Proceedings of the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS)
Sediment Workshop,
"EXPANDING SEDIMENT RESEARCH
CAPABILITIES IN TODAY'S USGS"
Convened By:
John Gray, Water Resources Division
Jeff Williams, Geologic Division
Susan Finger, Biological Resources Division
John W. Jones, National Mapping Division
February 4-7, 1997
Reston, VA, and Harpers Ferry, WV
(Click on this image of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, for a larger
version,
264K JPEG)
Explanation of photograph of Harpers
Ferry
SYNOPSIS
The USGS Sediment Workshop was conceived to
draw together the four Divisions of the USGS --
Geologic, National Mapping, Water Resources, and
the new Biological Resources Division (formerly the
Department of the Interior's National Biological
Service) -- to focus on the common denominator of
sediment research and monitoring, which cuts across
the mission and programs of all four Divisions. The
physical and/or chemical characteristics of sediment are
recognized as fundamental to many environmental
issues society faces toward protecting, sustaining,
and restoring the Nation's natural resources.
The Workshop had two principal objectives:
- Increase understanding of sediment research
expertise and capabilities within USGS.
- Develop collaborative efforts across two or
more Divisions that will strengthen USGS
scientific potential and increase capabilities to
provide broader insights in support of USGS
customers.
The Workshop's opening session took place on
February 4, 1997, at the USGS National Center in
Reston, where representatives from nine Federal
agencies provided perspectives on sediment
research and monitoring as part of formal
presentations and a subsequent panel discussion to
about 40 USGS participants. USGS participants
spent February 5-7 at the Hilltop House in Harpers
Ferry, West Virginia, in formal and informal
discussions on the USGS's role in sediment research
and monitoring. Those discussions were organized
under three general areas of USGS expertise:
- Interactions of sedimentation processes and
sediment chemistry with bioavailability and
ecological factors in freshwater, estuarine, and
marine environments.
- Natural variability and anthropogenic
influences on freshwater and marine physical
and biogeochemical processes.
- Innovative instruments, methods, and
approaches for monitoring and remote
sensing of sedimentary environments.
The latter part of the meeting in Harpers Ferry was
devoted to bringing the previous day's findings and
recommendations into focus for expansion by work
groups in the wake of the Workshop. A major theme
was identified:
"Ecological Significance of Sediment Dynamics:
USGS Science for Resource Management and
Restoration"
Six theme components requiring additional definition
were also identified in the form of questions, to wit:
- What are the most important measures
needed for evaluation? Examples of issues
included standardization, and total maximum
daily load.
- What additional measures should be included
in long-term research/monitoring sites and
other studies?
- How can sediment-borne contaminants be
used to predict effects?
- What physical, chemical, and biological
factors influence critical habitat?
- How do land-water interfaces (i.e. riparian
zone, wetlands, coastal zone) and sediment
dynamics interact?
- What critical factors are needed to make
recommendations regarding mitigation
strategies (such as mining, dumping, dredge
material, beach nourishment, restoration)?
ANTICIPATED PRINCIPAL OUTCOMES
- Increased familiarity with key individuals
conducting sediment research in USGS and
an expanded understanding of cooperative
potential for research among divisions.
- Expanded awareness of the needs of
cooperators and customers concerning
sediment research, including identification of
collaborative potential with other Federal
agencies.
- Identification of areas for collaborative work
and formulation of teams to develop these
potential research topics into proposals that
may be incorporated into USGS programmatic
initiatives for research associated with aquatic
sediments.
- Formal release of Workshop Proceedings via
this Internet site and subsequently as a USGS report with
abstracts from other Federal agencies and
USGS participants, principal findings, and
recommendations.
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS AND CONTRIBUTORS
List of Participants and Related Contact Information
-
- Other Federal Agency Participants
-
- U.S. Geological Survey
Participants
Selected Photographs taken at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, February
5-7, 1997
(Click on image for a larger
version, 66K JPEG)
|
Photograph of USGS Sediment Workshop participants outside Hilltop House,
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (Photo by Norm
Bliss) |
|
(Click on image for a larger
version, 99K JPEG)
|
Photograph of Michael Dixon, National Park Service, and USGS Sediment
Workshop participants, downtown Harpers Ferry, West Viginia (Photo by
Norm Bliss) |
|
WORKSHOP CONTRIBUTIONS
Request to Authors: Each paper is designated
"Provisional, Subject to Revision," and will remain so
until an author confirms that the version of the paper
appearing on this Web Site is correct.
For other Federal Agences, this notification should
be made to John Gray via EMAIL (jrgray@usgs.gov),
telephone (703/648-5318), or FAX (703/648-5295).
For USGS authors, notification should be to your
respective divisional representative, and should
include confirmation that the paper is formally
approved for publication.
Only after this notification is obtained will the
"provisional" status be removed from the paper
heading.
Revisions to papers should be arranged directly with
Ms. Jene Comfort (gcomfort, 703/648-5698).
TEXT OF USGS DIRECTOR GORDIE EATON'S
WELCOMING REMARKS, FEBRUARY 4, 1997
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OTHER FEDERAL
AGENCIES
(Single entry for each paper in order of Agency,
Author, Title; point-and-click for entire paper; all
papers designated as "provisional, subject to
revision" until author concurs with contents)
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE USGS
(Single entry for each paper in order of Author and
Title, as above with above caveats PLUS author must
confirm that paper has Director's Approval)
"LIGHTER SEDIMENT" FROM THE USGS SEDIMENT
WORKSHOP
Maintainer: Jene Comfort (gcomfort@usgs.gov)
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Web version by: Patsy Campbell/Genevieve Comfort
Last modified: 0900 22 April 97 pac
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