Seabed Physical and Geochemical Variables from the Eastern Bonaparte Gulf, 2009-2010

124 seabed samples from the eastern Bonaparte Gulf, collected by Geoscience Australia in 2009/2010, comprise 74 physical and geochemical variables describing organic matter and sediment properties. The dataset was used to apply clustering methods to understand seabed characteristics relevant to biodiversity and geohazards. Analysis links clusters to infauna groupings and ecosystem processes influencing biodiversity patterns in the region.

Use Cases

• Cluster seabed samples based on 74 physical and geochemical variables to identify distinct benthic habitats.
• Model relationships between sediment properties (e.g., grainsize, organic matter reactivity) and infauna community structure.
• Assess geohazard potential and seabed chemistry anomalies, such as those associated with pockmarks.
• Investigate cross-shelf transitions in authigenic element enrichments (Mn, As, P) and their link to energy levels and redox status.

Strengths

• Dataset comprises 124 samples with 74 measured variables per sample.
• Data integrates physical, chemical, and biological assessment objectives from a dedicated seabed mapping survey.
• Analysis includes validation using independent infauna data to assess cluster groupings.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to the single survey in 2009/2010.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Seabed mapping surveys involving sample collection and laboratory analysis.

Time Range

2009-2010

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 22:16:41.102333; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Eastern Bonaparte Gulf, Australia