Metadata: Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: 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)/Coastal Ecology Program Publication_Date: 2013 Title: Estuarine, Coastal, and Near Coastal Regional Assessments Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: database Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Charleston, South Carolina Publisher: NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Description: Abstract: Since 1993, a series of estuarine, coastal, and offshore regional assessments have been conducted to assess the status of ecological condition and potential stressor impacts throughout various coastal regions of the United States. These survey areas cover estuaries, near-coastal areas, and four of the U.S. Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs): California Current, the Northeastern U.S. Continental Shelf, the Southeastern U.S. Continental Shelf, and Gulf of Mexico. They also coincide with various regional planning areas of the Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) Interim Framework developed recently by the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force (2009). Sampling sites are also included within marine protected areas, such as NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries (NMSs) and National Estuarine Research Reserves, where applicable. The studies have applied methodologies and indicators similar to EPA’s National Coastal Assessment program, including probabilistic sampling designs and multiple measures of water quality, sediment quality, benthic condition, and fish-tissue contamination. Purpose: Results of these surveys will be valuable in providing new information on ecological characteristics over broad estuarine, coastal, and continental shelf regions of the U.S., inclusive of important marine protected areas. The consistent and systematic sampling of the different biological and environmental variables across such a vast pool of stations provides an opportunity for learning more about the spatial patterns of living resources in these waters and processes controlling their distributions. Additionally, the synoptic sampling of a variety of different ecological indicators is important in providing a means to support integrative “weight-of-evidence” assessments of condition across these sites, and to allow the examination of potential associations between presence of stressors and biological responses. Another useful feature of the sampling framework in these studies is the incorporation of a random probabilistic survey design. This approach provides the ability to make unbiased statistical estimates of the spatial extent of the study area having degraded versus non-degraded condition, based on the status of the various measured ecological indicators relative to desired management thresholds. This information can then be used as a baseline for quantifying long-term trends and how environmental conditions may be changing in relation to potential human or natural disturbances. Comparisons also can be made of conditions within NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries, National Estuarine Research Reserves, and the broader surrounding environments. Results are expected to support several NCCOS and NOAA strategic goals, including: (1) providing baseline assessments of ecological resources in NOAA protected areas and coastal ecosystems; (2) conducting studies to quantify impacts of potential ecosystem stressors in these areas; 3) determining social, economical, & biological effects of human activities on coastal ecosystems; & (4) building effective partnerships. Data should be useful in the development of a variety of related products including contributions to National Coastal Condition reports, revised Sanctuary Management Plans & reports, scientific publications, & educational outreach modules. Results also support NOAA's emerging goal to move toward ecosystem-based approaches to the management of coastal resources and to fulfill such priorities through Integrated Ecosystem Assessments and Regional Collaborations. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1993 Beginning_Time: Unknown Ending_Date: Present Ending_Time: Unknown Currentness_Reference: ground condition Status: Progress: In work Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -178.4 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -68.7 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 49.00 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 23.0 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: water quality; nutrients; sediment quality; sediment contaminants; sediment toxicity; tissue contaminants; benthic species abundance; taxa; benthos; macroinfauna; infauna; marine; oceans; coastal monitoring; estuarine; U.S. continental shelf; Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: United States; National Marine Sanctuary; Coastal Ocean; Continental Shelf; Marine; Estuarine Access_Constraints: None Use_Constraints: By accessing and downloading data presented in this web site you are agreeing to the following conditions: 1. The information, data records, or images presented in these databases may not be reproduced, redistributed, repackaged or publicly displayed in any form without the express written permission of a staff member of the NOAA Ocean Service. 2. Downloaded records, information or images from this site may be used strictly for non-profit purposes such as scientific, scholarly or educational activities provided this web site is acknowledged using standard citation for electronic materials (hyperlink to citations) in all copies and the webmaster notified. 3. Data are provided on an end-user basis. These data should not be redistributed to third parties without prior approval. 4. Information in the databases may be published or remain unpublished. It is the users responsibility to verify if any information has already been published for citation purposes. 5. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information provided within these databases, use of the information is entirely at your own risk. All data and images are provided "AS IS" for the end user's informational purposes only. Staff are not responsible for any negative consequences resulting from reliance on or use of information contained in the databases. Risk of injury rests entirely with the user. 6. The information presented is as accurate as the staff can reasonably make it. Data provided in the databases are compiled from various researchers working though several different institutions. If ever you believe a data record presented is in error for any reason, let us know what and why. The updating of information and ensuring its accuracy are continual processes. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: USDOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCEHBR/Coastal Ecology Contact_Address: Address_Type: physical City: Charleston State_or_Province: SC Postal_Code: 29412 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 843-762-8511 Data_Quality_Information: Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Values were checked against hard-copy data sheets collected in the field, electronic data files generated by sampling instruments (data sondes), and laboratory analytical instrumentation. Logical_Consistency_Report: All data are believed to be logically consistent. Completeness_Report: A data point is provided for every sample location. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Sample locations were located in the field using a differential Global Positioning System (GPS), and station coordinates, date, and time of day were recorded upon arrival at each station. Vertical_Positional_Accuracy: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Water depth of sediment samples are obtained from vessel depth sounder, if available, or from maximum depth of data sonde readings. Tide corrections have not been applied. Lineage: Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: NOAA, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research (CCEHBR), Charleston, SC. Publication_Date: 2013 Title: Coastal Ecology Database Type_of_Source_Media: Relational database Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 1993 Ending_Date: Present Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Coastal Ecology Database Source_Contribution: Data on water, sediment, and biological condition collected and maintained by the Coastal Ecology Program. Process_Step: Process_Description: Upon arriving at a sampling station, observations of general site conditions are recorded on a data sheet. Measurements of physical water parameters are then measured using a data sonde. If applicable, discrete water samples are collected for nutrient analysis. After all water measurements are completed, grab sampling is initiated in order to collect sediments for analysis of benthic macroinfaunal abundance and diversity, sediment granulometry, sediment toxicity, and chemical contaminant analysis. When all water and sediment sampling is complete, organisms (fish or shellfish) are collected for subsequent tissue contaminant analysis. Process_Date: Not complete Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: station Entity_Type_Definition: Table of primary sampling stations. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Assigned Attribute: Attribute_Label: stationId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key that uniquely identifies a record in station table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: Microsoft SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Sequential integer automatically generated by SQL Server to uniquely identify table record and used as primary key. Attribute: Attribute_Label: stationCode Attribute_Definition: Character string to uniquely identify a sampling station Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Unique station identifier. Attribute: Attribute_Label: zone Attribute_Definition: Sampling zone Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Zone is used in some field surveys to identify sub-regions of the overall sampling area. Attribute: Attribute_Label: stratum Attribute_Definition: Sampling stratum Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Corresponds to sampling stratum for stratified random survey designs. Attribute: Attribute_Label: station Attribute_Definition: Station identifier Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Station identifier for a given study. Only globablly unique in combination with studyId. Attribute: Attribute_Label: plannedLatitude Attribute_Definition: Latitude of targeted sampling station in decimal degrees. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Latitude of station, assigned during study design and prior to field sampling. Attribute: Attribute_Label: plannedLongitude Attribute_Definition: Longitude of targeted sampling station in decimal degrees. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Longitude of station, assigned during study design and prior to field sampling. Attribute: Attribute_Label: statisticalArea Attribute_Definition: Area represented by station (in square kilometers). Used to assign station weights in probabilistic survey design. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Area represented by station in square kilometers. Attribute: Attribute_Label: locationId Attribute_Definition: Foreign key used to relate a record in the station table to a unique location name in the location table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the station table to corresponding locations in the location table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: studyId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key used to relate records in the station table to a unique study name in the study table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the station table to corresponding records in the study table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: estuaryClassId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key used to relate records in the station table to a unique estuary class type in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the station table to an estuary type in the tableEntry table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: stationTypeId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key used to relate records in the station table to a unique station type in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the station table to unique station types in the tableEntry table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: siteID Attribute_Definition: Character string assigned to a station in the statistical survey design phase. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string assigned to a station during statistical survey design phase. Attribute: Attribute_Label: xcoord Attribute_Definition: X-coordinate for a sampling site. May be in decimal degrees or projected coordinate system. Generated as part of statistical survey design. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: X-coordinate for a sampling station. May be in decimal degrees or projected coordinate system. Attribute: Attribute_Label: ycoord Attribute_Definition: Y-coordinate for a sampling site. May be in decimal degrees or projected coordinate system. Generated as part of statistical survey design. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Y-coordinate for a sampling site. May be in decimal degrees or projected coordinate system. Attribute: Attribute_Label: mdcaty Attribute_Definition: Multi-density category. Used to classify sites as part of a Generalized Random Tesselation Stratified (GRTS) survey design. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing multi-density categories used to classify sites in a GRTS survey design. Attribute: Attribute_Label: wgt Attribute_Definition: Area (in square meters) represented by a sampling station. Used to assign station weights in probabilistic sampling design and analysis. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Area (in square meters) represented by a sampling station. Attribute: Attribute_Label: panel Attribute_Definition: Character string used to identify panel structure for a survey over time. Used in Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified (GRTS) survey design. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string identifying panel structure in a survey over time. Used in GRTS survey design. Attribute: Attribute_Label: frame_sqkm Attribute_Definition: Size (in square kilometers) of the sampling frame defining a targeted survey area. Used to obtain station weights in a probabilistic survey design. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Size of the sampling frame in a probabilistic survey design. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: collection Entity_Type_Definition: Table of sample collections at each sampling station. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: collectionId Attribute_Definition: Unique sequential integer identifying each record in the collection table. Automatically generated by Microsoft SQL Server. Set as primary key for the table. Attribute_Definition_Source: Microsoft SQL Server. Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Sequential integer key automatically generated by SQL Server. Attribute: Attribute_Label: stationId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the collection table to a unique station in the station table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating collections to the station where the collections were made. Attribute: Attribute_Label: collectionDTstart Attribute_Definition: Starting date and time of sample collection at a station. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Date and time when sample collection was initiated at a station. Attribute: Attribute_Label: collectionDTend Attribute_Definition: Ending date and time for sample collection at a station. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Date and time when sample collection was completed at a station. Attribute: Attribute_Label: timeZone Attribute_Definition: Time zone for the location where sample was collected. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the time zone where a sample was collected. Attribute: Attribute_Label: fieldMethodId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the collection table to the field method description in the method table. Defines the field sample collection method. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating sample collection records to the field collection method used to collect the sample(s). Attribute: Attribute_Label: fieldReplicate Attribute_Definition: Integer value used to identify replicates when multiple field samples were obtained for a given collection event at a station. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer value that identifies a field replicate sample for a collection. Attribute: Attribute_Label: collectionLatitude Attribute_Definition: Latitude of sample collection location in decimal degrees. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Latitude of sample collection location in decimal degrees. Attribute: Attribute_Label: collectionLongitude Attribute_Definition: Longitude of sample collection location in decimal degrees. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Longitude of sample collection location in decimal degrees. Attribute: Attribute_Label: originalCollectionCode Attribute_Definition: Character string originally assigned to sample on collection in the field. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string identifying field-collected sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labCollectionCode Attribute_Definition: Character string assigned by laboratory. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string identifying a lab-collected sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: supplierCollectionCode Attribute_Definition: Character string identifying a sample provided by a supplier. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string identifying a sample provided by a supplier. Attribute: Attribute_Label: comment Attribute_Definition: Free text character string providing information about the sample collected in the field. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string describing conditions unique to the sample collected in the field. Attribute: Attribute_Label: vesselId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the collection table to description of the vessel from which samples were collected, found in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key used to relate records in the collection table to the corresponding vessel description in the tableEntry table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: positioningAuthorityId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the collection table to positioning authority information in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the collection table to the corresponding entry in the tableEntry table which describes the positioning authority (LORAN, GPS, DGPS). Attribute: Attribute_Label: infaunaReplicate Attribute_Definition: Integer value identifying the benthic infaunal replicate. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 1 Range_Domain_Maximum: 5 Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: exposureData Entity_Type_Definition: Table containing records for exposure or in-situ measurements of water and sediment parameters. Includes measurements of water chemistry and physical parameters, water-column nutrients, sediment characteristics, sediment chemistry, and sediment toxicity. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: exposureDataId Attribute_Definition: Integer key that uniquely identifies a row in the exposureData table. Sequential integer value automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Auto-generated integer key used to uniquely identify records in the exposureData table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: collectionId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the exposureData table to the corresponding collection records in the collection table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating measurements to the corresponding field collections. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labSampleCode Attribute_Definition: Character string assigned to sample by analytical lab. