The ACNYMP (Atlantic Coast of New York Monitoring Program) was initiated to provide both complete coverage of the south shore at a resolution adequate to capture sectional differences and to maintain the coverage over sufficiently long times to capture the beach response to a full spectrum of conditions. Data collection was initiated in spring of 1995 and continues through the present. Over the past seven years, 2786 profiles have been measured at 426 stations about 0.6 km apart, from Coney Island to Montauk Point on a biannual to annual basis.
In May 2001, a work unit at Stony Brook University’s Marine Sciences Research Center (MSRC) began data processing for the ACNYMP. A scope of work was laid out by the New York Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources (NYDOS), and was later revised to include additional parameters. The overall goal of the analysis was to perform analysis for specified parameters, generate a database and provide statistical output for the ACNYMP.
A group of 44 parameters were evaluated each of the profiles. Morphology and the length of the profile were variable limiting the number of parameters present on an individual profile. Analysis of the parameters was conducted using the BMAP software, version 1.01H (CEDAS release).
The amount of data generated from the profile analysis required the development of a relational database to facilitate interpretation. Microsoft Access was chosen due to availability and ease of use. For key parameters, queries were written to analyze data by geographic reach. These queries were then formatted into reports that could be accessed by a graphical interface. Using the interface, a user is allowed to analyze parameters by station or geographic reach. The queries provide a simple statistical analysis of the parameter in question in addition to a plot of the data, seasonal differences are also calculated.
Screenshot of database interface.
