AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
A conceptual surrogacy framework to evaluate the habitat potential of submarine canyons

The seascape of the vast Australian continental margin is characterised by numerous submarine canyons that represent an equally vast array of geomorphic and oceanographic heterogeneity. Theoretically, this heterogeneity translates into habitats that may vary equally widely in their ecological characteristics. Here we describe the methodology to develop a framework to broadly derive estimates of potential habitat condition (¿suitability¿ sensu lato) for pelagic and epibenthic megafauna (including demersal fishes), and benthic infauna in all of Australia¿s known submarine canyons.  We find that the high geomorphic and oceanographic diversity of submarine canyons creates a multitude of potential habitat types. In general, it appears that canyons may be particularly high-quality for benthic species. Canyons that incise the shelf tend to score higher in habitat potential than those confined to the slope. Canyons with particularly high habitat potential are located mainly off the Great Barrier Reef, the NSW coast, the eastern margin of Tasmania and Bass Strait, and on the southern margin. Many of these canyons have complex bottom topography, are likely to be productive, and have less intense sediment disturbance regimes. The framework presented here can be relevant ¿ once refined and comprehensively validated with ecological data - in a management and conservation context to identify canyons (or groups of canyons) that are likely to represent high-value habitat along a vast continental margin where marine planning decisions may require spatial prioritization decisions.

<b>Citation:</b> Zhi Huang, Thomas A. Schlacher, Scott Nichol, Alan Williams, Franziska Althaus, Rudy Kloser, A conceptual surrogacy framework to evaluate the habitat potential of submarine canyons, <i>Progress in Oceanography</i>, Volume 169, 2018, Pages 199-213, ISSN 0079-6611,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2017.11.007

Tags: EARTH SCIENCES, Published_External, continental margin, fauna environmental association, habitat diversity, niches, predictions, spatial planning
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Rig Seismic Survey 112: Continuous Geochemical Tracers (CGT), Natural Processes and Anthropogenic Inputs to Seawater Off Sydney

A pilot project conducted in October 1991, from Rig Seismic (AGSO Survey 104), utilising the continuous geochemical tracer [CGT] capability, showed that theanalyses of oceanic waters for light hydrocarbon content provides a useful method for characterising pollutants from various sources (BMR Research Newsletter, 16). The offshore Sydney component of Survey 104 was conducted between Botany Bay and North Head. Light hydrocarbon anomalies were detected from each of the three deepwater ocean outfalls operated by the Water Board. The results suggested that the molecular compositions of different hydrocarbon mixtures may be useful indicators of hydrocarbon 'sources' mixed together in the coastal zone. A reprint of the BMR Research Newsletter article of the pilot survey is reproduced in Figure 1.1.

The usefulness of the CGT equipment, demonstrated during that pilot project, resultedin an additional survey (Survey 112), conducted on Rig Seismic during September/October 1992 (Heggie et al., 1992), which combined scientific staff from AGSO and the Water Board (Sydney). Scientific activities on Survey 112 included: (i)seafloor sampling, to gather environmental baseline information on the nutrient and contaminant (heavy metals and organochlorines) status of sediments, and also sedimentology of the nearshore region and, (ii) water column analyses, comprising approximately 500 line-km of CGT data (light hydrocarbons in seawater complemented with temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH) collected in the vicinity of the deepwater ocean outfalls.

The purposes of this Record are to: (i) provide a description of the edited hydrographic (temperature and salinity), oxygen and pH data and, (ii) combine these data with some of the light hydrocarbon (DHD) data. Sediment and DHD data collected during Survey 112 are addressed in other AGSO Records (Heggie et al., 1993a; Heggie et al., I993b). A separate part of Survey 112, conducted with scientific staff from Sydney University, the NSW Geological Survey and the Ocean Sciences Institute, between Newcastle and Wollongong provides a regional context for thoseobservations focussed about Sydney. The preliminary results of that part of Survey 112 are included in Bickford and Heggie et al. (1993).

