Regional stream sediment geochemical data compilationNovember 2020Release notesThe regional stream sediment geochemical data compilation comprises data for more than 30 000 samples across Yukon. This compilation updates the work of Héon (2003). This new compilation includes results from the reanalysis of more than 24 000 samples; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) analysis provides upgraded detection limits and a broader range of elements relative to previous analytical data. In addition to analytical data, efforts have been made to improve sample location accuracy. The data in this release are organized by analytical method with the geodatabase having six feature classes:1. RGS_SITE_WATER - site specific physiography and water quality data. These data are unchanged from the original releases. 2. RGS_HEON - the same data as released in Héon (2003) with minor updates to sample location. 3. RGS_AAS - all samples analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Most of these data are superseded by INAA and ICPMS data. 4. RGS_INAA - all samples analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and fire assay-neutron activation (FA-NA) analysis. 5. RGS_ICPMS - all samples analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). 6. RGS_All - includes all AAS, INAA and ICPMS data. Collection of stream sediment samples in Yukon began in 1976 and ended in 2006. Three analytical methods have been used to analyze the minus 0.177 mm fraction (-80 mesh) of these samples: AAS, INNA (and FA-NA) and ICPMS. A simple description of each method is given below.For atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) a 1 g aliquot is 'partially digested' using Lefort aqua regia or concentrated hot nitric acid. The digestion product is analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Oxide and silicate minerals are partially digested while some sulphide minerals are erratically volatilized. This means that AAS cannot be used to obtain accurate REE, Ta, Nb, As, Sb, Sn, Hg, Cr, or Au determinations.For instrumental neutron activation analysis ( INAA), aliquots of sieved sediment (the minus 0.177 mm fraction) or milled rock ranging from 5 to 40 g are encapsulated and irradiated in a nuclear reactor before counting the primary gamma radiation induced by the neutron irradiation with a high resolution germanium gamma ray detector. Fire assay-neutron activation (FA-NA) analysis is similar but includes a pre-concentration fire assay step prior to irradiation and analysis. Results for both INAA and FA-NA are similar to those for samples analyses by fusion or other total digestion techniques. Neutron activation detection limits are typically higher than those by acid digestion - ICPMS. Commodity and pathfinder elements such as Au, As, Sb and W have reasonable detection limits by INAA and the data generated are relatively precise.For ICPMS analysis, aliquots of sieved sediment ( the minus 0.177 mm fraction) ranging from 0.5 to 1 g are prepared using a partial digestion technique, typically aqua regia, followed by analysis of dissolution product by ICPMS. Sulphide minerals are completely oxidized and dissolved whereas most oxide and silicate minerals are only partially digested. This means that results produced by partial digestion methods are acceptable for elements such as Ag, As, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, and Zn but values for elements such as Al, Ba, Cr, Fe, P, Sn, Ti, Y, and Zr are likely to not reflect the actual element concentration in a sample. The sample size used for routine RGS sample analysis is too small be representative of Au in the original sample and thus Au by aqua regia digestion - ICPMS has poor precision.Further upgrades to this database are not anticipated. All samples that could be found in the GSC-Ottawa warehouse have been reanalyzed using ICPMS. Any errors or omissions in this database should be reported to the Yukon Geological Survey. Your feedback contributes to improving the accuracy of the geoscience databases for Yukon.Contact: [YGSMinerals@yukon.ca](mailto:YGSMinerals@yukon.ca) ; [geology@yukon.ca](mailto:geology@yukon.ca)Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital map data collection.For more information: [geomatics.help@yukon.ca](mailto:geomatics.help@yukon.ca)

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.

Surficial geologic units are unconsolidated materials overlying bedrock. The dataset represents a general description of the stratigraphy and geology, including geologic unit thickness, morphology, age and rank. It features a list of the geologic unit names and types of sediment in the hydrogeological unit. While the preferred format to deliver this data is by using a shapefile and its linked attributes, this dataset can be delivered also by providing link to external data which should have at least the same properties or also by joining a georeferenced image of the map.

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.

