East Antarctic Palaeogene Sediment Data from Mac. Robertson Shelf and Prydz Bay

The Mac. Robertson Shelf and western Prydz Bay in East Antarctica were sampled in 1993, 1995, and 1997. The dataset contains Paleocene and Eocene fossils, including foraminifera, pollen, spores, and dinoflagellates, recovered from seismic-defined targets. It was published by the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Use Cases

• Reconstructing palaeoenvironmental conditions based on fossil assemblages described.
• Analyzing biostratigraphic sequences based on Paleocene and Eocene fossil markers.
• Studying sediment provenance and recycling based on evidence of Permian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous material.
• Modeling coastal plain sedimentation based on described lithologies like red muddy sandstone.

Strengths

• Data collected from three distinct sampling campaigns in 1993, 1995, and 1997.
• Description specifies multiple fossil types: foraminifera, pollen, spores, dinoflagellates, and radiolaria.
• Seismic data indicates a prograding sequence about 200 meters thick.

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.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Seismic/coring programs and opportunistic sampling, accompanied by CTD probe, bottom camera, and sediment grab.

Time Range

Sampling occurred in 1993, February-March 1995, and 1997.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-05 01:19:25.946077; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Mac. Robertson Shelf and western Prydz Bay, East Antarctica.