AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Treaty with Timor-Leste - Australian Maritime Boundaries

Geoscience Australia has the primary role in the delineation of Australia's domestic and international maritime limits and boundaries. An output of this activity is the development of the Australian Maritime Boundaries (AMB) database. The current epoch of this database is 2019.  It differs from previous epochs by including the Treaty information relevant to the maritime boundary treaty ratified with Timor-Leste on 30 August 2019. 

This data product contains the digital representation of the treaty between Australia and Timor-Leste.
AMB data is published by Geoscience Australia in consultation with other relevant Commonwealth Government agencies including the Attorney-General's Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Hydrographic Office..

Data coordinates are supplied in the GDA94 datum. Treaties with Timor-Leste - Australian Maritime Boundaries Dataset 2019 will be accessible via the Australian Maritime Spatial Information System (AMSIS) (http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/marine/jurisdiction/amsis). 
Product Specifications Coverage: Australia and Territories, current September 2019. 

Coordinates: Geographical Datum: GDA94 (operationally equivalent to WGS84). 

Format: ESRI Geodatabase and Shapefile. 

The geographical extent is approximately between the latitude limits of 9.5 S to 11.5 S and the longitude limits 126 E to 128.5 E. 
This dataset includes the following disclaimers: AMB data is a digital representation of the international maritime boundary treaties of Australia. In the event of an inconsistency between AMB data and the limits under the various treaties, the latter prevails.

Tags: EARTH SCIENCES, HVC_144653, Published_External, Timor Treaty, Timor-Leste, Treaties
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Submerged Coral Reefs in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

We report the discovery of three submerged, living patch coral reefs covering 80 km2 in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, an area previously thought not to contain coral bioherms. The patch reefs have their upper surfaces at a mean water depth of 28.6Â±0.5 m, and were consequently not detected by satellites or aerial photographs. The reefs were only recognised in our survey using multibeam swath sonar supplemented with seabed sampling and under water video. Their existence points to an earlier, late Quaternary phase of framework reef growth, probably under cooler climate and lower sea level conditions than today. Submerged reefs with surfaces between 20 and 30 m water depth occur in other regions of the Earth and existing bathymetry indicates they could be widespread in the Gulf. Many tropical regions that today do not support patch or barrier reefs for reasons similar to the modern Gulf, may have done so in the past, when environmental conditions were more suitable. Submerged reefs may provide an important refuge for corals during the next few decades when near-surface reefs are threatened by widespread coral bleaching due to warmer global sea surface temperatures.

Tags: AU-NT, AU-QLD, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, Scientific Journal Paper, marine
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Geomorphology and Habitats of the Carnarvon Shelf

Flythrough movie showing the bathymetry of Carnarvon shelf, highlighting benthic habitats at Point Cloates. The bathymetric image is derived from multibeam sonar collected in 2008 using a 300 kHz Simrad EM3002 system on RV Solander. Key features on the shelf include a prominent ridge at 60 m water depth and a complex area of smaller ridges and mounds across the inner shelf. The ridges and mounds provide hard substrate for diverse coral and sponge communities. The Carnarvon shelf is a study site for the Marine Biodiversity Research Hub, funded through the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) programme. Survey work was carried out as a collaboration between Geoscience Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Further information is provided in GA Record 2009/02.

Tags: 3D model, AU-WA, CERF, Earth Sciences, Flythrough, Multimedia, Published_External, marine
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Marine Geomorphology Mapping Workshop: Promotional Postcard

High resolution bathymetric grids are becoming more accessible across the Australian marine estate. By better informing our understanding of seafloor geomorphology these datasets can be used to support marine management, including assessments of seabed resources, geohazards and habitats. This postcard is being distributed at the AMSA conference to invite interested individuals to join a working group on marine geomorphology, scheduled to first meet in October 2018.

