2010 Hudson River Shallow Water Sediment Grabs

The Hudson River Shallow Water Mapping project characterizes the bottom of the Hudson River Estuary in shallow water (<3 m). The characterization includes acoustic data and bottom verification through sediment cores and grabs. Sediment cores and grabs for the zone of the Hudson River between Troy, NY and Saugerties, NY were collected in April 2010 by scientists of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory operating as sub-contractors of Fugro Atlantic. Samples were collected using the D. Prichard, a Stony Brook University vessel and analysed and archived at Lamont Doherty. This data set describes details of the sediment grabs. The grab samples were described in the field.

Original contact information:

Contact Org: NOAA Office for Coastal Management

Phone: 843-740-1202

Email: coastal.info@noaa.gov

Our work was consistent with the Statement of Work prepared by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to develop detailed bathymetric maps, acoustic reflectivity and acoustic character maps of the shallow portions of the Hudson River Estuary from the Verrazano Narrows north to the federal dam in Troy. In addition NYSDEC requested the collection of grab samples and 100 sediment cores at least one meter in length distributed throughout the same shallow portions of the Estuary. This project was being conducted as part of the Hudson River Estuary Action Plan promulgated by NYSDEC and approved by the Governor in 1996 which committed the State to, among other things, -Conduct a submerged habitat inventory to define areas most in need of protection for Hudson River fish, blue crab, and food chain species. -To conserve, protect, and, where possible, enhance critical river and shoreline habitats to assure that the life cycles of key species are supported for human enjoyment and to sustain a healthy ecosystem. -To conserve for future generations the rich diversity of plants, animals and habitats that are key to the vitality, natural beauty and environmental quality of the Hudson River Valley. Previous work in the Estuary was limited, in that detailed bathymetry was not acquired in areas of the estuary shallower than about 4 meters due to financial constraints. About a third of the estuary was not surveyed this third is the area that is home to important submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds which sustain much of the biologic community in the estuary. Utilizing advanced technology and the experience of the previous benthic mapping projects, this project provided NYSDEC maps of the shallow areas that were not addressed with the previous studies. Pilot studies (Maher, 2006; Strayer et al., 2006; Yeung and McConnaughey 2008) have indicated that variations in remote sensing acoustic data are strongly correlated to variations in benthic macro invertebrate communities. This primary goal of this project, guided by NYSDEC, was to acquire acoustic data in the shallow water areas of the estuary that would facilitate classification of the substrate into biologically significant units.

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The Husdon River Shallow Water Mapping Sediment Sampling QA Report and Final Report can be accessed at:

ftp://ftp.coast.noaa.gov/pub/benthic/Grab_Sample_Data/NY_HudsonRiver_sedcores.zip