Quaternary Sediment Cores from the Southern Fairway Basin (Tasman Sea)

13 piston cores containing Quaternary sediment were collected from the Southern Fairway Basin on the Lord Howe Rise in the Tasman Sea during the ZoNiCo 5 survey in 1999. The cores, ranging from 405 to 758 cm long and recovered from depths between 1250 and 2753 meters below sea level, contain stiff nannofossil ooze with documented sediment color, magnetic susceptibility, and pore water chemistry. The data was collected by the RV L'Atalante on behalf of the New Caledonian government to assess gas and petroleum potential.

Use Cases

• Analyze sediment color profiles related to redox conditions based on the described color gradations from greyish orange to white.
• Model methane flux and anaerobic oxidation processes based on the presence of methane, ethane, propane, and pore water sulfate data.
• Correlate magnetic susceptibility spikes with mineral precipitation events based on the described relationship with pyrite and magnetite formation.
• Assess gas hydrate potential in the Southern Fairway Basin based on the presence of a bottom-simulating reflector and thermogenic hydrocarbon gases.

Strengths

• 13 distinct sediment cores provide multiple sampling points.
• Core lengths are documented, ranging from 405 to 758 cm.
• Depth range for core recovery is specified as 1250 to 2753 meters below sea level.
• Multiple analytical parameters are described, including sediment color, magnetic susceptibility, pore water sulfate, and hydrocarbon gases.

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 that longer cores with less-oxidised sediment and additional analyses are needed for a complete understanding.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

13 piston cores taken by the RV L'Atalante during the ZoNiCo 5 survey.

Time Range

Cores collected in 1999; sediment age estimated to be less than 800,000 years.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-05 05:17:27.772170; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Southern Fairway Basin on the Lord Howe Rise in the Tasman Sea.