Geochemical characteristics of seamount ferromanganese nodules from mid-Pacific Ocean

Nine seamount ferromanganese nodules from six seamounts in the mid-Pacific Ocean have been sampled, the obtained sixteen sub-samples were used to analyze their main elements, trace elements and rare earth elements by the chemical method and ICP-MS, platinum group elements have also been analyzed for some subsamples, using the methods of Te co-precipitation pre-concentration and isotope dilution. All subsamples have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction for their mineral composition. It is shown from the analysis results that the mineral composition, chemical characteristics and the occurrence of main components of seamount nodules from mid-Pacific Ocean are similar to those of hydrogenous cobalt-rich crust on seamounts, which indicates that seamount nodules were hydrogenous. Compared with the ferromanganese nodules occurring on the surface of deep-sea sediments, seamount nodules have higher Fe and Co but lower Cu and Ni, so the seamount nodules from mid-Pacific Ocean might be formed on the surface of sediments on seamounts in weak acidic but strong oxidation environment. Because of their similar occurring depth and redox conditions, seamount nodules are very similar to cobalt-rich crust in their chemical composition, minerals and occurrence of main compositions. However, having been found on the sediment-seawater interface, seamount nodules experienced the influence of early-diagenesis of sediments, so the typical seamount crust has some characteristics of transition to ferromanganese nodules.