Paleoenvironment and sediment basins in Dusky Sound, New Zealand, characterised through seismic stratigraphy and sediment cores
A seminar by Otago Geology PhD student Jack Beagley Fjords are recognised hotspots for carbon accumulation and account for 11% of annual marine carbon burial.
Tamatea/Dusky Sound in southwestern New Zealand is a ~40 km long fjord containing sub-basins functioning as carbon-rich sediment traps. The sediment stratigraphy and depositional histories of these basins are poorly constrained, limiting our ability to calculate carbon stocks and assess key carbon delivery processes.
Multi-channel seismic data, multibeam bathymetry and downcore measurements from 5 piston cores have been synthesised to reveal insights into Tamatea/Dusky Sound including glacial history, carbon burial potential and sea level.
From this work, two drill sites are suggested for obtaining long (>100 m) climate and environmental records from Tamatea/Dusky Sound.
