Sedimentology and Geomorphology of the East Marine Region: A Spatial Analysis

Brief description

This report presents the geomorphology and sedimentology of the East Marine Region. The\nthree main outputs of the report include: 1) a review of previous geological research undertaken in\nthe East Marine Region (EMR); 2) the results of a quantitative study of seabed sediment texture and\ncomposition for these regions; and 3) a synthesis of this information characterizing regional trends in\nsedimentology, geomorphology and bathymetry. The study is a collaboration between Geoscience\nAustralia and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) and is a\ncontinuation of similar work conducted for the North West Marine Region (Potter et al., in press;\nBaker et al., 2008) and the South West Marine Region (Richardson et al., 2005). By combining results\nof previous qualitative work and quantitative information generated from existing and new data, this\nreport provides an improved understanding of sedimentology for the EMR. Information contained\nwithin this report will contribute to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts\nnational work program and will also assist in the marine bioregional planning for the East Marine\nRegion.\n\nPrevious sediment studies in the EMR have predominantly produced qualitative results at local scales.\nGeomorphic, sedimentary and biological information has previously been utilised to develop a\nNational Bioregionalisation of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (Department of the\nEnvironment and Heritage (National Oceans Office), 2005; now the Department of the Environment,\nWater, Heritage and the Arts) and substantive geomorphic features of the eastern continental margins\nhave already been identified and mapped (Heap and Harris, in press). This report adds\nsignificantly to these previous studies by incorporating the information in a sedimentological\nsynthesis that includes a discussion of the implications for marine conservation in the EMR.\nThe physical characteristics of the seabed in the EMR, as described by the sediment texture and\ncomposition data, can assist in determining the diversity of benthic marine habitats in the EMR. These\ndata represent enduring features which are elements of the physical environment that do not change\nconsiderably and they are known to influence the diversity of biological systems. This is important\nfor marine conservation by contributing to the better definition and characterisation of benthic\nhabitats. Seabed texture and composition are easily measurable parameters that when combined with\nother physical features can be used to create "seascapes" that serve as broad surrogates for benthic\nhabitats and biota (Whiteway et al., 2007). Seascapes have the potential to be used in informing the\nmarine bioregional planning process.\n\nYou can also purchase hard copies of Geoscience Australia data and other products at http://www.ga.gov.au/products-services/how-to-order-products/sales-centre.html

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