Ocean Acidification This website highlights ongoing USGS research efforts in ocean acidification and carbon cycling in marine and coastal ecosystems in three different regions: polar, temperate, and tropical. Posted: 2010-08-03
Impacts and Predictions of Coastal Change during Hurricanes Beaches serve as a natural barrier between the ocean and inland communities, ecosystems, and resources. These dynamic environments move and change in response to winds, waves, and currents. During a powerful hurricane, changes to beaches can be large, and the results are sometimes catastrophic. Lives are lost, communities are destroyed, and millions of dollars are spent on rebuilding. There is a clear need to identify areas of our coastline that are likely to experience extreme and devastating erosion during a hurricane. It is also important to determine risk levels associated with development in areas where the land shifts and moves with each landfalling storm. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides scientific support for hurricane planning and response. Using observations of beach changes and models of waves and storm surge, we are predicting how the coast will respond to hurricanes and identifying areas vulnerable to extreme coastal changes. Posted: 2010-07-14
Archive of Digital Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected Offshore East-Central Florida During USGS Cruise 00FGS01, July 14-22, 2000 n July of 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Florida Geological Survey (FGS), conducted a geophysical survey of the Atlantic Ocean offshore Florida's east coast from Brevard County to northern Martin County. This report serves as an archive of unprocessed digital boomer seismic reflection data, trackline maps, navigation files, Geographic Information System (GIS) information, digital and handwritten Field Activity Collection System (FACS) logs, and Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata. A filtered and gained (a relative increase in signal amplitude) digital image of each seismic profile is also provided. Refer to the Acronyms page for expansions of all acronyms and abbreviations used in this report. Posted: 2010-04-29
Archive of Digital Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected During USGS Field Activity 08LCA04 in Lakes Cherry, Helen, Hiawassee, Louisa, and Prevatt, Central Florida, September 2008 From September 2 through 4, 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) conducted geophysical surveys in Lakes Cherry, Helen, Hiawassee, Louisa, and Prevatt, located in central Florida, as part of the USGS Lakes and Coastal Aquifers (LCA) study. This report serves as an archive of unprocessed digital boomer seismic reflection data, trackline maps, navigation files, Geographic Information System (GIS) files, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata. Filtered and gained (a relative increase in signal amplitude) digital images of the seismic profiles are also provided. Refer to the Acronyms page for expansions of acronyms and abbreviations used in this report. Posted: 2010-04-28
ATM Coastal Topography–Florida 2001: Eastern Panhandle This DVD contains Lidar-derived first surface (FS) topography GIS datasets of the eastern Florida panhandle coastline, from Shell Island to Mashes Island. These datasets were acquired October 2, 2001. Posted: 2010-04-21
ATM Coastal Topography–Florida 2001: Western Panhandle This DVD contains Lidar-derived first surface (FS) topography GIS datasets of the western Florida panhandle coastline, from Perdido Key to Lower Grand Lagoon. These datasets were acquired October 2-4 and 7-10, 2001. Posted: 2010-04-21
Decision Support for Coastal Science and Management The Decision Support for Coastal Science and Management project, sponsored by the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program (CMGP) is supporting the creation of new capabilities for the synoptic remote sensing of coastal-marine and terrestrial environments based on aircraft and satellite sensors. These coastal remote-sensing, mapping, and point-monitoring tools constitute a unique integrated package of instrumentation and software that may be deployed in support of appropriately timed and scaled zoning decisions by management authorities in order to conserve and sensibly exploit nearshore coastal and marine ecosystems. Posted: 2010-02-23
