gov.noaa.nodc:0248227 eng utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2026-01-30T13:08:00Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) ShellBase- Southeast Shellfish Water Quality Database for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina Coastal Waters, 1979-2020 (NCEI Accession 0248227) 2022-03-05 publication 2022-02-16 creation International DOI Foundation (IDF) 10.25921/xqpp-br40 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0248227 NCEI Archive Management System 0248227 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher Adrienne Canino Axiom Data Science adrienne@axiomdatascience.com https://www.axiomdatascience.com/ HTTPS Axiom Data Science website Institution web page information resourceProvider Axiom Data Science https://www.axiomdatascience.com/ HTTPS Axiom Data Science website Institution web page information resourceProvider Natalie Nelson North Carolina State University (NCSU) nnelson4@ncsu.edu http://www.ncsu.edu/ HTTP North Carolina State University (NCSU) website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Megan Carr North Carolina State University (NCSU) mmcarr@ncsu.edu http://www.ncsu.edu/ HTTP North Carolina State University (NCSU) website Institution web page information collaborator Jeremy Cothran University of South Carolina (USC) jeremy.cothran@gmail.com http://www.sc.edu/ HTTP University of South Carolina (USC) website Institution web page information collaborator Dan Ramage University of South Carolina (USC) dan@inlet.geol.sc.edu http://www.sc.edu/ HTTP University of South Carolina (USC) website Institution web page information collaborator Dwayne Porter University of South Carolina (USC) porter@sc.edu http://www.sc.edu/ HTTP University of South Carolina (USC) website Institution web page information pointOfContact Nelson, Natalie North Carolina State University College of Engineering http://www.ncsu.edu/ HTTP North Carolina State University (NCSU) website Institution web page information author Carr, Megan North Carolina State University College of Engineering http://www.ncsu.edu/ HTTP North Carolina State University (NCSU) website Institution web page information author Cothran, Jeremy Baruch Institute; University of South Carolina jeremy.cothran@gmail.com http://www.sc.edu/ HTTP University of South Carolina (USC) website Institution web page information author Ramage, Dan University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health http://www.sc.edu/ HTTP University of South Carolina (USC) website Institution web page information author Porter, Dan University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health http://www.sc.edu/ HTTP University of South Carolina (USC) website Institution web page information author tableDigital ShellBase is a normal-form database including historical bacteriological monitoring data collected in shellfish waters of North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Georgia (GA), and Florida (FL), USA, from 1979 to 2020. Data included in ShellBase includes fecal coliform measurements, ancillary environmental data when available (e.g., tidal stage, water quality parameters), laboratory analysis method, sampling strategy, and geospatial information including sampling station, growing area, and growing area classification. ShellBase was created to allow for monitoring data from the diverse state programs to be integrated into a single database. However, although the data from NC, SC, GA, and FL are combined in this integrated database, data cannot necessarily be compared between states given the diversity in the regulatory and monitoring strategies of each state shellfish sanitation program (see the Purpose section for more detail). ShellBase metadata includes descriptions of each state program’s classification, monitoring, and analysis schemes at the time of publishing the database. However, users who are interested in using these data for analysis and modeling are encouraged to contact the respective state shellfish sanitation programs to ensure the data are used responsibly. These data include tables and related lookup tables of information regarding bacteria density, salinity, water temperature and pH measurements of offshore locations from 1979 to 2020. ShellBase provides a standardized database structure that facilitates the integration of historical bacteriological data from distinct state programs. The database was structured to accept information from states with different monitoring, laboratory analysis, and classification schemes. Marine shellfish, including hard clams and oysters, are grown and harvested in coastal waters, where they are vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Bacteria of concern for shellfish sanitation, like fecally-associated pathogenic bacteria, are primarily introduced to nearshore areas through stormwater runoff, making bacterial contamination of shellfish growing areas directly linked to upstream land use and land cover, extreme weather events, and watershed hydrology. For decades, state agencies in charge of shellfish sanitation regulation have regularly monitored bacteria concentrations in waters where shellfish are grown. Because it is not possible to monitor all potentially pathogenic bacteria in the water, state programs specifically monitor fecal coliforms, which serve as an indicator of the presence of feces and potentially pathogenic bacteria. The Model Ordinance (Section II) of the Food and Drug Administration’s National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish specifies how states should structure their shellfish sanitation programs, and includes a range of options for classifying shellfish growing areas, establishing fecal bacteria monitoring programs, and regulating shellfish harvest. Accordingly, states differ in terms of how they regulate and monitor water quality in shellfish harvest areas, resulting in information collected and produced by state shellfish sanitation programs varying considerably. Additionally, because shellfish sanitation programs fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA and not the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state programs are not required to archive data in national and publicly accessible repositories like the U.S. Water Quality Portal, and instead usually maintain state-level databases for recording monitoring data. completed historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0248227 Preview graphic PNG 0248227 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2022-02-09 publication AIR TEMPERATURE BACTERIA - BACTERIAL DENSITY CONDUCTIVITY DISSOLVED OXYGEN pH SALINITY WATER TEMPERATURE WIND DIRECTION theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS in situ theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS Axiom Data Science dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coastal Waters of Florida Gulf of Mexico North Atlantic Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication Axiom Data Science dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WINDS > SURFACE WINDS > WIND DIRECTION EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > OXYGEN EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > PH EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN TEMPERATURE > WATER TEMPERATURE EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > SALINITY/DENSITY > CONDUCTIVITY EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > SALINITY/DENSITY > SALINITY EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > WATER QUALITY theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF AMERICA OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MEXICO place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian EARTH SCIENCE SERVICES > ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORIES > HYDROLOGICAL ADVISORIES > WATER QUALITY service Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian N3M325 Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: Public otherRestrictions Cite as: Nelson, Natalie; Carr, Megan; Cothran, Jeremy; Ramage, Dan; Porter, Dan (2022). ShellBase- Southeast Shellfish Water Quality Database for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina Coastal Waters, 1979-2020 (NCEI Accession 0248227). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/xqpp-br40. Accessed [date]. 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. otherRestrictions 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. GitHub - Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase 2021-02-11 publication https://github.com/Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase HTTPS https://github.com/Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase GitHub repository information [accessed 2022-03-04] crossReference project eng; USA utf8 environment oceans climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere biota -85.2208 -75.4692 24.8458 36.2441 1979-11-16 2020-12-31 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov pointOfContact 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. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. CSV SQL database 572.812 https://doi.org/10.25921/xqpp-br40 HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/248227 HTTPS Web browser Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/248227 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0196/0248227/ FTP Any FTP client FTP These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). download dataset NCEI Accession 0248227 v1.1 was published. 2022-03-05T00:48:34Z NCEI Accession 0248227 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0248227/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0248227 v1.1 published 2022-03-05T00:48:34Z download dataset Parameter or Variable: BACTERIA - BACTERIAL DENSITY (measured); Units: cfu/100 mL; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: varied; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Details on data processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing sections. All scripts used to restructure data provided by the state programs are included in the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase; Data Quality Method: The database was structured to accept information from states with different monitoring, laboratory analysis, and classification schemes. The sample rate of the data occurs at irregular intervals and is affected by the sampling protocol used by the state program. In a routine sampling protocol, samples are collected within a standardized sampling program to assess whether the bacteriological and water quality levels of the water body are acceptable for commercial shellfish growing. In a conditional sampling protocol, samples are collected ad-hoc after a large storm event, algal bloom, wastewater release, or other potential contamination event to assess whether the bacteriological water quality has returned to normal levels. The sample rate of the data is also affected by long-term industry changes. Overall, the sample rate has increased in conjunction with expanded shellfish growing areas and the standardization of management and sampling protocols, but periods of lower sampling frequencies have also occurred during times of state budget reconciliation and program restructuring. The data were created by the state shellfish sanitation programs in NC, SC, GA, and FL, and restructured by the ShellBase team to allow for integration with ShellBase. Details on the software used for processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing section of each state’s respective data description, marked with various values corresponding the included lookup tables. Parameter or Variable: WATER TEMPERATURE (measured); Units: degrees Celsius; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: various; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Details on data processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing sections. All scripts used to restructure data provided by the state programs are included in the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase; Data Quality Method: The database was structured to accept information from states with different monitoring, laboratory analysis, and classification schemes. The sample rate of the data occurs at irregular intervals and is affected by the sampling protocol used by the state program. In a routine sampling protocol, samples are collected within a standardized sampling program to assess whether the bacteriological and water quality levels of the water body are acceptable for commercial shellfish growing. In a conditional sampling protocol, samples are collected ad-hoc after a large storm event, algal bloom, wastewater release, or other potential contamination event to assess whether the bacteriological water quality has returned to normal levels. The sample rate of the data is also affected by long-term industry changes. Overall, the sample rate has increased in conjunction with expanded shellfish growing areas and the standardization of management and sampling protocols, but periods of lower sampling frequencies have also occurred during times of state budget reconciliation and program restructuring. The data were created by the state shellfish sanitation programs in NC, SC, GA, and FL, and restructured by the ShellBase team to allow for integration with ShellBase. Details on the software used for processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing section of each state’s respective data description, marked with various values corresponding the included lookup tables. Parameter or Variable: SALINITY (measured); Units: ppt; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: various; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Details on data processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing sections. All scripts used to restructure data provided by the state programs are included in the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase; Data Quality Method: The database was structured to accept information from states with different monitoring, laboratory analysis, and classification schemes. The sample rate of the data occurs at irregular intervals