US Department of Commerce (USDOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research (CCEHBR). 2001 database Charleston, South Carolina NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) http://www.nbi.noaa.gov The toxicity of sediments in Biscayne Bay and many adjoining tributaries was determined as part of a bioeffects assessments program managed by NOAA's National Status and Trends Program. Biscayne Bay was selected by NOAA for this survey because data from the NS&T Mussel Watch Program and data from previous surveys of the bay had shown a potential for toxicity and other adverse biological effects. In addition, no bay-wide information had been generated on the toxicological condition of the bay sediments and several agencies had indicated a need for this type of data and a willingness to assist NOAA in collecting them.The study area was defined as extending from Dumbfoundling Bay at the north end to Little Card Sound at the south end, seaward to the barrier islands or reef, and landward to the shoreline or saltwater control structures. This area was determined to encompass a total of 484 kilometers of the sea floor. During 1995 and 1996, 226 samples were collected from randomly-chosen locations and tested for toxicity and analyzed for chemical concentrations. Data from these tests and analyses are included in the report. Samples for benthic community analyses were collected at one-third of the stations; however, data from those analyses are not included in the report but are available from NOAA's online database <http://nbi.noaa.gov/mapBiscaynebay.aspx>.The survey was designed to characterize sediment quality throughout the greater Biscayne Bay area. Surficial sediment samples were collected during 1995 and 1996 from 226 randomly-chosen locations throughout nine major regions. Laboratory toxicity tests were performed as indicators of potential ecotoxicological effects in sediments. A battery of tests was performed to generate information from different phases (components) of the sediments. Tests were selected to represent a range in toxicological endpoints from acute to chronic sublethal responses. Toxicological tests were conducted to measure: reduced survival of adult amphipods exposed to solid-phase sediments; impaired fertilization success and abnormal morphological development in gametes and embryos, respectively, of sea urchins exposed to pore waters; reduced metabolic activity of a marine bioluminescent bacteria exposed to organic solvent extracts; induction of a cytochrome P-450 reporter gene system in exposures to solvent extracts; and reduced reproductive success in marine copepods exposed to solid-phase sediments.The full report is available online at <http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/cit/nsandt/download/documents/BI1/BI1_report.pdf> Specific objectives of the study were to: (1) determine the incidence and degree of toxicity of sediments throughout the study area; (2) determine the spatial patterns (or gradients) in chemical contamination and toxicity, if any, throughout the study area; (3) determine the spatial extent of chemical contamination and toxicity; (4) determine the statistical relationships between measures of toxicity and concentrations of chemical substances in the sediments. Further information related to this dataset is available at http://nsandt.noaa.gov. 1999 1999 observed Complete As needed Biscayne and Manatee Bays, Florida -80.5 -80.1 25.9 25.2 None coastal marine latitude longitude taxa infauna macroinfauna benthic species Coastal Monitoring oceans temperature salinity depth grain size abundance Taxonomic serial number None Biscayne Bay Atlantic Ocean Coastal Florida None Marine invertebrate infauna macroinfauna benthic benthos benthic macroinfauna Unknown Unknown database After the original taxonomic classification was completed for these samples a Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) was assigned to each taxa. This TSN was based upon the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS, www.itis.usda.gov) and usually represents a one to one correlation, where the taxa name in this database matches the taxa name associated with the assigned TSN in the ITIS database (e.g., Owenia fusiformis TSN-67647). However, a one to one correlation was not always possible. When a species was identified as part of this database, but there was no TSN available for that exact taxa then the next existing TSN in that species' taxonomic hierarchy was used (e.g., Original name = Amathimysis serrata; ITIS Name = Amathimysis TSN = 90335; Reason for Discrepancy = New species name, not updated in ITIS database). Barry A. Vittor & Associates mailing Mobile AL 36695 251-633-6100 Samples were live-sieved in the field on 0.5mm wire mesh sieves and all material retained on the screen was preserved with 10% buffered formalin with Rose Bengal dye. In the laboratory these previously fixed samples were re-sieved and transferred to a 70%-ethanol solution. All benthic macroinfauna retained on the 0.5mm screen were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level, usually species.The level of taxonomy varied depending upon the salinity of the habitat from which the samples were collected. Oligochaetes and chironomids from tidal fresh and oligohaline salinity zones were identified to species (or lowest possible taxon) whereas individuals of these groups from higher salinities (> 5) were not identified to the species