Keppel Bay Biogeochemical Zones and Nutrient Data from Dry-Season Surveys

Two dry seasons of water column and seabed property data from Keppel Bay, contiguous with the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. The dataset, sourced from the Australian Ocean Data Network, explores sources and transformations of nutrients delivered by the Fitzroy River. It develops a functional process zonation integrating seabed geochemistry and water column nutrient characteristics controlled by suspended sediment.

Use Cases

• Modeling benthic-pelagic coupling based on the described integrated conceptual model.
• Analyzing phytoplankton growth limitation (N vs. P) based on light penetration and nutrient characteristics in different zones.
• Studying organic matter mineralization rates based on terrestrial organic matter inputs and carbon decomposition incubations.
• Mapping hydrodynamic process zones (ZMR, CTZ, BWZ) based on bathymetry and sediment resuspension data.

Strengths

• Data covers two distinct dry seasons, providing a temporal perspective.
• Integrates multiple data types: water column properties, seabed geochemistry, and core incubation measurements.
• Defines three distinct biogeochemical zones (ZMR, CTZ, BWZ) with clear functional characteristics.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data reflects a dry-season perspective; wet-season dynamics are not covered.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Field investigations over two dry seasons, including supplementary core incubations.

Time Range

Two dry seasons (specific years unknown).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-16 20:08:42.943036; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Keppel Bay, Fitzroy River estuary, Great Barrier Reef Lagoon, Australia.