Tags: AU-NSW, Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Published_External, Record, marine
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Summary Of Data And Results Gippsland Basin, Victoria Wellington Park No 1 Well Of Woodside (Lakes Entrance) Oil Company NL

Wellington Park No. 1 Well was located in the Gippsland Basin, Victoria, on the south-eastern shore of Lake Wellington. about 25 1/2 miles south-west of Bairnsdale. The well was drilled by Oil Drilling and Exploration Limited for Woodside (Lakes Entrance) Oil Company No Liability. to a total depth of 12,011 feet. Drilling commenced on 6th December. 1961 and was completed on 3rd April. 1962. A comprehensive programme of drilling engineering, mud logging, coring. cuttings examination. and electric logging was conducted, but no significant shows of oil or gas were encountered.

The well penetrated Quaternary sediments from surface to 120 feet. Tertiary sediments from 120 to 3370 feet. and Mesozoic non-marine sediments from 3370 feet. and bottomed in the Lower Cretaceous - (?)Jurassic Strzelecki Group at 12,011 feet. Palaeozoic rocks. one of the main objectives. were not reached because of the extreme thickness of the Mesozoic section.

Five open hole formation tests over various intervals between 7348 and 9930 feet were undertaken, but only three were successful. These tests produced mud filtrate, mud, and formation water. The well was plugged and abandoned as a dry hole on 7th April, 1962.

The stratigraphic drilling operation at Wellington Park No. 1 was subsidized under the Petroleum Search Subsidy Act 1959. from 3391 feet to total depth.

Tags: AU-VIC, Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Other Publication, Published_External, petroleum exploration
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
SI 1025 Eclipse Shoals to Lombadina Point, Kimberley region (HIPP) Bathymetry Acquisition (20220013S)

The Eclipse Shoals to Lombadina Point, Kimberly Region bathymetry survey was acquired for the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) onboard the MV Outer Limit during the period 12 September 2022 – 3 December 2022. This was a contracted survey conducted for the Australian Hydrographic Office by Ocean Infinity as part of the Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program. The survey area encompases an area in Eclipse Shoals to Lombadina Point, Kimberley region, Western Australia. Bathymetry data was acquired using a Kongsberg EM2040P MKII, and processed using QPS Qimera processing software. The dataset was then exported as a 30m resolution, 32 bit floating point GeoTIFF grid of the survey area.

This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

Tags: AusSeabed, Earth Science | Oceans | Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography | Bathymetry, Earth Sciences, HVC_144641, Oceans, Published External, Published_External, bathymetric grids, bathymetry, marine, multibeam
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
5028 Block 2 (Southeast) Grid of potassium ground concentration with NASVD and standard reductions applied

The radiometric, or gamma-ray spectrometric method, measures the natural variations in the gamma-rays detected near the Earth's surface as the result of the natural radioactive decay of potassium (K), uranium (U) and thorium (Th). The data collected are processed via standard methods to ensure the response recorded is that due only to the rocks in the ground. The results produce datasets that can be interpreted to reveal the geological structure of the sub-surface. The processed data is checked for quality by GA geophysicists to ensure that the final data released by GA are fit-for-purpose.
This radiometric potassium grid has a cell size of  degrees (approximately 20m) and shows potassium element concentration of the Narryer in units of percent (or %). The data used to produce this grid was acquired in 2024 by the WA Government, and consisted of 415090 line-kilometres of data at 100m line spacing and 50m terrain clearance.

