Distribution, Morphology, and Geochemistry of Manganese Nodules from the Valivia 13/2 Area, Equatorial North Pacific

Abstract

Manganese nodules were collected during cruise 13/2 of R.V. Valdivia in 1976 in a small area of the equatorial north Pacific characterized by abyssal hill topography. The sediments are dominantly siliceous oozes in which extensive dissolution ofsiliceous material has taken place. Three principal nodule morphologies were recovered: polynucleate nodules, mononucleate nodules, and manganese crusts. Polynucleate nodules occur throughout the entire depth range studied whereas mononucleate nodules are found principally below 5000 m; manganese crusts are restricted to the abyssal hill environments. Nodule density remains on average roughly constant (> 7 kg/m2) with water depth (although varying considerably, 0-27 kg/m2, throughout the area), but the form in which the nodules occur changes with water depth. Nodule composition was investigated as a function of water depth, nodule size, and nodule morphology and shown to be related principally to nodule morphology. Mononucleate nodules have higher contents of Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn and lower contents of Fe and Co than polynucleate nodules. The lithogenous fraction in the nodules is similar in both morphologies, although it varies considerably with nodule size. Both morphologies contain todorokite andJ-Mn02as the principal manganese oxide phases, but todorokite is relatively more abundant in the mononucleate nodules. The data are best interpreted in terms of the diagenetic supply of the transition elements Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn to the nodules resulting from the in situ dissolution of siliceous tests in the sediment column. This process is more pronounced in the abyssal regions than on the flanks of the abyssal hills and leads to the enrichment of these elements in the larger mononucleate nodules embedded at the sediment -water interface there. This enhanced supply of transition elements also leads to the stabilization of todorokite in these nodules. Polynucleate nodules appear to be preferentially formed under conditions of higher sedimentation rate on the flanks of abyssal hills in an environment where abundant seeds are available. Mononucleate nodules are formed in abyssal environments characterized by lower sedimentation rate where enhanced rates of supply of biogenically derived elements can take place.