This study presents new information on the regional geochemical characteristics of deep-sea floor sediments (1300 - 2423 m water depth) on the Lord Howe Rise (deep-sea plateau) and Gifford Guyot (seamount/tablemount), remote areas off eastern Australia. The aim was to provide a coherent synthesis for a suite of geochemical data that can be used to make habitat inferences and to develop surrogates of biodiversity. Sediment characteristics analysed were mineralogy, organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations and isotopic compositions, and concentrations of major and trace elements. We also measured parameters that convey information about the reactivity of organic matter and on the bio-availability of bioactive trace elements (e.g. chlorin indices and acid-extractable elements). Surface sediments from the region were calcareous oozes that were carbon-lean (0.26±0.1%) and had moderate to high chlorin indices (0.62 - 0.97)..

The Rowley Shoals/Offshore Canning and Roebuck basins survey was conducted on the RV Southern Surveyor survey SS06/2006 (GA-2408) between the 29th May and 22 June 2006. The primary aim of the survey was to identify any sites of natural hydrocarbon seepage, that may provide direct evidence for an active petroleum system within the sub‐surface. A secondary objective was to contribute to the understanding of the modern sedimentary and oceanographic processes influencing this part of the shelf, and to assess the nature of the benthic habitats. Underwater video was captured at 12 sites, with a minimum of 10 minutes to 60 minutes at each site, which totalled approximately 5.5 hours of footage. Video was recorded to mini DV tapes and copied to digital format. Descriptions of footage acquired during the underwater video tows are provided in the post-survey report (GA Record 2007/21 - Geocat # 65453). Please note that the underwater video is unclipped, contains descent and ascent through the water column, laser points in the video are reported to be spaced at 25 cm, and start locations of the underwater video camera stations are found in the Post-survey report.

The Marine Science Voyage (2010/11 VMS) to the Mertz Glacier region was a collaborative survey involving scientists from a number of research institutions, working across a number of different projects, with the overall aim of conducting a coordinated and comprehensive study to measure and monitor the impact of the Mertz Glacier calving event on the local and regional environment. The survey took place in January 2011 and enabled the collection of data shortly after the calving event so that physical, chemical and biological changes in response to the new conditions can be monitored over time. As such, data collected on VMS will provide a benchmark for tracking future change in the Mertz Glacier region environment. Geoscience Australia and the Australian Antarctic Division conducted a benthic community survey during the voyage. The purpose of the benthic community survey was to collect high-resolution still images of the sea floor to address three main objectives: 1. to investigate benthic community composition in the area previously covered by the MGT and to the east, an area previously covered by approximately 30 m of fast ice; 2. to investigate benthic community composition (or lack thereof) in areas of known iceberg scours; and 3. to investigate the lateral extent of hydrocoral communities along the shelf break. The survey collected over 1800 images of the sea floor on the continental shelf and slope in the Mertz Glacier region, including in the area previously covered by the Mertz Glacier tongue. There were 75 successful camera deployments and a further 7 stations where images were of poor quality but may still provide useful information. The benthic images will be examined in detail to provide information on benthic community composition and substrate type. The survey has provided a major new set of data which will greatly enhance the understanding of Antarctic marine biodiversity and the relationship between physical conditions and benthic communities.

The Vlaming Basin survey (GA survey # 334) was conducted under the Nation CO2 Infrastructure Plan (NCIP) on the MV Southern Supporter between the 12th to the 21st April 2012, with technical support provided from Fugro. The survey obtained geological (sedimentological, geochemical, geophysical) and biological data to support assessments of offshore acerage release areas for potential CO2 storage, and investigate the relationships between the physical environment and associated biota for biodiversity prediction. The purpose of the survey was to contribute to the assessment of the Vlaming Sub-basin for containment risk, as well as complement and validate interpretation of seismic data in the same area. Underwater footage was collected from 12 stations, although quality varies between sites and among transect lines. Video folders are named according to station number, followed by gear code (CAM=Ray Tech Underwater system), then the deployment number, and followed by region. For example, 12CAM02_D1 represents a video transect from station 12 that was the 2nd video transect of the survey and located in area region D1. Multiple files within transect folders indicate location metadata (Start of line location). In addition, USBL (Ultra-short baseline) text files located in the same folder provide continuous navigational information on location, time (UTC) and depth of each video transect line.