Investigation of Submarine Groundwater Discharge along the Tidal Reach of the Caloosahatchee River, Southwest Florida The tidal reach of the Caloosahatchee River is an estuarine habitat that supports a diverse assemblage of biota including aquatic vegetation, shellfish, and finfish. The system has been highly modified by anthropogenic activity over the last 150 years (South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), 2009). For example, the river was channelized and connected to Lake Okeechobee in 1881 (via canal C-43). Subsequently, three control structures (spillway and locks) were installed for flood protection (S-77 and S-78 in the 1930s) and for saltwater-intrusion prevention (S-79, W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam in 1966). The emplacement of these structures and their impact to natural water flow have been blamed for water-quality problems downstream within the estuary (Flaig and Capece, 1998; SFWMD, 2009). Doering and Chamberlain (1999) found that the operation of these control structures caused large and often rapid variations in salinity during various times of the year. Variable salinities could have deleterious impacts on the health of organisms in the Caloosahatchee River estuary. Posted: 2010-02-01
Holocene Core Logs and Site Statistics for Modern Patch-Reef Cores: Biscayne National Park, Florida The objectives of this study were to sample living corals to understand the more recent (<200 years) changes in climate and environmental conditions of the area and to investigate the Holocene (in this case, <8,000 years in the Florida Keys) depositional history at progressively deeper patch-reef sites. This report provides statistics for the cores and core sites and a basic lithologic description of these Holocene cores. Posted: 2009-12-08
USGS Coral Reef Studies Coral Reef Studies conducted in Hawaii, Florida and California. Posted: 2009-06-24
National Seafloor Mapping and Characterization Images of the sea floor off the coasts of California, Hawaii, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, and Washington; images of lake floor of Lake Michigan, Crater Lake, Lake Tahoe. Backscatter and swath bathymetry, regular and in 3-D view. Posted: 2009-05-11
Coastal Change Hazards: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms This project investigates the coastal impacts of hurricanes and extreme storms, such as Hurricanes Isabel (2003), Dennis (1999), Bonnie & Georges (1998), and winter storms, such as those associated with the 1997-98 El Niño. Posted: 2009-04-28
Open-File Report 2008-1342: Examining submarine ground-water discharge into Florida Bay by using 222Rn and continuous resistivity profiling Estimates of submarine ground-water discharge (SGD) into Florida Bay remain one of the least understood components of a regional water balance. To quantify the magnitude and seasonality of SGD into upper Florida Bay, research activities included the use of the natural geochemical tracer, 222Rn, to examine potential SGD hotspots (222Rn surveys) and to quantify the total (saline + fresh water component) SGD rates at select sites (222Rn time-series). To obtain a synoptic map of the 222Rn distribution within our study site in Florida Bay, we set up a flow-through system on a small boat that consisted of a Differential Global Positioning System, a calibrated YSI, Inc CTD sensor with a sampling rate of 0.5 min, and a submersible pump (z = 0.5 m) that continuously fed water into an air/water exchanger that was plumbed simultaneously into four RAD7 222Rn air monitors. To obtain local advective ground-water flux estimates, 222Rn time-series experiments were deployed at strategic positions across hydrologic and geologic gradients within our study site. These time-series stations consisted of a submersible pump, a Solinist DIVER (to record continuous CTD parameters) and two RAD7 222Rn air monitors plumbed into an air/water exchanger. Repeat time-series 222Rn measurements were conducted for 3–4 days across several tidal excursions. Radon was also measured in the air during each sampling campaign by a dedicated RAD7. We obtained ground-water discharge information by calculating a 222Rn mass balance that accounted for lateral and horizontal exchange, as well as an appropriate ground-water 222Rn end member activity. Another research component utilized marine continuous resistivity profiling (CRP) surveys to examine the subsurface salinity structure within Florida Bay sediments. This system consisted of an AGI SuperSting 8 channel receiver attached to a streamer cable that had two current (A,B) electrodes and nine potential electrodes that were spaced 10 m apart. A separate DGPS continuously sent position information to the SuperSting. Results indicate that the 222Rn maps provide a useful gauge of relative ground-water discharge into upper Florida Bay. The 222Rn time-series measurements provide a reasonable estimate of site- specific total (saline and fresh) ground-water discharge (mean = 12.5±11.8 cm d-1), while the saline nature of the shallow ground-water at our study site, as evidenced by CPR results, indicates that most of this discharge must be recycled sea water. The CRP data show some interesting trends that appear to be consistent with subsurface geologic and hydrologic characterization. For example, some of the highest resistivity (electrical conductivity-1) values were recorded where one would expect a slight subsurface freshening (for example bayside Key Largo, or below the C111 canal). Posted: 2009-04-21