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string sample code assigned by the lab analyzing the sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labReplicate Attribute_Definition: Integer value identifying the replicate number of the laboratory analysis performed on the sample. Used when multiple replicate analyses are performed on the same sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer value identifying analytical replicate performed on a sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: parameterId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the exposureData table to a description of the measured parameter in the parameter table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating exposureData records to the corresponding parameter description in the parameter table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultNumeric Attribute_Definition: Numeric value of the measurement made on the sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Decimal values obtained from measurements made on a sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultText Attribute_Definition: Character representation of a measurement made on a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the text result of a measurement taken on a sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: unitId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the exposureData table to an entry in the tableEntry table which describes the units of the measurement made on a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating measurements in the exposureData table to the corresponding units described in the tableEntry table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: detectionLimit Attribute_Definition: The method detection limit of a measurement taken on a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Decimal values representing the method detection limit. Attribute: Attribute_Label: analyticalMethodId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the exposureData table to the corresponding analytical method described in the method table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the exposureData table to corresponding records in the method table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: qaCode Attribute_Definition: Character string representing a quality assurance code used to qualify an analytical measurement. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string assigned by analytical lab to qualify result. Attribute: Attribute_Label: comment Attribute_Definition: Free text character string describing conditions unique to a measurement result for a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string used to provide additional information about a sample measurement result. Attribute: Attribute_Label: processDate Attribute_Definition: The date when a sample was analyzed. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Date of sample analysis. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: bioAbundanceData Entity_Type_Definition: Table of biological abundance data. Contains quantitative measurements of abundance of macro-benthic infauna and other organisms collected for tissue contaminants analysis (e.g., fish, molluscs). Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: bioAbundanceDataId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key that uniquely identifies a record in the bioAbundanceData table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Auto-generated integer key. Attribute: Attribute_Label: collectionId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioAbundanceData table to the corresponding collection information in the collection table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating bioAbundanceData records to the corresponding collection information. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labSampleCode Attribute_Definition: Code assigned by lab analyzing the sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string used to identify sample by the analytical lab. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labReplicate Attribute_Definition: Integer replicate number assigned to a sample by the analytical lab. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer value assigned to a replicate analytical sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: parameterId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating measurements in the bioAbundanceData table the corresponding parameter description in the parameter table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating bioAbundanceData measurements to the corresponding parameter description in the parameter table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: analyticalMethodId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioAbundanceData table to corresponding analytical method description in the method table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the bioAbundanceData table to the corresponding analytical method description. Attribute: Attribute_Label: tsn Attribute_Definition: Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) assigned for a taxon. Attribute_Definition_Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) http://www.itis.gov/ Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer-valued code assigned to a taxon by ITIS. Attribute: Attribute_Label: taxonName Attribute_Definition: Taxon name assigned to a specimen. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the taxonomic name assigned to a specimen. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultInteger Attribute_Definition: Number of specimens of a taxon collected. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer value corresponding to counts (abundances) of organisms collected. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultText Attribute_Definition: Text result of organism abundance. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing abundance of organisms. Attribute: Attribute_Label: unitId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioAbundanceData table to the corresponding units description in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating bioAbundanceData records to description of the corresponding units of measurement. Attribute: Attribute_Label: qaCode Attribute_Definition: Quality assurance code associated with a measurement to provide additional information regarding confidence in the result. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing a quality assurance qualifier code. Attribute: Attribute_Label: taxFlag Attribute_Definition: Taxonomic flag assigned to indicate whether a taxon should be ignored for calculation of ecological indices. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 0 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Do not ignore taxon for calculation of abundance, richness, or diversity. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Ignore taxon only for calculation of richness and diversity (but not abundance). Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 2 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Ignore taxon for all calculations of abundance, richness, and diversity. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: comment Attribute_Definition: Free text character string used to provide additional information about a sample measurement. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string used to provide additional information about a sample measurement. Attribute: Attribute_Label: areaSampled Attribute_Definition: Surface area of the sampling device. