Eastern Bonaparte Gulf Seabed Sediment Clusters for Benthic Biodiversity Analysis

Geoscience Australia's 2009/2010 seabed mapping survey in the eastern Bonaparte Gulf produced a dataset of 124 sediment samples. Each sample comprises 74 physical and chemical variables, including grain-size, Mn, As, P, Nd/Sr, δ15N, Si-Al relations, and TOC. The data underpins a cluster analysis model presented at the AMSA2013 conference, highlighting influences on benthic biodiversity.

Use Cases

• Classifying sediment types and benthic habitats using cluster analysis on 74 variables like grain-size, Mn, As, and P.
• Modeling the influence of subsurface seepage on sediment composition by analyzing terrestrial signatures from rare-earth elements and Si.
• Investigating carbon sources and reactivity in sediments using features such as TOC concentrations, δ15N, and Si-Al relations.
• Discriminating infauna communities better than geomorphology-based clusters using UPGMA results with a cophenetic correlation of 0.82.
• Identifying environmental constraints for sponge/gorgonian occurrences through variables like low Nd/Sr and high δ15N.

Strengths

• 124 sediment samples provide a substantive baseline for the study area.
• 74 physical and chemical variables per sample offer a detailed multivariate profile.
• Cluster analysis validated by a high cophenetic correlation coefficient of 0.82.

Limitations

• Sample size of 124 may limit statistical power for fine-scale habitat modeling.
• Data is from a single survey in 2009/2010, lacking temporal replication or updates.
• Geographic scope is restricted to the eastern Bonaparte Gulf, limiting broader applicability.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, via the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Seabed mapping survey collecting and analyzing sediment samples for physical, chemical, and biological properties.

Time Range

Survey conducted in 2009/2010.

Freshness

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Geography

Eastern Bonaparte Gulf, Australia.