Geoscience Australia collected 124 seabed samples in the eastern Bonaparte Gulf during 2009/2010, analyzing 74 physical and geochemical variables. The dataset links organic matter reactivity, grain size, and authigenic element enrichments to biodiversity patterns and benthic infauna communities. Research findings were presented at the GEOHAB conference in Lorne, Australia in May 2014.
Use Cases
- Cluster benthic habitats based on physical and geochemical variables like grain size and authigenic element enrichments.
- Model relationships between seabed chemistry (e.g., reactive organic matter concentrations) and infauna biodiversity.
- Identify geohazards and sensitive benthic habitats for marine conservation planning.
- Analyze cross-shelf transitions in sediment properties relevant to offshore infrastructure development.
Strengths
- Includes 124 seabed samples with 74 measured variables per sample.
- Integrates physical, chemical, and biological properties from a dedicated marine survey.
- Data was used to assess different clustering methods against infauna 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 bias inherent to the single survey region.
Provenance
- Source
- Geoscience Australia / Australian Ocean Data Network
- Collection Method
- Seabed mapping survey involving sample collection and laboratory analysis.
- Time Range
- 2009-2010
- Geography
- Eastern Bonaparte Gulf, Australia