Tags: EARTH SCIENCES
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Benthic environments of the Lord Howe Rise submarine plateau: Introduction to the special volume

The Australian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) contains1.6 million km2 of submarine plateaus, equal to about 13.8% of the world's known inventory of these features.  This disproportionate occurrence of plateaus presents Australia with an increased global responsibility to understand and protect the benthic habitats and associated ecosystems.  This special volume presents the results of two major marine surveys carried out on the Lord Howe Rise plateau during 2003 and 2007, during which benthic biological and geological samples, underwater photographs, video and multibean sonar bathymetry data were collected.  The benthic habitats present on Lord Howe Rise include hard/rocky substrates covering a small area of volcanic peaks (around 31 km2) and parts of other larger seamounts (eg. the Lord Howe Island  seamount) which support rich and abundant epifaunal assemblages dominated by suspension feeding invertebrates.  These habitats appear to qualify as ecologically and biologically significant areas under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) scientific selection criterion 1 (uniqueness or rarity), 4 (vulnerability, fragility, sensitivity or slow recovery) and 7 (naturalness).  The collection of papers included in this special volume represents a major advance in knowledge about benthic habitats of the Lord Howe Rise, but also about the ecology of plateaus in general.

Tags: AU-EEZ, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, Scientific Journal Paper, bathymetry, environmental, geomorphology, marine, seabed
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Seabed morphology and geomorphology of the Beagle Marine Park, south-eastern Australia, Version 1 MapServer

This ESRI map (web) service contains geospatial seabed morphology and geomorphology information for the Beagle Marine Park (South-east Marine Parks Network) and is intended for use by marine park managers, regulators and other stakeholders. This web service uses the data product published in Nanson et al. (2023); eCat Record 147976.

Tags: Geomorphology, Geomorphology and Earth Surface Processes, MapServer, Mapping, Morphology, Parks Australia, Published_External, Seabed, Spatial, web service
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
eReefs GBR4 biogeochemistry and sediments v3.1

Results from version 3.1 of the 4km-resolution regional-scale biogeochemistry and sediments model of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR4), forced by version 2.0 of the 4km-resolution hydrodynamic model and with Furnas relationships for wet and dry tropics rivers as catchment inputs. 

This model configuration and associated results dataset may be referred to as "GBR4_H2p0_B3p1_Cfur_Dnrt" according to the eReefs biogeochemical simulation naming protocol.

The model ran in near-real-time mode, updating daily, until January 2024 when the 2023/24 monsoon season caused damage to sensors in the catchments, and we lost access to the critical river-flow forcing dataset.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Incorporation of Organic Contaminants in Geochemical Samples and an Assessment of Potential Sources Samples: Examples from Geoscience Australia's Marine Survey S282

Organic geochemists are increasingly involved in multi-disciplinary collaborative studies but not often in the initial sample collection phase, so understanding the origin and source of contaminants derived from sample handling and containers is of vital importance as standard laboratory blanks cannot assess this contamination. A variety of organic contaminants was detected in different sediments collected during Geoscience Australia marine survey S282. These include fatty acid amides, chemical antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene and octadecyl-3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate (Irganox 1076), plus the UV absorbers octabenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate. These compounds were introduced during sampling on board the research vessel or during subsequent handling. Solvent extraction of potential contamination sources identified two brands of plastic sampling bags as the main source for the fatty acid amides, butylated hydroxytoluene and Irganox 1076. Direct contact of samples with hands covered with sunscreen appears to have caused contamination by octabenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate. As the primary aim of the survey was to detect evidence for hydrocarbon seepage in the Arafura Sea, care was also taken to identify potential sources of hydrocarbons that might have been introduced during sampling and storage. Detailed examination of solvent extracts from plastic bags revealed the occurrence of several homologous series of branched alkanes with quaternary carbon atoms (BAQCs), as well as distributions of alkyl cyclohexanes and alkyl cyclopentanes with strong even over odd carbon predominance. These compounds were also found in sediment samples collected during the survey. Other potential sources of contamination used on board the ship, such as PVC core liners and lubricants, yielded hydrocarbons that could easily be mistaken for evidence of naturally occurring petroleum if care is not taken during interpretation.

Tags: Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, geochemistry, marine, marine survey, organic geochemistry
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Darwin Harbour marine habitats

This data was collected to improve our knowledge and understanding of the marine environment in the upper reaches of East and Middle Arms (Darwin Harbour), to assist planning and sustainable development for the new township. 

Data provide polygon data that map the benthic habitats (12 physical and biological categories) in the upper reaches of the harbour using remote-sensed and survey data.

This dataset is being continually updated and is current as of 03/03/2016.

