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A quantitative analysis of non-coral communities at sites along a water quality gradient in the bay off of Aua, American Samoa: taxa species and counts of macroinvertebrates, benthic microalgae, and benthic foraminifera from samples collected between 2022-09-11 to 2022-09-26 (NCEI Accession 0284083)

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This data package includes a quantitative analysis of non-coral communities at sites along a water quality gradient off of Aua, American Samoa in 2022. These datasets were funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) Project Number 31303 to study effects of land-based sources of pollution (LBSP) in Aua, American Samoa. In September 2022 Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) scientists of the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) flew into American Samoa to survey 18 sites along a water quality gradient off of Aua. Three datasets are provided of the taxa species and counts of benthic foraminifera, benthic microalgae, and macroinvertebrates from samples collected between 9-28 September 2022. Samples were preserved in the field, and brought back to the NOAA Inouye Regional Center (IRC) and analyzed via microscopy. To analyze benthic foraminifera abundance, sediment samples were collected using a small sediment corer (60 ml syringe with the tip removed and a stopper placed there instead). Only the top 3 cm were retained. Under the microscope, benthic foraminifera were picked out of the sediment and identified. To analyze benthic microalgae, microscope slides were deployed on the seafloor at each site for 2 to 3 weeks. The benthic microalgae that settled was fixed and preserved in Lugol's solution and analyzed. Microalgae included diatoms (pennate and centric), dinoflagellates, chlorophyta, and cyanobacteria. To analyze macroinvertebrates: plastic scouring pads were deployed and attached to the substratum with zip-ties for 2 to 3 weeks. The scouring pads were removed after the settlement period, all plastic zip-ties and additional waste were removed from the reef. Macroinvertebrates that settled on the scouring pad were placed into sampling jars and fixed and preserved with 4% formalin, and subsequently analyzed under the microscope.

These quantitative non-coral community surveys were one of several surveys conducted at the same sites across Aua reef in September 2022. Other surveys described and archived separately include surveys of water quality, CTD casts, coral demography, benthic imagery/benthic cover, and coral demography. These can be accessed under the 'Related Items' section of the InPort metadata record.
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2023). A quantitative analysis of non-coral communities at sites along a water quality gradient in the bay off of Aua, American Samoa: taxa species and counts of macroinvertebrates, benthic microalgae, and benthic foraminifera from samples collected between 2022-09-11 to 2022-09-26 (NCEI Accession 0284083). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0284083. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0284083
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2022-09-11 to 2022-09-26
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -170.669
East: -170.665
South: -14.2881
North: -14.2717
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2023: Effects of water quality on non-coral communities: surveys of macroinvertebrates, benthic microalgae, and benthic foraminifera at sites along a water quality gradient in Aua, American Samoa in 2022
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2023-10-26
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
Submission Package ID: 4DBB0N
Purpose Benthic foraminifera, benthic microalgae, and macroinvertebrates are known to respond to poor water quality. These surveys were conducted to assess the impact of poor water quality on the non-coral reef communities off of Aua, American Samoa and whether they could be used as bioindicators. This work is of fundamental importance for the development of the Aua Watershed Management Plan, and will enable Federal and jurisdictional resource managers to more effectively assess the effectiveness of watershed management actions reducing land-based pollution and impacts to the adjacent coral reef ecosystems. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) funds research under the Land-Based Sources of Pollution. This mission (Project number 31303) sought out to examine the impacts of LBSP on reef communities (coral and non-coral) in Aua, a high priority watershed in American Samoa. This mission builds on prior assessment and monitoring surveys of benthic reef communities conducted in Faga'alu and Vatia bays in 2012, 2015, and 2022 to address National and Jurisdictional goals to reduce the impacts of LBSP in local priority watersheds. Together with periodic monitoring, this coral reef community baseline for Aua reef will allow scientists to quantify temporal changes in the condition and integrity and enable Jurisdictional and Federal resource managers to make informed decisions pertaining to the protection and preservation of critical habitats. The overall effort required to evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies is significant and requires close coordination between local and Federal efforts.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2023). A quantitative analysis of non-coral communities at sites along a water quality gradient in the bay off of Aua, American Samoa: taxa species and counts of macroinvertebrates, benthic microalgae, and benthic foraminifera from samples collected between 2022-09-11 to 2022-09-26 (NCEI Accession 0284083). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0284083. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
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Acknowledgments
  • Related Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; NOS; Coral Reef Conservation Program
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
  • Numeric Data Sets > Biology
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Microbiota > Cyanobacteria
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Microbiota > Phytoplankton > Species
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Microbiota > Protist
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Baseline studies
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > In Situ Biological
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Rapid Assessment Studies
