Water Chemistry And Temperature Records For Ashmore Reef Lagoons

Water quality observations for Ashmore Reef, a tropical marine reserve on Australia's North-west Shelf, document regional, lagoonal, and well water chemistry. The Australian Ocean Data Network compiled data from 1991, with an intensive monitoring program since 1999. Measurements include sea surface temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen for oceanic waters, lagoons, and a freshwater lens.

Use Cases

• Model lagoon salinity dynamics (31.2 to 39.6) against tidal inflow and evaporation rates (~1820 mm/yr).
• Analyze the relationship between well water salinity (0.03 to 3.94) and pH (7.64) in the freshwater lens under monsoonal rainfall (~950 mm/yr).
• Correlate satellite-derived lagoonal temperatures (25.4°C to 34.5°C) with in-situ sea surface temperature measurements (25.48°C to 30.2°C).
• Assess dissolved oxygen percentage (27% to 51%) in well water as an indicator of lens health versus pumping volume (up to 150,000 ltr/yr).
• Study the impact of semi-diurnal tides (4.75 m) and spring tide volume (~7.5 km3) on flushing and chemistry of lagoons with northern entrances.

Strengths

• Time series spans from 1991 to at least 1999, providing a multi-year baseline.
• Includes distinct measurements for three environments: regional oceanic water, two lagoons, and a well freshwater lens.
• Reports specific physicochemical ranges (e.g., salinity 0.03-39.6, temperature 25.4-34.5°C) for each environment.

Limitations

• Exact row count and column schema are unknown, limiting reproducibility of analyses.
• Primary data is presented within a print-only journal article ('The Beagle'), restricting direct machine-readability.
• Geographic scope is limited to a single reef system, reducing generalizability.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, sourced from an article in 'The Beagle' journal.

Collection Method

Field observations and satellite-derived measurements.

Time Range

Observations from 1991, intensive program since 1999.

Freshness

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Geography

Ashmore Reef, North-west Shelf, Australia.