Archive of Digital Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected During USGS Field Activity 08LCA01 in 10 Central Florida Lakes, March 2008 In March of 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey and St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) conducted geophysical surveys in Lakes Avalon, Big, Colby, Helen, Johns, Prevatt, Searcy, Saunders, Three Island, and Trout, located in central Florida, as part of the USGS Lakes and Coastal Aquifers (LCA) study. This report serves as an archive of unprocessed digital boomer seismic reflection data, trackline maps, navigation files, Field Activity Collection System (FACS) logs, Geographic Information System (GIS) files, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata. Filtered and gained (a relative increase in signal amplitude) digital images of the seismic profiles are also provided. Refer to the Acronyms page for expansions of acronyms and abbreviations used in this report. Posted: 2009-03-26
Archive of Digital Boomer and CHIRP Seismic Reflection Data Collected During USGS Field Activity 08LCA03 in Lake Panasoffkee, Florida, May 2008 In May of 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted geophysical surveys in Lake Panasoffkee, located in central Florida, as part of the USGS Lakes and Coastal Aquifers (LCA) study. This report serves as an archive of unprocessed digital boomer and Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse (CHIRP)* seismic reflection data, trackline maps, navigation files, Field Activity Collection System (FACS) logs, Geographic Information System (GIS) files, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata. Filtered and gained (a relative increase in signal amplitude) digital images of the seismic profiles and geospatially corrected interactive profiles are also provided. Refer to the Acronyms page for expansions of acronyms and abbreviations used in this report. Posted: 2009-03-26
Archive of Boomer Seismic Reflection Data - U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 01-165 This Open-File Report serves as an archive of field seismic data, associated navigation files, trackline map, scanned logbooks, and formal metadata, for boomer data collected on USGS Cruise 99ASR01. These data were recorded aboard the R/V G. K. Gilbert in Lake Okeechobee, Fla., on 29 June - 30 June, 1999. Posted: 2008-08-28
Decision Support for Coastal Science and Management The Decision Support for Coastal Science and Management project, sponsored by the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program (CMGP) is supporting the creation of new capabilities for the synoptic remote sensing of coastal-marine and terrestrial environments based on aircraft and satellite sensors. These coastal remote-sensing, mapping, and point-monitoring tools constitute a unique integrated package of instrumentation and software that may be deployed in support of appropriately timed and scaled zoning decisions by management authorities in order to conserve and sensibly exploit nearshore coastal and marine ecosystems. Posted: 2008-07-15
Open-File Report 2007-1304: Assessment of Groundwater Input and Water Quality Changes Impacting Natural Vegetation in the Loxahatchee River and Floodplain Ecosystem, Florida, Open File Report 2007-1304 The Loxahatchee River and Estuary are small, shallow, water bodies located in southeastern Florida. Historically, the Northwest Branch (Fork) of the Loxahatchee River was primarily a freshwater system. In 1947, the river inlet at Jupiter was dredged for navigation and has remained permanently open since that time. Drainage patterns within the basin have also been altered significantly due to land development, road construction (e.g., Florida Turnpike), and construction of the C-18 and other canals. These anthropogenic activities along with sea level rise have resulted in significant adverse impacts on the ecosystem over the last several decades, including increased saltwater encroachment and undesired vegetation changes in the floodplain. The problem of saltwater intrusion and vegetation degradation in the Loxahatchee River may be partly induced by diminished freshwater input, from both surface water and ground water into the River system. The overall objective of this project was to assess the seasonal surface water and groundwater interaction and the influence of the biogeochemical characteristics of shallow groundwater and porewater on vegetation health in the Loxahatchee floodplain. The hypothesis tested are: (1) groundwater influx constitutes a significant component of the overall flow of water into the Loxahatchee River; (2) salinity and other chemical constituents in shallow groundwater and porewater of the river floodplain may affect the distribution and health of the floodplain vegetation. Posted: 2008-07-03