Tags: Australia, EARTH SCIENCES, Earth sciences, GADDS2.0, K, NCI, Published_External, WA, airborne digital data, gamma-ray, geophysical survey, geophysics, grid, potassium, rad, radiometrics, raster, spectrometry, survey 5028
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction in the Timor Sea 2014

Map showing Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction in the Timor Sea. Updated in June 2014 from "Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction in the Timor Sea" (GeoCat 68796) to conform with "Australian Maritime Boundaries 2014" data by Geoscience Australia.
One of the 27 constituent maps of the "Australia's Maritime Jurisdiction Map Series" (GeoCat 71789).
Depicting Australia's continental shelf as proclaimed in the "Seas and Submerged Lands (Limits of Continental Shelf) Proclamation 2012" established under the "Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973".
Background bathymetric image is derived from a combination of the 2009 9 arc second bathymetric and topographic grid by GA and a grid by Smith and Sandwell, 1997. Background land imagery derived from Blue Marble, NASA's Earth Observatory.
A0 sized .pdf downloadable from the web.

Tags: Administrative Boundaries, Administrative Boundary, Earth Sciences, Published_External, Thematic Map, bathymetry, marine, marine jurisdiction
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Spatially-balanced designs that incorporate legacy sites

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A robust scientific conclusion is the result of a rigorous scientific process. In observational ecology, this process involves making inferences about a population from 20 a sample. The sample is crucial, and is the result of implementing a survey design. A good survey design ensures that the data from the survey is capable of answering the research question. An even better design, such as spatially balanced designs, will also aim to reduce uncertainty as far as budgets will allow.
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In many study areas, there are `legacy sites', that already have a time-series observed, and return visits to these sites are beneficial to enhance examination of temporal variability. We propose a method to incorporate these legacy sites into the survey effort whilst also maintaining spatial balance. This is the first formal method to perform this task.
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Simulation experiments indicate that incorporating the spatial location of legacy sites increases spatial balance and decreases uncertainty in inferences (smaller standard errors in mean estimates). We illustrate the process using a proposed survey of a large marine reserve in South-Eastern Australia, where quantification of the reserve's biodiversity is required.
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Our approach allows for integration of legacy sites into a new spatially-balanced 35 design, increasing efficiency. Scientists, managers and funders alike will benefit from this methodology { it provides a tool to provide efficient survey designs around established ones. In this way, it can aid integrated monitoring programs. An R-package that implements these methods, called MBHdesign, is available from CRAN.
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<b>Citation:</b> Foster, S.D., Hosack, G.R., Lawrence, E., Przeslawski, R., Hedge, P., Caley, M.J., Barrett, N.S., Williams, A., Li, J., Lynch, T., Dambacher, J.M., Sweatman, H.P.A. and Hayes, K.R. (2017), Spatially balanced designs that incorporate legacy sites. <i>Methods Ecol Evol</i>, 8: 1433-1442. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12782

Tags: EARTH SCIENCES, Published_External, balanced acceptance sampling, environmental sampling, quasi-random, spatial balance, survey design, unequal probability sample
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Characterising Marine Abiotic Patterns in the Darwin-Bynoe Harbour region: Summary report, Physical Environments, Darwin Harbour Habitat Mapping Project

This report is the second of three reports that provide the scientific analyses and interpretations resulting from a four-year collaborative habitat mapping program undertaken within the Darwin and Bynoe Harbour region by Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Northern Territory Government Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This program was made possible through offset funds provided by the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project to DENR, and co-investments from GA and AIMS.

Tags: Earth Sciences, Harbour, Northern Territory, Published_External, backscatter, bathymetry, marine environmental baseline, marine resource planning, marine survey, seabed habitat
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
SI 1046 Howard Channel (HIPP) Bathymetry Acquisition (20230007S)

The Howard Channel&nbsp;bathymetry survey was acquired for the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) during the period 9 Aug 2023 – 13 Sep 2023. This was a contracted survey conducted for the Australian Hydrographic Office by EGS Australia as part of the Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program. The survey area encompasses an area in Howard Channel. Bathymetry data was acquired using a Kongsberg EM2040C, and processed using CARIS HIPS and SIPS, and QIMERA processing software. The dataset was then exported as a 30m resolution, 32 bit floating point GeoTIFF grid of the survey area.

