The specifics of ferromanganese ore formation on the submarine Vityaz’ Ridge (Pacific slope of the Kuril island arc)

Abstract

Abstract We present data on the location, chemical composition, and contents of trace elements in thin ferromanganese crusts at two sites of the submarine Vityaz’ Ridge: Diana and Bussol’ test grounds. The crusts abound in inclusions of grains of nonferrous (Cu, Zn, Pb, Sn, Ni, W) and noble (Au, Ag, Pd, Pt) metals in the form of native elements, sulfides, sulfates, oxides, or intermetallic compounds. The crusts at the Diana test ground contain mainly grains of nonferrous-metal minerals, and those at the Bussol’ test ground, mainly noble-metal minerals. There are also sites with Ni-rich (up to 3.5%) manganese crust. A detailed study of the ore crusts from the Vityaz’ Ridge showed that they are probably at the initial stage of formation.