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. The dataset describes two manganese nodules with specific metal contents (Ni 0.25%, Cu 0.17%, Co 0.06%) and sediments recovered from five stations at depths between 4300-5100 meters. The results suggest high-value nodules likely exist only in a specific deep depression southeast of Gascoyne Seamount.

Use Cases

• Analyze the composition of manganese nodules based on the reported Ni, Cu, and Co percentages.
• Study sediment distribution and types based on the described recovery of reddish brown clay, grey calcareous mud, and pumice.
• Model the carbonate compensation depth in the region based on the stated 4500 m depth.
• Investigate the relationship between nodule formation and environmental conditions based on the suggested low sedimentation rates and oxidizing conditions.

Strengths

• Provides specific geochemical data for two nodules, including Ni (0.25%), Cu (0.17%), and Co (0.06%) contents.
• Includes precise depth information for sample locations, ranging from 4300 m to 5100 m.
• Describes samples from five distinct stations, offering spatial context for the findings.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data is from a single cruise in May 1979; temporal coverage is limited.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

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

Time Range

May 1979

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-27 18:26:28.297689; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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