SEA5 Analysis: Sediment Particle Size and Organic Matter in the North Sea

The 2004 Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA5 report describes particle size and organic content analysis of 216 sediment samples. The Department of Trade and Industry (now Department of Energy and Climate Change) conducted the analysis using standard geological methods on samples collected from the Outer Moray Firth and Northern North Sea in September-October 2003. Data are summarized in an Excel spreadsheet.

Use Cases

• Model seabed sediment distribution based on particle size data.
• Assess organic carbon content in marine sediments for biogeochemical studies.
• Calculate mud:sand:gravel ratios for geological or habitat mapping.
• Correlate sediment properties with biological survey data from the same SEA5 programme.

Strengths

• Contains analysis of 216 distinct sediment samples.
• Derived using standard geological methods, suggesting methodological consistency.
• Reports multiple variables: percent total carbon, nitrogen, carbonate, organic material, and particle size distribution.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Row count for the underlying data table is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Department of Trade and Industry (now Department of Energy and Climate Change), Government Digital Service.

Collection Method

Standard geological analysis of samples collected during the 'Biology' Leg of the SEA5 programme aboard the RV Jean Charcot.

Time Range

Samples collected September 17th - October 8th, 2003.

Freshness

Data reflects a sampling campaign in 2003, reported in 2004.

Geography

Outer Moray Firth and Northern North Sea.