76234 Culebra sediment trap monitoring data Data Set Published / External 71161 CaribbeanRegion Project Completed 2025 2025 2025 This record provides sediment trap monitoring data collected periodically between 30 August 2023 and 6 February 2024 at 13 nearshore monitoring stations on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, as part of Culebra's Ridge-to-Reef Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to assess the effectiveness of the NOAA strategies and actions in priority watersheds to reduce land-based sources of pollution (LBSP) impacts to the nearshore marine ecosystems of the island. Monitoring stations were co-located with nearshore water quality monitoring sties and long-term seagrass monitoring transects. Monitoring stations were selected to identify watershed discharge points, coastal hydrodynamics, as well as the existing level of LBSP exposure and anticipated changes to LBSP exposure due to management actions. Nearshore monitoring stations were designated based on their land based sources of pollution management implementation status (LBSP Treatment Group), as follows: 1) LBSP Restoration stations: Located downstream where land-based pollutant management has or is being implemented. 2) LBSP Control stations: Represent a range of land-based pollutant impairments, including sites with no LBSP management, no known direct discharge of LBSP but are representative of the range of external factors that may be encountered at the LBSP Restoration stations. 3) Negative Reference stations of know significant -anecdotal and quantified- LBSP impairment. 4) Positive Reference stations of low LBSP impairment. Two replicate sediment traps were deployed at each monitoring station. Traps were constructed and installed following Storlazzi et al. (2011) with an added honeycomb baffle at the top to reduce turbulence in the trap and prevent sample disturbance by aquatic organisms. Traps were retrieved and redeployed periodically (30-Aug-22 to 6-Feb-23; 6-Feb-23 to 1-May-23; 1-May-23 to 07-Aug-23; 07-Aug-23 to 6-Nov-23; 6-Nov-23 to 6-Feb-24). In the lab, the accumulated sediment from one trap was dried and weighed to estimate accumulation rates (mg/cm2/day). The contents of the second trap were separated into coarse (<2 mm-63 um) and fine (<63 um) fractions, dried and weighed to the estimate accumulation rate, followed by a sequential loss on ignition procedure (following Edmunds & Gray 2014, Heiri et al. 2001) to assess the terrigenous, carbonate, and organic composition. Laboratory analyses were conducted at University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras. Please review the Culebra Sediment Trap Monitoring Work Plan (Vargas-Angel 2024) for a complete methodological description. The data presented herein was collected with financial support from NOAA Restoration Center and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The research questions, survey design and monitoring localities were specific to this study and the associated water quality data is unsuitable in a regulatory framework. References: Edmunds, Peter & Gray, Sarah. (2014). The effects of storms, heavy rain, and sedimentation on the shallow coral reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands. Hydrobiologia. 734, 143-158. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-014-1876-7 Heiri, O., Lotter, A. F., & Lemcke, G. (2001) Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content in sediments: Reproducibility and comparability of results Journal of Paleolimnology, 25, 101-110. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008119611481 Storlazzi, C. D., Field, M. E., & Bothner, M. H. (2011). The use (and misuse) of sediment traps in coral reef environments: Theory, observations, and suggested protocols. Coral Reefs, 30(1), 23-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0705-3 Vargas-Angel B (2024D) Culebra Sediment Trap Monitoring Work Plan: Developing a nearshore sediment trap monitoring program to evaluate changes in LBSP exposure in Culebra, Puerto Rico. Available at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024d_Sediment_Trap_Monitoring_WorkPlan.pdf This work is an integral component of the Culebra Ridge-to-Reef Monitoring Program; a spatiotemporally coordinated effort designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the NOAA management strategies and actions in priority watersheds to reduce land-based sources of pollution (LBSP) impacts to the nearshore marine ecosystems of the island. This ridge-to-reef monitoring framework implements a Multiple Lines of Evidence approach consisting of: 1) Monitoring of LBSP stressors that are being managed through NOAA funding including sediment accumulation at unpaved road stabilization projects, water quality monitoring at key points throughout the watershed, and watershed modeling to estimate pollutant loads into the nearshore coastal environment. 2) Monitoring of LBSP exposure through nearshore water quality and sediment trap monitoring at nearshore fixed stations. 3) Monitoring of nearshore habitat responses that is co-located with the aforementioned nearshore water quality fixed stations and includes data collection via seagrass monitoring transects. Within this context, sediment accumulation rates and composition are characterized and tracked to quantify the land-based pollutant exposure levels in the receiving coastal environment and the associated seagrass and coral reef communities, which are ultimately the focal point of the NOAA LBSP management efforts on Culebra. