Critical metals in manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ, abundances and distributions

Hein, James R.; Spinardi, Francesca; Okamoto, Naoya; Mizell, Kira; Thorburn, Darryl; Tawake, Alifereti

doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2014.12.011

Cited by 125 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…The nodules from the Southwest Pacific Basin and the Atlantic Ocean are generally rounded and have a smooth surface. Similar morphological features have been described in nodules from the vicinity of the Cook Islands [24], and in nodules from the North Atlantic [21], at water depths of >5000 m. By contrast, the larger nodule from the CCFZ has a botryoidal appearance and a complex internal structure. These features are typical of nodules from this area at depths of 3000-4000 m (e.g., [6,8,18]).…”

Section: Samplessupporting

confidence: 72%

“…GR = growth rate = 0.68/(Co n ) 1.67 , where Co n = Co × 50/Fe + Mn, with Co, Fe, and Mn in wt % [21]. Where available, bulk nodule and crust data from [1,18,24,32,37] are shown for comparison, * ,a,b Layer types 1 (dark, low Mn/Fe) and 2.1 (bright, high Mn/Fe), respectively, as defined in [18]. -…”

Section: Chemical Composition Of Internal Layersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sediments in this area are affected by the South Pacific gyre, and subsequently the extremely low respiration rates in the sediments allow oxygen to penetrate the sediment column to the basement [23]. Nodules in this area are found on top of the pelagic brown-red zeolitic clays of the Samoa and Penrhyn basins, extending from approximately −5 • N, −170 • E to −40 • N, −155 • E. Nodule formation in these basins is mainly hydrogenetic, being further favoured by the low sedimentation rates, the presence of strong bottom currents and the abundant nuclei particulates [24].…”

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confidence: 94%

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Linkages between the Genesis and Resource Potential of Ferromanganese Deposits in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans

et al. 2018

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In addition to iron and manganese, deep sea ferromanganese deposits, including nodules and crusts, contain significant amounts of economically interesting metals, such as cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and rare Earth elements and yttrium (REY). Some of these metals are essential in the development of emerging and new-generation green technologies. However, the resource potential of these deposits is variable, and likely related to environmental conditions that prevail as they form. To better assess the environmental controls on the resource potential of ferromanganese deposits, we have undertaken a detailed study of the chemical composition of ferromanganese nodules and one crust sample from different oceanic regions. Textural and chemical characteristics of nodules from the North Atlantic and a crust from the South Pacific suggest that they acquire metals from a hydrogenous source. These deposits are potentially an economically important source of Co and the REY. On the other hand, nodules from the Pacific Ocean represent a marginal resource of these metals, due to their relatively fast growth rate caused by diagenetic precipitation. By contrast, they have relatively high concentrations of Ni and Cu. A nodule from the Arctic Ocean is characterised by the presence of significant quantities of detrital silicate material, which significantly reduces their metal resource.

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Section: Samplessupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Chemical Composition Of Internal Layersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 94%

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Linkages between the Genesis and Resource Potential of Ferromanganese Deposits in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans

et al. 2018

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“…In addition, igneous rocks (granites and granodiorites) and possibly massive sulphides from the Ossa Morena basement of Galicia Bank may have been a supplementary source of metals for the mineralization at the seafloor. The Galicia Bank area nodules have higher Co than nodules from any other area of the modern ocean basin [ Hein et al ., ]. These remarkably high Co contents must have a source in addition to seawater and our proposal of leaching of black shale and/or basement rocks is a viable explanation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phosphorites, Co‐rich Mn nodules, and Fe‐Mn crusts from Galicia Bank, NE Atlantic: Reflections of Cenozoic tectonics and paleoceanography