Archive of Digital Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected During USGS Field Activity 96LCA04 in Lakes Mabel and Starr, Central Florida, August 1996 In August of 1996, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted geophysical surveys of Lakes Mabel and Starr, central Florida, as part of the Central Highlands Lakes project, which is part of a larger USGS Lakes and Coastal Aquifers (LCA) study. This report serves as an archive of unprocessed digital boomer seismic reflection data, trackline maps, navigation files, Geographic Information System (GIS) files, observer's logbook; and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata. Filtered and gained (a relative increase in signal amplitude) digital images of the seismic profiles are also provided. Posted: 2008-05-01
Archive of Digital Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected During USGS Field Activity 02LCA02 in Lakes Ada, Crystal, Jennie, Mary, Rice, and Sylvan, Central Florida, July 2002 In July of 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey and St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) conducted geophysical surveys in Lakes Ada, Crystal, Jennie, Mary, Rice, and Sylvan, central Florida, as part of the USGS Lakes and Coastal Aquifers (LCA) study. This report serves as an archive of unprocessed digital boomer seismic reflection data, trackline maps, navigation files, Geographic Information System (GIS) files, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata. Filtered and gained (a relative increase in signal amplitude) digital images of the seismic profiles are also provided. Posted: 2008-05-01
USGS-NPS-NASA EAARL Topography - Dry Tortugas National Park This lidar-derived submarine topography map was produced as a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program, National Park Service (NPS) South Florida/Caribbean Network Inventory and Monitoring Program, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Wallops Flight Facility. One objective of this research is to create techniques to survey coral reefs for the purposes of habitat mapping, ecological monitoring, change detection, and event assessment (for example: bleaching, hurricanes, disease outbreaks). Posted: 2008-03-24
USGS FS 2007-3065 --- Kellogg Coral disease is a major cause of reef decline in the Florida Keys. Bacterium has been defined as the most common pathogen (disease-causing organism). Although much is being done to catalog coral diseases, map their locations, determine the causes of disease, or measure the rates of coral demise, very little research has been directed toward actually preventing or eliminating the diseases affecting coral and coral reef decline. Posted: 2008-02-01
USGS Coastal Change Hazards USGS Coastal Change Hazards - Focuses on hurricanes, tsunamis, sea-level rise, shoreline erosion, wetland destruction, and other issues relevant to coastal zone management and disaster preparedness. Posted: 2008-01-01
Coastal and Marine Knowledge Bank An initiative to develop and present a national-scale, interdisciplinary scientific framework for marine environments, the coastal zone, and coastal watersheds Posted: 2007-11-28
El Niño Home Page El Niño information with links to a broad range of topics such as Floods, Landslides, Coastal Hazards, Climate, News Releases. Posted: 2007-09-30
National Assessment of Shoreline Change Project Beach erosion is a chronic problem along most open-ocean shores of the United States. As coastal populations continue to grow, and community infrastructures are threatened by erosion, there is increased demand for accurate information regarding past and present shoreline changes. There is also need for a comprehensive analysis of shoreline movement that is regionally consistent. To meet these national needs, the Coastal and Marine Geology Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting an analysis of historical shoreline changes along open-ocean sandy shores of the conterminous United States and parts of Alaska and Hawaii. A primary goal of this work is to develop standardized methods for mapping and analyzing shoreline movement so that internally consistent updates can periodically be made to record shoreline erosion and accretion. Posted: 2007-09-29
National Assessment of Coastal Change Hazards The National Assessment of Coastal Change Hazards is a multi-year undertaking to identify and quantify the vulnerability of U.S. shorelines to coastal change hazards such as the effects of severe storms, sea-level rise, and shoreline erosion and retreat. It will continue to improve our understanding of processes that control these hazards, and will allow researchers to determine the probability of coastal change locally, regionally, and nationally. The Assessment will deliver these data and assessment findings about coastal vulnerability to coastal managers, other researchers, and the general public. Posted: 2007-09-28
