AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Environmental conditions and microbial community structure during the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event; a multi-disciplinary study from the Canning Basin, Western Australia

The Ordovician is an important period in Earth’s history with exceptionally high sea levels that facilitated the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. This crucial biological event is regarded as the second most significant evolutionary event in the history of Paleozoic life, after the Cambrian radiation. The present study integrates palynological, petrographic, molecular and stable isotopic (δ13C of biomarkers) analyses of cores from five boreholes that intersected the Goldwyer Formation, Canning Basin, Western Australia, to determine depositional environments and microbial diversity within a Middle Ordovician epicontinental, tropical sea.
A major transgression was detected in the laminated shales of the lower Goldwyer Formation (Units 1+2) which were deposited in anoxic bottom waters, as confirmed by low (&lt;1) Pristane/Phytane ratios, and elevated dibenzothiophene and gammacerane indices. A second, less extensive, flooding event is recorded by shallow marine sediments of the upper Goldwyer Formation (Unit 4). Cores of these sediments, from two wells (Solanum-1 and Santalum-1A) are bioturbated and biomarkers indicate relatively oxygenated conditions, as well as the presence of methanotrophic bacteria, as determined from the high 3-methylhopane indices.
Typical Ordovician marine organisms including acritarchs, chitinozoans, conodonts and graptolites were present in the lower and upper Goldwyer Formation, whereas the enigmatic organism Gloeocapsomorpha prisca (G. prisca) was only detected in Unit 4. The presence of G. prisca was based on microfossils and specific biosignatures presenting an odd-over-even predominance in the C15 to C19 n-alkane range. 

Cryptospores were identified in Unit 4 in the Theia-1 well and are most likely derived from bryophytes, making this is the oldest record of land plants in Australian Middle Ordovician strata. Biomarkers in some samples from Unit 4 that also support derivation from terrestrial organic matter include retene, benzonaphthofurans and δ13C-depleted mid-chain n-alkanes.
This research contributes to understanding Ordovician marine environments from a molecular perspective since few biomarker studies have been undertaken on age-equivalent sections. Furthermore, the identification of the oldest cryptospores in Australia and their corresponding terrestrial biomarkers contributes to understanding the geographical evolution of early land plants.

Tags: Canning Basin, Earth Sciences, Gloeocapsomorpha prisca, Ordovician, Published_External, cryptospores
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Beagle Gulf Light From 24 May 2015 To 16 Jul 2017

'Australian National Moorings Network' (ANMN) is a facility of the Australian 'Integrated Marine Observing System' (IMOS) project. This data set was collected by the ANMN sub-facility 'National Reference Systems' (NRS).

Tags: surface_downwelling_photosynthetic_radiative_flux_in_air
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Stresses in the Australian crust: evidence from earthquakes and in-situ stress measurements

Evidence from earthquake focal mechanisms, in situ stress measurements, and surface deformations indicate that the Australian continent is in a state of substantial horizontal compression. Reliable focal mechanism determinations are now available from eight earthquakes that have occurred in several parts of the continent since 1967. Each of these mechanisms indicates that the faulting associated with the earthquakes was caused by compressive stress acting close to horizontal. In situ measurements made in mines and tunnels, and close to the surface in quarry floors or on rock outcrops, also indicate horizontal compressive stress in all areas. Near the epicentres of the 1968 Meckering and 1970 Calingiri earthquakes, shallow over-coring measurements (&lt;10 m) were carried out to compare the in situ observations with the earthquake focal mechanisms and surface faulting. The measurements were made in competent granite at seven locations along a 200 km north-south traverse. The results indicate a high regional compressive stress acting about 77Â°E of N. This agrees well with the 91Â° and 102Â°E of N directions for the pressure axes obtained respectively from the earthquake focal mechanisms. The highest stress (23 MPa) was measured at the site farthest north from the Meckering epicentre, and the lowest stress was close to that epicentre where the maximum principal stress was about 4 MPa. During 1978 and 1979 several sites in NSW were tested at depths ranging from 3 to 9 m. At each site the stress measured was compressive. In the eastern part of the State at Buckleys Lake, Jindabyne, Milton, and Moruya the axes of maximum compression were north-south, but in the west at Ardlethan, Mirrool, Berrigan, and Tocumwal the stresses are close to east-west, agreeing with the earlier results at Broken Hill and Cobar. The highest values of about 20 MPa were obtained in Silurian granite at Tocumwal. The results give principal stress orientation in different directions for different regions of the continent; it is therefore clear that simple models derived from plate tectonic concepts cannot be applied directly to explain the high observed stresses or their directions.