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024_Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program.pdf https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024d_Sediment_Trap_Monitoring_WorkPlan.pdf https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024c_Nearshore_WaterQuality_Monitoring_WorkPlan.pdf https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024e_Seagrass_Monitoring_Transects_WorkPlan.pdf https://doi.org/10.25921/sctk-n998 Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > COASTAL Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > ESTUARY > SAV/SEA GRASS BED Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > COASTAL PROCESSES > ESTUARIES Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > COASTAL PROCESSES > SEDIMENTATION Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > MARINE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > MARINE SEDIMENTS Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > MARINE SEDIMENTS > SEDIMENT COMPOSITION Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > MARINE SEDIMENTS > SEDIMENTATION Theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > MARINE SEDIMENTS > TERRIGENOUS SEDIMENTS Theme ISO 19115 Topic Category environment Theme ISO 19115 Topic Category oceans Temporal Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords Decadal Spatial Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > CENTRAL AMERICA Spatial Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > CARIBBEAN SEA > PUERTO RICO Stratum Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords 10 meters - < 30 meters Platform Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords Data Analysis Platform Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords Data Collections Platform Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords ZODIACS Theme Internal NOAA NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Theme Internal Noaa NOAA Restoration Center Theme Theme Land-based sources of pollution Theme Theme Sedimentation Theme Theme Water quality Spatial Spatial Culebra Island Spatial Spatial Ensenada Honda Spatial Spatial Nearshore Spatial Spatial Puerto Manglar Instrument Instrument Analytical balance Instrument Instrument Drying oven Instrument Instrument Furnace Platform Platform Small boat National Centers for Environmental Information - Silver Spring, Maryland Silver Spring MD Data Set CSV Files None Planned Table (digital) These are processed data and include: average sediment accumulation rates in milligrams per centimeter square, per day (mg/cm2/day), and percent composition (i.e., carbonate, organic, and terrigenous) for each size fraction (coarse: <2 mm - 63um; fine: <63 um). The temporal data for each survey include: sediment trap deployment and recovery dates. While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. Sea Ventures: Miquel Figuerola, Catalina Morales; Protectores de Cuencas: Yasiel Figueroa-Sanchez, Juan Sanchez, and Rebeca Rivera-Rieira; NOAA - OCM: Bernardo Vargas-Angel Co-Author 2023-05-01 2024-02-06 Person Vargas-Angel, Bernardo bernardo.vargasangel@noaa.gov https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2001-463X 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA (808)725-5423 Data Steward 2025 2035 Person Vandiver, Lisa lisa.vandiver@noaa.gov Distributor 2025 2035 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information NCEI ncei.info@noaa.gov https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. Online Resource Metadata Contact 2025 2035 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information NCEI ncei.info@noaa.gov https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. Online Resource -65.30833333333 -65.24444444444 18.31388888889 18.28861111111 Ensenada Honda and Puneto Manglar in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico Range 2022-08-30 2024-02-06 Geographic 2D EPSG:4326 WGS 84 World Geodetic System 1984 WGS 84 6378137 298.257223563 1 Geodetic Lattitude Lat degree north 2 Geodetic Longitude Lon degree east Standard CC0-1.0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ These data were produced by NOAA and are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. NOAA waives any potential copyright and related rights in these data worldwide through the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0-1.0). Unclassified We welcome the opportunity to collaborate on research issues contributing to the scientific basis for better management of marine ecosystems. The following recommendations are for your consideration as you use this data: 1) Data analyses should take all field exigencies into account. The most effective way to do this would be active collaboration with principal investigators. 2) In all presentations, product releases, or publications using these data proper acknowledgement the funding agencies and individuals responsible for data collection is expected. Citing the DOI (if available) is preferred, a non-DOI example is listed below. 3) If you collect or generate data for the same study areas, NOAA requests that you share relevant information on complimentary data collections. Data can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive. None None None None https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0306180 2025 2035 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 CulebraSedimentTrapConstituentsData_Aug2022-Feb2024.csv Culebra sediment constituents data CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) 6 KB Uncompressed https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0306180 2025 2035 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 CulebraSedimentTrapConstituents_Aug2022-Feb2024_DataDictionary.csv Culebra sediment trap constituents data dictionary CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0306180 2025 2035 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 CulebraSedimentTrapAccumulationData_Aug2022-Feb2024.csv Culebra sediment accumulation rates data CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) 7 KB Uncompressed https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0306180 2025 2035 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 CulebraSedimentAccumulation_Aug2022-Feb2024_DataDictionary.csv Culebra sediment accumulation rates data dictionary CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) 1KB