Deep-Sea Sediments and Manganese Nodules from the Southern Tasman Sea, 1979

May 1979 data from a geological cruise aboard HMAS Kimble in the southern Tasman Sea, collected by the Australian Ocean Data Network. The dataset describes two manganese nodules and sediment samples from five stations, including depth and compositional data. The results suggest high-value nodules may only exist in a specific deep-sea depression southeast of Gascoyne Seamount.

Use Cases

• Analyze the composition of manganese nodules based on reported metal content (Ni, Cu, Co) and Mn:Fe ratio.
• Map sediment distribution and types based on descriptions of reddish brown clay, grey calcareous mud, and pumice.
• Study the relationship between nodule formation and oceanographic conditions based on depth data and the reported carbonate compensation depth.
• Identify potential areas for further mineral exploration based on the inferred location of high-value nodule fields.

Strengths

• Provides specific compositional data for two nodules, including Ni (0.25%), Cu (0.17%), and Co (0.06%) content.
• Includes precise geographic and bathymetric context, such as depths of 4300m and 4900-5100m near Gascoyne Seamount.
• Documents sampling from five distinct stations during a dedicated geological cruise.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to a single 1979 cruise.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Samples recovered using free-fall grabs during a geological cruise on HMAS Kimble.

Time Range

May 1979

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-05 06:43:57.581614; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Southern Tasman Sea, specifically near Gascoyne Seamount (250 nautical miles SE of Sydney).