USGS Studies in Long Island Sound:
Geology, Contaminants, and Environmental Issues

Rates of accumulation or erosion, grain size, and to some extent the composition of surficial sediments in Long Island Sound are patchy. The variety of sedimentary environments reflects local and regional differences in geologic and oceanographic bottom processes.

Figure 1. Bottom photograph showing current ripples. These ripples indicate environments of coarse-grained sediment transport.

Figure 2. The regional distribution of the four categories of sea-floor sedimentary environments identified within the Long Island Sound study area.

Sedimentary Environments

Link to Sedimentary Environments results in USGS Open-File Report 00-304 and the Journal of Coastal Research.

Figure 3. Distribution of surficial sediments in Long Island Sound and adjacent waters. Triangular and block diagrams explain the map units.

Sediment Distribution

Link to Sediment Distribution results in USGS Open-File Report 00-304 and the Journal of Coastal Research.

Figure 4. Bottom photograph showing a hard, gravelly sea floor, which indicates erosion or nondeposition.

Bottom Photographs

Link to Bottom Photographs of Sedimentary Environments in USGS Open-File Report 00-304.

Figure 5. Vibracoring assembly during deployment.

Vibracoring

Link to coring results in USGS Open-File Report 02-002.