From Australian Oceans Data Network
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Investigations into the use of benthic foraminifera as indicators for water quality on the Great Barrier Reef (MTSRF Project 3.7.1)

Created 23/06/2025

Updated 23/06/2025

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Sediment samples for foraminiferan community analysis were collected from 20 reefs located between 13.5°S and 20.5°S within the Great Barrier Reef. Most of these reefs are inshore fringing reefs which can be grouped into three distinct geographical regions: eight reefs of the Whitsunday area (collected in August 2004), four reefs from Princess Charlotte Bay, and four from the Wet Tropic area (both collected in October 2004). Sediments were also collected from two midshelf reefs (Charity and Bait Reefs) in August 2004, and two outer shelf reefs (Hastings and Flynn Reefs) in January 2005.On each reef one location of the sheltered back reef and one on the more exposed front reef was chosen. At each location, two samples of > 50 g sediment were carefully scraped from the top 0.5 - 1 cm at 7 to 9 m depth. Samples were fixed in 100% ethanol.To determine sediment chemistry and granulometry parameters, additional sediment samples were collected at the same sites during collection of the foraminifera. In the Whitsunday area, additional sediment samples were collected in August 2005 and February 2006. The sediment samples were taken in triplicate from each location using mini-corers (cut-off 60 ml syringes); only the top 1 cm of sediment was used.Surveys in the Whitsunday region of the GBR included a more detailed study of foraminifera along an inshore-offshore transect. Benthic foraminifera are established indicators for coral reef water quality conditions in Florida and the Caribbean Sea. The goal of this research was to contribute knowledge of the ecology of benthic coral reef foraminifera needed to test if these protozoans can be used as indicators for water quality on the GBR and potentially other reef systems in the Pacific region. Reefs Surveyed1. Princess Charlotte Bay: McDonald Reef, Hay Island, Wilkie Island, Hannah Island 2. Wet Tropics: Fitzroy Island, High Island, Russel Island, Dunk Island3. Mid/Outer Shelf Reefs: Hastings Reef, Flynn Reef, Charity Reef, Bait Reef 4. Whitsunday Islands: Deloraine Island, Border Island, Whitsunday Island, Hook Island, Dent Island, Island, Lindeman Island, Repulse IslandOther datasets relate to this project, see separate metadata records.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Investigations into the use of benthic foraminifera as indicators for water quality on the Great Barrier Reef (MTSRF Project 3.7.1)
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/5e7307cf-28c0-47ba-b9a3-e68a5a1fddc7
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
reception@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 13/12/2021
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
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      ],
      [
        143.25,
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      ],
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      ]
    ]
  ],
  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Investigations into the use of benthic foraminifera as indicators for water quality on the Great Barrier Reef (MTSRF Project 3.7.1)". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/investigations-into-the-use-of-benthic-foraminifera-as-indicators-for-water-quality-on-the-grea