In May 2013, Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) undertook a collaborative seabed mapping survey (GA0340/ SOL5754) on the Leveque Shelf, a distinct geological province within the Browse Basin, offshore Western Australia. The purpose of the survey was to acquire geophysical and biophysical data on seabed environments over a previously identified potential CO2 injection site to better understand the overlying seabed habitats and to assess potential for fluid migration to the seabed. Mapping and sampling was undertaken across six areas using multibeam and single beam echosounders, sub-bottom profilers, sidescan sonar, underwater towed-video, gas sensors, water column profiler, grab samplers, and vibrocorer. Over 1070 km2 of seabed and water column was mapped using the multibeam and single beam echosounder, in water depths ranging between 40 and 120 m. The sub-surface was investigated using the multichannel and the parametric sub-bottom profilers along lines totalling 730 km and 1547 km in length respectively. Specific seabed features were investigated over 44 line km using the sidescan sonar and physically and sampled at 58 stations. Integration of this newly acquired data with existing seismic data will provide new insights into the geology of the Leveque Shelf. This work will contribute to the Australian Government's National CO2 Infrastructure Plan (NCIP) by providing key seabed environmental and geological data to better inform the assessment of the CO2 storage potential in this area of the Browse Basin. This dataset contains identifications of Polychaetes collected from 64 Smith-McIntyre grabs deployed during GA0340/SOL5754.

In order to protect the biological diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the commonwealth government has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The Act is being implemented through preparation of regional marine plans (commenced in 2001) and by designing networks of representative marine protected areas (MPAs) in both commonwealth and state waters. In the absence of direct information about the distribution of seabed biodiversity, appropriate surrogates must be used instead. A major constraint is the short time-frame available to managers to make decisions; only information that is readily accessible and available can be used under these circumstances. Existing seabed bathymetry data were used to produce a geomorphic features map of the Australian EEZ. This map was used in conjunction with existing fish diversity information and other data to derive a Benthic Bioregionalisation (2005) that subdivides Australia's EEZ into 41 bioregions including 24 biologically unique provinces. Biophysical variables measured at broad spatial scales apart from bathymetry (and derived variables such as seabed slope) include ocean primary production, seabed sediment properties, temperature and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental margin, Geoscience Australia has created 'seascape' maps that integrate multiple layers of spatial data that are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity. Existing seabed bathymetry data were used to produce a geomorphic features map of the Australian EEZ. This map was used in conjunction with existing fish diversity information and other data to derive a Benthic Bioregionalisation (2005) that subdivides Australia's EEZ into 41 bioregions including 24 biologically unique provinces.

Geoscience Australia carried out a marine survey on Carnarvon shelf (WA) in 2008 (SOL4769) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through co-located sampling of surface sediments and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wave-generated currents. Data and samples were acquired using the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Research Vessel Solander. Bathymetric mapping, sampling and video transects were completed in three survey areas that extended seaward from Ningaloo Reef to the shelf edge, including: Mandu Creek (80 sq km); Point Cloates (281 sq km), and; Gnaraloo (321 sq km). Additional bathymetric mapping (but no sampling or video) was completed between Mandu creek and Point Cloates, covering 277 sq km and north of Mandu Creek, covering 79 sq km. Two oceanographic moorings were deployed in the Point Cloates survey area. The survey also mapped and sampled an area to the northeast of the Muiron Islands covering 52 sq km. TheGA0308_Carnarvon_SOL4976 folder contains video footage and still images. The MS databse, the Excel files are video characterisation datasets: Carnarvon_video data (export).mdb; all_substrata_tx.xls (transect level); all_substrata_patch.xls (patch level); all_benthos_tx.xls (transect level); all_benthos_patch.xls (patch level); Carnarvon_QAQC_VIDEOlog.doc (QAQC document); Attribute_metadata.xls (attribute definition). Underwater towed-video footage abd still images represent the raw data. Video characterisation datasets include percent cover of substrata and benthic taxa characterised at two spatial scales: transect scale (mean values per transect) and patch scale (mean values for each patch type within a transect).