level. Additionally, certain faunal groups were not identified to the species level due to inherent taxonomic difficulties associated with the group and the limited value to be gained relative to the effort required for the additional level of detail. These groups and the corresponding level of expected taxonomic classification are as follows:Phylum Porifera (Sponges) - Phylum; Phylum Ectoprocta (Bryozoans) - Phylum; Class Hydrozoa - Order (e.g., Hydroida, Actinulida); Class Hirudinea - Class; Class Anthozoa - Order [e.g., Alcyonacea (soft corals), Gorgonacea (sea fans and whips), Pennnatulacea (sea pens), Actiniaria (sea anemones), Scleractinia, (stony corals), Ceriantharia]; Other Dipteran Families - Family (e.g., Ceratopogonidae, Chaoboridae). individuals USDOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCEHBR/Coastal Ecology physical Charleston SC 29412 843-762-8511 www.nbi.noaa.gov All benthic macroinfauna (> 0.5mm) were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level, usually species.The taxonomic classification system described in this metadata covers the major taxonomic categories of the database from Kingdom down to the level of Order only. This does not represent the more detailed taxonomic information that is available in database (usually species). Kingdom Animalia Phylum Annelida Class Clitellata Order Haplotaxida Class Polychaeta Order Aciculata Order Canalipalpata Phylum Arthropoda Subphylum Crustacea Class Malacostraca Order Amphipoda Order Cumacea Order Decapoda Order Isopoda Order Mysida Order Tanaidacea Phylum Chordata Subphylum Tunicata Class Ascidiacea Class Cephalochordata Phylum Cnidaria Class Anthozoa Order Actiniaria Order Pennatulacea Phylum Echinodermata Subphylum Echinozoa Class Echinoidea Order Clypeasteroida Class Holothuroidea Order Dendrochirotida Class Stelleroidea Order Ophiurida Phylum Mollusca Class Bivalvia Order Arcoida Order Limoida Order Myoida Order Mytiloida Order Pholadomyoida Order Veneroida Class Gastropoda Order Archaeogastropoda Order Cephalaspidea Order Heterostropha Order Neogastropoda Order Neotaenioglossa Order Nudibranchia Class Polyplacophora Class Scaphopoda Order Gadilida Phylum Nemertea Class Anopla Order Heteronemertea Order Paleonemertea Phylum Platyhelminthes Class Turbellaria Phylum Porifera Phylum Sipuncula None The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) requests that all individuals who download these data acknowledge the source of these data in any reports, papers, or presentations. If you publish these data, please include a statement similar to: "Some or all of the data described in this article were produced by NOAA through its National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science - NOAA National Benthic Inventory. USDOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCEHBR/Coastal Ecology physical

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Charleston SC 29412 843-762-8511 http://www.nbi.noaa.gov Taxonomy:A variety of QA/QC procedures were implemented during the processing of benthic infauna samples to ensure consistent production of high quality data. A minimum of 10% of all benthic infauna samples sorted by each technician were re-sorted by a different technician to monitor performance and provide feedback necessary to maintain acceptable standards. The minimum acceptable sorting efficiency was 90%. Approximately 10% of the samples were randomly selected and re-checked by an independent qualified taxonomist. The minimum acceptable taxonomic efficiency was 90%.Sample Design:A stratified -random sampling design similar to those used in previous surveys conducted by NOAAs National Status and Trends Program was applied in Biscayne Bay. The study area was subdivided into 74 irregular-shaped strata. Large strata were established in the open waters of the bay where toxicant concentrations were expected to be uniformly low. This approach provided the least intense sampling effort in areas known or suspected to be relatively homogenous in sediment type, benthic communities, and water depth in regions relatively distant from contaminant sources. In contrast, relatively small strata were established in canals and urban harbors nearer suspected sources in which conditions were expected to be heterogeneous or transitional. As a result, sampling effort was more intense in the smaller strata than in the large strata. The large strata were roughly equivalent in size to each other and the small strata were roughly equivalent in size to each other.This approach combines the strengths of a stratified design with the random-probabilistic selection of sampling locations. Data generated within each stratum can be attributed to the dimensions of the stratum. Therefore, these data can be used to estimate the spatial extent of toxicity with a quantifiable degree of confidence (Heimbuch, et al., 1995). Strata boundaries were established to coincide with the dimensions of major basins, bayous, waterways, etc. in which hydrographic, bathymetric and sedimentological conditions were expected to be relatively homogeneous.Within the boundaries of each stratum, all possible latitude/longitude intersections had equal probabilities of being selected as a sampling location. The locations of individual sampling stations within each strata were chosen randomly using GINPRO software developed by NOAA applied to digitized navigation charts. In most cases three samples were collected within each