This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

Tags: AusSeabed, Australia-wide geoscience data, EARTH SCIENCES, Earth Science | Oceans | Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography | Bathymetry, HVC_144641, Multibeam, Oceans, Offshore Mapping, Published_External, Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity, bathymetric grids, bathymetry, multibeam
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Physical Controls on Coral Communities on the George V Land Slope: Some Working Hypotheses

Dense coral-sponge communities on the upper continental slope off George V Land have been identified as a Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem in the Antarctic. The challenge is now to understand their likely distribution. The CEAMARC survey found these communities at sites on the upper slope in depths of 570 - 950m. Based on these results we propose some working hypotheses defining the physical settings suitable for such assemblages. Icebergs scour to 500m in this region and the lack of such disturbance is probably a factor allowing growth of rich benthic ecosystems. In addition, the richest communities are found in the heads of canyons. We suggest two possible oceanographic mechanisms linking abundant filter feeder communities and canyon heads. The canyons in which they occur receive descending plumes of Antarctic Bottom Water formed on the George V shelf and these water masses could entrain abundant food for the benthos. Maps of water properties measured during the Collaborative East Antarctic Marine Census (CEAMARC) survey provide some support for this idea. Another possibility is that the canyons harbouring rich benthos are those that cut the shelf break. Such canyons are known sites of high productivity in other areas because of a number of oceanographic factors, including strong current flow and increased mixing, and the abrupt, complex topography. These hypotheses provide a framework for the identification of areas where there is a higher likelihood of encountering these Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems.

Tags: AQ, Antarctic data, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, Report, abiotic surrogates, geomorphology, marine
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Hyperspectral logging of middle Cambrian marine sediments with hydrocarbon prospectivity: a case study from the southern Georgina Basin, northern Australia

The Georgina Basin is a Neoproterozoic'Paleozoic basin that spans parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland in northern Australia. The basin is prospective for petroleum, phosphate and base metals (copper, lead and zinc). The Dulcie and Toko synclines in the southern part of the basin are prospective for petroleum, where a thick Cambro-Ordovician succession of marine carbonates hosts several source rocks and associated oil and gas shows. The key source rock units occur within the middle Cambrian Narpa Group including both the Thorntonia Limestone (Series 2 and 3) and the Arthur Creek Formation (Series 3). The base of the Arthur Creek Formation is characterised by organic-rich 'hot' shales (associated with a prominent gamma spike in well logs) that have been targeted by petroleum explorers for both conventional and unconventional oil and gas. For this study, hyperspectral logging data collected by HyLoggerTM instruments were evaluated from 13 wells in the southern Georgina Basin, including petroleum, mineral and stratigraphic wells. Formation boundaries are often (but not always) characterised by distinctive changes in mineralogy, as determined by spectral and X-ray diffraction data. Key source rock units in the southern Georgina Basin were characterised and mapped in terms of their mineralogy, and other spectral properties (e.g. short-wave infra-red 'SWIR' reflectance and spectral contrast). Interpretation of the hyperspectral data alongside wireline log data supports the differentiation of two organic-rich shale units within the Arthur Creek Formation, previously distinguished on the basis of biostratgraphy and well log data. The older shale unit in the Dulcie Syncline, is characterised by quartz and carbonate mineralogy. A younger shale unit, distributed across the eastern part of the Dulcie Syncline and the Toko Syncline, is characterised by quartz, carbonate and variable white-mica contents. Key associations are observed between HyLogger mineralogy and geophysical log data. Peaks in the gamma log intensity in the middle Cambrian sediments often correspond to elevated measured total organic carbon contents, decreased carbonate contribution, Short-Wave Infrared reflectance and spectral contrast, and relatively-increased proportions of white micas and quartz. This study demonstrates that HyLogging data can provide an improved understanding of the sedimentological, mineralogical and diagenetic characteristics, as well as associated spatial heterogeneity, of prospective hydrocarbon formations in sedimentary basins.

