Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from the SO 79 (SEDIPERU - TUSCH) expedition from R/V Sonne

The research cruise SO79 with RV SONNE (April 18 to June 09 1992) aimed to assess the impact of a potential mining activity on the sensitive deep-sea ecosystem of the Peru Basin. Up to now only results of reconnaissance surveys of the extended manganese nodule field discovered in 1978 in the Peru Basin are available. The hydroacoustic, sedimentological, and geochemical studies on data and sample material of SO79 came to the following results: a small-scaled variation in thickness respectively type of surface sediments shown by the sediment echosounder respectively the side-scan-sonar is assumably due to variations in deposition or erosion. The composition of sediments is controlled by climatic cycles of different length which were caused by the variable influence of glaciation of the northern hemisphere. We think that during the quaternary a deep-water circulation reduced in intensity and O2-content may have produced a suboxic diagenetic environment which led to a remobilization and redeposition of Mn forming manganese nodules in the oxic surface sediments. Near the distinct redox boundary at about 10 cm depth the growth conditions for nodules are extremely favourable. Due to the great variability of sediments the impact of deep-sea mining will be highly variable and the disturbance of the seafloor will change the ecosystem considerably.

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from VEMA 15 Expedition stations

The cores and dredges described in this report were taken during the VEMA 15 Expedition from October 1958 until July 1959 by the Lamont Geological Observatory, Columbia University from the R/V Vema. A total of 410 cores and dredges were recovered and are available at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory for sampling and study.

(Table 8.2, Page 178) Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from submarine photographs acquired by the R/V Vityaz in the Pacific Ocean

Prof. H. H. W. Menard has brought together nearly all that was known of the Pacific geology in the early 1960s. His book contains a particular chapter on manganese nodules giving a stimulating review of the features and processes known to govern their distribution and chemical composition.

Observation of ferromanganese deposits in the Baltic Sea

Baltic sediments have been studied by Behrens, Munthe, Küppers, Spethmann, Apstein, Sjöstedt, Pratje and the writer. The following types of sediments have been observed: varved and non-varved late-glacial clays, gray and black, post-glacial muds, and sands. The organic content of late-glacial clays ordinarily is less than 1.3 per cent, and of post-glacial muds more than 3 per cent. Sediments containing intermediate quantities are scarce. This can be explained as a result of the changed balance between organic and inorganic sedimentation when the glacial period ended; the abundance of fresh detritus then suddenly ceased and inorganic sedimentation became very much slower than before; consequently, the relative amount of organic detritus increased. As most of the material was not subjected to biological analysis, it has not been possible to distinguish different ages among post-glacial sediments.

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from RIDA cruise stations

The cores and dredges described at this site were taken on the RIDA cruise from 1 May until 25 May 1984 by the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle from the R/V Marion Dufresne. A total of 45 cores and dredges were recovered along with underwater camera runs. They are available at MNHN for sampling and study.

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from the H.M.S. Egeria, H.M.S. Fling Fish and H.M.S. Investigator expeditions in the Indian Ocean and Southern Seas

Captain Wharton, the Hydrographer of the Admiralty sent to the author a series of the deposit-samples collected in the Indian and Antarctic Oceans during the expeditions in 1887 of H.M.S. Flying Fish, H.M.S. Egeria and H.M.S. Investigator. These deposits were submitted to careful microscopical examination and chemical analysis.

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from the TRANSINDIK R/V Valdivia (VA 07) cruise stations

The studied material was taken from Central Indian Ocean central, during the "TRANSINDIK" campaign of the R/V Valdivia. The campaign was conducted from 14 December 1973 until 23 January 1974, between Beira (Mozambique) and Singapore via Port Louis (Mauritius). The samples were taken on 14 stations aligned on a profile trending West, following approximately the 15th parallel (south). This profile cuts through the Mascarene plateau Basin. The preliminary study presented in this report was carried out as part of a study into the genesis and diagenesis the ocean deposits of the central and southern areas of the Indian Ocean (Laboratoire de GÈologie du MusÈum d'Histoire Naturelle - R.C.P. 212) and under the CNEXO No. 74/1017 contract. The data collected supplements the results of the OSIRIS campaign (R/V Marion Dufresne - TAAF) concerning relations existing between morphostructure and sedimentation and, more particularly, the nature and age of metalliferous deposits associated with Mn concretions.

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from the VERMILION SEA Expedition stations

On Vermilion Sea Expedition two research vessels among which the R/V Spencer F. Baird conducted a geological and geophysical exploration of the Gulf of California from February to May, 1959. Support was obtained from the Office of Naval Research and the Bureau of Ships of the U. S. Navy and from a grant of the American Petroleum Institute. Study of the canyons was one feature of the first part of the expedition. Submarine canyon studies were directed by Francis P. Shepard, Professor of Submarine Geology, aboard the research vessel Spencer F. Baird. The expedition found that the narrow channel between Angel de la Guarda Island, toward the head of the Gulf, and the peninsula is scoured almost free of sediments by strong currents. On the other side of Angel de la Guarda Island, between it and the mainland, one of the dredge hauls brought up a manganese nodule. It came from a depth of approximately 1500 feet. This is the shallowest water in which the nodules have been found. Studies have been under way some time on the feasibility of mining such nodules from the sea floor. They contain cobalt, nickel, copper and other valuable metals. (also in, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Vermilion Sea Expedition to the Gulf of California, http://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb34484017)

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits from stations of R.R.S. "Discovery" Cruise 16

The cores and dredges described in this report were taken on Cruise 16 of the R.R.S. "Discovery" from January until May 1967 by the National Institute of Oceanography, Wormley, United Kingdom. A total of 73 cores and dredges were recovered and are available through the British Oceanographic Data Centre for sampling and study.