Datasets relating to samples collected from the leeward off-reef area off Wistari Reef

Updated: 2014-12-16

Wistari Reef is a lagoonal platform reef, situated on the Tropic of Capricorn, within the Capricorn and Bunker region of the southern Great Barrier Reef. Surface samples were taken from the leeward off-reef floor to determine the mean grainsize and the sorting coefficient. Within this area the average mean grainsize is ~1.16phi, with an average sorting coefficient of 0.89phi. The sediments of the leeward off-reef floor are relatively mature. Most samples are moderately well-sorted medium sand, and are moderately well-rounded. Patch reefs, and small individual colonial and solitary corals contribute a small amount of coarser material to the sediment.