ASCII text file of the Original 1-m Gridded Bathymetry from NOAA Survey H11310 in Central Narragansett Bay (H11310_1M_UTM19NAD83.TXT)

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is working cooperatively with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) to interpret the surficial geology in estuaries along the coast of the northeastern United States. The purpose of our present study is to interpret the distributions of surficial sediments and sedimentary environments in an area of Narragansett Bay using sidescan sonar imagery, high-resolution bathymetry, and sediment data. The bathymetry presented herein covers an area of the sea floor in central Narragansett Bay. The bathymetry and their interpretations serve many purposes, including: (1) defining the geological variability of the sea floor, which is one of the primary controls of benthic habitat diversity; (2) improving our understanding of the processes that control the distribution and transport of bottom sediments and the distribution of benthic habitats and associated infaunal community structures; and (3) providing a detailed framework for future research, monitoring, and management activities. The bathymetry images also serve as base maps for subsequent sedimentological, geochemical, and biological observations, because precise information on environmental setting is important for selection of sampling sites and for accurate interpretation of point measurements.

美国地质调查局（United States Geological Survey, USGS）正与美国国家海洋和大气管理局（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA）合作，对美国东北海岸沿线河口的表层地质开展解译工作。本研究旨在利用侧扫声呐影像（sidescan sonar imagery）、高分辨率测深数据（high-resolution bathymetry）与沉积物资料，对纳拉甘西特湾某区域内的表层沉积物分布及沉积环境进行解译。本文呈现的测深数据覆盖了纳拉甘西特湾中部的海底区域。该测深数据及其解译成果可服务于多重用途，具体包括：（1）明确海底地质变异性——这是调控底栖生境多样性的核心控制因素之一；（2）深化对控制海底沉积物分布与输运、底栖生境分布及相关底内群落结构的过程的认知；（3）为后续的研究、监测与管理活动提供精细化的研究框架。测深影像同时可作为后续沉积学、地球化学与生物学观测的底图，因为环境背景的精确信息对于采样点位的选取以及单点测量结果的精准解译至关重要。