González

Somoza

Hein

et al. 2016

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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A wide variety of marine mineral deposits were recovered from 750 to 1400 m water depths on Galicia Bank, Iberian margin. Mineral deposits include: (1) carbonate fluorapatite phosphorite slabs and nodules that replaced limestone and preserved original protolith fabric. (2) Ferromanganese vernadite crusts with high Mn and Fe (Mn/Fe = 1) contents, and thick stratabound layers consisting mainly of Mn (up to 27% MnO) and Fe (15% Fe2O3), which impregnated and replaced the phosphorite. (3) Co‐rich Mn nodules are composed of romanechite and todorokite laminae. Mn‐rich layers (up to 58% MnO) contain up to 1.8% Co. (4) Goethite nodules with Fe up to 67% Fe2O3 have low Mn and trace metals. We interpret this mineralization paragenesis to be related to major changes in oceanographic and tectonic regimes. Three phosphatization generations formed hardgrounds dated by 87Sr/86Sr isotopes as late Oligocene, early Miocene, and latest early Miocene. During the latest early Miocene, the hardground was fractured and breached due to regional intraplate tectonism, which was coeval with a widespread regional erosional unconformity. The stratabound layers and Co‐rich manganese nodules were derived from low‐temperature geothermally driven hydrothermal fluids, with fluid conduits along reactivated faults. During middle and late Miocene, the introduction of vigorous deep water flow from the Arctic generated growth of hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts. Finally, growth of diagenetic Fe‐rich nodules (late Pliocene) was promoted by the introduction of hypersaline Mediterranean Outflow Water into the Atlantic Ocean.

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“…Marine Fe-Mn crusts and nodules, which are considered as potential resources for REY, especially the HREY, also have on average much lower HREY complements than the phosphorites, mean 17% for crusts and 22% for nodules ( Figure 7); but crusts have total REY grades up to 1%, but more typically 0.20% to 0.40%, while nodules have lower grades, 0.08% for Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) and 0.17% for Cook island nodules (Figure 8) [27,[32][33][34]. As mentioned, it is the HREY complement that is most important because those elements are most needed for high-tech and green-tech applications and have the highest per weight market value (e.g., LCDs, permanent magnets, solar panels, lasers, nuclear medicine, phosphors) [35].…”

Section: Comparisons With Terrestrial Carbonatite Rey Deposits and Mamentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Phosphorites as Potential Resources for Heavy Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium

et al. 2016

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Abstract:Marine phosphorites are known to concentrate rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) during early diagenetic formation. Much of the REY data available are decades old and incomplete, and there has not been a systematic study of REY distributions in marine phosphorite deposits that formed over a range of oceanic environments. Consequently, we initiated this study to determine if marine phosphorite deposits found in the global ocean host REY concentrations of high enough grade to be of economic interest. This paper addresses continental-margin (CM) and open-ocean seamount phosphorites. All 75 samples analyzed are composed predominantly of carbonate fluorapatite and minor detrital and authigenic minerals. CM phosphorites have low total REY contents (mean 161 ppm) and high heavy REY (HREY) complements (mean 49%), while seamount phosphorites have 4-6 times higher individual REY contents (except for Ce, which is subequal; mean ΣREY 727 ppm), and very high HREY complements (mean 60%). The predominant causes of higher concentrations and larger HREY complements in seamount phosphorites compared to CM phosphorites are age, changes in seawater REY concentrations over time, water depth of formation, changes in pH and complexing ligands, and differences in organic carbon content in the depositional environments. Potential ore deposits with high HREY complements, like the marine phosphorites analyzed here, could help supply the HREY needed for high-tech and green-tech applications without creating an oversupply of the LREY.

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Critical metals in manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ, abundances and distributions

Cited by 125 publications

References 14 publications

Linkages between the Genesis and Resource Potential of Ferromanganese Deposits in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans

Linkages between the Genesis and Resource Potential of Ferromanganese Deposits in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans

Phosphorites, Co‐rich Mn nodules, and Fe‐Mn crusts from Galicia Bank, NE Atlantic: Reflections of Cenozoic tectonics and paleoceanography

Marine Phosphorites as Potential Resources for Heavy Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium

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