Deep-Sea Sediment and Nodule Samples from Southern Tasman Sea

May 1979 geological cruise data from the HMAS Kimble in the southern Tasman Sea. The dataset includes grab samples from five stations, recovering manganese nodules, reddish brown clay, grey calcareous mud, and pumice. It was published by the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Use Cases

• Analyze the relationship between nodule composition (e.g., Ni, Cu, Co content, Mn:Fe ratio) and sampling location depth and geography.
• Model the distribution of nodule types based on environmental factors like the carbonate compensation depth (approx. 4500 m) and sediment type (e.g., grey calcareous mud, reddish brown clay).
• Correlate nodule presence and metal values with seafloor topography and sedimentation rates in regions like the depression southeast of Gascoyne Seamount.

Strengths

• Samples from five distinct stations provide spatial coverage across the southern Tasman Sea.
• Detailed geochemical data for nodules includes specific percentages for Ni (0.25%), Cu (0.17%), and Co (0.06%).
• Precise depth recordings for samples, ranging from 4300 m to 5100 m.

Limitations

• Very small sample size, with only two manganese nodules and sediment/pumice from four stations.
• Limited temporal coverage from a single cruise in May 1979.
• Spatial coverage is restricted to a specific region of the southern Tasman Sea.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

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

Time Range

May 1979

Freshness

null

Geography

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