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Benthic biology
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Macroinvertebrates
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Provider Keywords
  • LBSP
  • bioindicator
  • land-based sources of pollution
  • macroinvertebrates
  • microalgae
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Contributing Data Centers
  • CRED
  • CREP
  • Coral Reef Ecosystem Division
  • Coral Reef Ecosystem Program
  • ESD
  • Ecosystem Sciences Division
  • PIFSC
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Provider Instrument
  • scouring pads
  • sediment corer
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS CoRIS Place Thesaurus
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > American Samoa (14S170W0000)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Tutuila Island (14S170W0016)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > Tutuila Island > Aua (14S170W0010)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > American Samoa (14S170W0000)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Tutuila Island (14S170W0016)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Pago Pago Harbor > Aua (14S170W0010)
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS CRCP Project
  • 31303
  • Linking watershed management activities to reef health in Aua, American Samoa
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2023). A quantitative analysis of non-coral communities at sites along a water quality gradient in the bay off of Aua, American Samoa: taxa species and counts of macroinvertebrates, benthic microalgae, and benthic foraminifera from samples collected between 2022-09-11 to 2022-09-26 (NCEI Accession 0284083). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0284083. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
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  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2023-10-26T06:41:55Z - NCEI Accession 0284083 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: MACROINVERTEBRATE CENSUS (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: microscope; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Plastic scouring pads were deployed and attached to the substratum via zip-ties for 2 to weeks. The scouring pads were removed after the settlement period, all plastic zip-ties and additional waste were removed from the reef. Macroinvertebrates that settled on the scouring pad were placed into sampling jars and fixed and preserved with 4% formalin, and subsequently identified to major taxonomic categories and counted under the microscope. Macroinvertebrate abundance of major taxonomic groups include copepods (oncaeidae, harpacticoida, cyclopoida, sapphirinidae, unknown), isopods, ostracods, amphipods, tanaids, cumaceans, pteropods, gastropods, halacaridae, chaetognaths, vermitid tube snails, nematods, polychaetes, terebellidae, capitellidae, crustacean nauplii, crustacean larvae, shrimp larvae, mantis shrimp larvae, hermit crab, crab zoea, crab megalopa, crab juvenile, fish larvae, brittle star larvae, urchin larvae, mollusk veligers, bivalve larvae, and barnacle larvae; Data Quality Method: Three replicates were analyzed per site.
  • Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA COUNTS (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: microscope; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Abundance of benthic microalgae was also measured. Microscope slides were deployed on the seafloor at each site for 2 to 3 weeks. The benthic microalgae that settled on the slides were fixed and preserved in Lugol's solution and analyzed. Microalgae included diatoms (pennate and centric), dinoflagelates, chlorophyta, and cyanobacteria, and were identified and counted under the microscope.; Data Quality Method: Three replicates were analyzed per site.
  • Parameter or Variable: FORAMINIFERA (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: microscope; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Sediment samples were collected using a small sediment corer (60 ml syringe with the tip removed and a stopper placed there instead). Only the top 3 cm were retained. Under the microscope, benthic foraminifera were picked out of the sediment and identified.; Data Quality Method: Three replicates were analyzed per site.
  • Parameter or Variable: cyanobacteria (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: microscope; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Counts of cyanobacteria were included in the benthic microalgal abundance measurements. Microscope slides were deployed on the seafloor at each site for 2 to 3 weeks and the benthic microalgae that settled was fixed and preserved in Lugol's solution and analyzed. Microalgae included diatoms (pennate and centric), dinoflagellates, chlorophyta, and cyanobacteria, and were identified and counted under the microscope..
  • Parameter or Variable: diatom (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: microscope; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Counts of diatoms were included in the benthic microalgal abundance measurements. Microscope slides were deployed on the seafloor at each site for 2 to 3 weeks and the benthic microalgae that settled was fixed and preserved in Lugol's solution and analyzed. Microalgae included diatoms (pennate and centric), dinoflagelates, chlorophyta, and cyanobacteria, and were identified and counted under the microscope..
  • Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA IDENTITIES (measured); Units: counts; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: microscope; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic foraminifera: Sediment samples were collected (Sept 26, 2022) using a small sediment corer (60 ml syringe with the tip removed and a stopper placed there instead). Only the top 3 cm were retained. Under the microscope, benthic foraminifera were picked out of the sediment and identified. Microscope slides were deployed on the seafloor at each site for 2 to 3 weeks to quantify and identify different types of benthic microalgae. Microalgae included diatoms (pennate and centric), dinoflagellates, chlorophyta, and cyanobacteria, and were identified and counted under the microscope.; Data Quality Method: Three replicates were analyzed per site..
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • microscope
  • visual estimate
Platform
  • CHARTERED VESSEL
Last Modified: 2024-04-19T19:21:57Z
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