Seabed Sediment Characteristics and Biodiversity in the Eastern Bonaparte Gulf, 2009-2010

124 seabed samples with 74 physical and chemical variables were collected by Geoscience Australia in the eastern Bonaparte Gulf during 2009/2010 surveys. The dataset provides baseline information on sediment properties, carbon reactivity, and redox conditions to support marine conservation and offshore development. Results from UPGMA clustering, with a cophenetic correlation of 0.82, were used to model influences on benthic biodiversity.

Use Cases

• Modeling benthic biodiversity patterns based on sediment geochemical clusters.
• Identifying sensitive benthic habitats based on sediment grain-size and redox variables.
• Analyzing cross-shelf transitions in sediment composition based on Mn, As, and P enrichment.
• Investigating the influence of subsurface seepage on sediment terrestrial signatures using rare-earth element and Si data.

Strengths

• 124 samples provide a spatial baseline for the survey region.
• 74 physical and chemical variables per sample offer a multidimensional characterization.
• Clustering results with a cophenetic correlation of 0.82 were validated for discriminating infauna.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Seabed mapping surveys collecting physical, chemical, and biological properties.

Time Range

2009-2010

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06 27 19:42:57.286641; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Eastern Bonaparte Gulf