Field survey for carbonate, silica and quartzose sediment deposits

Abstract

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority commissioned the Department of Geography. James Cook University of North Queensland to conduct a field survey of carbonate. silica and quartzose sediment deposits that are located within or adjacent to areas of the Great Barrier Reef Region, but not within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP). The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, section 38. prohibits operations for the recovery of minerals from the Marine Park. except for the purposes of research. The prohibition applies to carbonate sands (coral sand. star sand, shell-grit), coral limestone. silica and quartzose sands. that are collected in large quantities or for commercial purposes. In recent years the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has received numerous requests for permission 10 recover large quantities of these sediments for commercial purposes from within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP). These include requests for, or enquires about: i) carbonate sediments for use in the marine aquarium trade, ii) coral or silica sands to improve tourist resort beach amenity, and iii) quartzose sands for use in beach renourishment projects.