Paleocene-Eocene Antarctic Biostratigraphy Data from Mac. Robertson Shelf and Prydz Bay

1993, 1995, and 1997 sampling campaigns on the Mac. Robertson Shelf and western Prydz Bay in East Antarctica recovered Paleogene sediment cores. The data, hosted by the Australian Ocean Data Network, includes findings on foraminifera, pollen, spores, dinoflagellates, and lithological descriptions from a prograding coastal plain sequence. The marine sediments provide evidence of Paleocene and Middle-Late Eocene depositional events in a temperate inner shelf environment.

Use Cases

• Modeling Paleogene Antarctic coastal environments based on sediment lithology and fossil content.
• Correlating Antarctic depositional cycles with global records using biostratigraphic markers like foraminifera and dinocysts.
• Analyzing sediment provenance and recycling based on evidence of mixed Palaeogene and younger fossils.
• Studying paleotemperature indicators in inner shelf environments based on described temperate-climate water conditions.

Strengths

• Data originates from targeted seismic/coring programs in 1995 and 1997, providing a defined collection context.
• Description specifies recovery of multiple fossil groups: foraminifera, pollen, spores, dinoflagellates, and carbonised wood.
• Spatial coverage is clearly defined for the Mac. Robertson Shelf and western Prydz Bay in East Antarctica.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The description notes uncertainty about whether fossil material is in situ or reworked into later glacial sediments.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Seismic surveys and core sampling accompanied by CTD probe, bottom camera, and sediment grab deployments.

Time Range

Samples target Palaeogene sediments (Paleocene to Eocene), with evidence of recycling from Permian to Cretaceous sequences and overlying Quaternary deposits.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 20:02:41.673775; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Mac. Robertson Shelf and western Prydz Bay, continental shelf of East Antarctica.