The shallow substrate bottom type model was created to support near shore habitat modelling. Data sources include both available observations of bottom type and environmental predictor layers including oceanographic layers, fetch, and bathymetry and its derivatives. Using weighted random forest classification from the ranger R package, the relationship between observed bottom type and predictor layers can be determined, allowing bottom type to be classified across the study areas. The predicted raster files are classified as follows: 1) Rock, 2) Mixed, 3) Sand, 4) Mud The categorical substrate model domains are restricted to the extent of the input bathymetry layers (see data sources) which is 5 km from the 50 m depth contour.

This deep water substrate bottom type model was created to aid in habitat modeling, and to complement the nearshore bottom patches. It was created from a combination of bathymetrically-derived layers in addition to bottom type observations. Using random forest classification, the relationship between observed substrates and bathymetric derivatives was estimated across the entire area of interest. The raster is categorized into: 1) Rock, 2) Mixed, 3) Sand, 4) Mud

This dataset is a compilation of numerous data files recovered as part of a data request in 2024 from a historical archive of DFO research data. Sediment and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) samples were collected over more than a decade as part of Dr. Douglas Loring’s research program while working at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO). Samples were collected as part of individual and collaborative research projects, and links to the relevant primary science publications and reports are included in the data in an effort to provide context to the data, as well as describe the field and laboratory techniques used to generate the attached data.

Radiocarbon dates are derived from organic samples collected through marine and coastal expeditions of the Geological Survey of Canada Atlantic and Pacific. These efforts were conducted primarily to better understand the spatial and temporal coverage of sediments and seabed-fast marine ice during the last deglaciation. The quality of these data varies - ranging from imprecise bulk samples and more accurate AMS estimates derived from single shell fragments. These data are ordered in the menu in 1000 year divisions. By default, only conventional radiocarbon ages are displayed, and reservoir-corrected and measured ages are hidden.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Maritime Science Branch has collected grain size data from sediment and water column samples using bottle samples, sediment cores, and sediment grabs as part of numerous research projects not only in the Atlantic provinces, but also worldwide. The data collected by DFO focuses on the fine grained (<1mm) particles as these are both a source of food and means of contaminant transport. Grain size data are used to study the fate and distribution of complimentary chemistries like heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons, aquaculture waste as well as a variety of physical processes such as the resuspension and transport of sediment.

Photographs of the seabed have been collected during marine expeditions of the Geological Survey of Canada Atlantic and Pacific for over 50 years. Typically, a sequence of 10 to 20 photos are taken at a single station as the vessel drifts with prevailing winds and currents and the camera is repeatedly lowered to and raised from the seafloor. The suite of photos from each station may best be considered a representative ensemble from the proximal area. Only in the more recent expeditions, where differential GPS and ultra-short baseline positioning is used in camera positioning, is the relative positional information given for each photo meaningful in interpreting the sequence as a transect. Reduced-scale, thumbnail photos are displayed for the sequence of photos taken at each station. Each photo is labelled with the expedition id, the station number and the photo number.

This record contains information on the samples collected and the intended parameters for analysis from sediment cores collected as part of this project including bacteria, chemistry, stable isotopes, fatty acids, or meiofauna.

Monitoring activities have collected bulk suspended sediment samples using continuous flow centrifuges and Phillips Tube samplers in the Lower Athabasca River and tributaries respectively. Further, in the absence of pre-development monitoring for this region, high fidelity dated lake sediment cores were used to assess the natural range in contaminant deposition to this region and to obtain a historical perspective of contaminant loadings. All sediments (suspended river and lake cores) have been analyzed in the laboratory for sediment quality variables as per Appendix B in the Integrated Monitoring Plan (cores were also analyzed for paleo indicators of ecosystem health such as diatoms). In addition, as the Lower Athabasca river bed sediments are known to shift and migrate downstream, bathymetric maps of the bed-channel morphology over time was also completed. This will allow for estimates of bed sediment transport downstream for the period of survey, and be useful in calibration/validation of sediment and contaminant numerical transport models.

Grain size is the most fundamental physical property of sediment, and these data are widely used in a variety of applications in science. Marine expeditions of the Geological Survey of Canada have been collecting grain size information on seabed and sub-seabed samples for over 50 years. Results have been recorded at 5th phi midpoints since the early 1990's in contrast to the earlier full, half or quarter phi interval end point values. Users of high resolution data must note that the sum of %Silt and %Clay equals the total %Mud makeup and that %Gravel, %Sand, %Silt and %Clay sum to 100%. Summary statistics include percentages of gravel, sand, silt, clay and mud as well as mean, kurtosis, skewness and standard deviation. The quality of these data varies. Results should be used with some caution as they may not be fully representative of seabed grainsize, particularly in areas of sandy and coarser sediment (e.g., sand and mud can leak out of the sampler during recovery). Canada makes no representation or warranty of any kind with respect to the accuracy, usefulness, novelty, validity, scope, completeness or currency of the data and expressly disclaims any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose of the data. For the purpose of the web mapping service, grain size data are sorted by the expedition id. Coarse and detailed grain size distribution plots are shown when a point is chosen. If the sample contains more that one sub-sample ( e.g., as with a piston core sequence), the grain size plots are stacked in the display window from the top of the core downwards.

This record contains results from stable isotope analysis of sediment samples including δ 13C (‰), δ 15N (‰), total N and total C collected in the Beaufort Sea.