Chemical composition of nodules and crusts from the Sea of Japan

Iron-manganese mineralization on seamounts and rises in the Sea of Japan is represented by iron-manganese nodules and crusts. Their chemical composition (major elements and more than 30 trace elements) was studied by a series of analytical methods. According to geochemical comparisons hydrogenic, hydrothermal, and biogenic materials have participated in creation of this mineralization. Contents of Ba and Li, as well as Mo/Pb and Sb/As ratios can be used as indicators of genesis of iron-manganese nodules and crusts along with composition of the rare earth elements.