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). 2003 database Charleston, South Carolina NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) http://www.nbi.noaa.gov As part of an ongoing ecological assessment of the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS), a 58-km2 marine protected area 32 km off the coast of Georgia, USA, surveys of benthic macroinfaunal communities, contaminant levels in sediments and biota, and general habitat conditions were conducted during 2000–2002 at 20 stations within the sanctuary and along three cross-shelf transects in nearby shelf waters. Macroinfaunal community structure and composition exhibited distinct cross-shelf patterns associated with sediment granulometry, depth and possibly other factors related to shoreline proximity (e.g., erosional effects, recruitment of estuarine species). Finer-scale spatial patterns of benthic fauna among stations within the sanctuary appear to be related to proximity to live-bottom habitat and other features of seafloor structure (e.g., rippled vs. flat sand). Population densities of dominant fauna within the sanctuary also varied considerably among years, resulting in shifts in the ranking of dominants at most stations. Chemical contaminants generally were at low background concentrations below probable bioeffect levels and thus are not a likely cause of the observed spatial patterns of benthic fauna. However, trace concentrations of pesticides, PCBs, and PAHs were detectable in sediments and biota throughout the study area, demonstrating that chemicals originating from human activities are capable of reaching the offshore sanctuary environment, possibly from atmospheric deposition or cross-shelf transport of materials outwelled through coastal sounds. Highly diverse infaunal assemblages also were observed within the sanctuary and nearby sites of similar depth, suggesting that the sanctuary is an important reservoir of marine biodiversity. Results of this study should be useful in addressing long-term science and management needs of the GRNMS and in furthering our understanding of broader ecological patterns and dynamics of the surrounding South Atlantic Bight (SAB) ecosystem. Data in this survey covers only data from the transects during the 2001 and 2002 sampling events. Key objectives of the research are to examine broader cross-shelf spatial patterns in benthic fauna and sediment contaminant concentrations and to identify potential controlling factors associated with the observed patterns; to assess any between-year temporal variability inbenthic fauna; and to evaluate theimportance of benthic fauna as prey forhigher trophic levels. Such questions arebeing addressed to help fulfill long-termscience and management goals of theGRNMS. However, it is anticipated thatthe information will be of additionalvalue in broadening our understanding ofthe surrounding South Atlantic Bight(SAB) ecosystem and in bringing theknowledge to bear on related resource managementissues of the region. J. Exper. Mar. Biol. Ecol. , 330: 307-326.NOAA Tech. Memo. NOS NCCOS 6. 2001 2002 observed Complete As needed Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary -81.25 -79.62 31.58 31.28 None coastal marine latitude longitude taxa infauna macroinfauna benthic species Coastal Monitoring oceans temperature salinity depth grain size toc abundance Taxonomic serial number dissolved oxygen None Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary Atlantic Ocean Coastal Georgia 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 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%. 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. 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. 2002 Point .0001 .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 2001 2002 Year Strata This is a code representing groups of stations. NBI database No strata were used in this study. Station This is a code representing a group of replicate samples all from one specific location. NBI database 1 39 there are no units of measure Rep. Replicate number NBI database 1 3 no units of measure - a replicate identifier Lat. Latitude of station. NBI database 31.58 31.28 decimal degrees Longitude Longitude of station. NBI database -81.25 -79.62 decimal degrees Depth(m) Depth at a station NBI database 4 105 meters 0.1 Salinity(ppt) Bottom salinity at a station NBI database 22.8 36.1 parts per thousand 0.1 Dissolved Oxygen(mg/l) Bottom dissolved oxygen at a station NBI database 6.0 7.3 milligrams per liter 0.01 TOC(percent) Total organic carbon in sediment at a station NBI database 0.0 0.6 weight percent 0.01 gravel(percent) gravel fraction of sediment at a station NBI database 0 22 percent 0.01 sand(percent) sand fraction of sediment at a station NBI database 71 100 percent 0.01 silt(percent) silt fraction of sediment at a station NBI database 0 29 reported as a percentage 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 1 434 no units of measure- counts of individuals present in a sample 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 20060828 20090112 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