Tags: AUS, Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Journal, Published_External, marine
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Shallow inter-reefal structure of the Capricorn group, southern Great Barrier Reef

276 km of continuous seismic reflection profiles have been obtained from the inter-reef areas of the Capricorn Reefs. Five reflectors were identified, three being widespread: reflector A, the shallowest, is found only close to modern reefs; reflector C is widespread and varies from flat-lying to irregular; the deepest reflector, D, is limited to the area north and west of Heron Island, where it is flat-lying. All the reflectors are assumed to represent erosional surfaces, and the ages of the intervening sequences are not known. Either reflector C, or the present sea bottom and reflector A, represent the surface of the Holocene transgression.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Journal, Published_External, QLD, marine
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
High resolution geomorphic map of a submerged marginal plateau, northern Lord Howe Rise, east Australian margin

High resolution multibeam bathymetry is used to map and interpret seabed geomorphology for part of the northern Lord Howe Rise plateau in the Tasman Sea. A mapping system of geomorphic units and elements is used, extending the previous hierarchy of geomorphic provinces and features used for the Australian margin. The mapped area covers ~25,500 km2 and incorporates broad ridges, valleys and plateaus. Superimposed on these features are clusters of volcanic peaks, smaller ridges, holes, scarps and aprons. An additional characteristic of the seabed in this area is an extensive network of polygonal furrows that cover the plateaus and the lower slopes of larger ridges. These furrows are formed in stiff, unconsolidated carbonate ooze that forms a near-continuous sediment cover across the area. Peaks are the only geomorphic feature not fully draped in pelagic ooze. The distribution of geomorphic units suggests strong controls from underlying geological structures. In water depths of 1400 m to 1600 m some peaks occur in clusters on ridges that sit above acoustic basement highs and volcanic intrusions. Elsewhere, broad plains and valleys slope to the southwest following the regional dip of the Lord Howe Rise plateau. In contrast, localised geomorphic elements such as moats and holes have likely explanation in terms of spatial variations in sedimentation rates in relation to bathymetric highs. Polygonal furrows are attributed to dewatering processes. The geomorphology of the seabed mapped in this study incorporates examples of forms that have not been previously mapped in such detail on the Australian margin. These are unlikely to be unique to the mapped area of the Lord Howe Rise and can be expected to occur elsewhere on the Rise and presumably on other parts of the Australian margin with a similar geological history.

Tags: AU-NSW, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, Scientific Journal Paper, bathymetry, marine, marine survey, morphology, seabed
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
RV Investigator Voyage IN2025_V06 Hydrology Data

This record describes Hydrology (HYD) data collected from the Marine National Facility (MNF) RV Investigator voyage IN2025_V06, titled: "The Coral Sea frontier: Deep-sea biodiversity assessment of the Coral Sea Marine Park." The voyage took place between October 10, 2025 and November 14, 2025 (AEST), departing from Brisbane and returning to Brisbane.

Hydrology samples were collected from Niskin bottles sampled at various depths during Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) deployments. Parameters analysed were salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, silicate, nitrate plus nitrite and ammonium.

This dataset has been processed (quality-controlled), and archived at the CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure (NCMI) Information and Data Centre (IDC) in Hobart. Additional information regarding this dataset is contained in the Voyage Report and Data Processing Report.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Outer Darwin Harbour Marine Survey 2015: GA0351/SOL6187 Post-survey report

This report provides a description of the activities completed during the Outer Darwin Harbour Mapping Survey, from 28 May and 23 June 2015 on the RV Solander (Survey GA0351/SOL6187). This survey was a collaboration between Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Department of Land Resource Management (Northern Territory Government) and the first of four surveys in the Darwin Harbour Seabed Habitat Mapping Program. This 4 year program (2014-2018) aims to improve knowledge of the marine environments in the Darwin and Bynoe Harbour regions by collating and collecting baseline information and developing thematic habitat maps that will underpin future marine resource management decisions. The program was made possible through funds provided by the INPEX-led Ichthys LNG Project to Northern Territory Government Department of Land Resource Management, and co-investment from Geoscience Australia and Australian Institute of Marine Science. The specific objectives of the Outer Darwin Harbour Marine Survey GA0351/SOL6187 were to:



Obtain high resolution geophysical (bathymetry) data for outer Darwin Harbour, including Shoal Bay;

Characterise substrates (acoustic backscatter properties, grainsize, sediment chemistry) for outer Darwin Harbour, including Shoal Bay; and

Collect tidal data for the survey area.