and is affected by the sampling protocol used by the state program. In a routine sampling protocol, samples are collected within a standardized sampling program to assess whether the bacteriological and water quality levels of the water body are acceptable for commercial shellfish growing. In a conditional sampling protocol, samples are collected ad-hoc after a large storm event, algal bloom, wastewater release, or other potential contamination event to assess whether the bacteriological water quality has returned to normal levels. The sample rate of the data is also affected by long-term industry changes. Overall, the sample rate has increased in conjunction with expanded shellfish growing areas and the standardization of management and sampling protocols, but periods of lower sampling frequencies have also occurred during times of state budget reconciliation and program restructuring. The data were created by the state shellfish sanitation programs in NC, SC, GA, and FL, and restructured by the ShellBase team to allow for integration with ShellBase. Details on the software used for processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing section of each state’s respective data description, marked with various values corresponding the included lookup tables. Parameter or Variable: CONDUCTIVITY (measured); Units: mS/cm; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Various; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Details on data processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing sections. All scripts used to restructure data provided by the state programs are included in the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase; Data Quality Method: The database was structured to accept information from states with different monitoring, laboratory analysis, and classification schemes. The sample rate of the data occurs at irregular intervals and is affected by the sampling protocol used by the state program. In a routine sampling protocol, samples are collected within a standardized sampling program to assess whether the bacteriological and water quality levels of the water body are acceptable for commercial shellfish growing. In a conditional sampling protocol, samples are collected ad-hoc after a large storm event, algal bloom, wastewater release, or other potential contamination event to assess whether the bacteriological water quality has returned to normal levels. The sample rate of the data is also affected by long-term industry changes. Overall, the sample rate has increased in conjunction with expanded shellfish growing areas and the standardization of management and sampling protocols, but periods of lower sampling frequencies have also occurred during times of state budget reconciliation and program restructuring. The data were created by the state shellfish sanitation programs in NC, SC, GA, and FL, and restructured by the ShellBase team to allow for integration with ShellBase. Details on the software used for processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing section of each state’s respective data description, marked with various values corresponding the included lookup tables. Parameter or Variable: DISSOLVED OXYGEN (measured); Units: mg/L; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Various; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Details on data processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing sections. All scripts used to restructure data provided by the state programs are included in the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase; Data Quality Method: The database was structured to accept information from states with different monitoring, laboratory analysis, and classification schemes. The sample rate of the data occurs at irregular intervals and is affected by the sampling protocol used by the state program. In a routine sampling protocol, samples are collected within a standardized sampling program to assess whether the bacteriological and water quality levels of the water body are acceptable for commercial shellfish growing. In a conditional sampling protocol, samples are collected ad-hoc after a large storm event, algal bloom, wastewater release, or other potential contamination event to assess whether the bacteriological water quality has returned to normal levels. The sample rate of the data is also affected by long-term industry changes. Overall, the sample rate has increased in conjunction with expanded shellfish growing areas and the standardization of management and sampling protocols, but periods of lower sampling frequencies have also occurred during times of state budget reconciliation and program restructuring. The data were created by the state shellfish sanitation programs in NC, SC, GA, and FL, and restructured by the ShellBase team to allow for integration with ShellBase. Details on the software used for processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing section of each state’s respective data description, marked with various values corresponding the included lookup tables. Parameter or Variable: pH (measured); Units: pH; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Various; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Details on data processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing sections. All scripts used to restructure data provided by the state programs are included in the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/Biosystems-Analytics-Lab/shellbase; Data Quality Method: The database was structured to accept information from states with different monitoring, laboratory analysis, and classification schemes. The sample rate of the data occurs at irregular intervals and is affected by the sampling protocol used by the state program. In a routine sampling protocol, samples are collected within a standardized sampling program to assess whether the bacteriological and water quality levels of the water body are acceptable for commercial shellfish growing. In a conditional sampling protocol, samples are collected ad-hoc after a large storm event, algal bloom, wastewater release, or other potential contamination event to assess whether the bacteriological water quality has returned to normal levels. The sample rate of the data is also affected by long-term industry changes. Overall, the sample rate has increased in conjunction with expanded shellfish growing areas and the standardization of management and sampling protocols, but periods of lower sampling frequencies have also occurred during times of state budget reconciliation and program restructuring. The data were created by the state shellfish sanitation programs in NC, SC, GA, and FL, and restructured by the ShellBase team to allow for integration with ShellBase. Details on the software used for processing are provided in the descriptions of the state programs in the Source Data Processing section of each state’s respective data description, marked with various values corresponding the included lookup tables. asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian