Ordovician Biomarker and Microfossil Data from Canning Basin Boreholes

Geochemical and paleontological data from five boreholes intersecting the Middle Ordovician Goldwyer Formation in Western Australia's Canning Basin. The dataset integrates palynological, petrographic, molecular, and stable isotopic analyses to determine depositional environments and microbial diversity. Research was contributed by the Australian Ocean Data Network and the record was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Classify depositional environments (e.g., anoxic vs. oxygenated) using Pristane/Phytane ratios, dibenzothiophene indices, and gammacerane indices.
• Model the presence and distribution of specific organisms like Gloeocapsomorpha prisca based on C15 to C19 n-alkane odd-over-even predominance and microfossil data.
• Correlate biomarker signals like 3-methylhopane indices with microbial community structures, such as methanotrophic bacteria activity.
• Analyze terrestrial organic matter input in marine sediments using features like retene, benzonaphthofurans, and δ13C-depleted mid-chain n-alkanes.
• Date and correlate stratigraphic units by mapping the occurrence of acritarchs, chitinozoans, conodonts, graptolites, and cryptospores across borehole cores.

Strengths

• Multi-disciplinary data integration from palynological, petrographic, molecular, and stable isotopic analyses.
• Samples sourced from five distinct boreholes, providing spatial coverage within the Canning Basin.
• Contains specific biosignatures for key Ordovician organisms and environmental conditions.

Limitations

• Sample size and row count are unknown, limiting statistical power for broad generalizations.
• Geographic coverage is restricted to one basin in Western Australia.
• Data freshness is unclear as the 'last updated' date may reflect metadata, not underlying sample data recency.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Integrated analysis of cores from five boreholes using palynological, petrographic, molecular, and stable isotopic techniques.

Time Range

Middle Ordovician period

Freshness

Record metadata last updated April 2026; underlying data collection date is null.

Geography

Canning Basin, Western Australia