Offshore seismic surveys have long been considered to be disruptive to fisheries, and recent claims have been made that marine seismic operations cause scallop declines in southeastern Australia. Despite the importance of this issue to both fisheries and petroleum industries, few studies target commercially important species in realistic exposure scenarios. One of the main challenges in underwater sound impact studies is the meaningful translation of laboratory results to the field, largely due to variations due to underwater sound properties and experimental set-ups. In the current study, we use in situ experiments to investigate whether field populations of the commercial (Pectens fumatus ) and doughboy scallops (Mimachlamys asperrima) are negatively affected by a seismic survey undertaken in the Gippsland Basin in April 2015 (30 80 m depth). Both theoretical and field-based noise propagation models were developed to quantify noise exposure of the animals at the seabed and to establish whether sound monitoring markedly improves model outputs. Images of the seafloor at were acquired using an Automated Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to evaluate the novel use of AUVs in scallop stock assessment. Samples were collected before and after the seismic survey using a commercial scallop dredge, and a range of metrics are currently being quantified. In this presentation, we describe preliminary results and critically review our current understanding of low-frequency sound impact on marine molluscs.

The coverage of this dataset is over the PortStephens region . The C3 LAS data set contains point data in LAS 1.2 format sourced from a LiDAR ( Light Detection and Ranging ) from an ALS50 ( Airborne Laser Scanner ) sensor . The processed data has been manually edited to achieve LPI classification level 3 whereby the ground class contains minimal non-ground points such as vegetation , water , bridges , temporary features , jetties etc . Purpose: To provide fit-for-purpose elevation data for use in applications related to coastal vulnerability assessment, natural resource management ( especially water and forests) , transportation and urban planning . Additional lineage information: This data has an accuracy of 0.3m ( 95 CI ) vertical and 0.8m ( 95 CI ) horizontal with a minimum point density of one laser pulse per square metre . For more information on the datas accuracy, refer to the lineage provided in the data history .

Compilation of new and existing data can be used to show systematic variations in initial ore-related Pb isotope ratios and derived parameters for the Lachlan and Delamerian orogens of southeast Australia. In addition to mapping tectonic boundaries and providing genetic context to mineralising processes, these variations map mineralised provinces at the orogenic scale and can provide vectors to ore at the district scale. In New South Wales and Victoria, mapping using a parameter termed the 'Lachlan Lead Index' (LLI), which measures relative mixing between crustal- and mantle-derived Pb using the curves of Carr et al. (1995, Economic Geology 90:14671505), clearly demarcates the boundary between the Eastern and Central Lachlan provinces, and seems to identify boundaries between zones within the Western Lachlan Province of Victoria. The LLI also maps the extent of the isotopically juvenile Macquarie 'Arc' in New South Wales. However, rocks in the Rockley-Gulgong Belt, initially mapped as part of the Macquarie Arc, have a more evolved isotopic character, suggesting that these rocks are not part of the Macquarie Arc. This interpretation supports recent mapping that casts doubt on the attribution of this belt to the Macquarie Arc (Quinn, et al., 2014, Journal of the Geological Society of London 171:723736). The LLI has also identified small exposures of Ordovician volcanic rocks, well removed from the main Macquarie Arc, as possible correlates to this arc, with potential to host porphyry and epithermal deposits. Metallogenically, porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the Macquarie Arc are characterised by juvenile Pb. In contrast, Sn and Mo deposits in the Central Lachlan Province (i.e., the Wagga tin belt) are characterised by highly evolved Pb even though these deposits formed over 30 million years. Moreover, the Pb isotope data suggest that the original interpretation that copper deposits in the Girilambone district are volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposits was correct and that these deposits formed in a back-arc to the Macquarie Arc at ~480 Ma. In the Mount Read Volcanics of western Tasmania, all deposits appear to cluster along the same growth curve. However, when divided according to age (i.e., Cambrian (~500 Ma) versus Devonian (~360 Ma)), spatial patterns are visible in 206Pb/204Pb data. For Cambrian deposits 206Pb/204Pb decreases overall to the southeast, although low values are also present in the far south (i.e., Elliott Bay) and northeast. The most highly mineralised central part of the belt seems to be broadly associated with the zone of highest 206Pb/204Pb. Variations in 206Pb/204Pb for Devonian deposits broadly mimic the patterns seen for the Cambrian deposits. More importantly, a district-scale pattern in 206Pb/204Pb is present in the Zeehan district. Isotopically, the Sn-dominated core of the Zeehan district (e.g. Queen Hill and Severn deposits) is characterised by high 206Pb/204Pb, which decreases outward into the Zn-Pb-Ag-dominated peripheries. Lead isotope distribution patterns can potentially be used as an ore vector in this and other intrusion-centered mineral systems.

