gov.noaa.nodc:0284083 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 2026-04-30T14:42:11Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) 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) 2023-10-26 publication 2023-10-18 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0284083 NCEI Archive Management System 0284083 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 Lori Luers NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information resourceProvider NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information resourceProvider Joy Smith NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division joy.smith@noaa.gov https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Lori Luers NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information pointOfContact Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information author NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital 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. 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. Funding Agency: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program 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:0284083 Preview graphic PNG 0284083 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2023-09-29 publication bacteria - cyanobacteria BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA COUNTS BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA IDENTITIES biological data diatom FORAMINIFERA MACROINVERTEBRATE CENSUS theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS microscope visual estimate instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS laboratory analyses survey - biological visual estimate theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS CHARTERED VESSEL platform NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) CORAL REEF STUDIES project NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS South Pacific Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication CRED CREP Coral Reef Ecosystem Division Coral Reef Ecosystem Program ESD Ecosystem Sciences Division PIFSC Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center dataCentre Contributing Organizations DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC/ESD > Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2026 revision 24 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 31303 Linking watershed management activities to reef health in Aua, American Samoa project CRCP Project Numeric Data Sets > Biology theme CoRIS Discovery 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 theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > BACTERIA/ARCHAEA > CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE) EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MICROALGAE > DIATOMS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PROTISTS > AMOEBOIDS > FORAMINIFERS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 24 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 LBSP bioindicator land-based sources of pollution macroinvertebrates microalgae theme Provider Keywords MICROSCOPES > MICROSCOPES VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2026 revision 24 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 scouring pads sediment corer instrument Provider Instruments 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) place CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 24 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 4DBB0N Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: public otherRestrictions 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]. 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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 2023 publication https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/68092 HTTPS https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/68092 InPort Metadata Record information crossReference eng; USA utf8 environment oceans biota -170.669 -170.665 -14.2881 -14.2717 2022-09-11 2022-09-26 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 0.428 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0284083 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/284083 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/284083 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0219/0284083/ 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 0284083 v1.1 was published. 2023-10-26T06:41:55Z NCEI Accession 0284083 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0284083/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0284083 v1.1 published 2023-10-26T06:41:55Z download dataset 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. asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian microscope microscope instrument is used in lab analyses A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. visual estimate visual estimate not an instrument - maybe an observation type CHARTERED VESSEL CHARTERED VESSEL