stratum; in a few small strata only one or two stations were sampled. Four samples were collected in two large strata. Usually, four alternate locations were provided for each station in a numbered sequence. The coordinates for each alternate were provided in tables and were plotted on the appropriate navigation chart. In a few cases the coordinates provided were inaccessible by boat; these station locations were rejected and the vessel was moved to the next alternate. In small confined canals, the vessel was occasionally moved out of the center of the channel to avoid collisions with other boat traffic. A total of 226 samples was collected; 105 during March-May, 1995 and 121 during May-July, 1996. Each location was sampled only once. Nine sampling zones were established within the study area to aid in planning field operations.Field logistics were conducted aboard the NOAA Ship Ferrell and its launch. Vessel positioning and navigation were aided with a differential-corrected, Trimble NavGraphic XL Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and a compensated LORAN C unit. Both systems generally agreed well with each other when both were operational. Both were calibrated and their accuracy verified each morning at a known location within the study area. An acceptable tolerance goal for siting was that the sampling location be established within 0.2nm (+/- 120ft) of the given coordinates. In the event the vessel could not navigate to the site (i.e., too shallow) or the bottom type was not appropriate (i.e., rock or shellfish bed) then the first alternate site was substituted. In the event the first alternate could not be sampled then the second alternate site was sampled. All data are believed to be logically consistent. All taxa identified and enumerated within a benthic infauna sample are included in this database. Additional data including physical characteristics of the sediments and concentration of measured chemical contaminants are available by submitting a request to the individual study's contact that is provided on the Contacts web page at nnbi.noaa.gov. Not relevant to the dataset. A Young grab (0.04 m2) was used to collect benthic and sediment samples from all stations. Three replicate grabs were taken at each of the sampled stations for benthic analysis. All sediments collected in each grab were prepared for benthic analyses by gently washing the material through a 0.5-mm mesh sieve and washing the material retained on the sieve into a labeled container and preserved with 10% buffered formaldehyde and seawater mixed with rose begal dye. In the laboratory at Barry A. Vittor & Associates, Inc., Mobile, AL, organisms were separated from the remaining debris, identified by experienced taxonomists, and enumerated. Identification and counts were entered into a spreadsheet file and community parameter estimates were calculated. 1999 Point 0.0001 0.0001 Decimal degrees No correction 0.1 meters Attribute values Data File The data file reports information regarding this study including location, basic environmental parameters and benthic community data (taxa and abundance). USDOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCEHBR Study Name of the study NBI database Study is the name of the study and provides a unique identifier for a particular study. Study includes the year in which the study was conducted. Location Geographic area in which study was conducted NBI database Location provides a very brief description of the general geographic area in which a study was conducted. Year Year in which the study was conducted NBI database 1995 1999 Year Strata This is a code representing groups of stations. NBI database 1 20 1 Station This is a code representing a group of replicate samples all from one specific location. NBI database 001 225 Rep. Replicate number NBI database 1 3 no units of measure - a replicate identifier Lat. Latitude of station. NBI database 25.2 25.9 decimal degrees Longitude Longitude of station. NBI database -80.5 -80.1 decimal degrees Depth(m) Depth at a station NBI database 1 20 meters 0.1 Salinity(ppt) Bottom salinity at a station NBI database 12.6 35 parts per thousand 0.1 Total organic carbon Weight percent organoc carbon in sediment NBI database 0.7 16.2 percent (by weight) 0.01 Dissolved oxygen Dissolved oxygen concentration in bottom water NBI database 4.6 9.4 milligrams per liter 0.01 TSN Taxonomic serial number ITIS database Information regarding TSNs can be found at http:/www.itis.usda.gov Taxon The scientific name of the organism found within the sample. NBI database Organisms were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic category, usually species. If an organism was left at a higher level then that name is given (e.g. family name). Ab. Abundance, the number of that taxa counted within that replicate. NBI database 1 1559 no units of measure- indicates count of individuals per replicate USDOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCEHBR/Coastal Ecology physical

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Charleston SC 29412 843-762-8511 http://www.nbi.noaa.gov None ASCII http://www.nbi.noaa.gov none http://www.nbi.noaa.gov 20060823 2008 USDOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCEHBR/Coastal Ecology physical

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Charleston South Carolina 29412 (843) 762 8511 nnbi.noaa.gov FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001.1-1999