East Antarctic Sediment Grain Size and Composition Compilation

472 sediment grain size samples and 304 biogenic silica measurements provide insight into seabed habitats across East Antarctica. This compilation incorporates data analyzed from the 1950s to 2012, aggregated by the Australian Ocean Data Network. Sediment properties are overlaid on bathymetry maps to illustrate variations within seven proposed Marine Protected Areas.

Use Cases

• Correlate sediment grainsize data with bathymetry and geomorphic features to model benthic habitat distribution.
• Analyze spatial patterns of calcium carbonate content (255 samples) to identify areas associated with hydrocoral occurrence.
• Compare biogenic silica concentrations (304 samples) across shelf troughs and banks to understand biosiliceous depocenters.
• Map Folk sediment classifications (192 samples) against iceberg scouring and current exposure zones on shelf banks.

Strengths

• 472 quantitative grainsize samples provide a substantial core dataset.
• Data spans over 60 years, from the 1950s to 2012, offering a long-term perspective.
• Explicit spatial coverage defined as East Antarctic region (30-150°E) south of 60°S.

Limitations

• Sample counts vary by measurement type (e.g., 255 carbonate vs. 304 silica), indicating incomplete overlap.
• Primary data is bundled in report formats (PDF, DOCX), requiring extraction for analysis.
• Temporal coverage ends in 2012, lacking recent observations.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Compilation of data collected and analyzed from various sources.

Time Range

1950s to 2012

Freshness

null

Geography

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