Water Quality Logger Time Series for Great Barrier Reef Inshore Locations, 2016-2020

From 2016 to 2020, this dataset documents sediment dynamics at seven inshore Great Barrier Reef locations using continuous logger data at 10-minute intervals over 3.5 years. It was collected by James Cook University under the NESP TWQ projects, analyzing the influence of river discharge on sediment resuspension. The dataset includes turbidity, wave pressure, and light data that have undergone quality control, alongside less-verified temperature and current measurements.

Use Cases

• Modeling sediment resuspension events based on continuous turbidity and wave pressure logger data.
• Analyzing the impact of river discharge events on coastal sediment dynamics across multiple locations.
• Studying temporal variability in water quality parameters like light attenuation and suspended sediment concentrations.
• Calibrating sediment transport models using field measurements from newly designed sediment traps.

Strengths

• High-frequency time series data collected at 10-minute intervals over 3.5 years.
• Turbidity, wave pressure, and light data have undergone extensive cleaning for unrealistic spikes.
• Spatial coverage includes seven distinct inshore locations in Cleveland Bay, Halifax Bay, and near Dunk Island.

Limitations

• Temperature and current speed/direction data have received less quality assurance and may contain spurious values.
• Extensive gaps exist in the dataset due to instrument malfunction, overwriting, or loss.
• The dataset is currently under embargo, which may restrict immediate access.

Provenance

Source

James Cook University, Marine Geophysics Laboratory, under NESP TWQ 2.1.5 and 5.8 projects.

Collection Method

Instruments (nephelometers, current meters) were deployed for 2-5 month periods, with lab and site calibrations applied to convert readings to suspended sediment concentrations.

Time Range

2016 to 2020

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-10 15:06:02.713526; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Great Barrier Reef Lagoon inshore locations: Cleveland Bay, Halifax Bay, and Dunk Island.