Tags: Benthic habitat
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
A non-marine Lower Cretaceous rift-related epicIastic volcanic unit in southern Australia: the Eumeralla Formation in the Otway Basin.  Part II: fluvial systems

Relationships, thicknesses, and palaeocurrent and other sedimentary data applying to facies associations in Eumeralla Formation outcrops in the eastern Otway Basin distinguish at least three discrete depositional systems (A-C). Each system is characterised by high-energy fluvial flows in broad channel tracts.  The multistorey sandstone bodies of system A, between Cape Otway and Apollo Bay, are up to 70 m thick and contain varying proportions of basement-derived quartzose gravel and sand intermixed with mainly volcaniclastic sand.  Interchannel siltstones also up to 70 m thick separate the sandstone bodies.  Palaeocurrents in system A have an overall southerly trend.  This system is interpreted to represent deposition in a medial alluvial fan to proximal braided-stream system.  System B occurs around Moonlight Head, and may extend southeast to Rotten Point.  It is characterised by multistorey sandstone bodies up to 14 m thick separated by siltstones of similar thickness which locally contain thin coal beds, rooted horizons, and reddened soil profiles.  It lacks basement-derived gravel. Palaeocurrents trend north-easterly to northwesterly. The sediments of system B accumulated on a medial to distal braid plain.  Facies associations and fluvial architecture of system C, seen in outcrop north of Skenes Creek, resemble those of system B, from which it is distinguished by consistently northwest palaeocurrent vectors, a basement-derived gravel component, and the absence of debris flows and volcanic pebbles. System C also represents deposition on a braid plain or in a braided-river system.  The three depositional systems are accommodated in a model for the Eumeralla Formation which suggests that its volcanic detritus was derived largely from infrarift volcanic complexes in the axial parts of the Otway rift basin, which during the Aptian-Albian lay to the south of the present coastline.  A volcaniclastic apron spread northwest to northeast across the basin (system B).  Elevated basement blocks shed quartzose detritus into flanking alluvial fans, the more distal parts of which mixed with volcaniclastic detritus (systems A, C).  The onset of axial volcanism in the Aptian may have displaced a former westerly axial drainage towards the northern basin margin (system C).

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Journal, NSW, Published_External, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
SI 1017 Varzin Passage to Merkara Shoal (HIPP) Bathymetry Acquisition (20230015S)

The  Varzin Passage to Merkara Shoal&nbsp;bathymetry survey was acquired for the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) during the period 4 Sep 2023 – 12 Apr 2024. This was a contracted survey conducted for the Australian Hydrographic Office by Fugro Australia as part of the Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program. The survey area encompasses an area in Varzin Passage to Merkara Shoal. Bathymetry data was acquired using a LADS HD+, 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, LADS, Oceans, Offshore Mapping, Published_External, Resourcing Australia's Prosperity, bathymetric grids, bathymetry, multibeam
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Identifying vulnerable ecosystems in an Antarctic coastal marine environment

Monitoring changes in shallow-water benthic ecosystems requires baseline information against which any future changes can be assessed. This includes information on the existing spatial extent and physical habitat requirements of the different benthic communities. 

A detailed study in shallow coastal waters of the Vestfold Hills has shown that seafloor geomorphology information provides a physical framework for understanding benthic habitats and a broad indication of the distribution of benthic communities in the region. Macroalgae is common in the coastal waters, inhabiting very shallow areas with hard substrate. Areas with extended sea ice cover are dominated by invertebrates and are devoid of macroalgae. Studies have shown that these shallow invertebrate-dominated ecosystems are vulnerable to changes in sea ice extent which will increase light availability and drive regime shifts towards macroalgae-dominated communities (Clark et al. 2013. DOI:10.1111/gcb.12337).

New high-resolution multibeam data collected over the broader Vestfold Hills region is being used to expand our understanding of the spatial extent of benthic habitats across the shallow coastal environment and identify potential habitat for macroalgae communities. Bathymetry derived from multispectral satellite imagery is used to fill data gaps in very shallow areas and areas under sea ice. This seafloor information is useful to guide further biological studies to determine if and when regime shifts occur.

