Open AccessResearch in Great Australian Bight yields exciting early results
Author(s) -
Hine Albert C.,
Feary David A.,
Malone Mitchell J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/eo080i044p00521-01
Subject(s) - diagenesis , oceanography , geology , reef , paleontology , carbonate , substrate (aquarium) , pleistocene , drilling , mechanical engineering , materials science , engineering , metallurgy
Confirmation that Pleistocene mound features underlying the outer shelf and shelf edge are bryozoan buildups—effectively coolwater reefs—was one of several exciting discoveries during recent research earlier this year on the Great Australian Bight. Also found on Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 182 was startling evidence of high salinity fluid circulation within the shelf substrate, producing extremely high methane and hydrogen sulfide gas levels and accelerated diagenesis. In addition, an expanded middle Eocene to early Oligocene record of Southern Ocean initiation was recovered by the shipboard scientific party, aboard the JOIDES Resolution. The group also calculated unexpectedly high rates of shelf edge cool‐water carbonate accumulation (up to 40 cm/kyr).