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Numeric value representing the area (usually in square meters) of a sampling device. Attribute: Attribute_Label: child_tsn Attribute_Definition: TSN of another taxon in the same sample that is a child (lower level in taxonomic hierarchy) of the current taxon. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer-valued taxonomic serial number (TSN). Attribute: Attribute_Label: parent_tsn Attribute_Definition: Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) of a taxon in the same sample that is a parent (higher level in taxonomic hierarchy) of the current taxon. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer-valued Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN). Attribute: Attribute_Label: lump_tsn Attribute_Definition: Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) that can be used to lump the current taxon to a higher taxonomic level. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer-valued Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN). Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: bioMetricsData Entity_Type_Definition: Table of measurements of specimen biometrics (length, weight, sex). Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: bioMetricsDataId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key value that uniquely identifies a record in the bioMetricsData table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Auto-generated integer key that uniquely identifies a record in the bioMetricsData table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: bioAbundanceDataId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioMetricsData table to the corresponding abundance record in the bioAbundanceData table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the bioMetricsData table to corresponding abundance data. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labReplicate Attribute_Definition: Replicate number assigned by the lab processing the specimen. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer-valued laboratory replicate number. Attribute: Attribute_Label: specimenNumber Attribute_Definition: Integer ID assigned when measurements were made on multiple specimens of the same species in a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Sequential integer-valued ID assigned to each of multiple specimens of the same species in a sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: parameterId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key used to relate records in the bioMetricsData table to corresponding parameter descriptions in the parameter table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the bioMetricsData table to corresponding parameter descriptions in the parameter table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultInteger Attribute_Definition: Integer-valued result for a measured parameter. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer-valued measurement result. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultNumeric Attribute_Definition: Numeric (decimal) value result for a measured parameter. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Numeric- (decimal-) valued measurement result. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultText Attribute_Definition: Character (text) result for a measured parameter. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Text-valued measurement result. Attribute: Attribute_Label: unitId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in bioMetricsData table to corresponding description of units in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the bioMetricsData table to corresponding measurement units. Attribute: Attribute_Label: qaCode Attribute_Definition: Character string representing a quality assurance code used to qualify a measurement value. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing a quality assurance code. Attribute: Attribute_Label: analyticalMethodId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioMetricsData table to the corresponding analytical method description in the method table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the bioMetricsData table to the corresponding analytical method description. Attribute: Attribute_Label: isAggregate Attribute_Definition: Logical value indicating whether measurement was performed on an aggregate of multiple specimens. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 0 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: No Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Yes Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: numberInAggregate Attribute_Definition: If measurement was on an aggregate of multiple specimens, numberInAggregate is number of specimens comprising the aggregate. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer count of the number of specimens in aggregate. Attribute: Attribute_Label: comment Attribute_Definition: Free text character string used to provide additional information about a measurement. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string providing additional information about a measurement in the form of a comment. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labSampleCode Attribute_Definition: Code assigned by laboratory processing the sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the sample code used by the laboratory processing the sample. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: bioResponseData Entity_Type_Definition: Table of biological response data. These are typically concentrations of chemical contaminants measured in edible tissues of fish and shellfish. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: bioResponseDataId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key that uniquely identifies a record in the bioResponseData table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Auto-generated integer key uniquely identifying a record in bioResponseData table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: bioAbundanceDataId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioResponseData table to corresponding abundance records in the bioAbundanceData table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in bioResponseData table to corresponding records in bioAbundanceData table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labSampleCode Attribute_Definition: Code assigned by the laboratory analyzing the sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string sample code assigned by analytical lab. Attribute: Attribute_Label: labReplicate Attribute_Definition: Integer value identifying the replicate number of the laboratory analysis performed on the sample. Used when multiple replicate analyses are performed on the same sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer value assigned to each replicate analysis performed on the same sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: parameterId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioResponseData table to a description of the measured parameter in the parameter table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the bioResponseData table to parameter description in the parameter table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultNumeric Attribute_Definition: Numeric result of the measured parameter analyzed for the sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Decimal numeric result for a measured parameter. Attribute: Attribute_Label: resultText Attribute_Definition: Character representation of a measurement made on a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Text result for a measured parameter on a sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: unitId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioResponseData table to an entry in the tableEntry table describing the units of measurement made on a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the bioResponseData table to units of measurement in the tableEntry table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: detectionLimit Attribute_Definition: The method detection limit of a measurement taken on a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Decimal numeric value representing the method detection limit for a measurement taken on a sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: qaCode Attribute_Definition: Quality assurance code used to qualify an analytical measurement on a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing a quality assurance code used to qualify an analytical measurement on a sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: analyticalMethodId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioResponseData table to the corresponding analytical method described in the method table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the exposureData table to the corresponding analytical method description in the method table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: sampleDescriptionId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the bioResponseData table to a corresponding sample description in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the bioResponseData table to a corresponding sample description record in the tableEntry table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: specimenNumber Attribute_Definition: Integer ID assigned when measurements were made on multiple specimens of the same species in a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer value identifying individual specimens of the same species analyzed in a sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: isAggregate Attribute_Definition: Logical value indicating whether analysis was performed on an aggregate of multiple specimens in a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 0 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Analysis was not performed on an aggregate of specimens for the sample. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Analysis was performed on an aggregate of specimens for a sample. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: numberInAggregate Attribute_Definition: The number of specimens comprising an aggregate of specimens analyzed for a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer count of the number of specimens in an aggregate sample. Attribute: Attribute_Label: comment Attribute_Definition: Free text character string used to provide additional information about a measurement on a sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string used to provide additional information about a measurement on a sample. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: tableEntry Entity_Type_Definition: Table of character descriptions of various attributes related to sample collection and analysis. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: tableEntryId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key that uniquely identifies a record in the tableEntry table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key uniquely identifying a record in the tableEntry table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: shortDesc Attribute_Definition: Short description of an attribute. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string providing a short description of an attribute. Attribute: Attribute_Label: longDesc Attribute_Definition: Detailed description of an attribute. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string providing a detailed description of an attribute. Attribute: Attribute_Label: codeTableId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the tableEntry table to a description of the attribute type in codeTable. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the tableEntry table to a corresponding record in codeTable. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: codeTable Entity_Type_Definition: Table linking descriptions of attribute types to the corresponding attribute descriptions in the tableEntry table. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: codeTableId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key that uniquely identifies a record in codeTable. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key uniquely identifying a record in codeTable. Attribute: Attribute_Label: shortDesc Attribute_Definition: Short description of an attribute type. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing a short description of an attribute type. Attribute: Attribute_Label: longDesc Attribute_Definition: Long description of an attribute type. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing a long description of an attribute type. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: method Entity_Type_Definition: Table of collection and analytical method descriptions. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: methodId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key uniquely identifying a record in the method table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key that uniquely identifies a record in the method table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: shortDesc Attribute_Definition: Short description of a collection or analytical method. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the short description of a collection or analytical method. Attribute: Attribute_Label: longDesc Attribute_Definition: Detailed description of a collection or analytical method. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing a detailed description of a collection or analytical method. Attribute: Attribute_Label: typeId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the method table to corresponding method type in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the method table to corresponding method description in the tableEntry table. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: parameter Entity_Type_Definition: Table of parameter descriptions. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: parameterId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key uniquely identifying a record in the parameter table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key that uniquely identifies a row in the parameter table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: shortDesc Attribute_Definition: Short description of a parameter. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the short description of a parameter. Attribute: Attribute_Label: longDesc Attribute_Definition: Detailed description of a parameter. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the long description of a parameter. Attribute: Attribute_Label: casNumber Attribute_Definition: Unique identifier assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to every chemical described in the open scientific literature (currently including those described from at least 1957 through the present) and including elements, isotopes, organic and inorganic compounds, ions, organometallics, metals, nonstructurable materials (aka 'UVCB's- i.e., materials of Unknown, Variable Composition, or Biological origin). Attribute_Definition_Source: Chemical Abstracts Service (http://www.cas.org). Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the unique identifier assigned to a chemical by the Chemical Abstracts Service. Attribute: Attribute_Label: classId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the parameter table to the corresponding chemical class description in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key that related records in the parameter table to the corresponding chemical class description in the tableEntry table. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: location Entity_Type_Definition: Table of location descriptions. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: locationId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key that uniquely identifies a record in the location table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key uniquely identifying a record in the location table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: locationName Attribute_Definition: The name of a location. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the name of a location. Attribute: Attribute_Label: stateId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the location table to U.S. states listed in the state table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating location name in the location table to the corresponding U.S. state(s) in which the location occurs. Attribute: Attribute_Label: oceanName Attribute_Definition: Name of the ocean (if applicable) where the location occurs. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the name of an ocean. Attribute: Attribute_Label: seaGulfName Attribute_Definition: Name of a sea or gulf (if applicable) in which a location occurs. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the name of a sea or gulf. Attribute: Attribute_Label: bayName Attribute_Definition: Name of a bay (if applicable) where a location occurs. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the name of a bay. Attribute: Attribute_Label: riverLakeName Attribute_Definition: Name of a river or lake (if applicable) where a location occurs. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the name of a river or lake. Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: study Entity_Type_Definition: Table of study descriptions. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute: Attribute_Label: studyId Attribute_Definition: Sequential integer key uniquely identifying records in the study table. Automatically generated by SQL Server. Set as primary key. Attribute_Definition_Source: SQL Server Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key that uniquely identifies a record in the study table. Attribute: Attribute_Label: studyName Attribute_Definition: The name of a study. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the name of a study. Attribute: Attribute_Label: studyCode Attribute_Definition: Unique code assigned to a study. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the unique code assigned to a study. Attribute: Attribute_Label: cruiseCode Attribute_Definition: A unique code identifying an individual cruise event for a study. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the unique cruise code assigned to a study. Attribute: Attribute_Label: year Attribute_Definition: The year in which a study occurred. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the year in which a study occurred. Attribute: Attribute_Label: nbiStudyName Attribute_Definition: Name of study used in the National Benthic Inventory (NBI). Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Character string representing the study name used in the National Benthic Inventory (NBI). Attribute: Attribute_Label: projectId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the study table to project descriptions in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the study table to corresponding project descriptions. Attribute: Attribute_Label: provinceId Attribute_Definition: Integer foreign key relating records in the study table to the corresponding biogeographic province description in the tableEntry table. Attribute_Definition_Source: CEP Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Integer key relating records in the study table to the corresponding biogeographic province description. Overview_Description: Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: Coastal Ecology Database Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: Relational database maintained by the Coastal Ecology Program (CEP) at the NOAA Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research (CCEHBR) in Charleston, SC. Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: Database contains information gathered during field sampling surveys for water quality, water-column nutrients, sediment characteristics, sediment contaminant concentrations, sediment toxicity, abundance and diversity of macro-benthic infaunal organisms, and fish tissue contaminant concentrations. Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: USDOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCEHBR/Coastal Ecology Contact_Address: Address_Type: physical City: Charleston State_or_Province: SC Postal_Code: 29412 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 843-762-8511 Distribution_Liability: none Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: ASCII Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ Fees: none Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 2013 Metadata_Review_Date: 2013 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: USDOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCEHBR/Coastal Ecology Contact_Address: Address_Type: physical Address: 219 Fort Johnson Road City: Charleston State_or_Province: South Carolina Postal_Code: 29412 Contact_Voice_Telephone: (843) 762 8511 Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998