Geoscience Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science collected backscatter data in the Arafura Sea during November 2020. The survey aimed to build baseline information for benthic habitats within the Arafura Marine Park to support a 10-year environmental monitoring plan. Data acquisition included multibeam bathymetry, backscatter mosaics for two areas, seabed samples, and underwater imagery.
Use Cases
- Map benthic habitat types based on processed backscatter mosaics
- Support environmental monitoring programs based on baseline seabed information
- Analyze seabed composition and structure using integrated multibeam and sample data
Strengths
- Data collected by two authoritative national scientific institutions: Geoscience Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science
- Survey conducted over a specific two-week period in November 2020
- Includes a detailed post-survey report with full methodological documentation
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
- Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to data_gov_au, focusing only on two specific areas within the park
Provenance
- Source
- Geoscience Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science
- Collection Method
- Multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data collected via RV Solander using an EM2040C Dual Head system, processed with CMST-GA MB Process toolbox
- Time Range
- 2 – 15 November 2020
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-06-04 07:14:14.232806; freshness should be verified
- Geography
- Arafura Marine Park (Arafura Sea), specifically Money Shoal and Pillar Bank