Palynostratigraphy of Four Boreholes in the Central West Murray Basin

Palynological analyses from four fully cored boreholes (Woodlands-1, Manilla-1, Piangil West-2, Hatfield-1) provide a biostratigraphic framework for groundwater geology. The study includes analysis of cores and cuttings from areas east of the main marine influence and references the previously studied Oakvale-1 sequence. Pollen assemblages contain taxa with affinities to modern tropical plant species, many of potential stratigraphic value.

Use Cases

• Correlating geological strata based on pollen and dinoflagellate zones mentioned in the description.
• Modeling historical groundwater flow by analyzing the aquitard properties of the Geera Clay sequence.
• Reconstructing paleoclimate and vegetation shifts from Late Oligocene to Miocene pollen frequency changes.
• Mapping the extent of marine incursions in the Cainozoic sequence using dinoflagellate evidence.

Strengths

• Analysis is based on four fully cored boreholes, providing direct subsurface samples.
• Study is augmented by analysis of additional cores and cuttings and references a previously studied sequence.
• Pollen assemblages contain taxa not found in other southeastern Australian basins, offering unique stratigraphic markers.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The description notes that resolution of palynological zones is too poor to identify pulses of marine transgression with global sea-level curves.
• Patterns of vegetation change in space and time are described as complex, limiting the correlative value of pollen frequency changes.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data_gov_au.

Collection Method

Palynological analysis of fully cored boreholes, supplemented by analysis of additional cores and cuttings.

Time Range

Covers sediments from Early Cretaceous to Middle Miocene, with focus on mid-Eocene to Middle Miocene sequences.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-16 09:42:11.002712; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Central west Murray Basin, Australia, including the Wentworth Trough.