Data acquired during the survey included: 720 km2 multibeam sonar bathymetry and acoustic backscatter; 96 sampling stations collecting seabed sediments, underwater photography and video imagery and oceanographic information including tidal data and 54 sound velocity profiles.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, NT, Published_External, Record, backscatter, coastal waters, geochemistry, marine, marine biodiversity, multibeam, sedimentology
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Collection of depositional environment data from petroleum wells (known as RESFACS database/ Depositional environment)

A depositional environment is defined as a site where sediments (e.g. detrital, chemical) accumulated, governed by physical, biological, and chemical processes related to modern environments such as fluvial, deltaic or marine.  Once the sediments are lithified during burial processes, sedimentary rocks are assigned to ancient environments, referred to as palaeodepositional environments. Characteristics of sedimentary rocks often used to interpret depositional environments include lithology, sedimentary structures and textures, and any preserved fossils – all of which provide important information regarding the geologic evolution of sedimentary basins. 
Depositional environment data form part of Geoscience Australia’s Reservoir, Facies and Shows (RESFACS) database. It contains depth-based information regarding palaeogeographic settings interpreted from lithofacies analysis. Interpretations are based on lithological and sedimentary structure evaluations, well log analysis, and palynological and (micro)palaeontological analyses of sediments that were intersected by offshore petroleum wells. 
Data entered into the depositional environment table is primarily sourced from both the Basic and Interpretive volumes of Well Completion Reports (WCR) provided by the petroleum industry under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act (OPGGSA) 2006 and previous Petroleum (submerged Lands) Act (PSLA) 1967. Data is also sourced from litho- and bio-facies evaluations and palaeontological studies by Geoscience Australia and its predecessor organisations, the Australian Geological Survey Organisation (AGSO) and the Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR), as well as from state and territory geological organisations, scientific publications, university theses and books.
The database structure has evolved over time and will keep changing as different types of relevant data become available and the delivery platform changes. Data hosted within Geoscience Australia’s Oracle petroleum wells database was initially delivered through the Petroleum Wells web page, http://dbforms.ga.gov.au/www/npm.well.search, which is due to be decommissioned in the future. The depositional environment data will now be available to view and download through the Geoscience Australia Portal Core, https://portal.ga.gov.au/.

Tags: Depositional environment, EARTH SCIENCES, Facies, Published_External, RESFACS
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Sediment-water interaction in Australian coastal environments: implications for water and sediment quality

Limited Australian data on sedimentary processes- C, N, P, Fe and Si diagenesis at the sediment/water interface- have been reviewed. These and the results of more recent work with benthic chambers indicate that the fractionation and transfer of N, P and Si from sedimentary particulates to pore waters control the speciation and concentrations of N, P and Si at the sediment- water interface and, ultimately, nutrients available for phototrophic growth. Oxygen and sulphate are quantitatively the most important oxidants recycling organic carbon. Secondary oxidants, such as nitrate (sourced from sedimentary nitrification or the overlying waters), are important for denitrification and the N balance. Iron is an intermediary in the nitrification and denitrification processes and also controls (in part) P fluxes across the sediment- water interface.  The Port Phillip Bay environmental study demonstrated the contribution benthic chambers have made, so far, to studies of sediment- water exchange in Australian environments. These include the following:  1) defining the stoichiometry between the oxidation of organic carbon via oxygen, nitrate and sulphate reductions and the remineralisation of N, P and Si from sediments to overlying waters;  2) calculating net benthic respiration and nutrient (N, P and Si) fluxes (and speciation of N) to the water column;  3) identifying transport processes either advection (e.g. bioirrigation) or diffusion controlling metabolite transfers between the sediments and overlying waters; 4) investigating interactions between benthic flora and sediments; and 5) evaluating the controls and effects of benthic processes on water quality. The interpretations are more robust when combined with specific biomarker analyses of the most abundant organic matter source in the sediments, including its nature- fresh versus old and refractory.  A limited survey of TOC content in Australian sediments found it to vary between &lt; 1 % wt in unimpacted estuarine and shelf sediments to near 10% wt in a coastal lake in Western Australia impacted by activities in the catchment. Highest TOC was, however, found in mangrove sediments (2-15% wt ) in tropical Queensland. TOC:TN and TOC :TP ratios in sediments are not unique indicators of organic matter sources. The ratios probably reflect (i) mixed planktonic (predominantly diatomaceous) and other plant inputs of various aged and reworked organic matter; (ii) early diagenesis-specifically, denitrification, which results in the significant loss of N to the atmosphere as N, gas; and (iii) solute/particle interactions, specifically P and Fe cycling. P is trapped in oxic to suboxic sediments, but is liberated to the overlying waters when interfacial sediments become anoxic.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Journal, Published_External, marine
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Video and still images from SOL4769 (Carnarvon Shelf)

