Description:
Abstract: This dataset provides sediment types found on the floor of the
Hudson River Estuary. The sediment type interpretation is based on the grain
size analysis of the cores and grabs with some guidance from acoustic
backscatter data collected with sidescan sonar. Sediment profile imagery
(SPI) has also been used to supplement these interpretations. Since the
first guide in developing this interpretation is contouring the results of
the grain size interpretation there is deviation from the side scan images.
In most research on sediments, grain size data is given in phi intervals
rather than in microns, millimeters, or inches. One phi unit is equal to one
Udden-Wentworth grade. Phi diameter is computed by taking the negative log
of the diameter in millimeters. We have identified 9 major classes of
sediment based on the Wentworth classification.
Purpose: In 1996, the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) initiated an effort to map the benthic habitat of the
Hudson River Estuary as part of a larger Hudson River Action Plan. This
project includes extensive mapping using sidescan sonar, sub-bottom
profiling, single and multi-beam bathymetric sonars, as well as collecting
ground truth data with sediment cores, grab samples, and sediment profiling
imagery (SPI). The goal of the project is the creation of a comprehensive
data set that includes detailed interpretive maps of the physical
environment of the floor of the estuary. An overview of the first phase of
the benthic mapping project can be found in Bell, et al. (2006)
Supplemental_Information: See also <
http://benthic.info> More extensive
discussion of the methods and interpretation can be found in the following
publications: Bell, R.E., et al., 2006. "Benthic habitat mapping in the
Hudson River Estuary", in The Hudson River Estuary (Levinton and Waldman,
eds.), Cambridge Univ Press., pp. 51-64. // Carbotte, S.M., et al., 2004.
Environmental change and oyster colonization within the Hudson River estuary
linked to Holocene climate. Geo-Marine Letters 24: 212-224. // McHugh,
C.M.G., et al., 2004. Spatial variations in a condensed interval between
estuarine and open marine settings: Holocene Hudson River Estuary and
adjacent continental shelf. Geology 32(2): 169-172. // Nitsche, F.O., et
al., 2004. Process-related classification of acoustic data from the Hudson
River Estuary. Marine Geology 209(1-4): 131-145. // Nitsche, F.O. et. al.,
2005. Integrative acoustic mapping reveals Hudson River sediment processes
and habitats. EOS 86(24): 225. // Nitsche, F.O. et al., 2005. "A seabed
classification approach based on multiple acoustic sensors in the Hudson
River Estuary", in High Resolution Morphodynamics and Sedimentary Evolution
of Estuaries (FitzGerald and Knight, eds.), Springer, pp. 33-55. // Pekar,
S.F., et al., 2004. Estuarine processes and their stratigraphic record:
paleosalinity and sedimentation changes in the Hudson Estuary (North
America). Marine Geology 209(1-4): 113-129. // Strayer, D.L., et al., 2006.
Using geophysical information to define benthic habitats in a large river.
Freshwater Biology 51: 25-38.
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: estuary
Theme_Keyword: sediments
Theme_Keyword: mud
Theme_Keyword: sand
Theme_Keyword: gravel
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: geology
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme_Keyword: inlandWaters
Theme_Keyword: oceans
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CUGIR Category
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme_Keyword: inland waters
Theme_Keyword: oceans
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: LCSH
Place_Keyword: Hudson River (N.Y. and N.J.)
Place_Keyword: Hudson River Estuary (N.Y. and N.J.)
