Chemical analyses of Pacific manganese nodules

Pacific Ocean manganese nodule materials were obtained from Dr. Jane Frazer, Scripps Oceanographic Institute, La Jolla, CA as small portions of a larger nodule sample. It is not known whether the samples represent surface nodule material or a composite of the whole nodule. Where insufficient fine grained particles were available, a fine powder was obtained by lightly grinding the nodule material in an agate mortar and pestle. No differences in the XPS spectra or binding energy results were noted when comparing ground or unground (as received) sample powder. No other surface treatment or washing of the nodules was carried out. Elemental analysis (except Ba) were provided by the donor and preformed and analysis for barium was carried out by placing 0.1 g samples of the nodule in dilute (6 N) HCl and heating until the solid dissolved. All concentrations were dtermined using Atomic absorption spectrophometry.