The Carnarvon Shelf Survey (SOL4769, GA survey #0308) was conducted on the R.V. Solander in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science between 12 August and 15 September 2008. The survey was operated as part of the Surrogates Program of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub. The survey was completed under a Memorandum of Understanding between GA and the AIMS and represents the first of three surveys planned under this agreement. The objective was to collect high-quality, accurately co-located data to enable the robust testing of a range of physical parameters as surrogates of patterns of benthic biodiversity. Underwater video footage and still images were collected from 122 stations from water depths of 13-125 m, although video quality varies among transects and some still images were not of suitable quality for analysis. Images from the still camera can be found in 'Image Library', and images from towed video screen captures can be found in 'Tow Video Stills'. Image files from screen captures are named according to area (1 = Mandu, 2 = Point Cloates, 3 = Gnarloo) followed by the station number and video identifier (TVA1). For example, 2_032TVA1 would represent a towed video transect from Station 32 at Point Cloates. See GA Record 2009/02 (Geocat #68525) for further details. Video footage was recorded to mini DV tapes, and copied to digital format.  The original mini DV tapes are archived at AIMS-WA.

Tags: CERF, Earth Sciences, HVC_144640, Multimedia, Published_External, marine
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Acreage Release - Marine Environmental Data MapServer

This is the Acreage Release Marine Environmental Data compiled web service to be updated each year with acreage release. It contains the following publicly available datasets, for the 2016 Acreage Release - Marine Survey Towed-video Transects, Marine Sediments Database Samples, Australian Seascapes, Seabed Mud Content on the Northwest Shelf, Seabed Sand Content of the Northwest Shelf and Seabed Gravel Content of the Northwest Shelf.

Tags: Earth Sciences, MapServer, Published_External, acreage release, environment, gas, marine, offshore, petroleum, seabed, web service
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Port Phillip Bay Drift Algae Bathymetry 2018 (4897/20180001S)

The Port Phillip Bay Drift Algae bathymetry survey was acquired by Deakin University Marine Mapping lab onboard the Motor Vessel Yolla over three days in 2018 (18/01/2018-21/01/2018) using a Kongsberg EM2040c. This survey was collected as part of a collaborative program with the University of Melbourne to map out the locations of drift algae within Port Phillip Bay.

Not to be used for navigational purposes

Tags: AusSeabed, Bass Strait (Great Australian Bight), Bathymetry, Delivery, awareness raising and engagement, Digital Delivery, EARTH SCIENCES, MV Yolla, Marine, Offshore Mapping, Published_External, Resourcing Australia's Prosperity, multi-beam echosounders
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Use of pro-biotics in Striped Trumpeter culture

This data represents research conducted as part of a PhD project on Striped Trumpeter (Latris lineata).
Knowledge of the microbial bacterial community of the larvae, seawater and live feeds is necessary in order to develop an understanding of what represents a healthy microbial ecology relevant for larval fish rearing success. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene-based clone library and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) analyses were utilized to examine the microbial community associated with larvae cultured under different “greenwater” conditions and determine the success of probiont application in live feeds used for larval fish rearing. Though water quality was apparently influential on larval survival, no specific bacterial species present either on the larvae or in surrounding tank water could be attributed to reduced survival. Two bacterial strains, Pseudoalteromonas sp. ST8 and Vibrio sp. ST7 were found to inhibit bacteria pathogenic to larval fish through production of extracellular substances. Strain ST8 was found to be compatible with artemia, rotifers and larval fish and outcompeted the fish pathogen Vibrio proteolyticus in competition experiments. Encapsulation experiments indicated strain ST8 was transferrable to artemia and thus represent a potential probiont for larval fish mariculture.

Tags: 16s rRNA, 37 378001, Agriculture | Agricultural Aquatic Sciences | Aquaculture, Bacteria, Latris lineata, Oceans | Marine Biology | Fish, Pro-biotics, Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP)
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Benthic sediment surveys of inner Darwin Harbour (GA0358) and shallow water areas in and around Bynoe Harbour (GA0359) in 2017: Chlorin measurements on seabed sediments.

Benthic sediment sampling of Inner Darwin Harbour (GA0358) and shallow water areas in and around Bynoe Harbour (GA0359) was undertaken between May 29 and June 19, 2017. Partners involved in the surveys included Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources within the Northern Territory Government (NT DENR) (formerly the Department of Land and Resource Management (DLRM)). These surveys form part of a four year (2014-2018) science program aimed at improving knowledge about the marine environments in the regions around Darwin and Bynoe Harbour’s through the collection and collation of baseline data that will enable the creation of thematic habitat maps to underpin marine resource management decisions.  This project is being led by the Northern Territory Government and is supported by the INPEX-led Ichthys LNG Project, in collaboration with - and co-investment from GA and AIMS. This dataset comprises total chlorin and chlorin index measurements made on seabed sediments.

Tags: Published_External, continental shelf, geochemistry, marine, marine baselines, marine survey, seabed
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network