Surface sediments: Carnarvon Shelf survey, Western Australia (CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub Survey)

Sediment grab sample were collected using a Smith McIntyre seabed grab sampler during fields surveys at Carnarvon shelf. A total of 266 samples were collected from areas including Mandu Creek (81), Point Cloates (92) and Gnaraloo (93) and Muiron Islands.

This component of the project was undertaken to characterise the surface sediments within the study areas. Samples were analysed for sediment grain size (sand, muddy sand, gravelly sand, gravel). Sediment colour was recorded (brown, grey, olive-brown, yellow, yellow-brown). These data were used to determine to supplement the bedforms mapped to provide evidence of transport of sediments, the geomorphic complexities and interpretation of the origin and ages of some shelf features.

The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and Geoscience Australia (GA) aboard RV Solander, as part of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's Surrogates Program.