Description of the submarine morphology and characteristics of the sediments (lithology, grain size, mineralogy, and chemistry) of the Saguenay fjord, the lower Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.The layer contains a synthesis of geological and geochemical data collected and interpreted over 10 years and is accompanied by detailed bathymetric and surface sediment maps. Most of this study deals with the geomorphology, surface sediments (lithology, mineralogy, and chemistry), and present depositional conditions, but several studies have also been made of the bedrock geology and the stratigraphy of the unconsolidated sediments.PurposeThese studies are regional and of a reconnaissance nature in the sense that they have been designed to obtain acoustical and sampling data on the morphology and basic properties of the sediments from the whole Gulf. This approach was used to provide a broad appraisal of the sedimentary environment of the Gulf and its late-glacial and postglacial history.Additional InformationUnknown date of numeric version.Acoustical and sampling data were obtained in the River and Gulf of St. Lawrence on board of different boats over the years. Sounding lines and sample stations were selected initially on the basis of submarine morphology and later in combination with a preliminary sedimentological map as the sea floor data accumulated.More specifically, acoustical data on the topography and nature of the sea floor was obtained from echosounding and continuous seismic profiling. Sounding records were studied, interpreted, and reduced manually in most cases to a scale suitable for plotting and presentation. The information on the continuous seismic records was first interpreted visually and the reduced to constant scale with the aid of a pantograph with independently vertical and horizontal scales.Also, about 1500 sediments samples have been collected from various parts of the Gulf to obtain a regional coverage of the sedimentary environment in the area. The sediment sample were sorted and split after their water content had been determined. Mineralogical analyses were carried out after separation into a heavy and light fraction. The light minerals were identified by a combined method of staining and the use of immersion liquids. For more details on consulted documents and their limit, see the following report:Loring, D. H., and D. J. G. Nota. 1973. Morphology and sediments of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 182. 147 p. + 7 charts.

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.

This record contains results from chemical analysis including suspended nitrogen (mg/g), suspended carbon (mg/g), and phosphorus (mg/g) based on dry weight sediment samples collected in the Beaufort Sea.

This data set is a geographic information systems (GIS) version of part of the results of Canada-Alberta Mineral Development Agreement project 'Geological mapping, prospecting and sampling of the Southern Alberta Rift.' The data represent elemental analyses of 415 stream sediment samples collected from the study area in 1992. Analytes include: Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn by atomic absorption. Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Ir, La, Lu, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, U, W, Yb, Zn, and Zr by neutron activation. and Hg by cold vapour extraction/atomic absorption. Results show that some of the stream sediments contain higher concentrations of mineral elements than normal.

These datasets provide information pertaining to sediment grain size, porosity, organic content, total carbon and nitrogen concentrations, trace element concentrations, chlorophyll and phaeopigment concentrations, and meiofauna and macrofaunal abundance in Simoom Sound between November, 2000, and February, 2001. Data formatting of files were performed by Meagan Mak.Sutherland et al (2023) covers the benthic component of a broader project investigating potential modification of marine ecosystems by shrimp trawling and trapping on the central coast of British Columbia. Sediment and infaunal samples were collected before and after fishing with commercial fishing gear consisting of otter-trawl, beam-trawl, and trap-lines. Simoom Sound was sampled in November 2000 and February 2001. Tabulated data of sediment characteristics that include sediment grain size, porosity, carbon and nitrogen content, trace-element, and chlorophyll concentrations are presented in this report. In addition, the infaunal data are comprised of both macrofaunal and meiofaunal communities.

Nearshore marine construction activities often involve projects conducted directly in or adjacent to eelgrass beds and can have detrimental effects on eelgrass health, through physical destruction of beds, smothering of plants by sediment, and light reduction from turbidity. A liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine terminal is proposed to be constructed near Goldboro in Isaacs Harbour on the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia in an area where sediments are contaminated with heavy metals from historical goldmining tailings. We conducted a pre-impact assessment of the eelgrass beds in Isaacs Harbour and in adjacent contaminated and non-contaminated harbours. We used underwater video to precisely map the eelgrass bed in the direct construction footprint in Isaacs Harbour. We surveyed 169 stations along ~40 km of coastline from Wine Harbour to New Harbour to identify eelgrass presence or absence in the nearby region and provide data on the distribution and abundance of other sensitive fish habitat such as kelp and other macrophytes. Sediment samples were collected and analyzed for grain size, organic matter content and heavy metal contamination. We also collected eelgrass plants to assess plant condition using morphological and physiological metrics, and heavy metal contamination in plant tissues. The overall condition of eelgrass plants in the surveyed area fell within the range of healthy plant characteristics (morphometrics and carbohydrates reserves) seen elsewhere along the Atlantic coast. However, a few stations displayed high arsenic and mercury contamination in sediments, which translated in some cases to high contamination in eelgrass rhizomes and leaves. There would be significant risk of impact on benthic habitat and contamination of marine biota from resuspension of sediments during a construction and operation of a ship terminal in Isaacs Harbour. This pre-impact assessment will allow DFO to assess the LNG terminal construction proposal and develop appropriate mitigation and monitoring procedures. Collected data will also be used for habitat-forming species distribution modeling to inform marine spatial and conservation planning.Vercaemer, B., O’Brien, J. M., Guijarro-Sabaniel, J. and Wong, M. C. 2022. Distribution and condition of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in the historical goldmining region of Goldboro, Nova Scotia. Can. Tech. Rep. Aquat. Sci. 3513: v + 67 p.Cite this data as: Vercaemer, B., O’Brien, J. M., Guijarro-Sabaniel, J., Wong, M. Data of: Eelgrass (Zostera marina) study in the historical goldmining region of Goldboro, Nova Scotia (2020). Published: February 2023. Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/ee88aa17-fd30-4d4a-8924-897fd47cf560