Early Ordovician Microfossil And Biomarker Records From Barnicarndy 1 Core

42 drill core samples from the Barnicarndy 1 well in Western Australia were processed, yielding abundant acid-resistant microfossils. Seven samples with the highest organic content were analyzed for molecular fossils and stable isotopes. The data originates from the Australian Ocean Data Network and was presented at the 2022 Australian Organic Geochemistry Conference.

Use Cases

• Classifying microfossil types like acritarchs and early plant spores (cryptospores) from core samples to track early Ordovician biodiversity.
• Analyzing molecular biomarker fossils to infer the type of organic matter preserved and redox conditions during sediment deposition.
• Correlating stable isotopic composition data with lithological units like the Nambeet Formation for paleoenvironmental reconstruction.
• Using total organic carbon content (average 0.17 wt%) as a key feature for stratigraphic correlation and source rock assessment.

Strengths

• Analysis of 42 drill core samples provides a substantial sample set for the formation.
• Seven samples underwent detailed molecular fossil and stable isotope analysis, offering high-resolution geochemical data.
• Data is tied to a specific, documented geological section: the early Ordovician Nambeet Formation in the Barnicarndy 1 well.

Limitations

• The dataset is small in scope, focused on a single core from one well, limiting regional applicability.
• Organic content is described as poor (average 0.17 wt% TOC), which may constrain biomarker recovery and analysis.
• Specific column names, row counts, and data formats are unknown, complicating direct machine learning application.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, likely from CSIRO/Exploring for the Future program research.

Collection Method

Laboratory analysis of drill core samples for microfossils, biomarkers, and stable isotopes.

Time Range

Early Ordovician period.

Freshness

Data was presented in 2022 and last updated in the catalog on 2026-04-04.

Geography

Barnicarndy 1 well, Canning Basin, Western Australia.