Florida Shelf Habitat (FLaSH) Map Project The FLaSH Map project is a multiagency approach to benthic habitat mapping. Existing data is presented via user-friendly graphic, geographic, and visualization tools. Data from multibeam, sidescan sonar imagery, still and video images, streaming resistivity, and sediment grabs are available for viewing by the general public, scientists and managers. Posted: 2007-06-18
Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Tidal Wetlands This project is investigating the loss of coastal wetlands and adjacent uplands in order to determine long-term change in wetlands and to provide a model for determining areas that are most vulnerable to loss because of combinations of human and natural impacts. Posted: 2007-06-01
USGS Open-File Report 2005-1027, An Operational Mean High Water Datum for Determination of Shoreline Position from Topographic Lidar Data, Title Page .The National Assessment of Coastal Change Hazards Project of the U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, is using lidar mapping technology to determine shoreline position for the Nation's open ocean coasts with sandy beaches. The lidar mapping provides elevations relative to the NAVD88 fixed vertical datum. The shorelines determined from lidar-derived beach profiles are defined as an operational Mean High Water (MHW) contour, and therefore the elevation of the MHW tidal datum must be known relative to NAVD 88. The elevation of the MHW tidal datum varies relative to NAVD 88 along the coast as a function of the local tide range and mean tide level. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tide station data were studied and compiled to tabulate MHW, Mean Higher High Water, and Mean Tide Level elevations along the East, West, and Gulf Coasts. In all, 136 tide stations were chosen: 93 along the East Coast, 19 along the West Coast, and 24 along the Gulf Coast. Although open coast tide stations were preferable for determining MHW, some stations that were not fully on the open coast were used to fill gaps where few or no open coast stations were available. The East, Gulf, and West coastlines were divided into "MHW Zones". These zones are sections of coast to which one MHW elevation is assigned. This operational MHW elevation, which is the average of MHW from all tide stations in the zone, is the elevation used for all lidar shorelines derived within that zone. Twenty-seven zones were created in all: twenty on the East Coast, three on the Gulf Coast, and four on the West Coast. Posted: 2006-10-20
Coastal Classification Mapping Project A Coastal Classification Map describing local geomorphic features is the first step toward determining the hazard vulnerability of an area. The Coastal Classification Map series of the National Assessment of Coastal Change Project presents ground conditions such as beach width, dune elevations, overwash potential, and density of development. In order to complete a hazard vulnerability assessment, that information must be integrated with other information, such as prior storm impacts and beach stability. Posted: 2006-05-02
Microbial Ecology in Reef Sediments of Biscayne National Park 'Microbial Ecology in Reef Sediments of Biscayne National Park' is a 4-page discussion of bacterial communities as a critical component of the coral reef ecosystem. Posted: 2006-05-02
Florida Salt Marsh Vole Habitat: Lower Suwannee Florida Salt Marsh Vole Habitat: Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge details an effort by the U.S. Geological Survey to map potential habitat sites of the Florida salt marsh vole in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. Posted: 2006-04-10
Automated Extraction of Coastal Dune High and Dune Low from High Resolution Lidar Digital Elevation Models An automated method of extracting dune high (Dhi) and dune low (Dlo) from lidar DEMs has been developed for use on the sandy Southeast and Gulf coasts of the United States. The method has been written into an Arc AML script that runs from a command line in ArcInfo Workstation, a popular GIS software product. The output are GIS ready Dhi and Dlo point shapefiles that include several attributes that can assist in post-processing editing as well as elevation. Posted: 2005-12-06
Submarine Groundwater Discharge Submarine Groundwater Discharge: Instances, Causes, and Methods and Tools for the Analysis Thereof Posted: 2005-11-10
Coastal Classification Atlas - Northwestern Panhandle of Florida Coastal Classification Maps - St. Andrew Bay Entrance Channel to Perdido Pass A Coastal Classification Map describing local geomorphic features is the first step toward determining the hazard vulnerability of an area. The Coastal Classification Maps of the National Assessment of Coastal Change Project present ground conditions such as beach width, dune elevations, overwash potential, and density of development. In order to complete a hazard vulnerability assessment, that information must be integrated with other information, such as prior storm impacts and beach stability. The Coastal Classification Maps provide much of the basic information for such an assessment and represent a critical component of a storm-impact forecasting capability. This CD covers Northwest Panhandle of Florida Coastal Classification Maps from St. Andrew Bay Entrance Channel to Perdido Pass. Posted: 2004-06-22
