East Antarctic Sediment Grainsize and Composition Data from 1950s to 2012

472 sediment grainsize samples, 192 Folk classification samples, 255 calcium carbonate samples, and 304 biogenic silica samples from East Antarctic surface sediments collected between the 1950s and 2012. The data was compiled by the Australian Ocean Data Network to provide insight into seabed habitats. Sedimentary properties are overlain on bathymetry and geomorphic maps to illustrate variations across the Antarctic shelf and slope.

Use Cases

• Model benthic habitat suitability based on sediment grainsize and composition data.
• Analyze the relationship between seabed geomorphology and sediment type distribution.
• Map areas of high biogenic silica or carbonate content to identify potential ecological hotspots.
• Support marine protected area (MPA) planning by assessing habitat variability within proposed MPAs.

Strengths

• Includes data from 472 quantitative grainsize analyses and 192 Folk classifications.
• Composition data covers 255 calcium carbonate and 304 biogenic silica samples.
• Temporal coverage spans from the 1950s to 2012, providing a historical perspective.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to data_gov_au, focusing on the 30-150°E region.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Compilation of data collected and analyzed from various sources.

Time Range

1950s to 2012

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-27 20:30:41.871030; freshness should be verified.

Geography

East Antarctic region (30-150°E) south of 60°S