New Data on Ferromanganese Crusts of Mendeleev Rise, Arctic Ocean

Abstract

This paper considers the compositions of ferromanganese crusts and nodules (FMCNs) growing on bedrock of Mendeleev Rise, collected in 2016 using a research submarine. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Pb are measured in the collected FMCNs. Analysis of the variations in the contents of ore elements in the studied FMCNs shows that these changes are determined by the following factors: (1) the relative heights of submarine relief (higher relief is characterized by higher concentrations of Co and Ni); (2) substrate character (if it is a tuff, then its alteration provides additional Mn and Zn enrichment of FMCNs); (3) participation of bottom ooze (in the case of extensive contact of substrate fragments with ooze under the influence of pore waters, FMCNs become enriched in elements such as Mn, Co, and Ni); (4) chemical properties of elements (Mn hydroxides concentrate Co and Ni, whereas Fe hydroxides host Cu and Zn).