Marine Aggregate Resources and Processes The Marine Aggregates (Sand and Gravel Assessment) Project has developed and is implementing a scientifically rigorous series of regional studies mapping the seafloor sedimentary character and assessing marine sand and gravel resources around the United States. Results of the regional assessments will ultimately comprise a national assessment of marine sand and gravel. This study is responding to increasing demand for web-accessible GIS-type data and interpreted geologic map information on the sedimentary character of the seafloor and aggregate resources suitable for beach nourishment and coastal restoration, as well as seafloor sediment texture information for benthic habitat mapping and sediment transport studies. Posted: 2004-05-07
Hurricane Impacts on the Coastal Environment - USGS Fact Sheet In terms of insured losses, Hurricane Andrew is the most severe catastrophe in the Nation history. Prior to the arrival of Andrew, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Louisiana Geological Survey (LGS), acquired an extensive body of information and data on the behavior and long-term erosion of Louisiana barrier islands. As a result, we have a clear understanding of pre-storm conditions in this area; Andrew provided an opportunity to learn in detail the impact of a very large storm on Louisiana coastal environment. Posted: 2004-03-02
Coastal Classification Atlas - West-Central Florida Coastal Classification Maps - Anclote Key to Venice Inlet A Coastal Classification Map describing local geomorphic features is the first step toward determining the hazard vulnerability of an area. The Coastal Classification Maps of the National Assessment of Coastal Change Project present ground conditions such as beach width, dune elevations, overwash potential, and density of development. In order to complete a hazard vulnerability assessment, that information must be integrated with other information, such as prior storm impacts and beach stability. The Coastal Classification Maps provide much of the basic information for such an assessment and represent a critical component of a storm-impact forecasting capability. This web site covers West-Central Florida from Anclote Key to Venice Inlet. Posted: 2004-03-01
Coastal Classification Atlas - Southwestern Florida Coastal Classification Maps - Venice Inlet to Cape Romano A Coastal Classification Map describing local geomorphic features is the first step toward determining the hazard vulnerability of an area. The Coastal Classification Maps of the National Assessment of Coastal Change Project present ground conditions such as beach width, dune elevations, overwash potential, and density of development. In order to complete a hazard vulnerability assessment, that information must be integrated with other information, such as prior storm impacts and beach stability. The Coastal Classification Maps provide much of the basic information for such an assessment and represent a critical component of a storm-impact forecasting capability. This web site covers Southwestern Florida from Venice Inlet to Cape Romano. Posted: 2004-03-01
Coastal Classification Atlas - Eastern Panhandle of Florida Coastal Classification Maps - Lighthouse Point to St. Andrew Bay Entrance Channel A Coastal Classification Map describing local geomorphic features is the first step toward determining the hazard vulnerability of an area. The Coastal Classification Maps of the National Assessment of Coastal Change Project present ground conditions such as beach width, dune elevations, overwash potential, and density of development. In order to complete a hazard vulnerability assessment, that information must be integrated with other information, such as prior storm impacts and beach stability. The Coastal Classification Maps provide much of the basic information for such an assessment and represent a critical component of a storm-impact forecasting capability. This CD covers Eastern Panhandle of Florida Coastal Classification Maps from Lighthouse Point to the St. Andrew Bay Entrance Channel. Posted: 2004-03-01
