Benthic invertebrate surveys conducted between 2009-2011 as part of the Sydney Tar Ponds Cleanup and Coke Ovens Remediation Project.

Monitoring of benthic invertebrate communities in Sydney Harbour and the surrounding area was conducted between 2009-2011 as part of the marine component of the environmental effects and surface water compliance monitoring program for the Sydney Tar Ponds Cleanup and Coke Ovens Remediation Project.

The soft bottom in the sampling region combined with the presence of benthic communities with significant abundances and number of species made it suitable to conduct repeatable sampling surveys to assess impacts if any from the Remediation Project.

Samples were collected from sediments at a series of nearshore stations in various parts of Sydney Harbour. These stations were assessed for sediment type, content of organic carbon and environmental conditions were noted. Seabed invertebrate communities were examined in terms of species composition and distribution.

This resource contains a subset of the data collected as part of these surveys – records contain species occurrence information (scientific name, geographic location, date of sampling, depth of sampling, quantitative abundance) plus a number of associated measurements (sediment composition, grain diameter, TOC). For information on the complete study including data analysis and discussion please consult the original reports. (Dillon 2010, 2011a, 2011b).