Distribution of Surficial Sediments of NOAA H11310 Sidescan Sonar Mosaic in Central Narragansett Bay (H11310SEDS.SHP)

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 mosaic presented herein covers an area of the sea floor in central Narragansett Bay. The mosaic and their interpretations (represented in part by this data layer) 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 sidescan sonar mosaics 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）合作开展工作，对美国东北海岸沿线河口的表层地质进行解译。本研究的核心目标为利用侧扫声纳影像、高分辨率水深测量数据与沉积物实测资料，解译纳拉甘西特湾某区域内的表层沉积物分布与沉积环境。本文所展示的镶嵌图覆盖了纳拉甘西特湾中部的海底区域。该镶嵌图及其解译成果（部分体现为本次数据集图层）可服务于多项用途，包括：（1）明确海底地质变异性，该因素是控制底栖生境多样性的主要驱动因素之一；（2）加深对调控海底沉积物分布与输运过程、底栖生境分布及相关底内群落结构的机制的理解；（3）为未来的科研、监测与管理活动提供精细化的研究框架。侧扫声纳镶嵌图同时可作为后续沉积学、地球化学与生物学观测的基准底图，因为环境背景的精准信息对于采样点位的选取以及单点测量结果的准确解译至关重要。