An Overview of Coastal Land Loss: With Emphasis on the Southeastern United States In states bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, vast areas of coastal land have been destroyed since the mid 1800s as a result of natural processes and human activities. The physical factors that have the greatest influence on coastal land loss are reductions in sediment supply, relative sea level rise, and frequent storms, whereas the most important human activities are sediment excavation, river modification, and coastal construction. As a result of these agents and activities, coastal land loss is manifested most commonly as beach/bluff erosion and coastal submergence. Posted: 2003-08-20
A Summary of Findings of the West-Central Florida Coastal Studies Project This report summarizes the major findings of the West-Central Florida Coastal Studies Project which was funded by the United States Geological Survey. This project was a co-operative five-year venture designed to conduct a geologic framework study of a barrier-island coastline and its adjacent inner continental shelf off west-central Florida. Posted: 2003-07-24
Geology and Human Activity in the Florida Keys - USGS Fact Sheet Live corals on the east side of the Florida Keys are mysteriously dying and algae are taking over that eco-niche. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies and mapping of the Keys and the reef tract suggest that a number of natural factors, combined with effects of human activity, may contribute to the corals' demise. A complete geological study of this ecosystem would provide the kind of information environmental managers need to determine the extent of damage to reefs resulting from human activity. Posted: 2003-03-02
Coral Mortality and African Dust Why have coral reefs that are bathed in clear oceanic waters throughout much of the Caribbean suffered algal infestation, coral diseases, and near extinction of herbivorous sea urchins from the 1970s through early 1990s? The best known factors detrimental to coral reefs do not apply for many of the affected reefs where human population is low. Posted: 2003-02-18
West-Central Florida Coastal Transect #3: Sand Key - USGS Open File Report 99-507 This is the third of nine transect areas extending from the mainland of west-central Florida out to a depth of 26m. Data collected and presented includes sediment core data and side-scan sonar mapping of portions of the seafloor. Posted: 2002-12-17
West-Central Florida Coastal Transect #8: Siesta Key - USGS Open File Report 99-512 This is the eighth of nine transect areas extending from the mainland of west-central Florida out to a depth of 26m. Data collected and presented includes sediment core data and side-scan sonar mapping of portions of the seafloor. Posted: 2002-12-17
West-Central Florida Coastal Transect #9: Casey Key - USGS Open File Report 99-513 This is the ninth of nine transect areas extending from the mainland of west-central Florida out to a depth of 26m. Data collected and presented includes sediment core data and side-scan sonar mapping of portions of the seafloor. Posted: 2002-12-17
Chemical Pollutants and Toxic Effects on Benthic Organisms, Biscayne Bay, Florida Through the study of benthic foraminifera in Florida's Biscayne Bay, this project seeks to identify the distribution of pollutants and their effects in the bay. Findings will be used to assist in planning Everglades restoration and to aid in understanding recent change in local coral reef health. Posted: 2002-08-27
USGS Marine Sediment analysis procedures, database of East Coast sediment analyses, and georeferenced displays of the sediment types This report (available as CDROM) contains full procedural instructions and methods for marine sediment analysis, including video tutorials and analytical software. It also contains the full database of sediment textural information of the USGS Woods Hole Field Center during about 38 years of operations, about 19,000 samples, beginning with the Continental Margin Program conducted with K.O. Emery and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from 1962-1970. It also provides background and tools for visualizing and displaying sediment textural information using GIS. Truly a significant compilation of data, information, and instructional materials for Marine sedimentological studies. Posted: 2002-04-24
Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise: Preliminary Results for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Coast This report estimates relative vulnerability to sea-level rise of different coastal environments in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. This initial classification is based on coastal geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of sea-level rise, wave and tide characteristics, and historical shoreline change rates. Posted: 2002-04-23
Online Mini-Documentary Movie - The Effects of Globally Transported African and Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health "The Effects of Globally Transported African and Asian Dust on Coral Reef and Human Health" is an eight minute mini-documentary featuring biologist Ginger Garrison, geologist Gene Shinn, chemist Chuck Holmes, and microbiologist Dale Griffin as they explain the deterioration of Caribbean coral health over the past several decades, and how unlocking the key role of trans-Atlantic dust transport has opened the door to understanding the effects and implications of this global phenomenon. Narrated by geologist Terry Edgar. Posted: 2001-11-08
