Sediment Sample and Core Database

The data contained in this database corresponds to the radiochemical and chemical analysis for the sediment profile samples collected by AIMS' biogeochemistry team between 1988 and 2005. The collection spans different regions within Australia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Timor Sea region, Papua New Guinea, China, Thailand and Indonesia. Samples were collected from offshore, coastal and river areas, using a variety of methods over the timeframe.

The data has contributed to studies in sediment mass balance in rivers, estuaries, deep water shelf and slopes to determine the environmental impact in tropical systems, nutrient budgets and dynamics. Research in both organic and inorganic carbon biomarkers and fluxes have developed carbon budget and carbon cycling dynamics for marine environments.

The databases includes sediment descriptions of samples, measurements for geochemical mass balance, and analysis for trace elements including Aluminium, Carbon and Nitrogen and calculated ratios of Aluminium/Calcium, Carbonate Carbon and in some locations Arsenic and suspended sediment. Radiochemical analysis of some sediment core samples and surface water samples for natural isotopes of radium.

Sampling equipment included Kasten Corer, Piston/Gravity Corer, Box Corer, Smith Macintyre Grab, Van Veen Grab, hand collection SCUBA, soil profile and Suspended Sediment samples, and sediment traps.