Uncompressed Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 NCEI ncei.info@noaa.gov NCEI Accession 0306180 Sediment accumulation rates and constituents in Culebra, Puerto Rico from sediment trap monitoring surveys conducted from 2022-08-30 to 2024-02-06 (NCEI Accession 0306180) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0306180 https://doi.org/10.25921/sctk-n998 2025-07-18 D 2025-08-07T21:47:27 2025-08-07T21:47:27 Data were collected periodically between 2022-08-30 and 2024-02-06 and provide a quantitative baseline of sediment accumulation rates and composition at key nearshore sites selected to identify watershed discharge points, coastal hydrodynamics, as well as the existing level of LBSP exposure and anticipated changes to LBSP exposure due to management actions. The same la instrumentation (i.e., analytical balance, drying oven, and furnace) was employed to process and analyze all samples. Handheld GPS units were used to locate sites and mark site locations. Sediment samples were processed at the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras. Laboratory technician turnover subtle sample processing inconsistencies are expected. A few of sample processing and analytical computations inaccuracies were identified which required the removal of those data points. Data gaps may originate from, but not limited to sample loss due to bioturbation, sample handling, and laboratory technician turnover. Handheld GPS units were used to locate sites. Survey and analytical methods were consistent across all samples. The quality control occurred at three major stages - 1) instrument calibration; 2) data entry; and 3) data management. Data entry quality control included both review and manual error correction steps. This data addresses Land Based Sources of Pollution exposure monitoring, specifically sediment trap monitoring, which together with LBSP habitat response monitoring represent the basis of Culebra's Integrated LBSP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework with which to successfully assess progress and effectiveness toward achieving NOAA LBSP management goals and outcomes on Culebra. Appendix A: Identifying Priority Fixed-Site Monitoring Locations Organization NOAA Coral Reef Information System Publisher 2024-01-01 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024f_Appendix-A_Identifying_Priority_Fixed-Site_Monitoring_Locations.pdf Vargas-Angel2024f_Appendix-A_Identifying_Priority_Fixed-Sites_Monitoring_Locations Culebra ridge-to-reef monitoring identifying priority fixed-site monitoring location NOAA Coral Reef Information System; The Coral Program's Watershed Management Activities; Puerto Rico, Culebra Culebra LBSP Ridge to Reef Monitoring Program: Standardized work plans to monitor changes in land-based sources of pollution stressors, exposure, and habitat responses on Culebra Island, Puerto Rico Organization NOAA Coral Reef Information System Publisher 2024-01-01 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024c_Nearshore_WaterQuality_Monitoring_WorkPlan.pdf Vargas-Angel2024c_Culebra_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program Culebra ridge-to-reef monitoring program NOAA Coral Reef Information System: The Coral Program's Watershed Management Activities; Puerto Rico, Culebra Culebra Nearshore Water Quality Monitoring Program Work Plan: Developing a water quality monitoring program to evaluate changes in LBSP exposure in Culebra, Puerto Rico Organization NOAA Coral Reef Information System Publisher 2024-01-01 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024_Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program.pdf Vargas-Angel2024c_Nearshore_WaterQuality_Monitoring_Workplan Culebra nearshore water quality monitoring work plan NOAA Coral Reef Information System: The Coral Program's Watershed Management Activities; Puerto Rico, Culebra. Culebra Seagrass Monitoring Work Plan: Developing a seagrass monitoring program to evaluate changes in LBSP responses in Culebra, Puerto Rico Organization NOAA Coral Reef Information System Publisher 2024-01-01 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024e_Seagrass_Monitoring_Transects_WorkPlan.pdf Vargas-Angel2024e_Seagrass_Monitoring_Workplan Culebra seagrass transect monitoring work plan NOAA Coral Reef Information System: The Coral Program Watershed Management Activities; Puerto Rico, Culebra Culebra Sediment Trap Monitoring Work Plan: Developing a nearshore sediment trap monitoring program to evaluate changes in LBSP exposure in Culebra, Puerto Rico. Organization NOAA Coral Reef Information System Publisher Range 2022-08-30 2024-02-06 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/library/NOAA/CRCP/NMFS/OHC/Projects/30033/Culebra_LBSP_RidgeToReef_Monitoring_Program/Vargas-Angel2024d_Sediment_Trap_Monitoring_WorkPlan.pdf Vargas-Angel2024d_Culebra Sediment Trap Monitoring Work Plan Internal NOAA document NOAA Coral Reef Information System: The Coral Program Watershed Management Activities; Puerto RIco, Culebra 1 Visual quality control Person Vandiver, Lisa lisa.vandiver@noaa.gov 71162 Data Set Cross Reference Benthic Surveys in Culebra, Puerto Rico: comprehensive assessment of seagrass community structure and demography from transect surveys conducted in 2014 and 2022 75228 Data Set Cross Reference Sediment volume accumulated at unpaved dirt road stabilization projects on Culebra island, Puerto Rico from 2023-09-05 to 2024-05-28 76201 Data Set Cross Reference Water quality surveys in Culebra: comprehensive assessment of inorganic nutrient concentrations 2023-05-03 to 2024-05-21 75287 Data Set Cross Reference Water quality surveys in Culebra: comprehensive assessment of physical and chemical water characteristics 2023-02-08 to 2025-01-13 gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:76234 Bernardo Vargas-Angel 2025-06-26T17:39:23 SysAdmin InPortAdmin 2026-03-04T19:17:28 2025-07-18 Office for Coastal Management OCM 1002 Public No No 2025-07-18 1 Year 2026-07-18