Project descriptionThe Field and Engineering Support project provides services which allow Geoscience Australia's research scientists to undertake marine geoscience and oceanographic research in the field and in the laboratory. Members of the project unit provide a diverse range of marine survey equipment and skilled personnel to support Geoscience Australia's survey operations. Data sets and samples are collected to the highest standards, allowing the marine program to successfully meet its goals. The design, construction and installation of specialist research equipment also is undertaken in workshops which are well equipped for marine and other geoscience related activities. |
A survey ship in the southern ocean off Western Australia
(Copyright Geoscience Australia) |
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Project outcomeField and Engineering Support services enable Geoscience Australia to complete resource assessment and environmental management tasks throughout the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone. These operations include the current Offshore Energy Security Program and various coastal and marine mapping projects which include environmental research, climate studies, boundary definition and natural disaster risk assessment. Support is also provided to other Geoscience Australia core areas and to external agencies such as Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), state agencies and universities which are undertaking complementary or collaborative geoscience related work. |
Data acquisition
(Copyright Geoscience Australia) |
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Project outputsSurveysTo obtain the information and background knowledge necessary for successful marine management a variety of survey methods and tools are required. Fortunately the information recovered from a survey can often be used for more than one purpose. For example geophysical and geological surveys are conducted offshore to assess areas for future petroleum exploration and acreage release. But the same data can also be useful for climate and ecological studies or fisheries and maritime boundary definition. Surveys are also conducted in remote and largely unexplored regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans and operations staff and equipment are sometimes required for research in Australian Antarctic waters. Small scale operations are also undertaken in bays and estuaries for environmental programs - often in collaboration with other agencies. The emphasis is to support Geoscience Australia mapping and research programs, but other federal, state, local and overseas government bodies benefit from Field and Engineering Support equipment and expertise. |
Vibrocorer deployment
(Copyright Geoscience Australia) |
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| Marine surveys often involve the deployment of several types of equipment or instrument arrays. On a regional mapping initiative, the equipment might include a multibeam sonar, multi-channel seismic system, a sub-bottom profiler, magnetometer and sidescan sonar. A survey for petroleum exploration could also include a gravity meter, profiling fluorometer or continuous gas detection equipment. Both petroleum and environmental surveys also typically include geological sampling such as grab samples, sediment cores, underwater video, dredge and water column samples at selected sites. However full scale seismic surveys are contracted out and Geoscience Australia relies on third party ship operators to provide vessels for its survey operations. |
Shipek grab
(Copyright Geoscience Australia) |
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EquipmentThe Field and Engineering Support equipment list includes the following. Other specialist items are hired as required:
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Underwater rotary drill (Copyright Geoscience Australia)
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DUCII deep sea camera
(Copyright Geoscience Australia) |
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Towed chirp profiler
(Copyright Geoscience Australia) |
The Field and Engineering Support unit is committed to providing high quality equipment and experienced personnel for marine science investigations. This is a basic requirement for world-class research and the successful ongoing management of Australia's vast marine jurisdiction. |
Scientists prepare to deploy Benthic chambers off Esperance in Western Australia
(Copyright Geoscience Australia)
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