Summary of Oceanographic and Water-Quality Measurements near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, 2011

Suspended-sediment transport is a critical element governing the geomorphology of tidal marshes. Marshes rely both on organic material and inorganic sediment deposition to maintain their elevation relative to sea-level. In wetlands near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD, portions of the salt marsh have been subsiding relative to sea level since the early 20th century. Other portions of the marsh have been successful at maintaining elevation. The USGS undertook measurements of suspended-sediment concentration in the tidal channels in order to understand the magnitude of suspended-sediment concentrations, the sediment-transport mechanisms, and relative differences between the two areas of the marsh. We deployed optical turbidity sensors and acoustic velocity meters at multiple sites over two periods in 2011. The time-series of oceanographic data collected during those field studies, including velocity, depth, turbidity, salinity, water temperature, and pH are presented here. For more information on the field operations associated with data collection: <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2011-017-FA> <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2011-029-FA> <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2011-044-FA> <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2011-050-FA>悬浮泥沙输运（Suspended-sediment transport）是调控潮汐沼泽（tidal marshes）地貌发育的关键要素。潮汐沼泽需同时依赖有机物质与无机泥沙沉积，方能维持其相对于海平面的高程。 美国马里兰州黑水国家野生动物保护区（Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge）附近的湿地中，部分盐沼自20世纪早期起便相对于海平面发生沉降，而另一部分沼泽则成功维持了自身高程。 美国地质调查局（USGS）针对潮汐河道内的悬浮泥沙浓度开展了测量工作，以期厘清悬浮泥沙浓度的量级、泥沙输运机制，以及两处沼泽区域间的相对差异。 研究团队于2011年分两个阶段在多个站点布设了光学浊度传感器（optical turbidity sensors）与声学流速仪（acoustic velocity meters）。 本数据集收录了上述野外研究期间采集的海洋学时间序列数据，涵盖流速、水深、浊度、盐度、水温及pH值。 如需了解与数据采集相关的野外作业详情，请访问以下链接： <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2011-017-FA> <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2011-029-FA> <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2011-044-FA> <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2011-050-FA>