Tasmanian Shelf Sediment Composition from 365 Seabed Samples

365 surface and near-surface seabed samples provide the basis for an assessment of regional lithofacies variations on the Tasmanian shelf and in eastern and western Bass Strait. The dataset likely contains information on sediment types, heavy mineral suites, and geochemical analyses, including maximum values of 10 ppm Sn and 3.6 percent phosphate. It was aggregated by the Australian Ocean Data Network and last updated in May 2026.

Use Cases

• Map regional lithofacies variations based on the described quartz-rich sands, muddy sediments, and bryozoan sands and gravels.
• Analyze sediment provenance relationships based on heavy mineral suites and links to the adjacent hinterland.
• Assess modern versus relict sediment deposits based on descriptions of Holocene marine transgression and Pleistocene substrate reworking.
• Identify potential mineral resource indicators based on the presence of cassiterite grains and phosphate levels mentioned in the geochemical analyses.

Strengths

• Based on 365 seabed samples, providing a substantial observational basis.
• Includes specific geochemical measurements, such as a maximum of 10 ppm Sn and 3.6 percent phosphate.
• Describes four main suites of heavy minerals and multiple sediment types across a defined geographic area.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Density of sample stations in parts of the shelf is described as low.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Collection and analysis of 365 seabed samples.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-05 00:39:41.547960; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Tasmanian continental shelf and part of Bass Strait.