Tags: Earth Sciences, Petroleum Geology, Published_External
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Geological reconnaissance in the Ramu Valley and adjacent areas, New Guinea

This report incorporates data accumulated during the course of geological reconnaissances carried out in the Ramu Valley, the north-east foothills of the Schrader Ranges, and the Adelbert Mountains, together with the brief visit to the Kumbrup area, Simbai Valley.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, PG, Published_External, Record, geology
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Geophysical Variables as Predictors of Megabenthos Assemblages from the Northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The question as to whether geophysical data from habitats can be used to predict the occurrence of benthic biodiversity is becoming more important with the increase in the use of Marine Protected Areas as tools for marine conservation. To help answer this question and to better understand the relationship between sediment, geomorphology and benthos, a multibeam sonar survey was conducted over two areas in the northern Great Barrier Reef - Gulf of Papua region.

View this article in Geological Association of Canada Special Publication 47 pp. 247-263

Tags: AU-QLD, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, Scientific Journal Paper, marine, marine survey
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Australian Fisheries Enforcement Zones - Front (English)

This map is produced for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to assist their enforcement of Australia's Maritime Boundaries. It has lots of icons to explain to Indonesian fishermen where they can and cannot fish in the Timor and Arafura Seas.

Originally produced using the Indonesian language. This version is an English translation.

It is not for sale or public release by Geoscience Australia. Public release is thru DEH and AFMA.

Updated in 2019 to reflect the 2018 Australia/Timor-Leste Maritime Boundaries Treaty

Tags: Administrative Boundary, Earth Sciences, Published_External, Thematic Map, marine
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Summary Of Data And Results Otway Basin, South Australia Geltwood Beach No. 1 Well Of Beach Petroleum No Liability

Geltwood Beach No. 1 Well was located on the Geltwood Anticline, approximately 7 1/2 miles south-west of Millicent in the Otway Basin, in the south-eastern part of South Australia. The well was drilled by Drilling Contractors (Australia) pty Ltd for Beach Petroleum No Liability, to a total depth of 12,300 feet. Drilling commenced on 22nd August, 1963, and was completed on lOth November, 1963. A full programme of logging, testing, and coring was undertaken.

After passing through 45 feet of Recent calcareous sand, the well penetrated 1860 feet of Miocene to Eocene marine and paralic sediments, and 1760 feet of (?) Palaeocene to Upper Cretaceous sands and grits. Below 3680 feet, a monotonous sequence of Upper to Lower Cretaceous sediments of the Merino Group were encountered and continued to total depth at 12,300 feet.

Geltwood Beach No. 1 Well was drilled to test the hydrocarbon potential of Lower Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous sediments on a probable closed structure in an area where strandings of bitumen and heavy oil on the beaches were thought to indicate SUbmarine seepages. Evidence from wells at Mount Salt and Beachport indicated that Geltwood Beach No. 1 was near the edge of probable wedge-out of Middle to Upper Cretaceous and (?) Palaeocene marine sediments overlying Lower Cretaceous beds. Traces of gas were recorded at intervals from 4500 feet to total depth, but five drillstem tests yielded only slightly gascut salty water and drilling mud. The well was plugged and abandoned as a dry hole.

The stratigraphic drilling operation at Geltwood Beach No. 1 was subsidized under the Petroleum Search Subsidy Act 1959-1961, from surface to total depth.

Tags: AU-SA, Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Other Publication, Published_External, petroleum exploration
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Geoscience Australia Science Principles

This Science Principles document sets out the six principles that underpin Geoscience Australia's scientific activities. They describe how Geoscience Australia does science. These principles form part of, and are embedded into, our long-term strategic planning and day-to-day operations. 

The principles reflect the fact that:
  - Our reputation and effectiveness depend on the timely delivery of outputs that meet client needs; and 
  - our agency provides leadership in a range of geoscientific domains to ensure that such information is trusted, broadly used and valued.

The six Science Principles are:
  1. Relevance to Government 
  2. Collaborative science 
  3. Quality science 
  4. Transparent science 
  5. Communicated science 
  6. Sustained science capability.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Published_External, marine
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data