine discharge sites or during ocean monitoring surveys of large areas. Field observations of tar deposits on beaches may also be reported. Survey information includes platform type, start and end dates, and investigator and institution. If data are collected near a discharge site, discharge location, depth, distance to shore, average volume, and other characteristics are reported. Position, date, time and environmental conditions are reported for each sample station. Environmental data may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, tide stage and height, depth of the thermocline or mixed layer surface temperature and salinity, and wave height and periods. Sample characteristics, collection methods, and