Based on calcareous nannofossil evidence, the stratigraphically important interval with Hantkenina (H.) alabamensis primitiva Cushman and Jarvis in the upper Eocene of southern Australia is placed high in the foraminiferal Zone P. 16 of the tropics; previously it was correlated with the upper part of Zone P. 15. Consequently, the upper Eocene sediments above this interval at Browns Creek (Otway Basin) and Blanche Point (St Vincent Basin) are considered to represent an expanded section, with a very high rate of sedimentation. This is consistent with, and probably helps understanding of, the disjunct vertical distribution of several foraminiferal species reported previously in these sediments - particularly at Browns Creek.

Sediments of the Late Palaeozoic Urana Formation in infrabasins beneath the Cainozoic Murray Basin include glaciomarine diamictite, fine-grained sediment, sandstone, and conglomerate facies. The facies assemblage is dominated by paratillites, formed by ice-rafting, and fine-grained sediments with a small ice-rafted component. Rhythmically bedded siltstone and claystone, sediment gravity-flow diamictites, traction-current deposits, and, possibly, subglacial tillites are also present. Interpretation of the facies indicates that grounded-ice deposits are absent from the glaciomarine sequence over large areas of the basin and has enabled estimation of the likely limits of grounded ice. Palaeontological and sedimentological evidence suggests that these rocks were deposited towards the end of the major Late Palaeozoic glaciation of southeastern Australia.

Pollen and spore assemblages have been recovered from coaly lenses and marginal facies of Tertiary lacustrine sediments at Lake Bunyan, north of Cooma, southern New South Wales. Remains of lake sediments in the area are extensive , and a variety of facies has been recognised. Clays are dominant, but volcanogenic conglomerates, sands, silts , coals, diatomites , and a marginal quartzose facies also occur. Palynological assemblages have been recovered from coaly lenses and from the marginal facies. The pollen and spore suite is poorly diversified. Pollen of Nothofagus dominates, and that of podocarpaceous conifers is well represented. Myrtaceous pollen is common in a few samples only, proteaceous pollen is very rare , and there is occasional local dominance by aquatic taxa. Dating is made difficult by a lack of known stratigraphic marker species. In general, the assemblage resembles microfloras of the Proteacidites tuberculatus Zone, which spans the early Oligocene through early Miocene interval in the Gippsland Basin. The presence of Haloragacidites haloragoides, however, is more in accord with the Triporopollenites bellus Zone, of late early to late Miocene age. Detailed comparison with other palynological suites from highland sites dated by association with basalts suggests an age for the Lake Bunyan deposit of 12-21 m.y. , i.e. late early to middle Miocene. In comparison with other Miocene pollen floras from southeastern Australia , the Bunyan assemblage lacks forms indicative of subtropical rainforest, and forms indicative of cool temperate rainforest are poorly diversified. These features, combined with the relative abundance of conifer pollen in the assemblage, may reflect conditions somewhat cooler than other areas of southeastern Australia during the Miocene. An interpretation of pollen spectra from the deposit suggests that a variety of lake edge and bog communities successively surrounded the sites examined.

Available geological and geophysical data for the dominantly Devonian Darling Basin of western New South Wales indicate a high risk for petroleum exploration. Hydrocarbon prospectivity is confined to the concealed western Darling Basin, where block-faulted, graben-like troughs contain a generally thick sequence of Middle Devonian to Lower Carboniferous continental sediments, underlain by Lower Devonian marine sediments. Geochemical data for cores from BMR Ivanhoe No. 1 and from thirteen petroleum exploration wells held on open file at BMR are used to evaluate source rock potential and organic maturation levels. The continental sediments have no source potential. The marine Lower Devonian Amphitheatre Formation has a generally low organic carbon content, is thought to be gas prone, and is thermally mature to overmature for oil generation. The geochemical data support the hypothesis that trough flanks and margins, where sediments have not been too deeply buried or thermally altered, offer the best prospects for preservation of source and reservoir rocks. On the basis of the limited data available, the eastern flank of the Lake Wintlow High - Wilcannia High is considered the most prospective region of the Darling Basin.