West-Central Florida Coastal Studies This project is a study of the west central Florida coast, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, University of South Florida, and Eckerd College. The study investigates the formation and maintanance of the barrier island system, as well as the geologic framework of the region. Posted: 2001-10-31
Remote Sensing Applications to Coral Reef Environments The main goal of this project is to investigate and analyze remotely sensed image data to determine their applicability for detecting and mapping the location of live and dead reef areas, density of coral cover, and the major type of coral present, as well as algae, silt/mud, and carbonate sand cover. Posted: 2001-09-04
Mapping Coastal Change Hazards An illustrated discussion of coastal change hazards and the work that the U.S. Geological Survey is doing to map and understand these hazards. Posted: 2001-05-03
A Photo Gallery of Florida's Big Bend Tidal Wetlands This collection offers a thematic tour of Florida's Big Bend tidal wetlands, covering aspects of the flora, fauna, and geology of this mosaic of tidal marsh, coastal forest, and winding tidal creeks. Posted: 2001-02-23
Global Inventory of Natural Gas Hydrate Occurance This updated global inventory reports on natural gas hydrate recovered from 20 places worldwide and includes 79 places where the presence of gas hydrate has been inferred from geophysical, geochemical, or geological evidence. Posted: 2001-01-09
Remote Video Monitoring Remote Video Monitoring (RVM) systems provide a means of automatically acquiring video data from remote locations and returning them to a central laboratory computer for processing. This project makes use of RVM technology to monitor coastal change at locations in Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Washington. Posted: 2000-10-02
Limited Sand Resources for Eroding Beaches - Fact Sheet Beach erosion is a major concern on the highly developed west-central Florida coast. The region between Anclote Key in southern Pasco County and Venice Inlet in central Sarasota County contains 18 barrier islands and inlets spanning 130 km of coastline, much of which has undergone significant change within the past century. Posted: 2000-10-02
Sea-level Rise and Coastal Forests on the Gulf of Mexico - Open File Report 99-441 Sea-level Rise and Coastal Forests on the Gulf of Mexico is a 127-page report discussing the effects of sea-level rise and storm impacts on coastal forests of the Gulf of Mexico. Separate chapters are devoted to non-mangrove and mangrove forests. Information on the responses of individual tree species to increased salinity and flooding is included. Posted: 2000-08-10
Geologic Characterization of Lakes and Rivers of Northeast Florida This study is part of a series of cooperative investigations conducted from 1993 to 1997 of inland and offshore waters and adjacent terrain throughout much of the St. Johns River Water Management District in northeastern Florida. Posted: 2000-03-03
Seismic Stratigraphy of the Central Indian River Region - Open File Report 97-723 The geology and and hydrology of the central Indian River region along the central east coast of Florida is of critical concern to the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). In this area the upward migration of deeper, more saline ground water in the lower Floridan aquifer to the shallower, fresher ground water of the upper Floridan aquifer and above, may impact the water quality of this resource. Posted: 2000-02-29
East Gulf of Mexico Satellite Imagery Satellite imagery of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, measuring sea surface temperature, reflectance, and altimetry, is taken, processed, and posted in online archives several times per day. Posted: 2000-01-27
Florida Bay Satellite Imagery Satellite imagery of Florida Bay, measuring sea surface temperature and reflectance, is taken, processed, and posted in online archives several times per day. Posted: 2000-01-27
Image Processing Methods - Open File Report 97-287 Image Processing Methods: Procedures in selection, registration, normalization and enhancement of satellite imagery in coastal wetlands. Posted: 1999-06-25
A Giant Sediment Trap in the Florida Keys Aerial photography, high resolution seismic profiling, coring and jet probing have revealed a large sediment-filled sinkhole in the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo, Florida. The 600-m-diameter feature straddles coral reef and carbonate-sand facies and contains >55 m of marine lime sand and aragonite mud. Posted: 1998-04-21