Macrotidal coastal environments are characterised by complex patterns of sediment transport that have been poorly documented in the international literature. Of particular environmental concern is the transport of sediment from tropical coastal catchments, through estuaries and into coral reef environments. Consequently, knowledge of the distribution of benthic environments, and transport pathways of both fine and coarse sediment is required for the effective management of this issue. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is located on the continental shelf adjacent to the coast of tropical northeastern Australia. The GBR comprises an outer coral-dominated environment that encloses a large lagoon dominated by catchment-derived sediments. Keppel Bay is a macrotidal environment that represents the interface of the large catchment of the Fitzroy River with the southern GBR lagoon. We classified the benthic sediments of Keppel Bay into five distinct facies based on the statistical analysis of physical and geochemical sediment data and modelled seabed shear stress (the influence of waves and tidal currents). Multibeam sonar was employed to determine bedload sediment transport directions as indicated by bedform geometry, and to identify areas of sediment accumulation and erosion. Our findings suggest that much of the catchment-derived fine sediment accumulates in the mouth of the Fitzroy River. Outer Keppel Bay is dominated by relict palaeochannels, and the shoreward transport of sediment from the continental shelf. The Fitzroy River-Keppel Bay system provides a useful facies model for a seasonal, sediment-starved macrotidal depositional setting in which bedrock configuration and relict features dominate geomorphology, and restrict processes of modern sediment accumulation.

As part of Australian Government's National Low Emission Coal Initiative (NLECI) and National CO2 Infrastructure Plan (NCIP), Geoscience Australia (GA) has been assessing offshore sedimentary basins for their CO2 storage potential. These studies, scheduled for completion by 30 June 2015, aim to identify potential sites for the geological storage of CO2 and provide pre-competitive information for the development of CO2 transport and storage infrastructure near major emission sources. The basins targeted for these studies are the Bonaparte Basin (Petrel Sub-basin), Browse Basin, Perth Basin (Vlaming Sub-basin) and Gippsland Basin. GA completed a series of marine surveys over the Petrel and Vlaming sub-basins and the Browse Basin during 2012-2013, that acquired 2D reflection seismic, multibeam bathymetry/backscatter and sub-bottom profiling data, and seabed samples and video footages. The datasets have been analysed to inform the assessment of potential CO2 storage capacity and containment for each study area. Integrated interpretation of the seabed, shallow subsurface and deep basin data has assisted the identification of potential fluid migration features that may indicate seal breach and the presence of migration pathways. Data on seabed environments and ecological habitats will provide a baseline for an assessment of the potential impacts of CO2 injection and storage, and associated infrastructure development.

The Petrel Sub-basin Marine Survey GA-0335 (SOL5463) was undertaken by the RV Solander during May 2012 as part of the Commonwealth Government's National Low Emission Coal Initiative (NLECI). The survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and GA. The purpose was to acquire geophysical and biophysical data on shallow (less then 100m water depth) seabed environments within two targeted areas in the Petrel Sub-basin to support investigation for CO2 storage potential in these areas. This dataset contains identifications of animals collected from 21 Smith-McIntyre grabs deployed during GA-334. Biological specimens were collected from Smith-McIntyre grabs. Sediment was elutriated for ~ 5 minutes over a 500um sieve. Retained sediments and animals were then preserved in 70% ethanol for later laboratory sorting and identification (see 'lineage'). The dataset is current as of November 2012, but will be updated as taxonomic experts contribute. Stations are named XXGRYY where XX indicates the station number, GR indicates Smith-Mac grab, and YY indicates the sequence of grabs deployed (i.e. the YYth grab on the entire survey).