Presented at the 2023 POLAR 2018 A SCAR &amp; IASC Conference

Tags: Antarctica, EARTH SCIENCES, Published_External, Vestfold Hills, benthic habitats, marine, seabed mapping
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Acreage Release - Marine Environmental Data WMS

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, Published_External, WMS, acreage release, environmental, gas, marine, offshore, petroleum, seabed, web service
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Applications of Geophysical Information to the Design of a Representative System of Marine Protected Areas in Southeastern Australia

Management of the marine environment in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone is addressed by an Oceans Policy that was put forward by the government in 1998. The policy is being implemented through Regional Marine Plans, including the development of a network of representative Marine Protected Areas. The southeast region of Australia has been the first part of the Exclusive Economic Zone to undergo regional marine planning (in 2003) and Marine Protected Area development processes are currently in progress.

This article can be found in Geological Association of Canada

Tags: AU-EEZ, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, Scientific Journal Paper, marine, marine survey
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Spectral representation of isostatic models

The development of cross-spectral techniques for investigating the relation between gravity and topography has led to the representation of isostatic processes in terms of mathematical filters, or admittance functions. These filters can easily be constructed by application of Greens equivalent layer theorem. The rheology of the lithosphere principally controls the process by which isostatic compensation is achieved. As examples, admittance functions representing the isostatic process defined by elastic and visco-elastic rheologies are developed. By using admittance functions, the calculation of the free-air gravity anomaly for complicated topography, isostatic schemes, or rheology becomes computationalIy more efficient and simple compared to the more conventional line-integral methods.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Journal, Published_External, marine
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Ice shelf grounding zone features of western Prydz Bay, Antarctica sedimentary processes from seismic and sidescan images

Several grounding zone wedges were left on the floor and flanks of Prydz Channel in western Prydz Bay by the Lambert Glacier during the last glacial cycle. Seismic profiles indicate that vertical accretion at the glacier bed was the most important depositional process in forming the wedges, rather than progradation by sediment gravity flows. Sidescan sonographs reveal extensive development of flutes on the sea floor inshore from the wedges, indicating deformable bed conditions beneath the ice. The region inshore of the east Prydz Channel wedge features extensive dune fields formed by currents flowing towards the grounding zone. This orientation is consistent with models of circulation beneath ice shelves in which melting at the grounding line generates plumes of fresher water that rise along the base of the ice shelf, entraining sea water into a circulation cell. The Lambert Deep is surrounded by a large composite ridge of glacial sediments. Internal reflectors suggest formation mostly by subglacial accretion. The sea floor in the Lambert Deep lacks dune fields and shows evidence of interspersed subglacial cavities and grounded ice beneath the glacier. The absence of bedforms reflects sea floor topography that would have inhibited the formation of energetic melt water-driven circulation.

Tags: AQ, Antarctic data, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, Scientific Journal Paper, marine, seabed
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Pleistocene to Holocene planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Coral Sea, offshore Queensland, Australia.

Fifteen of 27 potential planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphic events from the latest Pliocene-Holocene have been examined; most of the early Pleistocene was not able to be studied because of a hiatus in the one core which penetrated through the Pleistocene into the top of the Pliocene. Four of these events have been recognised for the first time, and some have been used to establish a formal zonal and subzonal scheme for the region.  Two new subzones are proposed, the Globigerinoides quadrilobatus fistulosus Subzone (for the basal part of Zone N.22) and the Bolliella praeadamsi Subzone (for the top part of Zone N.22).  These changes have made necessary the redefinition of both the Globorotalia (Truncorotalia) crassaformis viola and the Globorotalia (Truncorotalia) crassaformis hessi Subzones. There is little evidence that changes in palaeoceanographic conditions are related to the faunal changes observed in the cores, although there are strong indications of reworking at some levels within some of the cores (such as late Miocene Zone N.17 in one core), which may have been related to sea-level fluctuations. The assemblages from the cores show a marked stability, with the faunas being dominated by spinose, oligotrophic taxa. Temperate water forms are either very rare or absent, whereas tropical and subtropical species are dominant. A single new species, Bolliella praeadamsi has been described because of its biostratigraphic utility. This species is an evolutionary intermediate between Bo. calida praecalida and Bo. adamsi.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Journal, Published_External, QLD, marine
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
RV Investigator Voyage IN2026_T02 Hydrology Data

This record describes Hydrology (HYD) data collected from the Marine National Facility (MNF) RV Investigator voyage IN2026_T02, titled: "CAPSTAN IN2026_T02." The voyage took place between April 23, 2026 and May 05, 2026 (AEST), departing from Fremantle and returning to Hobart.

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