ALBERT

Description: Examination of seismic reflection and core data between Sites 819 and 821 provides information about patterns of sedimentation that result from repetitive fluctuations in relative sea level and climatic perturbations. On the basis of sequencestratigraphic interpretations, we identify nine sequences bounded by sequence boundaries; each sequence contains lithologically distinct and relatively thin units that have been interpreted as condensed sections. Because of very high mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentation rates in this region, resolution of third-, fourth-, and fifth-order changes of sea level is recognized. One predominant condensed section is identified within each sequence and is associated with the maximum flooding surface of that sequence. These condensed sections are marked by increases in abundance of quartz, clay, and shallow-water bioclasts; increases in nonreworked pristine glauconites; decreases in total carbonate abundance; and increases in magnetic susceptibility. Increases in glauconite have been interpreted to indirectly reflect relative decreases in sedimentation rates, whereby sediment residence time is prolonged within suboxic bacterial degradation zones. Increases in bioclasts within transgressive systems tracts are attributed to relatively rapid buildups of shallow-water reefal communities that accompanied punctuated flooding events; during these times shallow-water carbonate growth accelerated as reefal communities built upward rapidly to keep up with rising sea level. Increases in quartz and clay contents during maximum flooding are thought to be tied to sediment starvation, whereby background clays and quartz contents are concentrated. Decreased accommodation potential during relative highstand phases promoted progressive highstand systems tract progradation and sedimentation of reworked glauconites and terrigenous sands, silts, and clays. These depositional phases also are marked by increases in bioclastic sands that accompanied the progradational, seaward building events.

Description: Most of the sediments at Sites 819 through 821 are underconsolidated, likely the result of high sedimentation rates. Normally consolidated sediments appear at intervals of low sedimentation rate at Site 820. Overconsolidation occurs in the shallowest unit of Site 820, suggesting recent mass wasting, and at the deepest interval, which may define an older erosional surface. At Site 819 for the depth range of 0 to 400 m, porosity is correlated with percentage of mud and is inversely proportional to carbonate content. Mass accumulation rates in the upper 30 m above a major hiatus at Site 819 are fairly constant from 240 to 100 k.y., following a 50-k.y. period of slightly higher accumulation rates. The mass accumulation rate increases steadily from 100 k.y. to the present.

Description: Data collection occurred in four parts during 2018 to 2019 for the Pawcatuck River: weekly collection from the Stillman and Westerly Bridges in Westerly, RI; collections were also taken seasonally from various bridges in a transect from head of the Pawcatuck River at Warden Pond to Westerly, RI; rain water was collected at UConn Avery Point - Groton, CT; and wastewater data reported by Westerly Wastewater Facility (which was corroborated in house at UConn Avery Point). Standard data collected was nutrient concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and phosphate. Total dissolved nitrogen, particulate nitrogen, and chlorophyll-a were also collected and measured. Our study utilized stable isotopes of nitrate and particulate nitrogen with the intent of tracking sources, cycling, and loading along the river. We focused on δ15N-NO3, δ18O-NO3, δ17O-NO3, and δ15N-PN. Through collection of rainwater at UConn Avery Point, percent atmospheric deposition of river samples based on the mass independent fractionation between δ17O and δ18O was calculated. Loading was calculated for each nutrient source based on collected data and river discharge reported from the USGS.

Description: These data were compiled from original and published datasets of coastal groundwater / subterranean estuary research efforts along global coastline (sites within 1km of shoreline). The dataset includes sampling site names, locations, original sample information, sample depth, temperature, salinity, dissolved nitrogen concentrations, and dissolved phosphorus concentrations. The data source or curator is also included in the dataset.